PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING
April 2016
239
W
ith the explosion in remotely sensed data and
imagery comes the responsibility to use that
information wisely, as well as the need for more
geospatial professionals to make sense of it.
That is the premise behind a newonline graduate certificate
program in Remote Sensing and Earth Observation being
offered by Penn State’s Department of Geography through
Penn State World Campus. Penn State launched one of the
first online GIS (Geographic Information Systems) programs
more than a decade ago and now offers over 30 GIS, remote
sensing, and geospatial intelligence courses covering core
competencies and cutting-edge applications. The university
is among the first institutions nationwide recognized by the
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and United
States Geological Survey as a
The new 12-credit remote sensing certificate program pro-
vides a foundation in remote sensing and geospatial image
analysis for current as well as aspiring geospatial profes-
sionals by taking advantage of Penn State’s broad selec-
tion of courses. Students will use remote sensing imagery
and terrain data to conduct geospatial analysis, said Karen
Schuckman, the program’s lead instructor. “There’s a lot to
understand about remotely sensed data so that you can use
it correctly to make effective decisions or derive other geo-
spatial data from it.”
Penn State World Campus
Remote Sensing Certificate Program
Helps GIS Professionals Use Drone Data
By H. Appelman, The Pennsylvania State University
Schuckman said students who have already taken Penn
State’s online remote sensing courses are using their new
knowledge and skills on projects such as:
• Evaluating the sustainability of coastal development
in the face of sea-level rise, land subsidence, tropical
storms and hurricanes
• Characterizing wildlife habitat using land cover and
terrain data
• Highlighting the potential for solar and wind power
energy generation
• Calculating wildfire risk based on fuel estimates and
topography
“
The recent rapid evolution of remote
sensing technology — in particular via
UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems),
lidar, IFSAR, hyperspectral and
multispectral sensors — has led to
an explosion of new applications,
including many potential commercial
opportunities,
”
Schuckman said
.
