The aim of the course is to provide expertise in Earth Observation (EO) and monitoring. The course will be structured as follows: 

Lecture I: Basic concepts of optical remote sensing: physical principles, digital images 

Lecture II: Availability of Earth Observation data (in particular ESA-Sentinels): presentation of different satellite missions and their the potential applications 

Lecture III & IV & hands-on exercises: two Earth Observation applications according to PhD needs and requests (e.g. hydrological and cryospheric applications; land surface and ecological applications) followed by corresponding hands-on exercises. 

Suggested years of attendance: I and II 

Expected outcome: introduction of EO data-based approaches in the students own PhD projects 

Evaluation: YES - with a final oral presentation