ENVI 214(F) Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing (Same as Geosciences 214)

Remote Sensing involves the processing of data collected by satellite and airborne sensors to yield environmental and geologic information about the earth's surface such as the distribution of forest types, rock units, and land use. A Geographic Information System (GIS) links these thematic data with other spatial data such as topography, transportation networks, and political boundaries to allow display and analysis at the same scale and with the same geographic reference. This course will cover the principles of GIS including data capture, geographic rectification using a Global Positioning System (GPS), spatial buffers, and logical overlays, as well as the concepts of Remote Sensing, including linear and non-linear image enhancements, convolution filtering, principal components analysis, and classification. Weekly labs will apply the concepts learned in class. The course will have seven lab reports/exercises (5% each), two hour exams (20% each), and a final project (25%). Prerequisite: at least one introductory course in either Environmental Studies or Geosciences. Enrollment limited to 16.

Hour: BIRNIE