TEACHING

1051.211 / Programming for Imaging Science

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This course will introduce the student to the IDL environment as a data visualization tool and a programming language. The student will learn the various capabilities of the package and how they can rapidly prototype solutions to various science and engineering problems. As these solutions are developed, fundamental concepts of programming and data structures will be introduced. Programming assignments will include fundamental imaging related problems and will work with scalar, vector and array processes. This course will emphasize the need for concrete problem definition, problem decomposition into smaller sub-problems, implementation/testing, and presentation/documentation of the algorithms and results. (Algebra and trigonometry) Class 4, Credit 4 (PDF)

1051.361 / Digital Image Processing I

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This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of digital image processing. The student will be exposed to image capture and image formation methodologies, sampling and quantization concepts, statistical descriptors and enhancement techniques based upon the image histogram, point processing, neighborhood processing, and global processing techniques based upon kernel operations and discrete convolution as well as the frequency domain equivalents, geometrical operations for scale and rotation, and grey-level resampling techniques. The student will be introduced to the computation of the discrete and fast Fourier transforms for one- and two-dimensional functions and the techniques of frequency domain filtering. Emphasis is placed on applications and efficient algorithmic implementation using the IDL programming language. (1016-305, 1051-211 or equivalent) Class 4, Credit 4 (PDF)

1051.462 / Digital Image Processing II

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This course is an introduction to the more advanced concepts of digital image processing. The student will be exposed to image reconstruction, noise sources and techniques for noise removal, information theory, image compression, video compression, wavelet transformations and the basics of digital image watermarking. Emphasis is placed on applications and efficient algorithmic implementation using the IDL programming language. (1051-461) Class 4, Credit 4 (PDF)

1051.463 / Digital Image Processing III

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This course discusses the digital image processing concepts and algorithms used for the analysis of hyperspectral, multispectral and multi-channel data in remote sensing and other application areas. Concepts are covered at the theoretical and implementation level using current, popular commercial software packages and high-level programming languages for examples, homework and programming assignments. The requisite multivariate statistics will be presented as part of this course as an extension of the univariate statistics that the students have previously been exposed to. Topics to be covered will include methods for supervised data classification, clustering algorithms and unsupervised classification, multispectral data transformations, data redundancy reduction techniques, image-to-image rectification, and data fusion for resolution enhancement. (1051-211 or equivalent, 1016-351, 1061-352) Class 4, Credit 4 (PDF)

1051.502 / 1051.503 / Senior Project

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Guidance for undergraduate level research projects leading to Bachelor of Science degree in Imaging Science. I am currently serving on or have served as an advisor for the following students:

Brandon Migdal (BS), Extraction methods of watermarks from linearly-distorted images to maximize signal-to-noise ratio, May 2004 (PDF)
Seth Weith-Glushko (BS), Automatic tie-point generation for oblique aerial imagery: An algorithm, May 2004 (PDF)
Christopher Bayer (BS), Development of algorithm for fusion of hyperspectral and multispectral imagery with the objective of improving spatial resolution while retaining spectral data, May 2005 (PDF)
Bethany Choate (BS), Investigating the use of agglomerative hierarchical clustering as a method for multispectral image classication, May 2006
William Pfeister (BS), Automation of a laboratory-based goniometer for measurment of bidirectional reflectance distribution functions, May 2006
Michael Denning (BS), Classification of astronomical infrared sources using Spitzer space telescope data, February 2007 (PDF)
Russell Barkley (BS), Tracking fluorescent particles used in lung simulation studies using high-speed video imagery, May 2008 (Primary Advisor: Risa Robinson)
Meredith Curtis (BS), Application of image reconstruction techniques to Mars neutron spectroscopy data, February 2009 (PDF)
Katie Salvaggio (BS), Phenomenological study of passive image-based observables used to determine standard from overladen vehicles, May 2010 (PDF) (Presentation)
Kyle Ryan (BS), A feature-based classifier for dragonflies and damselflies, May 2012 (PDF) (Presentation)
Paul Romanczyk (BS), Currently in progress

0303.560 / 0303.561 / Multidisciplinary Engineering Senior Design

The Multidisciplinary Senior Design program prepares students for modern engineering practice through a multidisciplinary, team-based design experience in which the students apply the skills and knowledge acquired in earlier coursework to define, analyze, design and implement solutions to unstructured, open-ended, multidisciplinary engineering problems while adhering to customer requirements and recognized engineering standards. The projects are sponsored by wide range of industries and government organizations. I am currently serving on or have served as an advisor for the following students:

Rick Andol (BS), BRDF Imaging Platform (P07521), May 2006
Kathryn Berens (BS), BRDF Imaging Platform (P07521), May 2006
William Casolara (BS), BRDF Imaging Platform (P07521), May 2006
Matthew Harris (BS), BRDF Imaging Platform (P07521), May 2006
Robert Jaromin (BS), BRDF Imaging Platform (P07521), May 2006
Ross Strebig (BS), BRDF Imaging Platform (P07521), May 2006
Lenny Calabrese (BS), Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle Imaging Platform (R09560), May 2009
Joanna Dobeck (BS), Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle Imaging Platform (R09560), May 2009
Darrell Draper (BS), Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle Imaging Platform (R09560), May 2009
Dave Lewis (BS), Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle Imaging Platform (R09560), May 2009
Steve Sweet (BS), Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle Imaging Platform (R09560), May 2009
Jason Thibado (BS), Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle Imaging Platform (R09560), May 2009

1051.553 / Special Topics - Programming for Imaging Science II

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This course emphasizes the algorithm development and implementation of advanced digital imaging applications. Modular programming concepts are emphasized along with good coding and documentation practices. The course will be carried out in the UNIX operating environment and IDL will be the programming language utilized. Language specific characteristics such as the use of IDL widgets for graphical user interface development, the use of IDL objects, the use of ENVI specific functions and procedures, further treatment of image data types, and color management will be explored. Example algorithmic areas that may be explored are image compression, color space transformations, frequency domain image reconstruction, and the use of multi-band imagery. (1051-211 or permission of instructor) Class 2, Credit 2

1051.553 / Special Topics - Applied Computing for Imaging Science

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This course is intended to develop the students skills in applied computing and research techniques. A prerequisite to scientific advancement is a thorough understanding of historical and recent literature relevant to the field of study. This often involves repeating experiments that predecessors and current colleagues have performed. Often, insights are gained when experiments are repeated that cannot be realized simply by reading an article in a professional journal or conference proceeding. In this course, the student will choose an article from the historical or recent literature that describes a computational technique used in the field of imaging science. The student will implement the described algorithm in the computer language of their choice, and attempt to repeat the results obtained by the author. Along the way, the student will make three oral presentations during class, the first describing the referenced research, the second, a report on their progress in re-implementing the referenced work, and the third, describing the success, failure or questions that arose during execution of the project. The intent is to develop a critical approach to reading published research, questioning both implementation and results in order to gain a thorough understanding of the work. (1051-211 or equivalent and permission of the instructor) Class 2, Credit 3 (PDF)

1051.599 / 1055.359 / Undergraduate Independent Study (Honors Research)

A study in sensor design specifications was carried out to prepare sensor models for the Digital Image and Remote Sensing laboratories Synthetic Image Generation model (DIRSIG). The student performed a very thorough review of the literature to establish a comprehensive database of sensor characteristics for systems in use today by commercial and government organizations.

A study to determine whether agglomerative hierarchical clustering used as a pre-cursor to traditional K-mean unsupervised classification as a means of determining the initial cluster mean values provides better selection than the traditional random choice methodology

An implementation of the seam carving algorithm for dynamic image resizing was undertaken in the IDL programming language to identify any limitations that may be present and demonstrate the viability of this technique.

A study in programming using the IDL language with applications to image and radiometric processing.

A primer class on LabView programming with a specific application to motor and camera control applied to the DIRS laboratory spectrogoniometric brdf measurement system.

An introduction to Cocoa programming under Mac OS X concentrating on the use of the Apple Core Video library routines for video processing.

Object-oriented programming in IDL/ENVI with a concentration on the graphical visualization of hyperspectral data cubes.

1051.762 / Remote Sensing Systems, Sensors and Radiometeric Image Analysis

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Introduction to the governing equations for radiance reaching an aerial or satellite based imaging system, covering the properties of these imaging systems with an emphasis on their use as quantitative scientific instruments. Methods for inverting the remotely sensed image data using the governing radiometric equation are assessed. Multidimensional image analysis (e.g. multispectral, polarimetric, multidate) is emphasized and includes issues such as image registration to support image analysis. Parameters and processes governing spatial, spectral and radiometric image fidelity are studied with an emphasis on how each step in the image chain impacts the final image or image product. Class 4, Lab 0, Credit 4

1051.782 / Introduction to Digital Image Processing

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This course will provide the basic understanding of imaging systems, image transformation and associated mathematics and computational processes needed for upper-level classes in the imaging science graduate program. Topics covered include linear vector spaces, image mathematics, image statistics and point processing, linear and nonlinear image filters, image transforms and computer algorithms. Computational methods and techniques for essential processes for imaging systems are used as the course framework. Class 4, Credit 4

1051.799 / Graduate Independent Study

A study to establish the theoretical framework necessary to understand BRDF in the visible to near infrared (VNIR) spectral region was conducteded, along with BRDF measurement techniques. Some popular BRDF models, which enable interpolation of measured data are reviewed. The most general form of the BRDF, that which included polarization, was examined in detail. A viable polarimetric BRDF measurement technique was presented, along with models which may be used to extrapolate the measured data. Potential applications of spectropolarimetric BRDF to remote sensing was reviewed. Finally, a recommendation was made for a simple outdoor BRDF measurement system which enables the application of spatial resolution-dependent BRDF variation toward hyperspectral algorithms and synthetic image generation.

A study to establish the utility of polarization imagery collected with the LIAS WASP-lite sensor. This work included a system design/performance trade-off of off-the-shelf polarization filters for incorporation in the WASP-lite build being carried out concurrently. In addition, processing algorithms were developed to exploit the future imagery.

A study to identify and implement numerous mathematical models of bidirectional reflectance functions was carried out. In this study the Priest-Germer, Torrance-Sparrow, Beard-Maxwell, and Ward models were described and implemented in a Matlab based simulation environment.

A self-directed study in object-oriented programming using the C++ programming language for image processing and medical imaging system modeling was undertaken.

The radiometric and geometric calibration of a constructed image-based spectral gonioradiometer was undertaken. Topics investigated include lamp spectral power distribution, lamp stability, geometric positioning, spectrometer alignment, spectrometer response function, and spectrometer stability. The final product is a LabVIEW control system allowing for calibrated output of spectral bidirectional reflectance factors for sample materials.

An introduction to object-oriented programming in C++ with the purpose of understanding the numerical radiometric modeling in DIRSIG's photon mapping radiometry solver.

A competency in LabVIEW programming was obtained applied to the task of developing a control system for an electron spin resonance spectrometer for the Magnetic Resonnance Imaging laboratory. Visual programming of such tasks as ASCII control codes via RS232 and DAC/ADC board control were mastered during the course of this study.

1051.840 / Masters Thesis Project

Guidance for graduate level research projects leading to an online Master of Science degree in Imaging Science. I am currently serving on or have served as an advisor for the following students:

Timothy Grabowski (MS), Effects of pixel size on apparent emissivity signatures of materials with longwave infrared spectral characteristics, May 2006 (PDF)
Gregory Gosian (MS), A non-probabilistic, compact compression algorithm suitable for deep space solar system mission image transmission, February 2008 (PDF)
Kristen Powers (MS), DIRSIG cloud modeling capabilities: A parametric study, January 2009 (PDF)
Alexander Cherekos (MS), Gaseous plume detection using projective K-means method, May 2009 (PDF)
Cynthia Scigaj (MS), Study and simulation of remote sensing system: COMPact Airborne Spectral Sensor (COMPASS), June 2009 (PDF)
Linda Le (MS), Improving signal-to-noise ratio in remotely sensed imagery using an invertible blur technique, May 2011 (PDF)
Rachel Obajtek (MS), Currently in progress
Gregory Rafalski (MS), Currently in progress

1051.890 / Research and Thesis

Guidance for graduate level research projects leading to Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Imaging Science. I am currently serving on or have served as an advisor for the following students:

Master of Science (8)

John Francis (MS), Pixel-by-pixel reduction of atmospheric haze effects in multispectral digital imagery of water, May 1989 (Primary Advisor: John Schott)
Denis Robert (MS), Selection and analysis of optimal textural features for accurate classification of monochrome digitized image data, May 1989 (Primary Advisor: John Schott)
Jan North (MS), Fourier image synthesis and slope spectrum analysis of deep water, wind-wave scenes viewed at Brewster's angle, December 1989 (Primary Advisor: John Schott)
Wendy Rosenblum (MS), Optimal selection of textural and spectral features for scene segmentation, May 1990 (Primary Advisor: John Schott)
Eric Shor (MS), 3-D longwave infrared synthetic scene simulation, May 1990 (Primary Advisor: John Schott)
Curtis Munechika (MS), Merging panchromatic and multispectral images for enhanced image analysis, August 1990 (Primary Advisor: John Schott)
Jonathan Wright (MS), Evaluation of LOWTRAN and MODTRAN for use over high zenith angle/long path length viewing, May 1991 (Primary Advisor: John Schott)
Sharon Cady (MS), Multi-scene atmospheric normalization of airborne imagery: Application to the remote measurement of lake acidification, April 1992 (Primary Advisor: John Schott)
Gustav Braun (MS), Quantitative evaluation of six multispectral, multiresolution image merger routines, July 1992 (Primary Advisor: John Schott)
Robert Merisko (MS), Enhancement to atmospheric-correction techniques for multiple thermal images, July 1992 (Primary Advisor: John Schott)
David Ehrhard (MS), Application of Fourier-based features for classification of synthetic aperture radar imagery, September 1992 (Primary Advisor: John Schott)
Donna Rankin (MS), Validation of DIRSIG an infrared synthetic scene generation model, February 1993 (Primary Advisor: John Schott)
Adam Hanson (MS), Character recognition of optically blurred textual images using moment invariants, June 1993 (Primary Advisor: Roger Easton)
Kaleen Moriarty (MS), Automated image-to-image rectification for use in change detection analysis as applied to forest clearcut mapping, August 1993
Richard Stark (MS), Synthetic image generator model: Application of specular and diffuse reflectivity components and performance evaluation in the visible region, September 1993 (Primary Advisor: John Schott)
Gary Ralph (MS), Characterization of the radiometric performance of an IR scene projector, June 1994 (Primary Advisor: John Schott)
Elizabeth Frey (MS), An examination of distributional assumptions in Landsat TM imagery, June 1995
Neil Scanlan (MS), Comparative performance analysis of texture characterization models in DIRSIG, August 2003 (Primary Advisor: John Schott) (PDF)
Kris Barcomb (MS), High-resolution, slant-angle scene generation and validation of concealed targets in DIRSIG, August 2004 (Primary Advisor: John Schott) (PDF)
Marianne Lipps (MS), Task influence of scene content selected by active vision, August 2004 (Primary Advisor: Jeff Pelz) (PDF)
Erin Peterson (MS), Synthetic landmine scene development and validation in DIRSIG, August 2004 (Primary Advisor: John Schott) (PDF)
David Pogorzola (MS), Gas plume species identification in LWIR hyperspectral imagery by regression analyses, April 2005 (PDF)
Melissa Hofer (MS), A website and corresponding database to support the Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing (DIRS) lab in the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology, June 2005 (PDF)
Erin O'Donnell (MS), Detection and identification of effluent gases using invariant hyperspectral algorithms, August 2005 (PDF)
Timothy Hattenberger (MS), A psychovisual investigation of global illumination algorithms used in augmented reality, March 2006 (Primary Advisor: Mark Fairchild) (PDF)
Kristin-Elke Strackerjan (MS), Modelling the spectral effects of water and soil as surface contaminants in a high resolution optical image simulation, July 2006 (Primary Advisor: John Kerekes) (PDF)
Seth Weith-Glushko (MS), Quantitative analysis of infrared contrast enhancement algorithms, September 2006 (PDF)
Brian Dobbs (MS), The incorporation of atmospheric variability into DIRSIG, October 2006 (Primary Advisor: John Schott) (PDF)
Francis Padula (MS), Historic thermal calibration of Landsat 5 TM through an improved physics based approach, October 2008 (Primary Advisor: John Schott) (PDF)
Ling Ouyang (MS), A symbol layout classification for mathematical formula using layout context, November 2009 (Primary Advisor: Richard Zanibbi) (PDF)
Jonathan Miller (MS), Historic thermal calibration of Landsat 4 TM through an improved physics based approach, June 2010 (Primary Advisor: John Schott) (PDF)
Donald Taylor (MS), Atmospheric compensation over Case II waters: Simultaneous aerosol and water constituent retrieval, November 2010 (Primary Advisor: John Schott) (PDF)
Andrew Scott (MS), Language-based procedural modeling for randomized scene construction, May 2011 (PDF)
Dave Snyder (MS), Text detection in natural scenes through weighted majority voting of DCT high pass filters, line removal, and color consistency filtering, May 2011 (Primary Advisor: Richard Zanibbi) (PDF)
Disa Walden (MS), A benchmarking assessment of known visual cryptography algorithms, May 2012 (Primary Advisor: Roger Dube) (PDF)
Kyle Ausfeld (MS), Currently in progress (Primary Advisor: Zoran Ninkov)
James Letendre (MS), Currently in progress
Philip Nau (MS), Currently in progress (Primary Advisor: Karl Korfmacher)
Danielle Simmons (MS), Currently in progress (Primary Advisor: John Kerekes)

Doctor of Philosophy (7)

Susan Hojnacki (Ph.D.), A source classification algorithm for astronomical X-ray imagery of stellar clusters, May 2005 (Primary Advisor: Joel Kastner) (PDF)
James Shell (Ph.D.), Polarimetric remote sensing in the visible to near infrared, November 2005 (Primary Advisor: John Schott) (PDF)
Michael Gartley (Ph.D.), Polarimetric modeling of remotely sensed scenes in the thermal infrared, May 2007 (Primary Advisor: John Schott) (PDF)
Yan Li (Ph.D.), An integrated water quality modeling system with dynamic remote sensing feedback, July 2007 (Primary Advisor: Anthony Vodacek) (PDF)
Brent Bartlett (Ph.D.), Improvement of retrieved reflectance in the presence of clouds, August 2007 (Primary Advisor: John Schott) (PDF)
Michael Foster (Ph.D.), Using LIDAR to geometrically constrain signature spaces for physics-based target detection, August 2007 (Primary Advisor: John Schott) (PDF)
Zhen Wang (Ph.D.), Modeling wildland fire radiance in synthetic remote sensing scenes, August 2007 (Primary Advisor: Anthony Vodacek) (PDF)
Marvin Boonmee (Ph.D.), Land surface temperature and emissivity retrieval from thermal infrared hyperspectral imagery, October 2007 (Primary Advisor: John Schott) (PDF)
Derek Walvoord (Ph.D.), Advanced correlation-based character recognition applied to the Archimedes palimpsest, May 2008 (Primary Advisor: Roger Easton) (PDF)
Marcus Stefanou (Ph.D.), Spectral image utility for target detection applications, July 2008 (Primary Advisor: John Kerekes) (PDF)
Matthew Montanaro (Ph.D.), Radiometric modeling of mechanical draft cooling towers to assist in the extraction of their absolute temperature from remote thermal imagery, May 2009 (PDF) (Presentation)
Shawn Higbee (Ph.D.), A Bayesian approach to identification of gaseous effluents in passive LWIR imagery, September 2009 (Primary Advisor: David Messinger) (PDF)
Ariel Schlamm (Ph.D.), Characterization of the spectral distribution of hyperspectral imagery for improved exploitation, April 2010 (Primary Advisor: David Messinger) (PDF)
Aaron Gerace (Ph.D.), Demonstrating Landsat's new potential to monitor coastal and inland waters, May 2010 (Primary Advisor: John Schott) (PDF)
Jaqueline Speir (Ph.D.), Validation of 3D radiative transfer in coastal-ocean water systems as modeled by DIRSIG, July 2010 (Primary Advisor: John Schott) (PDF)
Karl Walli (Ph.D.), Relating multimodal imagery data in 3D, July 2010 (Primary Advisor: John Schott) (PDF)
Aaron Weiner (Ph.D.), A systems level characterization and tradespace evaluation of a simulated airborne Fourier transform infrared spectrometer for gas detection, July 2010 (Primary Advisor: David Messinger) (PDF)
Chabitha Devaraj (Ph.D.), Polarimetric remote sensing system analysis: Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Image Generation (DIRSIG) model validation and impact of polarization phenomenology on material discriminability, August 2010 (Primary Advisor: John Schott) (PDF)
Rodolfo Montez (Ph.D.), X-rays from planetary nebulae, September 2010 (Primary Advisor: Joel Kastner) (PDF)
Brian Flusche (Ph.D.), An analysis of multimodal sensor fusion for target detection in an urban environment, January 2011 (Primary Advisor: John Schott) (PDF)
Xiofeng Fan (Ph.D.), Automatic registration of multi-modal airborne imagery, May 2011 (Primary Advisor: Harvey Rhody) (PDF)
Alvin Spivey (Ph.D.), Multiple scale landscape pattern index interpretation for the persistent monitoring of land-cover and land-use, May 2011 (Primary Advisor: Anthony Vodacek) (PDF)
Feng Li (Ph.D.), Optimizations and applications in head-mounted video-based eye tracking, August 2011 (Primary Advisor: Jeff Pelz) (PDF)
Nima Pahlevan (Ph.D.), An integrated physics-based approach to demonstrate the potential of the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) for monitoring coastal/inland waters, February 2012 (Primary Advisor: John Schott) (PDF)
Whitney Butts (Ph.D.), Currently in progress (Primary Advisor: Roger Dube)
May Casterline (Ph.D.), Currently in progress
Monica Cook (Ph.D.), Currently in progress (Primary Advisor: John Schott)
Troy McKay (Ph.D.), Currently in progress
David Nilosek (Ph.D.), Currently in progress
Sarah Paul (Ph.D.), Currently in progress
Katie Salvaggio (Ph.D.), Currently in progress
Shaohui Sun (Ph.D.), Currently in progress

In the past, I have offered the following undergraduate, graduate, and industry/government short courses at the Center and in other venues