“Eagle” now Launched: A New Course of Study in Applied Remote Sensing
Developed and carried out under the leadership of the head of the remote sensing unit at Würzburg University and in collaboration with EOC, a new international Master of Science curriculum began this week at the Institute of Geography and Geology. EAGLE – Applied Earth Observation and Geoanalysis of the Living Environment – provides students from various disciplines with a detailed look at current research initiatives in earth observation. Thanks to lectures from EOC and the remote sensing unit at Würzburg University, this course of study is designed to be especially practice oriented. After several years of preparation, students can now sign up for applied remote sensing courses applicable to nature conservation, such as agricultural and coastal monitoring, changes in the urban landscape, and investigating biodiversity patterns.
On 17 October 2016 the first EAGLE students were welcomed by Professor Stefan Dech, holder of the remote sensing chair; Prof. Christopher Conrad, curriculum coordinator; and the lecturers participating in the programme. “The 15 international participants now in the newly established M.Sc. programme were selected from over 80 candidates and are thus an especially well-qualified and highly motivated group that can also give fresh momentum to remote sensing research”, notes Prof. Dech.
Half of the students come from abroad and enrich the classes by contributing different points of view and a good understanding of relevant developments in their home countries, which include Egypt, Iran, Colombia and Bangladesh.
In the next two years the “EAGLEs” will receive a basic introduction to remote sensing, learn about specific methodologies and application fields, and extend their knowledge during traineeships. Prof. Dech is convinced that many of the young EAGLEs will write interesting thesis papers and afterward be internationally linked in a growing EAGLE alumni network that will also benefit the curriculum and the lecturers long term.
The EAGLEs will first visit DLR in December 2016 to acquaint themselves with the range of activities at EOC and to meet already now with the scientists who will be supervising their future traineeships and thesis papers.
