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REMOTE SENSING AND GIS EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE AEGEAN
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Dr. John N. Hatzopoulos
Professor of Remote Sensing and G.I.S.,
University of the Aegean,
Department of Environmental Studies
Mytilene, T.K. 81100
GREECE ‘
ABSTRACT
The experience on curriculum development in a new University and
the implementation of nev? technologies in the area of remote sens
ing and GIS is well presented. At the same time ways are provided
to efficiently exploit the results of the technological revolution
to serve the interests of education in such areas as remote sens
ing and GIS. The implementation of a microcomputer laboratory,
which is used by undergraduate students for developing their own
programs on remote sensing algorithms has demonstrated both abil
ity to understand complicated image processing theories and ability
to implement those theories to obtain production level results.
The same laboratory is used for developing programs on GIS appli
cations such as relational data base development and digital map
ping. Problems related to the social impact of new technologies
within the academic community are also presented and analyzed.
INTRODUCTION
The department of Environmental studies in the University of the
Aegean started for the first time at the undergraduate level in
the academic year 1987-1988 while the graduate program had began
one year earlier in 1986. At the present time there ere three
major Sections within the department such as Ecosystem management.
Environmental Engineering and Environmental Planing, there is also
a fourth General Section which provides courses to support, the
other three major sections. All these sections operate under a
unique four year program of studies. There is a number of courses
offered in each section covering related subject areas. Courses
however, related to remote sensing and GIS are offered in the Gen
eral Section.
The lab equipment organization, as well as, the development of
courses in remote sensing and GIS, in such a program of studies
have certain objectives and limitations. The objectives are:
(a) Laboratory support of a GIS system which will do the manage
ment of cartographic and environmental information accessible to
all interesting faculty and students through individual worksta
tions. The lab will be used for research and instruction in both
graduate and undergraduate level.
