Map, Air Photo, and Satellite Interpretation Geography 380, Spring, 1999

 

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Instructor: Dr. Dorothy E. Freidel, Assistant Professor, Physical Geography

Office: 3056 Stevenson, office: (707) 664-2314, fax: (707) 664-3920; email: dorothy.freidel@sonoma.edu

Office Hours: Monday through Wednesday, 3-3:50 p.m.. or by appointment

Course Meets: Tu-Th 8 a.m.-noon.. Stev 3065 2 hours of lecture, 6 hours lab weekly

Course Description: In this class, we study the observation and analysis of the physical and cultural environment through interpretation of topographic maps, aerial photographs, and nonphotographic remote sensing imagery (primarily satellite imagery). We investigate the fundamental geometric properties of maps, photos, and satellite imagery and their use in field investigations involving past and present land use, resource evaluation, geology, soils, vegetation, and hydrology.

Prerequisites: None required, but recommended is previous coursework in Geography, especially Geog 204 Physical Geography and/or Geog 203 Cultural Geography.

 

Materials Required for Course

Required text (available at SSU Bookstore):

Avery, Thomas E., and Berlin, Graydon L. (1992). "Fundamentals of Remote Sensing and Airphoto Interpretation," Fifth Edition. Prentice Hall.

Reading Packet download off web -- http://www.sonoma.edu/people/F/freidel/remote/380packet.htm

Baker, Bryan (1993). "Map Interpretation: Course Supplement for Geography 380". Dept. of Geography, Sonoma State University.

Assignments and Grading

This course consists of both a lecture component, 8 to 9 a.m..and laboratory exercises, 9 to 11:50 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Since this is a techniques course, attendance and participation during the laboratory period, as well as the lecture period, are critical to success in this class. The lab exercises will illustrate principles discussed during lecture. Readings in the text and packet will supplement lecture topics and should be read in advance of the lecture.

Laboratory exercises will be introduced at the beginning of the lab period, and ordinarily will be due at the beginning of lab period on Thursday of the following week. There will usually be one lab per week, although some weeks there may be two shorter labs. Late exercises will be accepted up until the time when they are graded and passed back. One point (out of 10) will be lost for each day late. Missed exercises will strongly affect your semester grade. The lab exercises are worth 45% of your final grade. No make-ups or extra credit will be offered.

Examinations: There will be two midterms and a final exam. The exams will generally consist of short answer questions and essay questions. Each midterm is worth 15% of your final grade, and the final is worth 25%. One half of the final will be comprehensive. No make-up exams are planned. Anyone unable to attend an exam should call to notify Dr. Freidel (664-2314) before the day of the exam.

Summary of points for final grade:

	Lab exercises	45% (approximately 4 pts each, depending on total number)
	First Midterm	15%
	Second Midterm	15%
	Final Exam	25%
	Total Points	100%

This page last updated 1/22/99