3 ECTS credits
75 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4015683ENR for all students in the 1st semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.
The course gives an overview of standard methods in (semi-) automated interpretation of earth observation data for land-use/land-cover mapping. The methods discussed in the theoretical part of the course are applied in practical case studies to be carried out by the students using remote sensing software. Results of the practical work are summarized and discussed in a series of scientific reports to be produced individually by each student.
1. Earth observation systems
a. Basic concepts
b. Sensor characteristics: low-, medium- and high-resolution multispectral sensors, hyperspectral sensors
c. Selecting an appropriate sensor
2. High-resolution models for image interpretation
a. High-resolution versus low-resolution scene models
b. Distribution of thematic classes in feature space
c. Parametric classification methods: multi-dimensional class distribution parameters, the multi-variate Gaussian distribution, the minimum-distance-to-means classifier, the maximum-likelihood classifier
d. Non-parametric classification methods: nearest neighbour classifiers, the multiple layer perceptron, decision tree classifiers
e. Image classification accuracy: overall measures of accuracy, class-specific measures of accuracy, Kappa analysis
3. Change detection methods
a. Introduction: impact of sensor characteristics and environmental conditions
b. Visual change detection: false color composite image generation
c. Multidate composite image change detection: multidate image classification, principal component analysis
d. Image differencing
e. Post-classification change detection methods: post-classification comparison change detection, use of a binary change mask, cross-correlation change detection
f. Spectral vector change analysis
No further specifications
After successful completion of this course the student should:
- have a good knowledge of the characteristics and the use of important sensors for terrestrial earth observation;
- be familiar with a variety of techniques for image classification, their potential for land-use/land-cover mapping, and the conditions that should be fulfilled for applying these techniques;
- master alternative methods for change detection and be able to choose a proper method depending on the type of application;
- be able to apply standard earth observation techniques for producing land-use/land-cover information at different scale levels;
- be able to objectively compare classification results obtained with alternative methods for image interpretation.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 50% of the final mark.
PRAC Report determines 50% of the final mark.
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the PRAC Report category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Students cannot pass for this course if not all scientific reports have been submitted. Students have to obtain a score of minimum 8/20 on both the theoretical and the practical part of the exam to pass for this course. When the score is below 8/20 for either the theory part or the practical part, the total score for this course will be set equal to the lowest score of both partial evaluations.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Geography: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Geography: Standard track
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: biologie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: geografie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: chemie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: wiskunde (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: ingenieurswetenschappen (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)