ASPRS Conference Denver, Colorado May 2004 From mission to data integration: developing a new LiDAR curriculum at the Applied Geomatics Research Group, Nova Scotia Community College Bob Maher and Chris Hopkinson Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG) Centre of Geographic Sciences, NSCC Middleton, Nova Scotia

ASPRS Conference Denver, Colorado May 2004 Outline  Background: history and context  Teaching Philosophy  Generic curriculum design  Detailed curriculum  Alternative delivery  Next steps

ASPRS Conference Denver, Colorado May 2004 Background: history  College of Geographic Sciences formed in Previously Nova Scotia Land Survey Institute  1998 became part of the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)  2000 Applied Geomatics Research Group commenced applied research at the NSCC

ASPRS Conference Denver, Colorado May 2004 Background: history  Advanced diploma in Remote Sensing  Advanced diploma in GIS  Advanced diploma in Business Geographics  Advanced diploma in Marine Geomatics These are all post-graduate one year (two semester) technical diplomas.

ASPRS Conference Denver, Colorado May 2004 Background: context  Climate Change Action Fund (CCAF) project by Environment Canada on impact of sea level rise on Charlottetown, PEI.  CFI: Geomatics applications in the Atlantic coastal zone  AGRG commissioned LiDAR data acquisition services from Terra RS in Victoria, BC and Mosaic Mapping (GeoSurv) in Ottawa.  AGRG had responsibility for contract specifications, independent ground validation and DEM creation.

ASPRS Conference Denver, Colorado May 2004 Background: context  Second CCAF project in SE New Brunswick (ongoing)  Third CFI project: Environmental health applications of Geomatics (March 2004) –Includes acquiring our own LiDAR system –Commitment to train HQP in LiDAR applications –Collaboration with Chris Hopkinson at C-CLEAR

ASPRS Conference Denver, Colorado May 2004 Teaching Philosophy  NSCC train technical staff for the marketplace  NSCC is a portfolio college  With first CFI funding, NSCC has embraced applied research  AGRG seeks to combine its applied research with training programs that meet industry needs

ASPRS Conference Denver, Colorado May 2004 Generic Curriculum Design SCIENCETECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS Fundamentals of LiDAR and LiDAR systems. Field validation and quality assessment. Error theory and statistics. Post-processing of LiDAR. Sensor maintenance and aircraft installation. Presentation tools. Management of large databases. Mission Planning Applications Major Project

ASPRS Conference Denver, Colorado May 2004 Detailed Curriculum  Semester 1 –Fundamentals of LiDAR and LiDAR systems –Sensor maintenance and aircraft installation –Mission Planning –Post-processing of LiDAR –Field validation and quality assessment  Semester 2 –Managing large databases in the field and the office –Error theory and statistics –Presentation tools –Applications: geomorphology, hydrology, forestry, exploration geology,change detection.

ASPRS Conference Denver, Colorado May 2004 Detailed Curriculum  Major Project: –Includes design, planning, implementation, validation, integration and presentation. –Local research survey or national C-CLEAR project

ASPRS Conference Denver, Colorado May 2004 Intake and Outcomes  Intake –Graduate from existing advanced diploma program –Technical staff in the Geomatics/Resource industry  Outcomes –Project management –Practical technical integration skills –Scientific/research understanding

ASPRS Conference Denver, Colorado May 2004 Alternative Delivery Questions  Duration –Current model is two semesters  Delivery –Summer Institute –Cooperative projects with industry –Distance learning for Concepts  Class Size –8-12 students per session  Certification –??

ASPRS Conference Denver, Colorado May 2004 Next Steps  Feedback from ASPRS conference  Negotiate agreements with LiDAR suppliers  Confirm fast track for NSCC curriculum design  Acquire system; hire support staff  Determine date of first program: January 2005, Summer 2005, September 2005  Market new program – Fall 2004

ASPRS Conference Denver, Colorado May 2004 Radarsat data © Canadian Space Agency 1996

ASPRS Conference Denver, Colorado May 2004

Charlottetown CCAF project

ASPRS Conference Denver, Colorado May 2004

Conclusions  LIDAR requires planning, ground validation, intensive GIS processing  Need P-code GPS in order to validate accuracy  LIDAR ideal for modeling storm surges of 1-2 m  Remainder of NB polygons to be acquired 2004  Terra using a new multi-return system  Improved accuracy of LIDAR (< 15 cm)  Intensity of return can be a useful product  Many more application….

ASPRS Conference Denver, Colorado May 2004 Contact Information  Bob Maher –  Chris Hopkinson –