ENVIRON 357 Fall
Satellite Remote Sensing for Environmental Analysis
Lecture T, Th 11:40-12:55 LSRC A211
LAB T, Th 1:15 – 2:30 LSRC A153 (ICL)
Instructor: Jennifer Swenson (jswenson@duke.edu)
Office: LSRC A207B Phone: 668-0606
Office hours: M 3-5, T 2-3
TA: Ben Riegal joseph.riegel@duke.edu
Course Collaborators:
Mariano Gonzalez Roglich (mariano.gr@duke.edu)
Office: LSRC A322
Pete Harrell (harrell@duke.edu)
Office: LSRC A224 Phone: 613-8127
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Environmental analysis using primarily satellite remote sensing. Theoretical and technical underpinnings of
remote sensing (georectification, image analysis, classification) coupled with practical applications (land cover
mapping, change analysis, ground truth techniques). Strong emphasis on hands-on processing and analysis. Will
include variety of image types: multi-spectral, hyper-spectral, radar and others. Prerequisite: Environ 259 or
consent of instructor.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
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


To develop an understanding of the different techniques that may be utilized in computer processing of
remotely sensed data and the characteristics of products obtained;
To learn various approaches for developing thematic and continuous data products from remotely sensed
data, including the use of field data and the impact of different approaches on results;
To develop an understanding of the characteristics of a variety of sensor systems and understand the
different processing approaches suitable for each;
To develop the capacity to read the remote sensing literature critically.
STRUCTURE:
Tuesdays will be for lecture-based material introducing the theme/subject of the week. We will apply these
concepts in lab the same afternoon. Thursday's lecture periods will consist of a student-led group discussion of a
research paper of a similar/related them or in some cases a guest lecture. Thursday lab time is generally a
continuation of the lab started on Tuesday. Lab assignments will be due the following Tuesday, 5pm. in Ian
Varley's mail box. The materials inthe course are generally structured towards the 2nd year MEM student, and
PhD students with GIS background.
READINGS:
The required textbook is Fundamentals of Satellite Remote Sensing, Chuvieco & Huete 2010. CRC Press.
($75-99; can be ordered at the Gothic Bookshop- no shipping charges).
In addition to weekly reading from the text book, a set of additional readings (peer reviewed scholarly journals
and reports) derived from multiple sources will be provided via electronic reserves through Blackboard. You
should complete assigned readings prior to class in order to make the most of lecture and lab sessions.
The main resources are denoted in the syllabus as:


C&H (Chuvieco & Huete)
Articles denoted by author’s last name and year. e.g. Song (2001)
BLACKBOARD:
The Duke Blackboard system is used extensively in this course to post various class materials (e.g., lecture
notes, readings, supplementary resources/web sites) and to post student grades for all exams, quizzes and
activities. The Blackboard website is: https://courses.duke.edu.
GRADING:
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


Lab reports = 45%
Midterm Exam = 25% (Standard closed book)
Class Project = 25%
Participation (Primarily literature discussions) 5%
GENERAL POLICIES:
Attendance: Much of the factual information for which you are responsible is contained in the lectures. And the
application of that material will happen in our lab exercises. Therefore, although attendance is not taken on a
regular basis, absences will be detrimental to your understanding of the subject matter and will be considered in
evaluating your class participation.
Ethics: For this class you are expected to arrive at your final results, whether in the lab or your class proejct, on
your own (unless you've chosen to do a group project). You can collaborate and help each other along the way
while you are working through the lab in ENVI (helping with commands, procedure), but your files, results and
written report must be solely your own.
Auditors: The materials in the course are generally structured towards the 2nd year MEM student, and PhD
students with GIS background. I want to emphasize however, that while we welcome participation in the
lectures and article discussion, the lab participation may be limited. You will have to use your own home drives
as your workspace (there will be limited class drive space this fall because of the number of geospatial courses
being offered) and students that are registered for the course will get priority in terms of one-on-one help during
lab time.
Nicholas School Honor Code:
All activities of Nicholas School students, including those in this course, are governed by the Duke Community
Standard:
The Duke Community Standard:
Duke University is a community dedicated to scholarship, leadership, and service and to the principles of
honesty, fairness, respect, and accountability. Citizens of this community commit to reflect upon and uphold
these principles in all academic and nonacademic endeavors, and to protect and promote a culture of integrity.
To uphold the Duke Community Standard:
I will not lie, cheat, or steal in my academic endeavors;
I will conduct myself honorably in all my endeavors; and
I will act if the Standard is compromised.
Tuesday Class
11:40-12:55
Week
1
Lab
T 1:15-2:30
Thursday Class
11:40-12:55
Lab (continued)
Th 1:15-2:30
Introduction to RS, Electromagnetic Radiation, Signatures, Satellites
30 Aug
2
Lecture
Readings:
√C&H :1-20 (skim) ; 21-60 (thorough !)
√Tatem et al. 2008.
Suggested: Canadian Remote Sensing
tutorial
Assignment
sheet
(continued
lecture)
Introduction to
Imagine-Imagine Tour
Guide
Imagery Types, Image Geometry, Geometric Correction
Lecture
6 Sept
3
Geometric
Correction, TM
(continued
lecture)
Atmospheric
and
Radiometric
Correction, TM
Discussion:
√Chander et al.
(2009)
√Song et al.
(2001)
lab continued
Radiometric Correction
13 Sept
4
Readings:
√C&H : 63-78 (stop @3.4); 87-111 (skim,
start @ sect. 6.6.3); 191-194 (stop@6.6.2);
218-234 (thorough)
√Goward 2006
Lecture
Readings:
√C&H : 194-218 (stop@6.6.3); review 5759, read lab!
√Chander et al. (2009)
√Song et al. (2001)
lab continued
Spectral enhancements
20
Sept
Lecture
Readings:
√C&H : 159-184; 237-264; skim 265-270
√Pettorelli 2005
√ Huutich et al 2007
lab continued
Spectral
enhancement/i
ndices (VI’s,
TCI, PCA) (TM,
CASI-2)
Discussion
Pettorelli 2005
&
Huutich et al
2007
5
Active remote sensing: LIDAR
Lecture , also with Ben Riegel talk
Readings:
√C&H : sect.3.4.2 : 85-87
√ Lefsky et al 2003
√Hughes
27
Sept
6, 7 & 8
11 Oct
FALL BREAK
ClassificationUnsupervised,
Columbia SC.
Supervised
Classification
(continued
lecture)
Th. Lecture
Readings:
√ Lowry 2007
√ Dennison 2010
√ Skim: Chen 2008
TO DO:
Your Favorite Satellite
Your project title on wiki!

18 Oct
lab continued
Classification, Fall Break & Midterm Review
Lecture
Readings:
√C&H :271-301
4 Oct
Discussion
√Lefksy et al.
Lidar in eastern
2003
NC wetland
√Hughes
Discussion:
√C&H :305-308
√Lowry 2007
√ Dennison 2010
√ Chen 2008 (skim)
lab
continued
Mariano’s
presentationCART
classification in
Argentina
/Midterm review
lab continued
ClassificationSupervised &
Accuracy
Assessment,
Columbia SC
Open lab time
9 Midterm and Accuracy Assessment
!λ MIDTERM λ!
25 Oct
10
TBA-
Project work
√C&H : 343-369
Change
detection
Discussion w/
Mariano
Gonzales:
√Lu 2003
√Asner CLAS
MODIS; time
series in NC
Discussion:
√Justice 2002
√Running
Guest EPA
speaker?
Downloading
an image/
Project work
Change Detection
1 Nov
11
Downloading
an image/
Lecture
Readings:
√C&H : 310-329
√ Lu et al 2003.
√Asner CLAS
lab continued
MODIS
8 Nov
Lecture
Readings:
√C&H : review 99-104
√Justice 2002
√Running
lab continued
12
Active remote sensing: RADAR
15 Nov
13
Lecture
Readings:
√C&H : 78 (3.4) -85, review 106-108
√?Townsend 2002?
√?Treuhaft 2004?
Backscatter
and Biomass in
Duke Forest
Discussion:
√?Townsend
2002?
√?Treuhaft
2004?
lab continued
Project work, Hyperspectral
22 Nov
29 Nov
Lecture Cancelled
THANKSGIVING RECESS
Project work
Hyperspectral; Dr. Sonia Silvestri
Readings:
√C&H :302-305, review 108-110
Discuss
√Ustin 2004
√Asner 2008
Hyper Spectral
exploration lab
Hyperspectral
Discussion &
Wrap-up
lecture
Project work