Foundations of GIS Remote Sensing

• “This course contains the use of artificial intelligence.”

This introductory course provides the basic foundations to understand how we observe the Earth from space through remote sensors. Across five well-structured classes, students are guided step by step from general concepts to key technical elements that define the quality of satellite data used daily in areas such as environment, agriculture, urban management, and climate change studies.

We begin with a clear introduction to remote sensing: what it is, how it works, and why it is a fundamental tool for territorial analysis. Next, we focus on the electromagnetic spectrum, exploring how radiation interacts with the atmosphere and Earth’s surfaces, producing unique patterns—known as spectral signatures—that allow us to identify vegetation, water, soil, snow, or urban materials from space.

The course continues with the study of remote sensors, their platforms (satellites, aircraft, drones), and the resolutions that characterize their data: spatial, spectral, temporal, and radiometric. We conclude by reviewing how these images are processed, what satellite missions are currently available, and how to access free, high-quality scientific data.

No prior knowledge of programming or GIS is required. This course is designed for students, technicians, educators, or anyone interested in starting with remote observation of the Earth in a clear and practical way.