A.E. Gaughan
My teaching experience includes a variety of methodological and applied topics in Geography. I have taught Physical Geography, Remote Sensing, and Introduction to Climate Change at University of Florida (UF) as well as conducted field based method instruction in southern Africa. The Introduction to Climate Change course I designed to facilitate students’ understanding of climate change issues from an interdisciplinary perspective. Another course, interdisciplinary in scope, was a collaboration with other colleagues to develop an honors course at UF entitled Water, Environment, and Society, that examined social and physical components of the world’s most important watersheds.
In the Department of Geography and Geosciences at the University of Louisville, I teach different courses about the global environment and remote sensing. Short descriptions are given below.
Global Environmental Change (GEOS 360):
This course provides an introduction to the biophysical and climatological changes occurring in the Earth system and discusses the implications of these changes on human society and ecosystems worldwide. While there are no pre-requisites for this course, a general physical or environmental introductory course (e.g. GEOS 200) is recommended.
The goal of this course is to facilitate students’ understanding of global environmental change from an integrated perspective. This means students will learn about the physical mechanisms that drive global environmental change but also the interacting feedbacks in which humans are a fundamental component. The course seeks to empower students with knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to analyze global environmental change issues and form his/her own opinion about their implications to society and our sustainable future based on a solid understanding of the science known today.
Remote Sensing (GEOS 355 and GEOS 555):
During the extent of this course, students are provided an introduction to the acquisition and utilization of remotely-sensed data in geographical/environmental research. The different sensors used to collect this information, and a wide variety of interpretation techniques continue to develop at an astounding rate. In this course, we will focus on the interpretation and application of data from space-borne imaging systems (eg: MODIS, Landsat, Quickbird and SPOT). The student will develop a comprehensive understanding of remote sensing principles and methods through applications in geography and environmental science. In addition, direction will be given towards how remote sensing may be applied to students’ research and towards hands-on skills for processing, analysis, display and communication of remote sensing data.
Advanced Remote Sensing (GEOS 356 and 556):
This course is designed to follow on from basic concepts of digital image analysis covered in GEO 355/655 Remote Sensing course. Students will develop competency in using ENVI/IDL software. Topics will include data import and geo-linking, image enhancement and analysis, change detection, calibration, and spatial modeling. Understanding of these technical issues and procedures will be incorporated through practical examples of their application to geographic problems, which students will explore through exercises and a final project.
The goal of this course is two-fold: to introduce students with a basic knowledge of remote sensing to advanced topics in digital remote sensing applications and to instill enthusiasm in this subject area to encourage future specialists. The course emphasizes a hands-on learning environment, with in depth insights into theoretical and conceptual underpinnings in satellite remote sensing.
UAS Technologies (GEOS 360):
This course introduces unmanned aerial system (UAS) technology, application and the underlying principles of remote sensing and photogrammetry that inform the utilization of UAS data in geographical/environmental research. The technology around UAS (e.g. drone) continues to develop at an extremely rapid rate demanding users of such data be knowledgeable in not only the rules and regulations governing the operation of UAS systems but also the type of UAS platforms and sensors, processing software options and capabilities, and deriving useful products from the data collected in the field. In this course, the predominant focus will be on introducing the student to the use, interpretation and application of data from unmanned aerial systems while providing an overview of the regulatory framework for operations.
The Global Environment (GEOS 200):
This course serves as an introduction to the global environment, emphasizing the functioning and interaction of the Earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. It is designed for students new to the subject of physical geography and includes examination of the spatial and temporal connections between Earth’s dynamic systems. Students will also consider how these physical systems of the Earth relate to human life and contemporary environmental issues. Upon completion of this course the student should have a basic understanding and integrated knowledge of global earth/atmosphere/hydrosphere system dynamics and how these interactions relate and impact day-to-day and long-term events of humans.
In the Department of Geography and Geosciences at the University of Louisville, I teach different courses about the global environment and remote sensing. Short descriptions are given below.
Global Environmental Change (GEOS 360):
This course provides an introduction to the biophysical and climatological changes occurring in the Earth system and discusses the implications of these changes on human society and ecosystems worldwide. While there are no pre-requisites for this course, a general physical or environmental introductory course (e.g. GEOS 200) is recommended.
The goal of this course is to facilitate students’ understanding of global environmental change from an integrated perspective. This means students will learn about the physical mechanisms that drive global environmental change but also the interacting feedbacks in which humans are a fundamental component. The course seeks to empower students with knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to analyze global environmental change issues and form his/her own opinion about their implications to society and our sustainable future based on a solid understanding of the science known today.
Remote Sensing (GEOS 355 and GEOS 555):
During the extent of this course, students are provided an introduction to the acquisition and utilization of remotely-sensed data in geographical/environmental research. The different sensors used to collect this information, and a wide variety of interpretation techniques continue to develop at an astounding rate. In this course, we will focus on the interpretation and application of data from space-borne imaging systems (eg: MODIS, Landsat, Quickbird and SPOT). The student will develop a comprehensive understanding of remote sensing principles and methods through applications in geography and environmental science. In addition, direction will be given towards how remote sensing may be applied to students’ research and towards hands-on skills for processing, analysis, display and communication of remote sensing data.
Advanced Remote Sensing (GEOS 356 and 556):
This course is designed to follow on from basic concepts of digital image analysis covered in GEO 355/655 Remote Sensing course. Students will develop competency in using ENVI/IDL software. Topics will include data import and geo-linking, image enhancement and analysis, change detection, calibration, and spatial modeling. Understanding of these technical issues and procedures will be incorporated through practical examples of their application to geographic problems, which students will explore through exercises and a final project.
The goal of this course is two-fold: to introduce students with a basic knowledge of remote sensing to advanced topics in digital remote sensing applications and to instill enthusiasm in this subject area to encourage future specialists. The course emphasizes a hands-on learning environment, with in depth insights into theoretical and conceptual underpinnings in satellite remote sensing.
UAS Technologies (GEOS 360):
This course introduces unmanned aerial system (UAS) technology, application and the underlying principles of remote sensing and photogrammetry that inform the utilization of UAS data in geographical/environmental research. The technology around UAS (e.g. drone) continues to develop at an extremely rapid rate demanding users of such data be knowledgeable in not only the rules and regulations governing the operation of UAS systems but also the type of UAS platforms and sensors, processing software options and capabilities, and deriving useful products from the data collected in the field. In this course, the predominant focus will be on introducing the student to the use, interpretation and application of data from unmanned aerial systems while providing an overview of the regulatory framework for operations.
The Global Environment (GEOS 200):
This course serves as an introduction to the global environment, emphasizing the functioning and interaction of the Earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. It is designed for students new to the subject of physical geography and includes examination of the spatial and temporal connections between Earth’s dynamic systems. Students will also consider how these physical systems of the Earth relate to human life and contemporary environmental issues. Upon completion of this course the student should have a basic understanding and integrated knowledge of global earth/atmosphere/hydrosphere system dynamics and how these interactions relate and impact day-to-day and long-term events of humans.
