Course Prefix/Number: OCE  4265

Course Title: Remote Sensing of Oceans

Prerequisite:  EVR 4023 (Call Dept.)

Course Credit Hours: 3

Instructor Name and Contact Information:

Dr. Wilbur Hugli; whugli@uwf.edu - 850.833.4331

Required Text:
An Introduction to Ocean Remote Sensing, S. Martin.
Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0521 80286 6

Course Description and Objectives:

This course provides a foundation in cartographic and remote sensing principles, and practical experience with remote sensing applications as they relate to the world’s oceans.  It examines basic concepts of electromagnetic radiation and its interaction with earth.  Remotely sensed images from sensors such as SeaWiFS, AVHRR, and Topex/Poseidon will be discussed. Exercises will cover ocean color, sea surface temperature altimetry, and sea ice.

Topics and Student Learning Outcomes:

Each weekly class session will have specific topics and desired student learning outcomes identified. Students are responsible for text material whether this material is entirely covered in lecture or not. It is expected that the text and required readings will be completed prior to each online class. Students will be a primary source of information to be shared via threaded discussions each week with the entire class.


Papers: A research paper will not be required for this lab course.

About this Course:

This course is delivered completely online. You must have consistent access to the Internet. Learning at a distance may be a very different environment for many of you. You will generally set your own schedules, participate in class activities at your convenience, and work at your own pace. You may spend some additional time online during the first few weeks while you become acclimated to the online class format and you may feel overwhelmed. You should also be prepared to spend approximately 6 - 8 hours per week online completing lessons, activities, and participating in class discussions. Finally, you may want to incorporate these tips to help you get started:

·         Set yourself a schedule -- check the course web site early in the class week to see what tasks you'll need to work on for the week.

·         Become very familiar with the site and how to use it. It is a tool to help you learn!

·         Team up with your classmates to discuss class assignments and questions you might have. Check the “Classlist” link ? for biography info and email addresses.

·         Ask questions when you need answers. If you have problems, contact your instructor ASAP! I will help you come up with a solution!

 

Tests and Labs:

All testing will be done online. Weekly quizzes will be done in conjunction with the assigned readings, and online discussions. These tests are time limited and can only started once and finished within the allotted time. Results are immediately available. The final exam will be posted on line in the final week of the course.

 

Attendance:

University students are adults who are responsible for their performance and on time class attendance. The university absence-drop policy is applicable. Two missed classes after Drop/Add date will result in the student being dropped from this course. Individuals are responsible to make up work missed due to absences; however, this work may be graded with reduced points. If you cannot attend class week for a viable reason let me know before hand. Changes that affect the entire class will be sent using the Group Mail system.

 

Limitations:

Students are not authorized to place class notes or resources on the Internet or sell them to Internet sources. As an additional limitation significant elements of this course are licensed by and copyrighted to the American Meteorological Society and used with their permission.

 

Grading:

University grade scale will be uses based on the statistical norm conversion of points for work completed. The course grade will be determined as follows over a period of 12 weeks:

·         Participation in weekly discussion (0 – 5 points)

·         Threaded discussion leader initial response (0 – 10 points)

·         Weekly quiz (0 – 20 points)

·         Weekly Summary paragraphs (20 points)

·         Final exam (0 – 45 points)

·         Approximate total points 600.

The total points will be statistically normed to calculate the mean and standard deviation (s) for the determination of final grades. (A > +σ; B Mean to +σ; C mean to –σ; D < -σ; F < -2σ).

 

Text Assignments during the week of:

      (Introduction and preview)

      (Background )

     ( Ocean surface phenomena (+) Electromagnetic radiation)

     (Atmospheric properties and radiative transfer (+) Reflection, transmission and absorption at the atmosphere/ocean)

(Ocean color (+) Infrared observations of sea surface temperature (SST))

( Introduction to microwave imagers (+) Passive microwave observations of the atmosphere and ocean surface)

(Introduction to radars)

(Scattermeter observations)

(The altimeter)

(Imaging radars)

(Future oceanographic satellite systems: 2004 to 2019)

August 13: Final Exam

Textbook (Required):

·         An Introduction to Ocean Remote Sensing, by Martin. Cambridge.

Supplemental Material (Suggested)

·         Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation (5th Ed), by Lillesand et al

·         Introductory Digital Image Processing: A Remote Sensing Perspective, by Jensen

 

Special Technology Utilized by Students:

This course is totally online. All instructional content and interaction takes place over the WWW. In addition to baseline word processing skills and sending/receiving email with attachments, students will be expected to search the internet and upload / download files. In addition, students may need one or more of the following plug-ins:

·         Adobe Acrobat Reader: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

·         PowerPoint Viewer: http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=D1649C22-B51F-4910-93FC-4CF2832D3342&displaylang=en

·         Windows Media Player: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/

·         Quicktime Player: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

·         Real Player: http://forms.real.com/netzip/getrde601.html?h=207.188.7.150&f=windows/RealOnePlayerV2GOLD.exe&p=RealOne%2BPlayer&oem=dl&tagtype=ie&type=dl

·         Macromedia Flash Player:
http://macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash

 

Expectations for Academic Conduct/Plagiarism Policy:

·         Academic Conduct Policy: (Web Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF Format)

·         Plagiarism Policy: (Word Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF Format)

·         Student Handbook: (PDF Format)

ASSISTANCE:

Students with special needs who require specific examination-related or other course-related accommodations should contact Barbara Fitzpatrick, Director of Disabled Student Services (DSS), dss@uwf.edu, (850) 474-2387. DSS will provide the student with a letter for the instructor that will specify any recommended accommodations.