The subject "Photointerpretation and Remote Sensing" is one of the elective subjects of the Bachelor's Degree in Geography and Territorial Planning. It is part of the module called Cross-Disciplinary Knowledge and Techniques, which groups cross-disciplinary subjects, understood as those that mainly provide tools to use information from different fields with a practical and applied purpose.

This subject develops the theoretical foundations of aerial photography and remote sensing and lays the groundwork for handling the basic instruments and techniques for processing and interpreting stereoscopic aerial photographs and satellite images as sources for observing and analyzing the Earth's surface from a geographical perspective.

It complements the rest of the subjects in the module, especially with the subjects of Geographic Information Systems, Extension of Geographic Information Systems, and Thematic Cartography. Being a highly instrumental subject, it is very helpful for the development of other applied subjects such as those in the Territorial Planning Module.



To succeed in "Photointerpretation and Remote Sensing" without too much difficulty, it's recommended to have a solid understanding of cartographic basics, including projections and coordinate systems, cartographic generalization processes, and the digitization of cartographic elements. Additionally, it's essential to be proficient in handling and analyzing available cartographic materials in all formats: paper, digital, and spatial data infrastructures (SDIs).

SKILLS



M04CM01: Understand and apply techniques for obtaining, storing, processing, analyzing, and graphically and cartographically expressing geographic information.

M04CM03: Acquire the necessary foundations to create, analyze, and interpret general cartography, thematic cartography, photointerpretation, and remote sensing.





LEARNING OUTCOMES



Understands and handles the theoretical concepts of remote sensing.



Identifies, differentiates, and characterizes the different regions of the spectrum and the spectral behavior of the main land covers of environmental interest.



Understands and knows how to differentiate the various satellite platforms and sensors, as well as their potential uses and applications.



Understands and applies the main techniques to visually represent and interpret multiband satellite images and aerial photography.



Understands and applies the main techniques for correcting, enhancing, and digitally analyzing satellite images, and creates cartography of specific features of the Earth's surface from them.



Solves problems of monitoring and evaluating environmental dynamics through the processing of aerial and satellite images.

1. Introduction to Remote Sensing

2. Physical Principles of Remote Sensing

3. Procedures for Collecting Information: Sensors and Platforms

4. Remote Sensor Images: Characteristics and Handling Basics

5. Visual Analysis of Aerial Photography and Satellite Images

6. Digital Processing of Aerial and Satellite Images

7. Introduction to Drone-Based Photogrammetry Concepts

- Lectures

- Case studies

- Supervised individual practices

- Field practice



The teaching-learning methodology employs a variety of approaches. Lectures focus on explaining theoretical aspects that establish the conceptual foundations of the subject and support the execution of computer-based practices. To enhance learning, various audiovisual resources are utilized, including multimedia presentations, specialized image analysis software, and interactive educational platforms, which facilitate the understanding of both theoretical and practical concepts.

Practical exercises, conducted autonomously but under the professor's supervision, encompass diverse activities such as specific case studies that comprehensively apply the acquired knowledge. These exercises are crucial for understanding and applying fundamental techniques in processing and interpreting aerial photographs and satellite images.

Field practices will involve conducting several on-site data collection missions using drones, which were previously designed in the classroom. This process includes obtaining the necessary authorizations to conduct these operations. The collected data will subsequently be used to create 3D photogrammetric models, both of territorial features and architectural heritage elements. Additionally, orthophoto mosaics will be developed and their quality will be evaluated.

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Multiple-Choice Test (%): 30
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 60
  • MEMORIA SALIDA DE CAMPO (%): 10

CONTINUOUS EVALUATION SYSTEM:

Test: 40% (*)

Practical work (exercises, cases, or problems): 60%

FINAL EVALUATION SYSTEM:

Test: 40% (*)

Practical work (exercises, cases, or problems): 60%

(*) Obtaining or possessing the UAS pilot certificate of the open category A1/A3 through the AESA exam guarantees obtaining 20% of the final test score and exempts from answering questions related to UAS regulations and use.

The progress of each student throughout the training period will be assessed through a series of practical activities conducted both in the classroom and in the field, culminating in an exam on the officially scheduled date.

The work done in the field will be reflected and evaluated through individual reports, which can only be completed by those who attended the respective outings.

To pass the course, a minimum average grade of five points is required. To calculate the average between the set of practical works and the exam, a minimum grade of four points out of ten is required in all parts. Each practical exercise and fieldwork report will be scored out of 10 points. The minimum grade for each practical activity and field report cannot be less than 3 points.

If one of the two parts of the course (exam, set of practical exercises, or fieldwork) is passed in the regular call, that grade will be retained for the extraordinary examination call (but not for the next academic year).



ORDINARY CALL: GUIDELINES AND WITHDRAWAL

Evaluation criteria

Theoretical test: a) That the response matches the question asked.

Practical tests: a) Performance in handling information sources; b) Quality of explanations and presentations, both oral and written (precision, relevance, coherence, structuring, linguistic richness); c) Quality of spatial and territorial analysis using aerial photographs and images; d) Correctness and relevance in the use of specific concepts of the subject; e) Attitude and performance in the work; f) Quality of work presentation (degree of adherence to predefined standards).

Fieldwork: a) Correct Planning of Fieldwork: objectives, flight plan, equipment preparation, permit management. b) Execution of Fieldwork according to planning: completion of a checklist including aspects such as duration, coverage, quantity, quality, and resolution of captured images, compliance with safety measures, incidents. c) Content of the Report: clear and logical structure of the content, description of processes, analysis of results obtained in data processing, interpretation of results, discussion of possible errors, and final conclusions.

Regulatory Norms for the Evaluation of Students in Official Undergraduate Degrees

Article 8: Evaluation Systems

3. In any case, students have the right to be evaluated through the FINAL EVALUATION SYSTEM, regardless of whether or not they have participated in the continuous evaluation system. To do this, students must submit a written request to the responsible professor of the subject to opt out of the continuous evaluation, for which they will have a period of 9 weeks.

Article 12: Withdrawal from the Call

1.- Withdrawal from the call will result in a grade of not presented.

2.- In the case of continuous evaluation, if the weight of the test is greater than 40% of the subject grade, it will suffice not to attend the final test for the final grade to be not presented.

3.- If the weight of the final test is equal to or less than 40% of the subject grade, students may withdraw from the call within a period that, at a minimum, will be up to one month before the end date of the teaching period of the corresponding subject. This withdrawal must be submitted in writing to the responsible professor of the subject.

If the student opts for the final evaluation system, the evaluation will include:

- The same test-type exam as in the continuous evaluation system.

- The submission on the day of the test of a set of practical exercises equivalent to those completed during the course. Any exercises that were submitted prior to the withdrawal will be considered.

- If the student has been able to attend the field practices and is able to provide the necessary reports, they will have the option to include them to be considered in the final evaluation.

The final evaluation test for the extraordinary examination period will consist of the same evaluation activities used in the ordinary call. If one of the two parts of the course (exam or practical work) is passed in the ordinary call, that part of the grade will be kept for the extraordinary call. The student will only have to take the failed part. In any case, the student who has failed the ordinary call and does not want their practical or theoretical grade to be kept can renounce by sending a written notice to the teacher at least 7 days before the date of the extraordinary exam, stating that they renounce the grades obtained in the continuous evaluation and wish to take a final test to obtain 100% of the course grade. To withdraw from the extraordinary call, it will be sufficient not to appear for it.

External memory device and a permanent cloud storage account like Dropbox or similar.
RECOMMENDED: Laptop

Basic bibliography

Chuvieco, E. (2008). Teledetección ambiental: La observación de la Tierra desde el espacio (3ª ed.). Ariel Ciencia.

Fernández García, F. (2000). Introducción a la fotointerpretación. Ariel Geografía.



Martín López, J. (1995). Fotointerpretación y fotogrametría. Escuela Universitaria de Ingeniería Técnica Topográfica, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.



Martínez Vega, J., & Martín Isabel, M. P. (2010). Guía didáctica de teledetección y medio ambiente. Red Nacional de Teledetección Ambiental.



Pellicer, F. (1998). Cuadernos técnicos de ciencias ambientales: 1. Introducción a la fotografía. Ed. Azara.



Pérez Gutiérrez, C., & Muñoz Nieto, A. L. (Eds.). (2006). Teledetección: nociones y aplicaciones (3ª ed.).

In-depth bibliography

Aber, J. S., Marzolff, I., Ries, J., & Aber, S. E. W. (2019). Small-format aerial photography and UAS imagery: Principles, techniques and geoscience applications. Academic Press.

Arnold, R. (1997). Interpretation of airphoto and remotely sensed imagery. Prentice Hall.

De Dios Centeno, J. (1994). Geomorfología práctica. Ejercicios de Fotointerpretación y Planificación Geoambiental. Rueda.

Higueras Martín, A. (1982). "Fotografía aérea y su interpretación elemental." Boletín de la Asociación Española de Amigos de la Arqueología, (15), 49-57.

Liang, S., & Wang, J. (Eds.). (2019). Advanced remote sensing: terrestrial information extraction and applications. Academic Press.

Journals

International Journal of Remote Sensing. (n.d.). Taylor & Francis. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/tres20

Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing. (n.d.). Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/ujrs20

Remote Sensing of Environment. (n.d.). Elsevier. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/remote-sensing-of-environment

Web addresses

Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://dataspace.copernicus.eu

Apollo Mapping. (n.d.). Image Hunter. Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://imagehunter.apollomapping.com/

Landsat Science. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2024, from http://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/
EOPROC. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://api-01.eoproc.com/cat-01/dev-online.html?&config=aws-01

Satellite Imaging Corporation. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://www.satimagingcorp.com/

Allmetsat. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://es.allmetsat.com/index.html

ESA. (n.d.). Earth Online. Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://earth.esa.int/eogateway/catalog

NOAA GOES Satellite. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2024, from http://www.goes.noaa.gov/

Meteored. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2024, from http://www.meteored.com/satelites/

Centro Nacional de Información Geográfica. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://centrodedescargas.cnig.es/CentroDescargas/index.jsp