Curriculum Development
A curriculum sequence has been developed and implemented as a multidisciplinary effort of the Geography & Earth Resources Department, Plants, Soils & Biometeorology Department, the Bioengineering & Irrigation Department. The classes are structured to include space terrestrial sensing techniques, spectral and spatial coverage, image orthoand distortion correction, image register and stitching, and the use of alrorithms feature extraction. Courses have also been developed as modules for web-based instruction and are being used at NASA SSC and in Mississippi as well as Utah. A new course in data fusion for remote sensing of multispectral images has been taught.

Remote Sensing with Aircraft, Satellites, GIS, and GPS
RS/GIS Laboratory at Utah State University The space science-engineering technology is being applied to terrestrial imaging involving university students. The thrust is multidisciplinary and is performed in collaboration with industry and government agencies. Extension agents and growers are major participants. The activity networks into other institutions and into many disciplines, plus links to other projects including aeronautics, space satellites, and web-based instruction.

Remote Sensing/GIS/GPS Workforce
We are teaming with the University of Montana to formulate a pre-college partnership for helping to develop a workforce needed to meet the rapidly growing needs of industry in the area of applied remote sensing, geographical information systems and global positioning systems and image data communications. A shortfall of qualified employees in this expanding applied technologies field is expected over the next decade. It is necessary to open the opportunity to those segments of society who have been underutilized in the past because of the lack of technological education and hands-on experience required. The program being developed started at the middle school level and continue through trade school levels.

Implementation of the program is via the web distributed instruction network based upon existing and new learning modules in remote sensing, geographical information systems, global positional systems, and image data communications, and providing the tools and experience for teachers in an integrated vertical structure of middle, high and vocational schools Rhe program is based upon the Mississippi pilot project to help provide the technical workforce needed in industry, government, and education relating to RS/GIS/GPS/IDC. Special emphasis will be given to tribal schools and vocational schools.

The 2003 Conference on Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing:
The Radiometric Infrared Sensor Calibration symposium, held September 15-18, 2003, expanded in scope and changed names. The conference now includes characterization and radiometric issues in the IR-Visible-UV spectrum and provides a forum for those engaged in the calibration and evaluation of infrared radiometric sensors to share ideas and interact constructively while addressing calibration issues pertinent to environmental and defense needs.

Symposium attendees benefit from the participation of the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) with at least one session devoted to NIST activities. The program includes both invited and submitted papers and posters.

Multispectral Archaeological Sensing:
This project is the application of multispectral and multidimensional remote imaging techniques (both sensing and algorithms) already developed under the U.S. space program to archaeological artifacts and ancient documents. Data fusion techniques including color and spatial resolution, two-dimensional correlation, covariance, principal component analysis, spectral classification, and image differentiation are used to enhance and interpret artifact details which would otherwise be unintelligible. The historically valuable information images are stored electronically for enduring preservation. This activity is a meaningful experience for students both in extending the knowledge of multispectral analysis and in enhancing our knowledge of ancient cultures and peoples.