Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
This course introduces the theory and practice of processing digital imagery obtained from remote sensing platforms, specifically from unoccupied aerial systems (UAS), also known by several other acronyms and colloquially as drones. Some of the topics covered in this course will be generic and are broadly applicable to any type of digital image processing related to remotely sensed imagery. Other topics will be specific to UAS-derived imagery. In particular, we will focus on a UAS workflow, from picking the appropriate platform to building 2D and 3D models of an area. We will also explore how these emerging technologies can be utilized in a variety of geospatial activities, augmenting existing datasets in geospatial analysis.
At the end of this course, the students should be comfortable analyzing and interpreting imagery from UAS. The students will also be introduced to a series of image processing software that can be used in the UAS workflow.
Course Materials
- An eBook copy of the textbook, Fundamentals of Capturing and Processing Drone Imagery and Data by Amy Frazier and Kunwar K. Singh is freely available via the University of Oklahoma Libraries
- Other course readings will be available in Canvas
- Students will use a variety of software applications throughout the semester. All are either freely available, available for a trial period at no cost, or provided by the program for use in this class. These will be specified at the time of given assignments.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Quizzes (2) | 5% each | |
| Exams (2) | 15% each | |
| Weekly Course Forums/Discussions (8) | 1.25% each | |
| Lab Assignments (5) | 10% each | |
| Total |
Scale
A: 90-100%
B: 80-89%
C: 70-79%
D: 60-69%
F: Below 60%
Course Components
Exams
There are two exams, a midterm and final exam. Exams will consist of both theoretical knowledge and applied skills. Each exam is worth 15% of your total grade. The midterm will be on week 4 and the final on exam 8.
Lab Exercises
There are 5 labs; each lab is worth 10%. Late labs will receive reduced credit (10% in grade reduction for each week it is late). All labs will be assigned on Monday beginning in week four and will be due on Monday one week later. Labs will consist of some hand-based calculations, online activities using cloud-based mission planning and image processing software, mobile apps, and desktop solutions. If students are unable to utilize any of these solutions, alternative assignments will be given.
Lab Topics:
- Ground Control Stations and Mission Planning
- Aligning Images (with and without ground control points)
- Structure from Motion-Multi-View Stereo (SfM-MVS) Workflow
- Accuracy Assessment
- UAS Image Analysis
Quizzes
There are 2 quizzes, each worth 5%. Quizzes are short answer and will involve theoretical/conceptual understanding of the topic at hand. Quizzes are technically closed book and will be limed to 10 minutes.
Course Policies
Communication
Student can contact me via email (tfagin@ou.edu). I typically respond to emails within 24 hours during weekday, though this may be longer during the weekends.
Late Policy for Labs
This is a short course and it is important that students stay on schedule. Though I will always allow late assignments, I will deduct 10% of the grade for that lab, for every week that it is late.
Grading Policy for Quizzes and Exams
Quizzes will be timed and need to be taken before the due date. Exams will be open book and you will have 1 week to turn the exam in. No late exams will be accepted.
Academic Integrity
Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. As a member of the OU community it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. For specific definitions on what constitutes cheating, review the Student’s Guide to Academic Integrity.
To be successful in this class, all work on exams and quizzes must be yours and yours alone. You may not receive outside help. On examinations and quizzes, you will be permitted to use your notes, textbooks, calculators, or any other study aids. Be aware that it is my professional obligation to report academic misconduct, which I will not hesitate to do. Sanctions for academic misconduct can include expulsion from the University and an F in this course, so don’t cheat. It’s simply not worth it.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Academic Misconduct
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
Diversity Statement
The University of Oklahoma is committed to achieving a diverse, equitable, and inclusive university community by embracing each person's unique contributions, background and perspective. The University of Oklahoma recognizes that fostering an inclusive environment for all, with particular attention to the needs of historically marginalized populations, is vital to the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our institutional mission. This enhances the OU experience for all students, faculty and staff and for the communities we engage.
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations.
Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The University does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual based on the individual’s race, color, religion, political beliefs, national origin, age (40 or older), sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or veteran status in matters of admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, or health care services that the University operates or provides. For more information, please contact the Institutional Equity Office.
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.
Students with disabilities must be registered with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.
If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Title IX Resources
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Title IX Office at 405-325-2215 (8–5, M–F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident. Also, please be advised that a professor/GA/TA is required to report instances of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or discrimination to the Sexual Misconduct Office.
Religious Holidays
It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide without penalty for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.
Student Grievances
In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.
Copyright Policy
It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or their authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user's access to some or all of the university's computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.
Registration and Withdrawal
If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|