Students will acquire theoretical knowledge and practical competencies in fundamental principles, techniques, and applications of remote sensing. They will gain hands-on experience in digital image processing, analysis, and information extraction using the open-source GIS software QGIS installed on their own laptops. Additionally, students will develop skills in automating remote sensing workflows through Python scripting within the Copernicus cloud processing environment.
About the course
Content
The course introduces the theory of remote sensing image processing and applications of remote sensing workflows implemented in Python. Remote sensing data mainly from the satellite sensor Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-1 are used to develop analysis workflows for forestry and environmental monitoring applications. Common steps and methods of remote sensing analysis such as preprocessing, image enhancement, sampling of reference data, automated classification, change detection and map validation are presented. In the practical labs students learn how to use Python for cloud-based remote sensing.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the fundamental principles of electromagnetic radiation and describe its interactions with the atmosphere.
- Demonstrate proficiency in basic techniques related to remote sensing image acquisition, pre-processing, enhancement, and classification.
- Gain a basic understanding of the QGIS software environment.
- Understand, manipulate and execute Python scripts to automate and support remote sensing data processing workflows.
- Evaluate and interpret the quality of remote sensing products by performing accuracy assessments and validation analyses.
Teaching format
Synchronous online lecture with practical group work
Assessment
Form of assessment: E-Exam of 90 min duration
Timing for assessment: probably at the end of February
Calculation of the examination mark: The course will be passed with 50% of the total points.
Lecturers
Dr. Nils Nölke
Course dates
Academic Year: winter term 2025/26
Course schedule: The course takes place every week on Tuesday from 14:15h to 16:00h and Wednesday from 8:15h to 10:00h during the lecture period from October 27, 2025 until February 13, 2026 with a break from December 22, 2025 to January 2, 2026.
How to register?
! Before application: Please check with your home faculty / programme if the course can be integrated in your curriculum in order to ensure recognition of the credits / ECTS obtained !
Entry requirements: None
Transcript of Records can be obtained approximately seven days after the final exam.
Students from all ENLIGHT partner universities are eligible to participate. Students who meet the requirements mentioned above can apply directly: [application link will follow soon].
The host university will select the permitted number of students, inform the students as soon as possible.
The course enrollment is determined by a “first come first serve” principle across partner universities, i.e. the first applications from each university will be selected to increase diversity in the course. Students can expect to receive notification of their enrollment status approximately five business days after the registration period concludes.
Unsuccessful students will be placed on a waiting list and may get a place in case of dropouts at a later stage but not later than the official beginning of the course.
Contact
If you have questions about the course (content, structure, requirements, etc.), please contact:
Dr. Nils Nölke,