PHY1102 Remote Sensing and Meteorology

Contents

• Staffing
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

RATIONALE

Remote sensing is being applied in an ever-increasing range of scientific and GIS 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. This course is of interest to students studying climatology, physics, environmental engineering, science education as well as professional science teachers and students in the Head Start program.

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, synoptic and sub-synoptic-scale processes.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1.

describe basic principles of physics in the areas of remote sensing and meteorology (Assignment; Reports; Exam);

2.

perform experiments which demonstrate and reinforce aspects of the theory using the appropriate equipment safely (Reports);

3.

effectively communicate their knowledge of environmental physics (Assignment; Reports; Exam).

TOPICS

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Mason, N & Hughes, P 2001, Introduction to environmental physics: planet earth, life and climate, 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.

Andrews, DG 2000, An introduction to atmospheric physics, Cambridge University Press, New York.

Boeker, E & van Grandelle, R 1999, Environmental physics, 2nd edn, Wiley.

Crowder, B 2000, The wonders of the weather, Bureau of Meterology, Melbourne.

Linacre, E & Geerts, B 1997, Climates & weather explained, Routledge, New York.

Mather, P 1999, Computer processing of remotely sensed images, 2nd edn, John Wiley, New York.

Sturman, AP & Tapper, NJ 1996, The weather and climate of Australia and New Zealand, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

World Meteorological Organization 1983, Guide to meteorological instruments and methods of observation, 5th edn, World Meteorological Organization, Geneva, vol 8.
(551.5 GUI and Physics Lab)

World Meteorological Organization 1987, International cloud atlas, 2nd edn, World Meteorological Organization, Geneva.
(551.576 WOR)

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

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 the examination satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the examination. To complete the practical component satisfactorily, students must submit 80% of the nominated practical reports and obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each report submitted. Students must satisfy Objective 2 by including signed results with their laboratory reports.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without (prior) approval of the examiner then a penalty of 5% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment may apply for each working day late up to ten working days at which time a mark of zero may be recorded. No assignments will be accepted after model answers have been posted.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
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 Restricted Examination, candidates are allowed access to specific materials during the examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are: writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination); calculators which cannot hold textual information (students must indicate on their examination paper the make and model of any calculator(s) they use during the examination; English translation dictionaries (but not technical dictionaries).
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/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

This version produced 28 Aug 2009.