Language
This program will be in English. Dit programma is alleen in het Engels.
Summary
Managing water quality is a great challenge simply because many factors are contributing; the way we use water, practices that threaten water quality, the different pollutants and their sources and the forcing hydrology. Knowing the processes of these factors affecting water quality is not sufficient. It is essential to monitor these factors to understand how they combine and interact for different regions.
Current monitoring practices by water managers depend largely on labour-intensive measurements, which provide only a limited insight into the spatial and temporal distributions. On the other hand, Earth Observation technology offers a significant benefit due to its synoptic coverage and repeated surveillance. However, the added value of Earth Observation data is determined, primarily, by the ability to convert these data into accurate information on water quality variables.
This course will increase your knowledge and technical skills in using Earth Observation data to derive water quality indicators and assess their accuracy.
Learning outcomes
The course builds upon the quartile one, the core modules, of the Master’s Geo-information Science and Earth Observation and the Water Resources and Environmental Management 2.0 courses and contains four interwoven learning modules. The first three learning modules form the centre of this course, whereas the last module comprises a closure to this course:
- Basic principles of Remote Sensing of water quality
- Earth Observation data access and handling with Google Earth Engine (GEE) using Python in Jupyter Notebooks
- Earth Observation-based water quality mapping (turbidity and algae indicators in addition to oil spill mapping)
- End of course assignment is a case study whereby the participants apply the newly gained knowledge and integrate different Earth Observation data to produce water quality maps of areas of interest. Successful completion of the assignment is mandatory to receive study-load equipment certificate.
After completing this course your will be able to:
- Recall pollution sources and pollutants in the marine environment
- Summarise concepts of remote sensing of water quality
- Work in a cloud computing environment using Python
- Derive water quality indicators from Earth Observation data using in Google Earth Engine
Entry requirements
- A STEM diploma at a BSc level
- Affinity with statistical and mathematical analysis
- Affinity with python coding is a plus
Academic level and background
Applicants for an online course should have a Bachelor degree or equivalent from a recognised university in a discipline related to the course, preferably combined with working experience in a relevant field.
Documentation
The faculty accepts transcripts, degrees and diplomas in the following languages: Dutch, English, German, French and Spanish. It is at the discretion of the faculty to require additional English translations of all documents in other languages as well.
Language skills
Success in your studies requires a high level of English proficiency. Therefore, prospective students with an international (other than Dutch) degree must meet the English language requirement. As proof that you meet this requirement, you will be asked in the application procedure to upload one of the requested language certificates:
- IELTS (academic) with an overall band score of at least 6.0 (with a minimum sub-score of 6.0 for speaking and writing) and certificates not older than two years.
- TOEFL iBT (internet-based) with an overall score of 80 (with a minimum sub-score of 20 for speaking) and certificates not older than two years. Please note that the University of Twente does not accept the MyBest scores of the TOEFL test.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced Formerly known as; Cambridge English Advanced (CAE), obtained with an A, B or C grade.
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency Formerly known as; Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE) obtained with an A, B or C grade.
Only these internationally recognised test results are accepted. Without a valid certificate, we cannot process your application.
Who is this offered to?
Tertiary: at graduate and post-graduate levels.
- MSc
- PhD candidates