GEOG 883: Remote Sensing Image Analysis and Applications

J.B. Sharma: Remote sensing is a relatively new discipline that has come to maturity in the past decade or so, due to the confluence of several different disciplines and technologies, like physics, engineering, computer science, the internet, sensors, and their deployment on platforms ranging from satellite, constellations, aircraft, and unmanned aerial systems. The deployment of novel sensors like multi-spectral, hyperspectral, radar, lidar, to name a few, has created a data deluge. And this data needs to be converted into information such that it goes to work in the public policy domains. There is an increasing need for a remote sensing literate workforce at all levels of our society. In this course, we are going to learn about remote sensing platforms, the data types that are collected, and how these are converted to actionable information for decision making. The data collected has to be pre-processed and then classified to generate map products, to address complex geospatial issues and problems. We will learn image processing techniques including multi-sensor fusion, image segmentation, geographic object-based image analysis, also known by the acronym GEOBIA, image classification, and how the resulting map product is analyzed. Remote sensing is a very central component of contemporary geospatial science and technology and it is a very powerful tool for the stewardship of our earth. And I do look forward to seeing you in class.

Hi, I’m J.B. Sharma and I’m an emeritus faculty member at the University of North Georgia. I’m also affiliated with our geospatial institute the Louis Frank Rogers Institute of Environmental Spatial Analysis, and I have been a faculty member for about 35 years. And I have been teaching and doing research in remote sensing for the past 20 years. We live in the greater Atlanta area in Gainesville, Georgia, where we have lived for over 30 years. I have a great and abiding interest in Why GIS science literacy for all and I have a special interest in problems that connect physical measurement with social problems and issues. And remote sensing and geographic information sciences are just the right sciences to build these bridges. Remote sensing has now become local, and what that means is that we will need this expertise seated across our cities, our counties, our townships, such that this technology is used for governance, natural resource management, security applications, and have the kinds of capabilities that 21st century smart living spaces will need. I have several personal hobbies that inform and complement my professional work as well Personal hobbies I like to sail on in Lake Lanier. I like to garden. I like to do woodwork and make rustic furniture, and I like to read. And I like to hike in the forests of North Georgia.