Unit Outline
KGG213
Remote Sensing: From Data to Information
Semester 1, 2025
Steve Harwin
School of Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences
College of Sciences and Engineering
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Coordinator
Steve Harwin
Email: steve.harwin@utas.edu.au
 

What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
This unit builds on the theory and skills of KGG103 Remote Sensing: observing the Earth from above, and focuses on advanced aspects of remotely sensed image analysis that turn raw remote sensing data into valuable information. These additional remote sensing analysis skills are highly valued by employers in the geospatial industry. The unit will provide you with practical skills in image analysis techniques, such as geometric and atmospheric image correction, image filters, texture measures, image enhancements and transformations, classification algorithms, object-based image analysis, change detection, and accuracy assessment. The theory is illustrated with a range of real-world applications using optical, multispectral, hyperspectral, and LiDAR data. Computer practicals and an independent project (in pairs) promote practical remote sensing skills using the latest image processing tools. The unit is likely to be of interest to students in geography, environmental studies, earth sciences, plant science, zoology, agricultural science, computing and information systems, archaeology, and engineering who want to enhance their remote sensing knowledge and professional skills.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1
Explain image analysis techniques to inform the interpretation and enhancement of remote sensing datasets.
2
Apply analysis techniques on remote sensing datasets to solve environmental and social problems that require spatial solutions
3
Operate remote sensing software to produce enhanced spatial information from basic datasets
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Pre-requisite
KGG103
Alterations as a result of student feedback
This unit has reduced the duration of the live seminars and these will focus more on demonstrations, case studies and examples (with some theory) while the weekly pre-recorded content will provide the theoretical background in preparation for the seminars.
 
 

Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Seminar
One online 1-hr seminar per week
1
Weekly
Computer Laboratory
One 3-hr practical per week
3
Weekly
Independent Learning
In addition to the contact hours (2 hr/week of lectures + 3hr/week of computer practicals) you are expected to dedicate at least 3 hours per week on independent learning to consolidate the unit materials and to work on assessment tasks.
3
Weekly
Lecture (Online)
Up to 1-hr of pre-recorded lecture content per week
1
Weekly
Online
Online Class
One online 1-hr seminar (recorded) per week
1
Weekly
Online Class
One 3-hr practical (introduction recorded) per week
3
Weekly
Lecture (Online)
Up to 1-hr of pre-recorded lecture content per week
1
Weekly
Independent Learning
In addition to the contact hours (2 hr/week of lectures + 3hr/week of computer practicals) you are expected to dedicate at least 3 hours per week on independent learning to consolidate the unit materials and to work on assessment tasks.
3
Weekly
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
This is both and online synchronous unit and an on-campus synchronous unit, this means you are expected to attend all online live lectures at the scheduled time either in the scheduled on-campus location or via Zoom (they will be recorded but that is for revision purposes not so they can be skipped). You are also expected to attend all the practicals in person if possible, online attendance will be via Zoom and your expected to be in the Zoom session for at least the introduction to practical (and longer if you would like to interact with your practical tutor via Zoom). The remainder of the unit content is completed in your own time and you will be given 24 hr access to the PC lab to ensure you can practice with the software.
 
 

How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
Assignment 1: Practicals 1 - 4
Week 5
30 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:
Assignment 2: Practicals 5 - 7
Week 9
30 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:
Assignment 3: Project
Week 14
40 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: Assignment 1: Practicals 1 - 4
Task Description:
Submission of report with answers to questions and completion of tasks in weekly computer practicals for weeks 1 – 4, including presentation of results in figures and interpretation of analysis output.
Task Length:
1000 - 1500 words
Due Date:
Week 5 (28/Mar/2025)
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Apply remote sensing techniques and software tools focusing on vegetation indices, lidar processing, and image transforms and filters
LO2, LO3
2
Interpret and compare outputs from image processing techniques
LO2, LO3
3
Present analysis results in a report including appropriate figures and plots for visual communication and references to source material
LO1, LO2
 
Assessment Task 2: Assignment 2: Practicals 5 - 7
Task Description:
Submission of report with answers to questions and completion of tasks in weekly computer practicals for weeks 5 – 7, including presentation of results in figures and interpretation of analysis output.
Task Length:
1000 - 1500 words
Due Date:
Week 9 (02/May/2025)
Weight:
30 %
 
 

CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Apply remote sensing techniques and software tools focusing on geographic object-based image analysis and image data cube analysis
LO2, LO3
2
Interpret and compare outputs from image processing techniques
LO2, LO3
3
Present analysis results in a report including appropriate figures and plots for visual communication and references to source material
LO1, LO2
 
Assessment Task 3: Assignment 3: Project
Task Description:
For the Remote Sensing Project, you are expected to select a topic from a range of pre-defined project topics in different application areas. The project is carried out in a team of two students with the aim to enhance your image analysis skills. You will use the knowledge obtained in the lectures and practicals to process and analyse remote sensing data to solve a real-world problem. Practical time is available to work on the project under supervision. The assessment is based on a poster and an oral presentation. You are expected to work in a team of two students.

Your presentation is due on the due date listed, your project poster is due by 5pm on Friday 6th June.
Task Length:
Poster and 3-min presentation + Q&A
Due Date:
Week 14 (03/Jun/2025)
Weight:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Explore the scientific remote sensing literature to inform selection of image analysis techniques and include reference to source material in written work
LO1, LO2
2
Develop an image analysis workflow and apply remote sensing software tools to solve a spatial problem
LO2, LO3
3
Interpret and analyse outputs from an image analysis workflow
LO1, LO2
4
Present remote sensing workflow, including processing techniques and results, in a poster and presentation using effective and concise visual communication
LO1, LO2
 
 
 

How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
Academic progress review
The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see
Important Guidelines & Support.
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
 

Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.
 
 
 

Required Resources
Required reading materials
 
 
Recommended reading materials
We will be using chapters from the Earth Observation Australia (EOA) texbooks: https://www.eoa.org.au/earth-observation-textbooks
We will also refer to other readings in the weekly MyLO pages.
 
Other required resources
Access to ENVI software in UTAS computer labs or via the UTAS Virtual Machine is required for this unit.

Access to reasonable-speed internet with a generous monthly download limit will be essential for access to the Virtual Machine.

Please note that students can access computers on campus in Hobart, Launceston, Cradle Coast and Sydney (Rozelle), or borrow a laptop from the campus library system to support the IT requirements for this unit.