ARCH41070 Remote Sensing

Academic Year 2020/2021

Remote sensing involves the capture of information about an object or environment from a distance, usually through sensors located on a satellite or aircraft. Processing and analysing this data has transformed our understanding of the natural and built environment and how it is affected by natural and human forces.

The emphasis in this module will be placed on examining passive and active remote sensing techniques for environmental science, heritage research and monitoring, with particular emphasis on World Heritage Sites, land cover classification and resource management situations.

The lectures will introduce students to remote sensing and the theory of data capture, processing and analysis. Practical computer-based sessions will provide students with an opportunity to apply this information to real-world problems and engage students with techniques of processing and querying remotely sensed data.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of:
1. Demonstrate an appreciation of the physical principles of the visible, infrared and microwave section of the electromagnetic spectrum.
2. Comprehend the principles of operation of the main passive and active remote sensing techniques currently in use.
3. Propose suitable applications of remote sensing platforms or datasets for environmental monitoring.
4. Experiment with digital processing and analysis techniques using airborne and spaceborne data (e.g. lidar; multispectral data)
5. Understand the key role of remote sensing in heritage-themed research

Indicative Module Content:

Mapping and projections; Introduction to GIS; The electromagnetic spectrum; satellites and sensors; working with satellite data; true colour and false colour composites; band ratios; aerial photography; lidar introduction; processing and visualizing lidar data; sonar data; working with drones/UAV; photogrammetry

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

9

Tutorial

4

Practical

9

Specified Learning Activities

45

Autonomous Student Learning

62

Total

129

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students will learn through a combination of lectures and practical sessions; where required additional support sessions will be provided. It is a key objective of this course that students learn to work from primary data to interpretation, so it is imperative that students be given the intellectual tools to be able to achieve this. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Primary Degree

Learning Recommendations:

Some GIS experience is recommended


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Remote Sensing (ZOOL40250)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: Final essay, 3000 words on either a natural or cultural heritage issue concerned with remote sensing (to be confirmed) Week 12 n/a Graded No

80

Group Project: Group poster project based on data processing task (lidar) Week 6 n/a Graded No

20


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

UCD School of Archaeology operates a standardized feedback coversheet which is used in all assessments. Essay feedback will be in the form of this coversheet and a commented assignment, Poster feedback (by group) will be as coversheet only. The poster presentation assesses your ability to work in groups, and most importantly to derive useful information from primary data and to present it in a clear and informative manner. The final assessment is a more substantive piece of work and will assess your engagement with current research in the field.

Name Role
Dr Annalisa Christie Lecturer / Co-Lecturer