Jan 28, 2005

 

Ideas for Class Projects

 

Prepared by Dr. Hongjie Xie

LRSG, Department of Earth and Environmental Science

University of Texas at San Antonio

 

 

For those of you do not have projects yet, below are some intended projects that you can pick. Most of these projects you can do them as large as thesis or dissertation projects, or as small as class projects. You can continue your class project as your thesis or dissertation project if you would like in the future. You are welcome to propose your project ideas. You will submit a complete proposal (no less than 2 pages, double space, 12 font) with a title, student name, introduction or question statement, data and methods to be used, and expecting results, which is due the Feb 11.

 

 

  1. Using object-oriented method to classify the landuse and landcover in San Antonio.

 

Develop a work-flow based on eCognition software for landuse and landcover classification. Data to be used are the very high-resolution (sub-meter to 1 meter) of orthophotos of 1995, 2000, 2003, and/or 2004 in San Antonio. The classified results will be in vector format and to be used for the SARA, City of San Antonio, and Bexar County.

 

           

  1. Using IDL to implement an algorithm for ET derivation from remote sensing image and local meteorological data

     

The algorithm is described at this paper, and image could be MODIS, AVHRR, or TM/ETM+. for this project, you need to have good math and programming experiences.

 

 

  1. Study the parameter sensitivities and advances of FLAASH's atmospheric correction

 This project will mainly focus on the parameter sensitivities selected for the FLAASH tool for atmospheric correction, and compare the results with regular atmospheric correction methods such as dark subtraction.  Data to be used could be TM/ETM+, MODIS L1B, or AVHRR.

 

  1. Evaluate the NEXRAD Stage III or MPE precipitation using raingauge measurements (1999-2004)

        The systematic error of NEXRAD Stage III precipitation has been continuously improved, though in what extent of the improvements is still questionable.  With the integration of GOES precipitation, the Stage III has also been updated to multi-sensor precipitation estimates (MPE) since later 2003.  It is interested in seeing  if  the MPE is better than the Stage III, and how better. Data to be used are the 5 years of NEXRAD data and rain gauge data in the south Texas.  Various statistic methods and some programming skills are needed for the project.

  

    5.    Comparison of TRMM and NEXRAD precipitation

   

    6.    Using both TES and THEMIS to study the minerals and rocks of Mars surface

 

    7.    Using MOLA and MOC images to study geomorphology or topographic modification of highland/lowland dichotomy boundary of Mars