COURSE SYLLABUS
GEOGRAPHY 266:
AIR PHOTO INTERPRETATION
FALL 2001
Instructor :
Dr. Peter A. K. Kyem
Office: Diloreto
Telephone :
832-2801, Lecture
room: FD 311
E-mail:
Kyemp@ccsu.edu
Class Time:
Tuesdays and Thursdays
11.00 - 12.15 p.m
Office Hours:
T&Th. 9.00-10.30am: Friday: 1-3pm & also by appointment
Description of Course:
Geography
seeks to explain the interrelationships between different objects and phenomena
found on the earth's surface. Geographers therefore study many things all of
which are found at specific locations on the earth’s surface. Consequently,
maps and photos that graphically depict features we find on the earth are
invaluable communication tools for the Geographer. As human society becomes more
complex, the needs and uses of maps of all kinds have increased. A traditional
tool that Geographers have used to record and map occurrences on the earth's
surface is Aerial Photography. Local government and Planning agencies, Engineers
and Geologists may use aerial photos to update local maps, compile land use maps
or plot environmental and resource data.
This course is about the production, interpretation and uses of aerial
photographs and other remote sensing techniques. You will acquire skills that
will enable you read and interpret aerial photos, compile maps from aerial
photos and manipulate such maps. No specific background knowledge is required to
take this course but a background in Map Reading, basic mathematics and physical
Geography will be helpful. As a course devoted to the acquisition of skills, you
will undertake a lot of hands on exercises in aerial photo interpretation. About
half of the course hours will be devoted to explanations and discussions while
the other half will usually be devoted to practical work in photo
interpretation. Remember that some practical exercises may be taken home for
completion. You will be responsible for the care and return of all material
supplied for the course by the department.
You will need to purchase 4 NON-PERMANENT markers that can write on clear
acetate or photographs. The colors needed are black, blue, red and green.
Recommended brands include Sharpie extra fine point and Staedtler Lumocolor
pens. You will also need ruler, a Drafting (Scottish) Tape and two 10" wide
envelopes for storing photographs.
Grading:
The final Grade in this course will be based on two tests, lab
assignments and projects. There will be a mid-term and a final test. The tests
will be compiled from lectures in class that cover textbook material and
practical exercises. Such tests will be partly objective and partly short essay
and computations. The final test will cover materials studied in the second half
of the semester. In addition, you will be assigned Lab exercises intended for
reviewing topics treated in class. In most cases, class time will be spent
explaining such exercises but many of such Labs may be completed at your own
time in school or at home. Labs turned in late will be downgraded in proportion
to the number of days it took to reach the instructor. Any student who fails to
complete and submit more than Three Labs
for grading will loose the grade for class participation including grades
awarded for such Labs. There will be three projects that will involve
photo interpretation and mapping. In addition, all students will be required to
complete a final project that will incorporate all the skills studied in class.
The nature of assignments, projects and the final project will be given to
students in advance.
All scores will be curved with a breakdown of the final grade as follows:
Class
Assignments and Labs - -
= 25%
Mid-Term Test
- - = 20%
Final
Examination (written and practical) =
40% Projects
- -
= 10%
Class
Participation and attendance
=
5%
Class Attendance and Related Matters
1. Attendance is absolutely required in this class. You will
find it difficult to follow lectures if you miss more that a day of class and
lab work. Remember that most of the test material will come from things
discussed in class and others found in the text recommended for the course.
2. I take an increasingly dim view of students who attend
classes late, are chronically tardy and those who do not behave in a civil or
courteous manner during class.
3. Since most of you will be studying the materials for the
first time, it is very important that you plan to spend several hours at home
preparing for classes or doing lab work.
Absent
from Exams and Make-Up tests
If
you must be absent from an exam because of illness, injury or an emergency, let
me know at least SIX hours before hand so we can arrange a
make-up test later. Any report made more than 24
HOURS after an exam will be ignored. You may report such emergencies to me
early (by e-mail or telephone) or leave a message with the Secretary for the
Geography Department. Make up tests are different from the original and may not
include multiple-choice tests.
Other
Matters.
You
will be given handouts from time to time. Try and safeguard those sheets for
they will be helpful in your final revision. We will also see slides, video,
overheads etc. Take notes on them for you will be examined on all materials
presented in class.
The
Course schedule will be followed as closely as possible, however, slow progress
in mastering the materials taught in class or a rapid progress in catching up to
the instructor may cause changes in the original schedule.
Students
with Special Needs:
Any
student who may need course adaptation or accommodation because of a disability,
or a student who has an emergency medical condition that I must be aware of,
including those who may require special arrangements should the building be
evacuated should make an appointment with me as soon as possible even if you
think the University authorities will inform me. Unless,
it is absolutely necessary and with permission, no student
will be allowed to transmit class lectures by tape or any other electronic
means.
Academic
Misconduct: Any form of academic
misconduct will not be entertained. Such misconduct, according to the
University's Student Handbook, page 71, Item A1, "includes but is not
limited to providing or receiving assistance in a manner not authorized by the
instructor in the creation of works to be submitted for academic evaluation,
including papers, projects and examinations; and presenting as one's own the
ideas or words of another person or persons for academic evaluation without
proper acknowledgment".
Required Textbook
1.
Avery, Thomas Eugene and Berlin, Graydon Lennis (1985) Fundamentals
of Remote Sensing and Photo Interpretation. New York, Macmillan Publishing
Company.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Course Schedule Disclaimer:
The
Course schedule will be followed as closely as possible. However, slow progress
in mastering the materials taught in class or a rapid progress may cause changes
in the original schedule. Although topics discussed on a given day may vary, the
test dates will not. You must therefore plan accordingly.
WEEK, TOPICS READINGS
Overview
of Remote Sensing; EMS
Chapts.1 and 6
Lecture
2.
EMS-Atmospheric Interactions: Remote Sensing Systems
Chapters 1, 6, & 7
Lecture
3.
Introduction to Aerial Photography (air photos & maps,)
Ch.5/Reading Materials Lecture
4.
Aerial Photography, Films, Color, Filter
Chapter 2 --------------
Lecture
5.
Principles of Air photo Interpretation
Chapter 3 -------------- Lecture
6.
Principles of Air photo Interpretation (Mid-Term Test)
Chapter 3
-------------- Lecture
7.
Principles of Photogrammetry
Chapter 4 -------------- Lecture
8.
Principles of Photogrammetry
Chapt4 & Readings
Lecture
9.
Relief and Drainage applications
Labs/Readings
Lecture
10.
Geologic & Engineering Applications
Chapter 12 ------------- Lecture
11.
Land use & cover Mapping Applications
Chapter 8
------------- Lecture
12.
Land use change (GIS & Air photography)
Projects/Lab ----------- Lecture
December
18, 2001 (11.00
a.m. - 1.00 p.m.) FINAL TEST