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FOR 6304

Subject: Environmental Science and Engineering
Course design sponsored by the Canadian Space Agency
Course No. and Title: FOR 6304 Advanced Studies in Radar Polarimetry
Credit Value: Three (3) credit hours
Course Description:

The objective of the course is to provide the required skills to process SAR images, particularly the polarimetric radar images, acquired by RADARSAT-2 based on practical laboratories applied to real images. At the end of the course, you will be able to produce relevant GIS layers from these images. Their analysis will be presented in sequence throughout the course as a function of increasing image complexity as follows:

  • Chapter I. Geometrical factors on single-polarized images 
  • Chapter II. Dielectric factors on single-polarized images 
  • Chapter III. Wave polarization 
  • Chapter IVI. Multipolarized non polarimetric images 
  • Chapter V. Polarimetric scattering 
  • Chapter VI. Matrix representation and calibration/storage of polarimetric images 
  • Chapter VII. Polarimetric analysis 
  • Chapter VIII. Polarimetric variables 
  • Chapter IX. Coherent target decomposition 
  • Chapter X. Incoherent target decomposition 
  • Chapter XI. Image classification 

The practical laboratories are based on the SAR Polarimetry Workstation (SPW) program suite which is part of PCI Geomatica.
Prerequisite:

A working knowledge of Windows computing and world wide web browsing is assumed. Knowledge on optical remote sensing is desirable.

Permission of instructor required.
Course Author:

Brigitte Leblon, Agricultual Eng., Ph.D. 
Email: bleblon@unb.ca
Course Features:

You don't have to own a copy of PCI Geomatica and SPW; it's provided. Read on.
Course Format:

You'll complete a series of instructional modules using a web browser and PCI Geomatica and SPW on a Windows computer at home, at work, or at UNB. At the end, you'll perform an exam consisting of a polarimetric SAR image analysis on your choice. You won't be in this alone. You'll be part of a virtual classroom of other distance education students for this course as well as students taking this course at UNB.
Course Texts:

None
Assignments & Examinations:

The course is made of 11 instructional modules. First, at the end of the theoretical part of each module, you'll complete online quizzes, which contribute 25% towards your final mark. Then, each theoretical chapter is joined with a practical laboratory. A lab report is to be submitted through email and contribute 25%. Last, an exam will involve a polarimetric SAR image analysis on your choice with a literature review of at least 10 papers. It will test your ability to understand radar polarimetry applications and to use PCI Geomatica and SPW. It will account for the remaining 50%.
Time Limit:

Six months. Be aware that the license for the PCI Geomatica and SPW software is valid for 180 days.
Fees:

Click here to find more information on fees for this course.

Fees are subject to change by the Board of Governors.
Methods of Payment:

Once you complete the Apply Now form below, please send payment. Methods of payment accepted:
Cash (Do not send in the mail. Please deliver to the College of Extended Learning, 2nd Level, Wu Centre, UNB Fredericton Campus)
Cheque or money order (Mail to UNB College of Extended Learning, PO Box 4400, Fredericton, New Brunswick, E3B 5A3)
MasterCard / VISA / American Express (Please call the College of Extended Learning at 1-866-599-4646  or 506 453-4646 with your credit card number, expiry date, and the name as it appears on the card. Please do not send credit card information via email).

Apply Now!