Advanced Earth Observation
Objectives and outcomes
The general aim of this short course is to build on the Introduction to Earth Observation course by exposing students to the advanced techniques in image analysis, focussing primarily on Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis (GEOBIA).
The expected outcomes are:
- Understand and explain the need for pre-processing satellite imagery;
- Understand and explain the principles of supervised, unsupervised and expert system (rule-based) classification approaches;
- Describe frequently used image classification algorithms;
- Understand and explain the need for and application of image transformations;
- Understand the principals of accuracy assessment and sound field work;
- Describe the fundamentals of geographical object-based image analysis (GEOBIA);
- Understand object creation and describe a range of image segmentation algorithms;
- Describe various image object features, including spectral, textural, geometrical, contextual and relational features.
- Implement a simple image processing workflow in an object-based environment;
- Select, apply and assess various image transformations within an object-based environment;
- Perform a simple accuracy assessment of a object-based classification product;
- Integrate an earth observation product into a GIS application.
Accredited option
The course duration is a total of 8 weeks. The first 4 weeks students receive access to lectures and practical exercises requiring about 8 to 10 hours of effort per week. At the end of the 5th week students are required to write an examination. This is followed by a final 3 weeks during which students’ complete assignments. Students will be assisted during the course by having access to forums and once weekly online q & a sessions.
Students need not be on campus during the duration of this course but need access to a computer loaded with eCognition Developer 8 and ArcGIS Pro software. An eCognition and ArcGIS Pro temporary licence (valid for two months) can be supplied if necessary.
Attend-only option
Students who are not interested in being assessed may choose to register for the first 4 weeks only (i.e., only get access to the lectures and exercises and not write the exam or complete any assignments). Students choosing this option will receive a certificate of attendance.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by Stellenbosch University, an accredited higher education provider. The content of the course is identical to a component of the three-year BSc GeoInformatics programme that is accredited by the South African Geomatics Council (SAGC). Upon successful completion of both the contact and assessment components, an official Stellenbosch University certificate of competence will be awarded.
Prescribed reading
There is no prescribed textbook for this course, but participants are encouraged to read the following articles:
Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis – Towards a new paradigm by Blaschke et. al (2014), Available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924271613002220
Object based image analysis for remote sensing by Blaschke (2010). Available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924271609000884
Multiresolution Segmentation: an optimization approach for high quality multi-scale image segmentation by Baatz & Schäpe (1999). Available at: http://www.ecognition.com/sites/default/files/405_baatz_fp_12.pdf
Assessments
Students who register for the full course will write an exam in the 5th week of the course. The test will count towards 50% of the final course mark and will contain questions relating to the lectures, exercises and the prescribed reading. A practical assignment will have to be completed within the 3 weeks following the examination. The assignment will include a report in which students must explain the methods used and interpret the results. This will count towards 50% of the final course mark.
Course structure & Cost
Option 1: Accredited option @ R8000
The course duration is a total of 8 weeks. The first 4 weeks students receive access to lectures and practical exercises requiring about 8 to 10 hours of effort per week. At the end of the 5th week students are required to write an examination. This is followed by a final 3 weeks during which students’ complete assignments. Students will be assisted during the course by having access to forums and once weekly online q & a sessions.
Option 2: Attend-only option @ R6000
Students who are not interested in being assessed may choose to register for the first 4 weeks only (i.e., only get access to the lectures and exercises and not write the exam or complete any assignments). Students choosing this option will receive a certificate of attendance.
Standard course fees are reduced by 20% for Stellenbosch University students and staff members if paid via an internal university cost point.
Dates
Check our calendar for dates on when the short course is presented.