Dr. Rana Jawarneh

This course focuses on the principles of map reading, designing, and analysis. It studies the historical revolution of cartography as well as the modern views on mapping techniques and design. It introduces the students to the principles of extracting quantitative information from topographic maps using traditional and modern methods and help them understand the fundamentals of map projections, Datums, and Map scale.

This course emphasizes Earth-resource remote sensing, including 1) fundamental principles and theory, 2) basic laboratory database information content and value, and 3) visual interpretation. Topics covered in this course include history of aerial photography and aerial platforms, electromagnatic radiation principles, elements of visual interpretation, multispectral remote sensing systems, thermal infrared remote sensing, active and passive microwave remote sensing, LiDAR, remote sensing of vegetation, water resources, urban landscapes, and geology.

As more and more data are captured with some sort of location information using computer mapping packages, the modern digital revolution has democratized the mapping profession for anyone who wishes to create a map on a desktop computer or over the internet. Internet mapping sites, such as Mapquest, Google Earth, and Planiglobe, enable everyone with internet access to generate a wide range of maps.  With the democratization of map production, maps have become a common end-user tool, in addition to a broadening usage in scientific research, news media, business planning, community participatory projects, consumer navigation systems, and many more applications. This course provides hands-on experiences and learning opportunities to develop computer mapping skills. It  is an intensive mapmaking enviornment where students produce good maps, map posters, and illustrated papers.