Understanding Environment Using GIS and Remote Sensing

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 6
• Convenor: Dr Shino Shiode
• Assessment: a 3000-word report (100%)

In this module, you will learn how to collect, analyse and visualise geospatial and remote sensing data with focus on the environment and land cover. Each session will consist of a lecture that covers a specific context and suitable methods to tackle the relevant challenges, followed by computer-based practical exercises to apply those methods in a hands-on manner. We will cover a range of contexts and data taken from the fields of environment, earth science, urban, archaeology, ecology and climate change.

Indicative syllabus

• Introduction to GIS and remote sensing
• Data collection for the environment and earth observation
• Managing and processing spatial data for remote sensing and GIS
• Earth observation and big data analysis
• Modelling and monitoring land cover change
• Machine learning and image classification
• Environmental GIS for decision support

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• apply the practical skills of handling and processing GIS and remote sensing data
• collect and process spatial data to gain insights into environment and land cover
• utilise suitable GIS and remote sensing methods to interpret earth observation data
• process and visualise land cover data using GIS techniques and machine learning approaches
• work successfully with diverse GIS and remote sensing data formats and standards.