NIGK22000U Satellite Image Processing and Analysis in the Big Data Era

Volume 2024/2025
Education

MSc Programme in Geography and Geoinformatics

Content

We live in exciting times with a rapidly expanding number of earth observation products available to understand global environmental and socio-economic changes. However, this development poses several challenges:

- How to process large remote sensing data sets?

- How to extract and analyze patterns and trajectories of land change?

Through this course, the principles of big data analysis will be introduced. This course emphasizes advanced machine- learning and pattern recognition, for instance, convolutional neural networks, random forests and other classification techniques. We will take a deep dive into how to evaluate machine learning models' performance and assess the accuracy of produced classification results. We will also work with Google Colab, PyTorch, Python-based libraries for GIS, and cloud-image processing platforms like Google Earth Engine to process and analyze various remote sensing data sets. The students are expected to progress their scripting skills in a Python/ Javascript environment.

The course welcomes those who would like to advance their knowledge in remote sensing of the environment and socio-economic footprint, pattern recognition and spatial data analysis and who would like to advance their skills in machine learning. However, this class is also open to those who already have skills in programming and machine learning, but seek to extend their portfolio in satellite remote sensing applications.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

  • Sources of satellite data; currently operating non-commercial and commercial platforms in Earth Observation, with a specific focus on very-high-resolution imagery,
  • Principles of pattern recognition, classification and segmentation using convolutional neural networks (CNNs),
  • Advanced satellite image processing and classification in a cloud environment,
  • Python Application Programming Interface (API); API-based computation with Python for big data processing.

 

Skills:

  • Hands-on experience in parameterization, running and evaluation of the performance of convolutional neural networks for pattern recognition tasks using, e.g., Google Colab and PyTorch,
  • Progression of skills in Python-based analysis of satellite data using machine learning,
  • Ability to download, pre-process, and analyze large amounts of satellite imagery with a focus on remote sensing of the Geobiosphere and Land System Science.
  • Advanced use of cloud-based classification via Google Earth Engine (GEE), and Google Colab.

 

Competencies:

Literature

Please see Absalon course page.

BSc in Geography and Geoinformatics or equivalent. Prior experience in satellite remote sensing processing and analysis is expected. Experience in scripting is welcomed.

The course builds on prior knowledge of working with satellite imagery, such as passing via Bachelor level classes such as Introduction to Remote Sensing, Classification of Spatial Data, as well as some Master-level remote sensing classes, such as Remote Sensing of Geobiosphere, Remote Sensing in Land Science Studies, Spatial pattern analysis. However, we will try to accommodate the students without prior experience in remote sensing but with solid experience in programming machine learning. If you dit not take remote sensing classes, please contact the course responsible prior to enrolling in the class.
The form of teaching is theory exercises combined with lectures and various forms of activation of learning. For the teaching plan, please see Absalon.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Preparation
  • 171
  • Theory exercises
  • 35
  • Total
  • 206
Written
Oral
Individual
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, During course
Oral examination, 20 minutes
Type of assessment details
A set of lab reports developed through the course must be handed in prior to the exam week. The oral exam uses the lab reports as its point of departure. It includes the titles listed in the officially approved reading list. A combined grade is given after the oral exam.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Re-exam

Identical to the ordinary exam.

If the quality of the Lab reports are not acceptable, the student can choose to either hand in a new or revised report.

If the quality of the Lab reports are acceptable, the student can either hand in a revised report or resubmit the original report from the ordinary exam.

The Lab reports must be handed in prior to the re-examination week. The oral exam uses the written assignment as its point of departure. It includes the titles listed in the officially approved reading list. A combined grade is given after the oral exam.

Criteria for exam assesment

See learning outcome.