Applied Geophysics

Students will achieve competences on applications of conventional geophysical methods to different engineering fields. Student will acquire ability to plan geophysical surveys in different geological and morphological environments, to interpret the results of geophysical surveys and to understand the meaning of the main geophysical parameters. Students will also acquire skills in the evaluation of the relationships between geophysical and geotechnical/hydrogeological parameters of soils and rocks. Students will acquire competences on the suitability of geophysical methods to characterise permafrost and glaciers.

Remote sensing

At the end of this course, students will be able to: Knowledge and understanding - Demonstrate knowledge of the main theoretical principles underlying remote sensing, including the physical bases of data acquisition from airborne and satellite platforms. - Understand the fundamental algorithms and methodologies for processing remotely sensed data. - Recognize and describe the key procedures for applying remote sensing in different environmental domains. Applying knowledge and understanding - Describe, interpret, and manage remote sensing data in both digital and cartographic formats. - Independently acquire and process remotely sensed data using appropriate tools and methods. - Apply the learned methodologies to extract meaningful environmental information from satellite and aerial imagery. Making judgements - Evaluate the quality, reliability, and limitations of remotely sensed data. - Critically assess the relevance and accuracy of information extracted through remote sensing techniques. Communication skills Use appropriate and technically accurate language to communicate findings and results derived from remote sensing data to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. Learning skills - Demonstrate the ability to independently expand their knowledge of remote sensing topics. - Show initiative in exploring new developments and applications in the field of remote sensing through autonomous study.

Remote sensing/Applied geophysics (Remote sensing)

At the end of this course the student will have to: • know the main theoretical assumptions relateci to remote sensing; • know the main algorithms relateci to the processing of remote sensing data; • know the main procedures relateci to the use of remote sensing in the various application domain. At the end of this course the student will know: • how to describe and correctly interpretate remotely sensed data in digital and cartographic form; • how to autonomously collect and process remotely sensed data; • and will have acquired the tools and adequate skills far the interpretation of data and the extraction of information from remotely sensed data. At the end of this teaching the student will be able to formulate a judgment: • on the quality of remotely sensed data; • on information relating to the main aspects of remote sensing. At the end of the course the student must know: • How to use a correct and adequate language far the communication of information extracted from remote sensing data. At the end of this course the student will have: • the minimum autonomous study skills of remote sensing; • the ability to autonomously investigate the main aspects of remote sensing.

Remote sensing/Applied geophysics (Remote sensing)

At the end of this course, students will be able to: Knowledge and understanding - Demonstrate knowledge of the main theoretical principles underlying remote sensing, including the physical bases of data acquisition from airborne and satellite platforms. - Understand the fundamental algorithms and methodologies for processing remotely sensed data. - Recognize and describe the key procedures for applying remote sensing in different environmental domains. Applying knowledge and understanding - Describe, interpret, and manage remote sensing data in both digital and cartographic formats. - Independently acquire and process remotely sensed data using appropriate tools and methods. - Apply the learned methodologies to extract meaningful environmental information from satellite and aerial imagery. Making judgements - Evaluate the quality, reliability, and limitations of remotely sensed data. - Critically assess the relevance and accuracy of information extracted through remote sensing techniques. Communication skills - Use appropriate and technically accurate language to communicate findings and results derived from remote sensing data to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. Learning skills - Demonstrate the ability to independently expand their knowledge of remote sensing topics. - Show initiative in exploring new developments and applications in the field of remote sensing through autonomous study.

Applied Geophysics

The basic knowledges refer to the background in geology, hydrogeology and geophysics with reference to the petrophysical properties of the soils and rocks, the meaning of hydrogeological parameters (density, porosity, content, water permeability), geophysical properties of soils and rocks (electrical resistivity, seismic attributes, electromagnetic parameters) and environmental and geotechnical engineering (mechanical parameters). Basic knowledge on signal acquisition and processing is required. Skills in using computer tools (Matlab/Octave) for geophysical data processing are also required.

Remote sensing

Students attending this course are expected to have prior knowledge of the fundamentals of geomatics (including digital mapping, GPS techniques, and surveying) as well as basic computer science skills.

Remote sensing/Applied geophysics (Remote sensing)

None

Remote sensing/Applied geophysics (Remote sensing)

Students attending this course are expected to have prior knowledge of the fundamentals of geomatics (including digital mapping, GPS techniques, and surveying) as well as basic computer science skills.

Applied Geophysics

Seismic Methods: (2 credits) Wave equation and correlation between mechanical parameters and seismic response; Correlation between petrophysical parameters (porosity, water content) and velocity and attenuation of porous media: Willie model, Biot-Gassman model; In-hole survey methods: downhole, cross-hole and vertical seismic profile (VSP); Seismic tomography in hole and from surface. Methods of surface waves. Electrical Methods (2 credits) Correlations between petrophysical parameters and electrical resistivity, and induced polarization effects, induced polarization for contaminated site measurements and mining surveys: electrical tomography of resistivity and polarization from surface and in cross-hole modality; examples for hydrogeological and environmental characterization, application of electrical tomography to characterise permafrost. Electromagnetic Methods (2 credits) Methods in frequency and time domain; acquisition mode with low induction Slingram devices; examples for the characterization of contaminated sites; Time domain methods for hydrogeological characterization. Ground penetrating radar: theory, data acquisition and processing, application in geology and hydrogeology, application in permafrost and glaciers. Laboratory works: processing of seismic data for mapping geomechnical properties of soil and rocks; processing of electrical tomographic data in hydrogeological applications; processing of electromagnetic and georadar data for permafrost and glacier investigation.

Remote sensing

The course covers the following main topics: - Definition and fundamental principles of remote sensing - Emissivity theory and thermal radiation - Electromagnetic spectrum and blackbody radiation - Interaction between electromagnetic radiation and the atmosphere - Interaction between electromagnetic radiation and terrestrial surfaces - Human visual perception and colorimetry - Characteristics of digital images and remote sensing acquisition systems - Fundamentals of data processing algorithms - Information extraction techniques, including digital filtering and image classification methods - Accuracy assessment of extracted information

Remote sensing/Applied geophysics (Remote sensing)

• lntroduction to Remote Sensing: definitions and main physical laws • Interaction between atmosphere and electromagnetic radiation: atmospheric windows and scattering • lnteraction between surfaces and electromagnetic radiation: geometrie and physical- chemical charachteristics • Visual perception and colorimetry basics • Satellites far Earth Observation: geostationary and sun-synchronous. Main missions, Sensor scheme, digitai image: numerica! definition and operational features (resolutions) • lmage processing: histogram, contrast enhancement, scatter plots, digitai filters, matrix operators: spectral indices from satellite imagery • lmage interpretation • Radiometric pre-processing: radiance/reflectance calibration, dark subtraction • geometrie preprocessing: image warping • lmage classification: supervised and unsupervised classifiers • Classification Accuracy: confusion matrix and statistica! accuracy parameters

Remote sensing/Applied geophysics (Remote sensing)

The course covers the following main topics: - Definition and fundamental principles of remote sensing - Emissivity theory and thermal radiation - Electromagnetic spectrum and blackbody radiation - Interaction between electromagnetic radiation and the atmosphere - Interaction between electromagnetic radiation and terrestrial surfaces - Human visual perception and colorimetry - Characteristics of digital images and remote sensing acquisition systems - Fundamentals of data processing algorithms - Information extraction techniques, including digital filtering and image classification methods - Accuracy assessment of extracted information

Applied Geophysics

Remote sensing

“In the academic year 2025/26, the course will be part of the teaching experiment for the implementation of a New Educational Model; students will receive detailed information during the first lesson of the course.” Practical training activities are organized through an innovative asynchronous learning model. Instead of traditional in-class exercises, students will engage with dedicated Moodle modules that include video tutorials, datasets, and guided workflows for the ENVI software, made available individually to each participant. These modules can be accessed at any time during the year, allowing students to progress at their own pace and repeat the activities as often as needed until certification of competencies is achieved. Support will be provided by mentors, who will be available both asynchronously (via Moodle) and, when necessary, through live sessions to clarify technical or methodological issues. Upon successful completion of the Moodle modules, students will be admitted to an intensive specialist seminar held during the final weeks of the course. This seminar, focused on an advanced application of remote sensing, will provide an opportunity to consolidate skills through case-based discussion and hands-on exploration of complex environmental challenges.

Remote sensing/Applied geophysics (Remote sensing)

The course includes theoretical lectures (66%) and practical exercises/laboratory sessions (33%)

Remote sensing/Applied geophysics (Remote sensing)

“In the academic year 2025/26, the course will be part of the teaching experiment for the implementation of a New Educational Model; students will receive detailed information during the first lesson of the course.” Practical training activities are organized through an innovative asynchronous learning model. Instead of traditional in-class exercises, students will engage with dedicated Moodle modules that include video tutorials, datasets, and guided workflows for the ENVI software, made available individually to each participant. These modules can be accessed at any time during the year, allowing students to progress at their own pace and repeat the activities as often as needed until certification of competencies is achieved. Support will be provided by mentors, who will be available both asynchronously (via Moodle) and, when necessary, through live sessions to clarify technical or methodological issues. Upon successful completion of the Moodle modules, students will be admitted to an intensive specialist seminar held during the final weeks of the course. This seminar, focused on an advanced application of remote sensing, will provide an opportunity to consolidate skills through case-based discussion and hands-on exploration of complex environmental challenges.

Applied Geophysics

Lectures are intended to provide the principles of acquisition, processing and interpretation of geophysical data (about 40 hours). Field tutorials will enable students to learn practical-operational data acquisition methods; the laboratory exercises are aimed at deepening the aspects of data processing and interpretation of geophysical surveys in Matlab or Python environment, for independent work by the students.

Remote sensing

The teaching combines lectures and an innovative asynchronous practical training. Lectures focus on the theoretical and methodological aspects of remote sensing and Earth observation, including the physical principles, data acquisition systems, and processing techniques. Practical activities are delivered through Moodle modules, supported by video lessons, datasets, and the ENVI software available to each student. These modules provide hands-on experience in managing, processing, and extracting information from remotely sensed datasets, while offering maximum flexibility in terms of access and repetition. Mentors are available to support students asynchronously and, when needed, through live sessions to address questions and technical issues. After completion of the asynchronous modules, the course culminates in an intensive specialist seminar dedicated to advanced applications of remote sensing, designed to consolidate the acquired skills and expose students to real-world case studies.

Remote sensing/Applied geophysics (Remote sensing)

The teaching is organized in lessons and operational activities developed with the help of the Envi software. The former are dedicated to the presentation of the theoretical and methodological aspects of the phenomena examined; the latter are aimed at understanding, from an operational point of view, the methods of management, processing and extraction of information from large quantities of data acquired by sensors mounted on board of aerial and satellite platforms.

Remote sensing/Applied geophysics (Remote sensing)

The teaching combines lectures and an innovative asynchronous practical training. Lectures focus on the theoretical and methodological aspects of remote sensing and Earth observation, including the physical principles, data acquisition systems, and processing techniques. Practical activities are delivered through Moodle modules, supported by video lessons, datasets, and the ENVI software available to each student. These modules provide hands-on experience in managing, processing, and extracting information from remotely sensed datasets, while offering maximum flexibility in terms of access and repetition. Mentors are available to support students asynchronously and, when needed, through live sessions to address questions and technical issues. After completion of the asynchronous modules, the course culminates in an intensive specialist seminar dedicated to advanced applications of remote sensing, designed to consolidate the acquired skills and expose students to real-world case studies.

Applied Geophysics

The suggested textbook are: Reynolds J.M. (1997). An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics, Wiley Ed., 796 pp. Burger H. R. , Sheehan A. F. , Jone C. H. (2006). Introduction to Applied Geophysics: Exploring The Shallow Subsurface. Telford, W., Geldart, L., and Sheriff, R. (1990). Applied Geophysics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. The teacher provides through the portal the material discussed during lectures, hints for the classroom works and laboratory exercises. Technical documentation and scientific articles are suggested for theoretical insights and made available on-line.

Remote sensing

Specific didactic material will be made available in digital format from the beginning of the course. This includes lecture slides, video lessons, datasets, and step-by-step guides for the use of the ENVI software, all accessible through the Moodle platform. Additional reference texts, scientific articles, and freely available satellite data sources will also be suggested to support autonomous learning and further exploration of the topics covered.

Remote sensing/Applied geophysics (Remote sensing)

The following material will be available from the beginning of the lesson: • manual of the theoretical part of the entire course • presentation, in PDF format, of each single theoretical lecture • videolessons of all theoretical lectures (both in ltalian and English) • videolessons of ali practical laboratory exercises (both in ltalian and English) • data and materials concerning the carrying out of laboratory exercises

Remote sensing/Applied geophysics (Remote sensing)

Specific didactic material will be made available in digital format from the beginning of the course. This includes lecture slides, video lessons, datasets, and step-by-step guides for the use of the ENVI software, all accessible through the Moodle platform. Additional reference texts, scientific articles, and freely available satellite data sources will also be suggested to support autonomous learning and further exploration of the topics covered.

Applied Geophysics

Lecture slides; Lecture notes; Exercises; Multimedia materials; Simulation tools;

Remote sensing

Lecture slides; Lecture notes; Video lectures (current year); Multimedia materials; Self-assessment tools; Student collaboration tools;

Remote sensing/Applied geophysics (Remote sensing)

Lecture notes; Video lectures (previous years); Multimedia materials;

Remote sensing/Applied geophysics (Remote sensing)

Lecture notes; Video lectures (current year); Multimedia materials; Self-assessment tools;

Applied Geophysics

Exam: Computer-based written test in class using POLITO platform;

Remote sensing

Exam: Compulsory oral exam; Practical lab skills test; Individual project;

Remote sensing/Applied geophysics (Remote sensing)

Exam: Written test; Optional oral exam; Individual project; Group project;

Remote sensing/Applied geophysics (Remote sensing)

Exam: Compulsory oral exam; Practical lab skills test; Individual project;

Applied Geophysics

The exam will consist in an individual written divided in three parts with the auxilium of the PC, using the Moodle platform of PoliTO: 1) processing of geophysical data according to the tools and the platform introduced during the course (Matlab/Octave); 2) planning a geophysical survey on some specific issue (mining, climate change, environmental); 3) exercises on the relationships between geophysical and engineering properties and/or theoretical questions The main goal is to evaluate the capability of students in planning and design geophysical survey, to interpret the data sets and in understanding the theoretical aspects of the applied geophysics. The exam will last 60 minutes; students will be allowed to consult only the form made available by the teacher for exams. The final evaluation is based on the clarity of exposition (5 points), technical skills (5 points), capability to relate the different aspects of the subject (10 points), degree of competence achieved (10 points).

Remote sensing

Evaluation is based on three complementary components: Asynchronous Moodle module (30%): Students must complete the digital training modules, including exercises and self-assessment activities, in order to demonstrate proficiency in the use of the ENVI software and in basic data processing workflows. The Moodle module can be attempted multiple times until certification is achieved. Specialist seminar (20%): After completion of the Moodle module, students are required to actively participate in the final intensive seminar, which focuses on an advanced application of remote sensing. Attendance of at least two-thirds of the total seminar duration is mandatory. The seminar provides the opportunity to apply the acquired methods to real-world case studies and to demonstrate critical and analytical skills. Oral examination (50%): The final oral exam assesses the student’s knowledge of the theoretical and methodological aspects of remote sensing covered in the lectures, as well as the ability to integrate these with the practical experience gained through the Moodle module and the seminar. The final grade is expressed in thirtieths. All three components must be successfully completed in order to pass the course.

Remote sensing/Applied geophysics (Remote sensing)

The final exam assesses the acquisition of the expected knowledge and skills through a 1.5 hour written test. In order to verify the achievement of learning objectives, and thus the acquisition of knowledge, comprehension skills, and the ability to apply them, the test aims to verify the acquisition of the fundamentals of Remote Sensing, focuses on the theory covered during lectures and consists of three open-ended questions, without the use of notes or books. Honors will be awarded if the answers are particularly clear and complete in their presentation.

Remote sensing/Applied geophysics (Remote sensing)

Evaluation is based on three complementary components: Asynchronous Moodle module (30%): Students must complete the digital training modules, including exercises and self-assessment activities, in order to demonstrate proficiency in the use of the ENVI software and in basic data processing workflows. The Moodle module can be attempted multiple times until certification is achieved. Specialist seminar (20%): After completion of the Moodle module, students are required to actively participate in the final intensive seminar, which focuses on an advanced application of remote sensing. Attendance of at least two-thirds of the total seminar duration is mandatory. The seminar provides the opportunity to apply the acquired methods to real-world case studies and to demonstrate critical and analytical skills. Oral examination (50%): The final oral exam assesses the student’s knowledge of the theoretical and methodological aspects of remote sensing covered in the lectures, as well as the ability to integrate these with the practical experience gained through the Moodle module and the seminar. The final grade is expressed in thirtieths. All three components must be successfully completed in order to pass the course.