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Nature of course request C02646 :

New course 400/500 course

First term offered : Spring 2015
Course Prefix&Number Descriptive Title Credits/Hours
ES444/544 Remote Sensing 4 -




Abbreviation for Class Schedule(20 spaces)
Remote Sensing
Catalog Description:
Introduction to Remote Sensing and the acquisition of images at the Earth¿s surface. Topics include introduction to photogrammetric principles, electromagnetic radiation, spectral properties of Earth materials, cameras and sensors, aerial photography, satellite imagery, data processing, image classification, image interpretation, and scientific applications. Four hours of lecture and active learning per week. Prerequisite: ES342 or consent of Instructor.
Course Goal and Objectives:
To provide students with training in Geographic Information Systems and related analytical techniques as part of the newly proposed Geographic Information Science minor and post-baccalaureate certificate program. The outcome of the course and program is to provide marketable technology skills for WOU graduates. ES444/544 will serve as a third term, upper division, advanced elective in Geographic Information Science.
Justification for adding the course (e.g. alignment with other institutions, program revision, etc.):
The Geographic information science minor (GIScience) expands upon the existing geosciences curriculum related to geographic information systems (GIS), cartography, remote sensing, photogrammetry, surveying, and quantitative analysis. These areas of study involve melding of computing systems with mapping, images, geographic location, information management and spatial analysis. GIScience and related technologies are in widespread use across all sectors of the global economy including scientific research, natural resource management, government, industry and business. Geographic information science is cross-cutting and interdisciplinary, with broad effects in communication and commerce throughout all sectors of society. This new programming is in direct alignment with goals of the Oregon University System, and the Legislative 40-40-20 Goal for Oregon (ORS 351.009): 1.To ensure that at least 40 percent of adult Oregonians have earned a bachelor's degree or higher by 2025; 2.To create in Oregon an educated citizenry to support responsible roles in a democratic society and provide a globally competitive workforce to drive the State¿s economy, while ensuring access for all qualified Oregonians to quality postsecondary education; and 3.To create original knowledge and advance innovation. In addition to alignment with state higher education initiatives, the new GIScience minor at WOU will make a significant contribution to workforce training in the high-growth Geospatial Technology industry as outlined by the U.S. Department of Labor (http://www.doleta.gov/brg/indprof/geospatial_profile.cfm): Because the uses for geospatial technology are so widespread and diverse, the market is growing at an annual rate of almost 35 percent, with the commercial subsection of the market expanding at the rate of 100 percent each year (Geospatial Information & Technology Association). Increasing demand for readily available, consistent, accurate, complete and current geographic information and the widespread availability and use of advanced technologies offer great job opportunities for people with many different talents and educational backgrounds (U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The proposed GIScience minor will provide applied training to students with GIS and remote sensing skills that are directly transferable to the 21st Century marketplace. In addition, this proposal has been pre-vetted with Vice President Scheck, WOU Academic Affairs: Email From: Stephen Scheck To: Steve Taylor, Diane Tarter Date: March 13, 2013 Re: GIS Minor / Earth Science Position Proposal I'm very supportive of this [GI Science Minor]...it crosses disciplines, it is a growing science, we need dependable personnel for coverage, we can tie it to supporting 40:40:20 goals of graduates with job readiness. --Steve
Faculty and facilities needed:
One new faculty tenure line is needed in specialty area of Geographic Information Science, with broad-based training in Geoscience or Earth Science. Existing office facilities and classroom/laboratory space for new hire are secured as part of DeVolder Family Science Center expansion and concomitant Natural Science Building reorganization. The new faculty line will serve to support the new minor and post-baccalaureate certificate in Geographic Information Science, and also provide much needed assistance in supporting the highly enrolled Earth Science (ES) 100- and 300-level curriculum (~1200-1300 students per year).
Brief Course outline:
I. Introduction to remote sensing systems II. Electromagnetic radiation III. Spectral properties of Earth materials IV. Principles of photogrammetry V. Cameras and sensors VI. Aerial photography and digital imagery VII. Satellite imaging VIII. Data processing and image classification IX. Image interpretation X. Applications and case studies


Approval Queue C02646
Step Approver Decision Timestamp
1 - Department Jeffrey Templeton ApprovedMay 03 2013
2 - Division Steve Taylor ApprovedMay 05 2013
3 - Division Curriculum Laurie Burton ApprovedMay 10 2013
5 - Graduate Committee Kimberly Jensen ApprovedMay 28 2013
Comments: Graduate Committee members approve this proposal with the following addition, supplied by Steve Taylor, to the information about additional requirements for the 500 level course: ES444/544 Remote Sensing In the case of 400/500 courses indicate graduate credit criterion 500‐level offering requires final project at a level above and beyond that expected of 400‐level students. In addition to completing the 400‐level requirements, graduate students in the 500‐level course will be required to complete an independent research project that involves the application of remote sensing techniques to a real‐world problem in land‐use management. The independent project at the 500 level will comprise an additional 10% of the total grade, beyond that required of 400‐level. The 500‐level project will be assessed at a higher level of analysis and conclusions compared to that at the undergraduate level.
5 - Curriculum Committee Thaddeus Shannon ApprovedMay 23 2013
6 - Faculty Senate Thaddeus Shannon ApprovedOctober 24 2013
7 - Dean Susanne Monahan ApprovedOctober 24 2013
8 - Provost Stephen Scheck ApprovedOctober 28 2013


Attached Files:
5_New_Course_ES444_Remote_Sensing_Final_Draft_April25_2013.pdf   Download
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