Earth Observation

What is Earth Observation ?

Earth observation uses modern data-gathering methods, such as remote sensing (RS) and global positioning systems (GPS), and exploits advanced information-processing techniques, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), photogrammetry and digital image analysis, to provide assessment and monitoring capability for a wide variety of applications. The application domain ranges from static cartography exercises to dynamic process monitoring, whereby the objects or phenomena of interest occur on or nearby the surface of the earth. Photographic, microwave, and electro-optical sensor systems carried aloft by aircraft and spacecraft can gather, in just a short time, vast amounts of data about the earth and its environment. Sophisticated electronic systems, computers, and the human vision and brain can then be used to manipulate these data in order to extract valuable information about the area under study, the ultimate goal being a sustainable management of earth’s limited resources.

Why a joint M.S. Program ?

The rapidly expanding global population places increasing stress on the limited land, mineral, vegetation, and water resources of the world. Industrialization during the past century has added to the stress on these resources and the environment. Never before in human history has the need been greater for sound planning, management, and equitable distribution of these resources and for environmental protection. One of the crucial elements of any effort to meet these needs is the capability to inventory the renewable and nonrenewable resources of the earth and to monitor changes.

Bobt K.U.Leuven and Purdue University have experienced that a market exists for a multi-disciplinary international Masters of Science program in Earth Observation. The demand originates not only from the side of the eventual participants, but also from the sectors (e.g. geo-informatics, land use planning, environmental management, etc.) that will recruit such graduates. The combination of internationally recognized track records and expertise in the broad domain of earth observation at K.U.Leuven and at Purdue University provides the ideal setting to establish a joint M.S. program in this field. The way both partners view this endeavor represents a unique and novel concept on the forefront of educational development, because the ultimate product to be delivered to the participant is a M.S. degree in a multi-disciplinary field that is legally accredited at both K.U.Leuven and Purdue University.

Aims and scope of the program

The program offers a two-years Master of Science degree composed of two semesters of course work, the first one at Purdue, the second at the K.U.Leuven, and one year of research at the institution where the tuition is being paid. The degree is specifically geared towards the needs of the earth observation market place, and will be closely monitored from the perspective of consistency and technological excellence. Research activities undertaken by the program participants will be fully imbedded in ongoing research projects at the K.U.Leuven, at Purdue University, or with their respective industrial partners.

Program partners

The inter-university program in earth observation is organized on the one hand by three faculties of the K.U.Leuven: the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, the Faculty of Applied Sciences, and the Faculty of Sciences, and on the other hand the Schools of Engineering, the School of Agriculture, and the Graduate School of Purdue University, U.S.A. The program is overseen by an external board of eight advisors (four each selected by the K.U.Leuven and Purdue University sides), invited from those segments of the professional world that are most likely to recruit graduates from this program.

K.U.LEUVEN
-	Faculty of Bioscience and Engineering
Laboratory for Forest, Nature and Landscape Research (LFNL); P. Coppin, H. Gulinck, J. Van Orshoven
-	Faculty of Applied Sciences
Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT); L. Van Gool Department of Civil Engineering (BWK); J. Monbaliu
-	Faculty of Sciences
Laboratory for Experimental Geomorphology; G. Govers, J. Poesen
These three faculties organize the Master of Science program Earth Observation.

Expertise and services
c	Multidisciplinary expertise and services in the domain of Earth Observation comprisingboth system components (hardware and software) and applications.
-	Transfer of conceptual, functional and technical knowledge which has been acquired in the Earth Observation research domain (in the broad sense of the term) to civil society in general and to policy makers and industrial users in particular by means of seminars, workshops and other educational means.

Users
-	European, national and regional governmental agencies, international institutions.
-	Utility companies, engineering and consulting firms, other companies.

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

The association between the Department of Agronomy and the Laboratory for Applications of Remote Sensing (LARS) provides the opportunity for training and research in the application of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS). Camera systems, multispectral and thermal scanners, radar, microwave sensors, and magnetometers are used to study soil genesis and classification, soil surveying, physical and chemical properties of soils, effects of herbicides on plant growth, nutrient deficiencies, and moisture and other plant stress conditions. GIS hardware and software facilities are used in research to develop spatial and attribute databases for use in management of land resources.

LARS Participating Faculties:
- Agricultural & Biological Engineering
	K.A. Cherkauer, B. A. Engel, D. R. Ess, J.R. Frankenberger, H.G. Gibson, D. D. Jones, R. Mohtar, M. T. Morgan, G.L. Rochon
- Agricultural Economics
	B.J. Erickson, J. G. Lee, S. B. Lovejoy, J.M. Lowenberg-DeBoer, G. E. Shively, W.E. Tyner
- Agronomy
	L. Bowling, M. Crawford, D. P. Franzmeier-Emeritus, R. H. Grant, J. G. Graveel, C. J. Johannsen-Emeritus, B. D. Lee, L. D. Norton, G.L. Rochon, D. G. Schulze, G.C. Steinhardt, R. F. Turco, G.E. Van Scoyoc, J.J. Vorst
- Civil Engineering
	J. S. Bethel, S. D. Johnson, E. M. Mikhail, J. J. Shan, B. H. W. van Gelder
- Computer Sciences
	B. Bhargava
- Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
	E. Calais, Harshvardhan, J. M. Harbor, J.G. Ogg, G.L. Rochon, T.R. West
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
	J. P. Allebach, M. R. Bell, C. A. Bouman, P. C. Doerschuk, D. A. Landgrebe-Emeritus
- Entomology
	R.E. Foster, C. S. Sadof
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
	J.P. Allebach, M.R. Bell, C.A. Bouman, P.C. Doerschuk, D.A. Landgrebe-Emeritus
- Forestry and Natural Resources
	J. B. Dunning, A. R. Gillespie, W. L. Mills, Jr., J. W. Moser, Jr., G. R. Parker, B.C. Pijanowski, G. Shao
- Landscape Architecture
	B. L. Dahl, S.C. Weller

Steering committee

The program is overseen by an external board of eight advisors (four to be selected by K.U.Leuven and four by Purdue University), invited from those segments of the professional world that are most likely to recruit graduates from this program. We have selected advisors that have reached higher functions (e.g. chief executive officer, vice president, etc.) with potential employers for the products of this program such as major space firms (e.g. Space Imaging, Alcatel), international consulting companies (e.g. Swedish Space Corporation, Pacific Meridian), internationally active development agencies (e.g. USAID, VL.I.R.), international scientific organizations (NASA, JRC/ISPRA), and/or international banks (e.g. World Bank, Inter European Development Bank) , and others.