sUAS: Aerial Photogrammetry

Course Number:
UAS 102
Transcript Title:
sUAS Aerial Photogrammetry
Created:
Aug 16, 2022
Updated:
Jul 17, 2023
Total Credits:
4
Lecture Hours:
30
Lecture / Lab Hours:
20
Lab Hours:
0
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:
No
Satisfies General Education requirement:
No
Grading Options
A-F
Default Grading Options
A-F
Repeats available for credit:
0
Prerequisites

UAS 101

Recommended 

COMM 111 or COMM 111Z

Course Description

Introduces the fundamentals of photogrammetry with sUAS (drones), including concepts, real-world examples, navigation, best practices, data acquisition, mission assessment, data processing and map delivery. Recommended: COMM 111 or COMM 111Z. Prerequisites: UAS 101. Audit available.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Determine the capabilities and limitations of photogrammetry.
  2. Read and interpret the photogrammetric data workflow.
  3. Prepare a sUAS mission and demonstrate data acquisition.
  4. Apply knowledge and demonstrate understanding of point cloud data and analysis.
  5. Apply data processing best practices using industry software.
  6. Design and present commercial grade map product.
  7. Sit for the Pix4D Certification Exam. 
  8. Sit for the TOP Level 2 Certification Exam.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Outcome #1: Determine the capabilities and limitations of photogrammetry.

  • Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS)
  • Inertial navigation
  • System integration
  • Mapping products
  • Image georeferencing
  • Data accuracy assessment
  • LiDAR concepts
  • Quality control
  • Product delivery

Outcome #2: Read and interpret the photogrammetric data workflow.

  • Capture to delivery of images
  • Transfer and/or import
  • Organization
  • Back-up
  • Exporting
  • Publishing

Outcome #3: Prepare a sUAS mission and demonstrate data acquisition

  • Data user’s needs
  • Course plan
  • Position and velocity
  • Data acquisition points - pre and post missions
  • Reporting considerations

Outcome #4: Apply knowledge and demonstrate understanding of point cloud data and analysis.

  • Define point cloud
  • Point cloud for inspection purposes
  • Point cloud in determining digital elevation
  • Point cloud for modeling

Outcome #5: Apply data processing best practices using industry software.

  • Data processing cycle
  • Algorithms
  • Aggregation
  • Analysis
  • Data accuracy assessment
  • Quality reports

Outcome #6: Design and present commercial grade map product.

  • Image georeferencing
  • Geographic patterns
  • Spatial data analytics
  • Digital terrain

Outcome #7: Sit for the Pix4D Certification Exam.

  • Pix4D Exam Certification Test: Nationally recognized certification covering the fundamentals of using Pix4D in commercial applications.

Outcome #8: Sit for the TOP Level 2 Certification Exam.

  • TOP Level 2 Exam Preparation. The Level of Certification reflects the level of; skill, qualification, knowledge and safety precautions required to operate safely in different commercial UAS industries. Prerequisites:  TOP Level 1 completion as outline in UAS-101.

Suggested Texts and Materials

  • Pix4D Manual Version 4.1
  • So You Want to Create Maps Using Drones?, Xuhui Lee
  • Survey Mapping Training and Reference Books (www.cc4w.net/drone.html)