CEG1706 : Earth Observation
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Maria-Valasia Peppa
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To enable students to learn and understand the physical principles behind satellite and airborne Earth observation technologies. An understanding is developed of the nature and properties of electromagnetic radiation, characteristics of sensors and platforms and basics of digital image processing. Students will gain an appreciation of the remote sensing workflow for applications within the geosciences, also those related to global environmental and sustainability challenges. The students will gain familiarity with Earth Observation data sources and image processing software through practical exercises of real-world examples.
Outline Of Syllabus
The students learn about the nature of electromagnetic radiation and its interactions with the Earth’s surface and atmosphere. The module includes the description of various platforms, sensors with their resolutions and characteristics. The modules provides an introduction to photography, radar and laser scanning. It also includes Earth Observation data acquisition and remote sensing processing workflows. The module provides digital image processing techniques including image display and enhancement, filtering, pre-processing and classification techniques for thematic mapping.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Completion of coursework activities |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 11:30 | 11:30 | revision for and completion of examination |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 4 | 3:00 | 12:00 | computer based practicals |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Lecture follow up |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | group based activity |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 23:30 | 23:30 | Reading and reflective learning |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Specialist knowledge, understanding and background theory is primarily taught through in-person lectures, supported by practical sessions that build on this understanding and allow the development of skills in image processing and interpretation in more applied contexts.
Alternative will be offered to students who are unable to be present in person.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 70 | In person written exam |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | 15 | Online quiz via Canvas including a map related to the last practical |
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | 15 | a short essay of 350 words related to the last practical embedded in the online quiz |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | 1 Online quiz via Canvas of the first practical |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
A formal examination will be used to assess understanding of theoretical concepts in Earth Observation data processing methods and operational considerations, accounting for the majority of summative module assessment (70%).
Online Canvas quizzes (15%), able to be undertaken and completed within timetabled practical sessions, will be used to ensure engagement of students with image processing aspects of the module, a practice (formative) quiz will be taken after the first practical. Finally students will be asked to complete a short essay (15%) independently, to assess their skills on understanding fundamental processing workflows with Earth Observation data, which form a key pre-requisite to a later Earth Observation module (CEG2709).
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CEG1706's Timetable