Courses

GEOL 3105 – Images of the Earth

This undergraduate course is an introduction to the rapidly evolving and interdisciplinary field of Earth System Science. It emphasizes the ideas of Earth as a planet within the solar system and the interactions among its main components; the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. It also presents the different processes related to climate and global change. Studying Earth as a system is accomplished with the analysis of remote sensing data. Digital images acquired by airborne and spaceborne sensors are used throughout the course.  This course is offered regularly every year.

GEOL 4048 – Geological Applications of Remote Sensing

This undergraduate course is an introduction to the theory and techniques of remote sensing tools with emphasis on the geosciences. It also includes the discussion of image processing and analysis.  The laboratory work focuses on learning the basics of remote sensing by processing and interpreting digital images with the software ENVI (Environment for Visualizing Images). Students are exposed to field equipment, like the GER-1500 spectroradiometer that is used to measure reflectance.  They also have access to airborne and satellite images in order to develop a research project. This course uses the computing laboratory of the Geology Department at UPRM, which is equipped with computers with the latest versions of ENVI and ArcGIS, among other software. This course is offered every other year or by request.

GEOL 6225 – Advanced Geological Remote Sensing

This graduate course focuses in the advanced theory and techniques of remote sensing tools with emphasis on the geosciences. It includes the discussion of the application and interpretation of digital images collected with airborne and spaceborne sensors.  The laboratory work provides the experience of learning image processing and analyses with the software ENVI (Environment for Visualizing Images). Students are exposed to the latest equipment, like the GER-1500 spectroradiometer that is used to measure field reflectance. They also have access to satellite images collected by different remote sensors in order to develop a research project. This course uses the remote sensing laboratory of the Geology Department, which is equipped with computers with ENVI and ArcGIS, among other software. This course is offered every other year or by request.

GEOL 4049 & 4055 – Undergraduate Research I & II

These undergraduate courses are requisites of the geology program and they will provide research experiences in diverse topics. In the case of the GERS Lab the students have a variety of posible projects related with remote sensing and geographic information systems.  It is expected to coordinate a meeting with professor Fernando Gilbes Santaella in order to discuss a posible topic before register in the course with him.

GEOL 5996 & 6991 – Applied Geology: Introduction to GIS for the Earth Sciences

This is an introduction to the theory and applications of geographic information systems (GIS) in the earth sciences. Several components of the ArcGIS system is used to create GIS maps, explore and analyze the data behind the maps, and apply methods to easily share the maps. By the end of the course, the students will have a solid understanding on how GIS maps and ArcGIS tools can be used for earth sciences applications by discovering patterns, obtaining information, and communicating that information.

BIOL 5038 – Biological Applications of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems

Students will learn the theory of extracting information from remotely sensed data, its integration into geographical information system (GIS) databases, and its use for the study and management of biological systems. Students will extract information of biological interest from remotely sensed data and other types of geographic data, will assemble at least one geographic database, and use that geographic database to study the relationships between one or several organisms and several environmental variables.