UAHuntsville

Satellite Remote Sensing I


- Calendar for Spring 2009 (MS Word file)

Syllabus | Text/References | Exams | Assignments/Projects | Projects

srs image

Figure caption : A thick haze of smoke has settled over the southern California region where massive wildfires have been burning since October 21st. NASA satellites captured new images of the fire-ravaged area as they passed overhead on Oct. 25, 2007.

 

Welcome to the fast-paced world of Satellite Remote Sensing. New satellites are being launched at a staggering pace to study the earth and its environment. Launching satellites is not just for the developed nations any more. More countries are recognizing the need to monitor the earth from space on a routine, reliable basis.

This class will provide the foundation for satellite remote sensing and for understanding its principles. You will use a variety of satellite imagery.

Therefore this class is bound to be fun, hectic (yes, hectic at times), and exciting! Here you will learn to appreciate the view from space and all the fun-stuff you can do with satellite images. The major goal of this class is to teach you the basics of satellite remote sensing through a lot of hands-on work. We will learn about different satellites, the principles of atmospheric radiation and image processing techniques. The bias will be towards the Atmospheric Sciences Discipline. We will also learn some specific remote sensing applications that are important for climate studies. Again, Welcome and hope you have a fun-semester !

This web page is the launching point for this semester. Make sure that you check this web page periodically for up-to-date information. The information on these web pages changes almost on a daily basis during the semester that the class is being taught.

The primary software package that will be used for this class is called IDL.

Prerequisites for class: You must take ATS 501 concurrently or must have taken the course to be eligible for this class. If you are unsure about your programming skills please see me before registering for the class because this class requires you to really keep up with computer programming.

Satellite Remote Sensing II - ATS 770


Calendar - Fall 2009

Syllabus | Text/References | Assignments/Projects | Presentations


Welcome to Satellite Remote Sensing II.

This course is designed to provide "hands-on" experience in Satellite Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and the Earth's surface. This course is a sequel to ATS 670. In ATS770, we will discuss geophysical retrievals using satellite imagery and radiative transfer models. The course is designed to provide a hands-on approach to satellite retrievals such as aerosol and cloud properties, land and ocean features, culminating in radiation budget of the earth-atmosphere system.

This course is designed to emulate actual research with a series of projects, student led presentations, written reports and discussions.

This web page is the launching point for this semester. Make sure that you check this web page periodically for up-to-date information. The information on these web pages changes almost on a daily basis during the semester that the class is being taught.

Prerequisites for class: ATS 670

Physical Climatology


- ATS 630 ( Fall 2008 Calendar of Events : Word document)

Syllabus| Text/References| Exams | Assignments/Projects|


Welcome to Physical Climatology (ATS 630)

This course is designed to provide hands on experience in understanding Global Climate Processes. You will use global satellite data sets from cloud and radiation projects.

Warning:This course is intensive in IDL programming.

The image below is something you will either like or hate before the end of the semester. We will discuss the various components of this figure using data and models.

Again, welcome to the class and hope you have fun!

Prerequisite : ATS 501

Course Goals : To understand the physical processes that govern Climate. To use global satellite data sets to examine these processes.

Energy Budget Diagram from Kiehl and Trenberth (1997)

From Kiehl, J. T. and Trenberth, K. E., 1997
Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 78, 197-208.

Professional Development - ATS 782


Syllabus | projects | Calendar (Fall 2009)

Class timing and location: Fridays from 11:10 am to 12:10 pm, Room:4065

This class is designed to provide the student with tools that will help them navigate graduate school and also be f help when they graduate and find a place of employment. In this class we will discuss several topics that are useful for both academic and non academic careers. Topics include proposal writing, effective presentation techniques, funding agencies, professional ethics, budgeting, time management, structure of academia, etc.

These two presentations have been given numerous times to various students and professionals that synthesizes the material in this course. (Click here for Short version) and (Click here for Long version)

Class participation is strongly encouraged.

This web page is the launching point for this semester. Make sure that you check up on this web page periodically for up-to-date information. This is a one credit class (that feels like a 3 credit course!) that will help you understand the mechanics of writing proposals, resumes and evaluate your career path using a traditional SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, threat) analysis.

Proposal opportunities.
Most organizations, in this case, we are at UAH,  have an office of sponsored programs (OSP) that deal with the proposal process. Check out our UAH OSP page at http://www.uah.edu/research/resadmin/ for all aspects on how to interact with administration folks.

NASA NESSF : http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ - click on "Solicitations" then click on "Open Solicitations" then select the "NESSF 09" announcement.  Also refer to "Proposal Submission Instructions" listed under "Other Documents" on the NESSF 09 solicitation index page

Professional Development - ATS 790


Aerosol Remote Sensing from Satellite, Ground and Sub-orbital measurements

This is a special topics course designed specifically for advanced graduate level students interested in remote sensing of aerosols.

Topics include:

Aerosol microphysical and radiative properties
Aerosol retrievals from space - past and current sensors
Aerosol retrievals from ground based instruments (e.g. AERONET)
Aerosol retrievals from sub-orbital measurements
Particulate matter and satellite-based retrievals
Data fusion for aerosol studies
High Resolution aerosol property retrieval.
Aerosols and the Climate System


There are no exams for this course. This course is designed as an independent study with emphasis on current problems in aerosol remote sensing. Projects will be designed based on current topics. Projects require a presentation and a detailed report.

Written reports must adhere to Geophysical Research Letters initial submission format.

Submission of paper to a peer reviewed journal is a requirement for this course.

Grading policy
Projects : 50%
Final paper 50 %

Office Hours and Contact Information


Office hours are only by appointment. The best way to contact me is via Email. You can then set up a time to discuss issues regarding class including assignments and projects

 

Office location
NSSTC
3rd floor (Room 3048)
Phone : (256) 961-7872
Fax : (256) 961-7755
Email : sundar@nsstc.uah.edu

 

Some pointers
1) If there is a teaching assistant (TA) for the class please see the TA first.
2) Please check Email regularly since I send periodic Emails regarding the class.

 

Spring 2008 - ATS 670
For ATS 670, Satellite Remote Sensing I
Teaching Assistant : Dr. Thomas Jones (tjones@nsstc.uah.edu)
Room 3067
Office Hours : Monday and Wednesday, 2:30 to 3:30 pm.
Dr. Jones is only available during these hours.
Please contact Dr. Jones first with questions.
 

Grading Criteria


A : 90-100
B : 80-89
C : 70-79
D : 60-69
F: <60

Satellite Remote Sensing II - ATS 770
No mid term or final exam
Three presentations : 30%
Three class projects : 40 %
Final report and final presentatation : 30 %

Physical Climatology - ATS 630
Mid term : 20%
Final exam : 30%
Assignments: 25%
Project : 25%

Satellite Remote Sensing I - ATS670
Assignments : 25%
Projects : 25%
Mid term: 20%
Final Exam : 30%

Satellite Remote Sensing II - ATS 770
No mid term or final exam
Four class projects : 40 %
One final project : 40 %
presentations : 20 %


Professional Development - ATS 782
Proposal : 40%
Career development project : 20%
Resume : 20%
Class participation : 20%

GIS and Remote Sensing - ATS/ES 413/513

Course Policy

These policies are in effect to ensure fairness and equity for all students. I want to make sure that all students are given the same amount of time for completing work and therefore late assignments and projects are only deemed unfair to the others who have worked diligently to turn in their work on time.

Class attendance is mandatory and you must inform me of extenuating circumstances.

All assignments and projects are due at the beginning of the class on the date specified in the calendar. I do not accept late assignments. No exceptions! Late assignments and projects are given a grade of zero.

Being absent for a class does not mean you can turn in your assignments late. If you anticipate on not attending a class you must turn in your assignment prior to the class period.

Remember that assignments are due in class and excuses such as "I had printer problems, Email problems, etc." are not entertained and are considered poor excuses for improper time management. Please do not provide excuses such as "I forgot to turn in a figure. Can I email it you or drop it off in your mail box?.

Here is what a former student noted "Getting work done on time is very important in real life. I'm glad that you emphasized the issue like you did. Many people have poor time management skills, because in the past they have been able to get away with things like that in the past".

 

Assignments and Projects

All assignments must be typed.

Your completed assignments must be professional with good quality figures and a figure caption at the bottom of each figure with appropriate labels.

You cannot cut and paste words from websites. This is considered plagiarism. All assignments must be written in your own words?

All projects including figures should not exceed 10 pages. Single spaced and must follow American Geophysical Union guidelines for references.

Final projects must be Emailed before start of class and a hard copy is due at the beginning of the class period. Failure to do either will automatically result in a grade of zero for the project.

 

Lab and computer related issues
You must write your own code and copying codes from others is considered plagiarism.

 

Complaint Procedures

If you have difficulties or complaints related to this course, your first action usually should be to discuss them with me. If such a discussion would be uncomfortable for you or fails to resolve your difficulties, you should contact Professor Welch, Chair of the Department of Atmospheric Science. Professor Welch's office is Room 4042 in Cramer Hall. His telephone number is 961-7789. If you still are unsatisfied, you should discuss the matter with the Dr. Daniel Rochowiak, Associate Dean of the College of Science. Dean Rochowiak's office and telephone number are MSB C206 and 824-6605.

Honor Statement