PHY 1102 Remote Sensing and Meteorology

SubjectCat-NbrClassTermModeDescriptionUnitsCampus
PHY1102244062, 2003EXTRemote Sensing and Meteorology1.00TWMBA
Academic Group:FOSCI
Academic Org:FOS002
HECS Band:2
ASCED Code:010701

Contents


STAFFING:

Examiner: Jeff Sabburg
Moderator: Alfio Parisi



RATIONALE:

Remote sensing is being applied in an ever-increasing range of scientific areas. An understanding of the basic principles of both remote sensing and meteorology will greatly enhance the students realisation of the role of remote sensing in evaluating the changes to the world environment.


SYNOPSIS:

This course provides a basic understanding of remote sensing and meteorology which is necessary in evaluating global change in the world environment. No prior knowledge of mathematics or physics is required. Concepts covered in the course include the physics of data acquisition, image processing, remote sensing applications, physics of the atmosphere and the hydrological cycle.


OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course students will be able to:

  • apply basic principles of physics to the areas of remote sensing and meteorology;

  • perform experiments which demonstrate and reinforce aspects of the theory using the appropriate equipment safely;

  • effectively communicate their knowledge of Environmental Physics.



    • TOPICS:


    DescriptionWeighting (%)
    1. Electromagnetic radiation Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic spectrum, energy levels, image characteristics, energy interactions in the atmosphere.
    		 15.00
    2. Data acquisition - Sensors, Landsat, SPOT, NOAA satellites, multispectral and thermal scanning.
    		 11.00
    3. Image processing - Image structure, image processing systems, image restoration, image enhancement, information extraction/ classification.
    		 12.00
    4. Applications - resource exploration, environmental and land use applications, meteorological applications, natural hazards and radar remote sensing.
    		 14.00
    5. Measurement and Uncertainty, Weather Forecasting and Observation.
    		 8.00
    6. Atmospheric Dynamics, structure and composition.
    		 8.00
    7. Atmospheric Radiation - energy budget, Greenhouse effect and global warming.
    		 16.00
    8. Sub-synoptic scale - thunderstorms, tropical cyclones and micro-meteorology.
    		 16.00

    TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

    Books can be ordered by fax or telephone. For costs and further details use the 'Book Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au by entering the author or title of the text.

    Mason, N. and Hughes, P 2001, Introduction to Environmental Physics, Taylor & Francis, London.




    REFERENCE MATERIALS:

    Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

    IEEE Transactions on GeoScience and Remote Sensing (550 P10).

    J of the Atmospheric Sciences, American Met Society (551.5 P10).

    J of Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, (526.982 P2).

    Weather, Royal Met Society, (551.6 P1).

    Colls, K. & Whitaker, R. 1993, The Australian Weather Book, National, Brookvale, NSW.

    Crowder, B. 2000, The Wonders of the Weather, Bureau of Meterology, Melbourne.

    Linacre, E. & Geerts, B. 1997, Climates & Weather Explained, Routledge, New York.

    Mather, R. 1999, Computer Processing of Remotely Sensed Images, 2nd edition, John Wiley, New York.

    Muller, J.P. 1988, Digital Image Processing in Remote Sensing, Taylor and Francis, London.

    Rogers, R.R. & Yau, M.K. 1989, A Short Course in Cloud Physics, 3rd edition, Pergamon Press, Oxford.

    Sturman, A.P. & Tapper, N.J. 1996, The Weather and Climate of Australia and New Zealand, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

    Tapper, N. & Hurry, L. 1993, Australia's Weather Patterns, An Introductory Guide, Dellasta Pty Ltd, Mount Waverly, Mount Waverly.

    WMO 1983, Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation, 5th edition, WMO, No. 8 (551.5 GUI) and Physics Lab, Geneva.

    WMO 1987, International Cloud Atlas, 2nd edition, WMO (551.576 WOR). Geneva.




    STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

    ACTIVITYHOURS
    Assignments5
    Examinations3
    Practical Experience or Directed12
    Private Study126
    Report Writing24


    ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

    DescriptionMarks Out ofWtg(%)RequiredDue Date
    PRACTICAL WORK100.0030.00Y22 Jul 2003(see note )
    METEOROLOGY ASSIGNMENT100.0010.00Y22 Jul 2003(see note )
    3 HOUR CLOSED EXAM100.0060.00YEND S2(see note )
    NOTES:
    .
    Refer to Study Guide for details of Practical Work.
    .
    Refer to Study Guide for due date for Assignment.
    .
    Examination dates will be available during the Semester. Please refer to the examination timetable when published.

    IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

    1. Attendance requirements:
      There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities
    2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
      To complete each of the assignments satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assignment. To complete the examination satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the examination.
    3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
      If students submit assignments/practical reports after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 10% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
    4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
      To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must submit all of the summative assessment items, achieve at least 50% in the examination and at least 50% of the available weighted marks for the summative assessment items.
    5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
      The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
    6. Examination information:
      In a Closed Examination, candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the examination.
    7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
      Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the examination period at the end of the semester of the next offering of this course.
    8. University Regulations:
      Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/SECARIAT/calendar/Part5/ or in the printed version of the current USQ Handbook.

    ASSESSMENT NOTES

    9.The due date for an assignment/practical report is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner. Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. If requested by the Examiner, students will be required to provide a copy of assignments submitted for assessment purposes. Such copies should be despatched to USQ within 24 hours of receipt of a request being made. In accordance with University's Assignment Extension Policy (Regulation 5.6.1), the examiner of a course may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.