Fundamentals of Remote Sensing and GIS

Module Identifier: EAM4020
Module Title: Fundamentals of Remote Sensing and GIS
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Semester: Semester 1
Co-ordinator: Dr Pete Bunting
Reading List: View on Aspire
Other Staff: Dr Andy Hardy; Professor Richard Lucas; Dr Pete Bunting

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Coursework:: laboratory skills report based on analysis of Remote Sensing and GIS datasets 3000 Words	50%
Semester Exam	Written Examination: 2 Hours on theory and practice in Remote Sensing and GIS	50%
Supplementary Assessment	Coursework: (Resubmission of failed assessments) 3000 Words	50%
Supplementary Exam	Written Examination: 2 Hours (Resubmission of failed assessments)	50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Describe and evaluate different sources of geospatial data and how these can be used in real-world applications
Design and implement routines for analysing satellite imagery in a GIS
Design and implement routines for analysing multiple sources of geospatial data in a GIS
Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of the electromagnetic spectrum in the context of Earth Observation
Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of data projections and coordinate systems
Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of geospatial data formats, data types and data management

Brief description

An introduction to core theory and skills related to remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems

Content

This module introduces the core theory and skills that underpin the disciplines of remote sensing (or Earth Observation) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Specifically, this includes the following themes:

- Coordinate systems
- Spatial data types and management
- Vector GIS processing and analysis
- Raster GIS processing and analysis
- Earth Observation image analysis
- Active and passive Earth Observation systems
- Fundamentals of GIS processing and analysis
- Spatial pattern analysis

These themes will be delivered in the context of real-World applications including important environmental challenges.

Module skills

Skills type	Skills details
Application of Number	Quantitative analysis of geospatial data
Communication	Discussions with fellow students in laboratories and through interactive lectures
Improving own Learning and Performance	Literature review and discussions with lecturers
Information Technology	Use of commercial and open source software
Personal Development and Career planning	Awareness of scientific literature, functionality of a variety of software packages.
Problem solving	Completing calculations in relation to electromagnetic theory, image pre-processing and spectral analysis. Also, the use of GIS for spatial analysis; selection of datasets and implementation of appropriate analysis techniques
Real world sense	Applicability of geospatial dataset and analysis techniques
Research skills	Using remote sensing and GIS software and reviewing literature
Subject Specific Skills	As above
Team work	Practical assignments

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7