Vår 2015

FYS-3001 Earth observation from satellites - 10 stp

The course is administrated by

Institutt for fysikk og teknologi

Type of course

The course is available as a singular course. The course is also available to exchange students and free-movers.

The course will only be taught if there are sufficiently many students. Please contact the student adviser as soon as possible if you are interested in following the course.

Course overlap

FYS-3001 Earth observation for satellites 10 stp

Course contents

The course teaches the physical foundation, concepts, and instrumentation associated with active and passive remote sensing. The course explains the physics related electromagnetic radiation and the interaction between radiation and matter, and explains the basic principles of radiometry, radar measurements, and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging. Various applications of Earth observation data are discussed.

Application deadline

Applicants from the Nordic countries: 1 December for the spring semester and 1 June for the autumn semester.
Free-mover applicants from eligible regions/countries: 1 October for the spring semester and 15 April for the autumn semester.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements are a Bachelor's degree in physics or similar education, including specialization in physics worth the equivalent of not less than 80 ECTS credits. Local admission , application code 9371 - singular course at Master's level.

Objective of the course

Knowledge - The student will be able to...

describe how electromagnetic (EM) radiation is generated
explain the propagation of EM waves and how they interact with matter through absorption, scattering and emission
recognize spectral signatures of gases and solid matter
describe radiation concepts and transfer
explain basic antenna theory
describe how a synthetic aperture radar works

Skills - The student will be able to...

interpret multi-spectral remote sensing images
interpret spectral signatures
interpret SAR images
identify artifacts created in the SAR imaging process

General expertise - The student will be able to...

understand the complete chain of processing involved the generation of remote sensing products; physics, the sensor, propagation effects, analysis aspects

Language of instruction

The language of instruction is English and all of the syllabus material is in English. Examination questions will be given in English, but may be answered either in English or a Scandinavian language.

Teaching methods

Lectures: 40 hours
Exercises: 40 hours

Assessment

Portfolio assessment of project assignments counting about 40 % and a final oral examination counting about 60 %. All modules in the portfolio are assessed as a whole and one combined grade is given.

Assessment scale: Letter grades A-F.

Re-sit examination (section 22):
There is no access to a re-sit examination in this course.

Postponed examination (sections 17 and 21):
Students with valid grounds for absence will be offered a postponed examination. Both postponed take-home examination and postponed oral examination are arranged during the semester if possible, otherwise early in the following semester.

New ordinary examination (section 25):
A new ordinary examination in the teaching-free semester is not offered.

See indicated sections in Regulations for examinations at the UiT The arctic university of Norway for more information.

Coursework requirements
Access to the final examination requires submission of project assignments.