Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
EASC3405 Environmental remote sensing (6 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department Earth and Planetary Sciences Quota 54
Course Co-ordinator Prof M Wang, Earth and Planetary Sciences < mengqiu@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof J Wu,Biological Sciences)
(Prof M Wang,Earth and Planetary Sciences)
Course Objectives This course introduces remote sensing as a key tool for observing and understanding Earth as an interconnected system. We will learn how satellite, airborne, and drone observations are used to study the atmosphere, oceans, land, ice, and ecosystems, and how these components interact with one another and respond to human activities. We will work with real satellite data to develop practical data analysis skills and develop the ability to interpret environmental information.
Course Contents & Topics 1. Introduction to Environmental Remote sensing
2. Electromagnetic Radiation
3. Physical Remote Sensing: Sensors, Platforms, and Data
4. From Raw Data to Analysis-Ready Data: Atmospheric Correction and Map Projection
5. Remote Sensing Methods in Global Change
6. Remote Sensing of Atmosphere
7. Land Cover and Change
8. Ocean Monitoring
9. Geological Applications of Remote Sensing to Earth and Other Environment
10. Time Series Analysis of Long-term Satellite Data
11. Climate change and Ecosystem Responses
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 demonstrate knowledge of how remotely sensed data are acquired
CLO 2 comprehend the basic techniques of image processing
CLO 3 handle remotely sensed data within geographic information systems
CLO 4 understand how remotely sensed be used for environmental assessment
CLO 5 evaluate and interpret remotely sensed data
CLO 6 present and discuss results
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in EASC2404 or EASC2406 or EASC2407 or ENVS2002
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2025 Major in Earth System Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Geology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Minor in Earth Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Earth System Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Geology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Earth Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Earth System Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Geology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Earth Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Earth System Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Geology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Earth Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Earth System Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Geology (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Earth Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2025 Major in Earth System Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2025 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2025 Major in Geology (Intensive) < PLO 1,3 >
2024 Major in Earth System Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2024 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2024 Major in Geology (Intensive) < PLO 1,3 >
2023 Major in Earth System Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Geology (Intensive) < PLO 1,3 >
2022 Major in Earth System Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Geology (Intensive) < PLO 1,3 >
2021 Major in Earth System Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Geology (Intensive) < PLO 1,3 >
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y        2nd sem    Examination No Exam     
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery of extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar situations. Critical use of data and results to draw appropriate and insightful conclusions. Apply highly effective organizational and presentational skills.
B Demonstrate substantial command of a broad range of knowledge and skills required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Correct use of data and results to draw appropriate conclusions. Apply effective organizational and presentational skills.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Mostly correct but some erroneous use of data and results to draw appropriate conclusions. Apply moderately effective organizational and presentational skills.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities, and limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Limited ability to use data and results to draw appropriate conclusions. Apply limited or barely effective organizational and presentational skills.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Misuse of data and results and/or unable to draw appropriate conclusions. Organization and presentational skills are minimally effective or ineffective.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture with laboratory component course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Laboratory 24.0
Lectures 24.0
Project work 12.0
Reading / Self study 100.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Laboratory reports Lab exercises 50.0 2,3,5
Presentation In-class presentation 10.0 1,4,5,6
Test Two tests (20% & 20%) 40.0 1,2,4,5
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Remote Sensing: Principles and Applications (3rd edition)
Author(s) : Floyd F. Sabins
Publisher : Waveland Press
Edition : 3rd
Print ISBN : 9781577665076, 1577665074
eText ISBN : 9781478618171.0

If you sign up for the course, plan on buying the book. The e-version is inexpensive. You will be expected to know the material from the book.
Course Website http://www.clays.space
Additional Course Information You can learn more by visiting the website http://www.clays.space


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