GEOS420/GEOPH520 Digital Signal Processing Applications in Geoscience (3-0-3) (S) - This course focuses on the digital representations of time series and multi-dimensional spatial data and introduces the tools needed to display, filter, and transform data to their equivalent spectral domains. Applications and computer-based practicums will focus on signal processing of diverse geoscience datasets including seismograms, climate time series data, remote sensing imagery, and mapped 2-D data. Concepts to be mastered include digitization, compression, aliasing, convolution, deconvolution, and correlation, filter design, and frequency phase, amplitude, and power spectra.
More on Who Should Take This Class... anyone who wants to:
Analyze time series data
Analyze spatially varying data
Analyze imagery data
Work with personal data (thesis/dissertation/undergraduate project) as part of formal classwork
Understand sensors and digitization
Recover Earth systems data from measurements
Filter data
Perform spectral analysis
Improve computational literacy
Where/When:
Lecture: Monday 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM in ERB2104
Lab: Wednesday 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM in ERB2104
Office Hours: 12:00 to 1:15 MW in ERB3157 or via zoom; additional office hours by arrangement
Instructor:
Professor: Jeffrey Johnson (jeffreybjohnson@boisestate.edu); (ERB 3163, 3rd floor; facing stadium)
Grader: Jeffrey Johnson
Class Website: https://sites.google.com/a/boisestate.edu/dsps2023/ or tinyurl.com/dsps2023. Lecture notes, assignments, quizzes, and other materials will be posted at the class website. Check here regularly.
Prerequisites: GEOS343 or GEOPH305 (Applied Geophysics) / MATH333 (Differential Eqs.) / or permission of instructor. Note that MATH333 is no longer an official requirement even though it is in the system as such. Contact instructor for permission number.
Course Objectives: This is not just a course for geophysicists! If you look at and analyze either time series or image data this class is for you! Students will learn how to apply concepts of signal processing to problems in geosciences (geophysics, hydrology, geology). Lessons learned in the lecture will be reinforced by homework and lab problems. Exercises will use MATLAB for problem solving using both synthetic and actual data. Introductory emphasis will be focused on analysis of time series data analysis and then progress towards analysis of spatial one and two dimensional data (i.e., digital signal processing of gridded data or images).
Textbook: The scientist and engineer’s guide to digital signal processing by S. Smith is available online at http://www.dspguide.com/ It is an excellent resource and freely distributed! Other relevant reading materials will be posted on the class website
Grading for GEOPH520: 50% lab assignments, 20% quizzes, 20% final exam, 10% final presentation
Grading for GEOPH420: 60% lab assignments, 25% quizzes, 15% final exam
Notes on quizzes, labs, final exams, and project presentation:
Assignments: Approximately 12 graded lab assignments (mostly MATLAB-based exercises) will be introduced on Wednesdays. Instructor and students will start working interactively, but students will complete assignments on their own. Assignments must be turned in within one week. 25% late penalty will apply and students are strongly encouraged not to fall behind on these assignments.
Quizzes: Short weekly pass/fail ‘quizzes’ are intended as interactive learning exercises. They will be immediately discussed and self-graded in order to obtain a pass grade. If you are not present during the quiz discussion then please send your completed quiz to the instructor in an email (in order to get full credit).
Final exam: The graded, open-book test will be comprised nearly entirely of quiz questions. Exam will be Monday May 1st from 9:30 to 11:30 AM in ERB2104.
Final presentation: Graduate students may present an aspect of their thesis or dissertation research incorporating appropriate DSP processing. A good presentation incorporates DSP methodologies with ongoing research. Themes will be developed through regular consultation with instructor. 15-minute oral presentations, accompanied by a slide deck, will be held during the last week of classes. (rubric for presentations to be provided mid-semester)
How do I get a good grade?
Turn in all of your assignments on time. Ask instructor for help with assignments. Work with student colleagues if necessary (but do your own work). Turn in quizzes (even if you aren't in class). Understand the corrections as this will be helpful for the final exam.
Course schedule:
Refer to course CALENDAR page
Student Conduct and Academic Integrity:
In order to create a safe space for learning, I expect all of us (peer mentors, students and myself) to exhibit behavior that reflects Boise State’s Statement of Shared Values (https://www.boisestate.edu/president/values/statement-of-shared-values/ and is characterized by:
Academic Excellence, Caring, Citizenship, Fairness, Respect, Responsibility, Trustworthiness
In addition, students in this course are expected to uphold standards outlined in the Boise State University Student Code of Conduct (https://www.boisestate.edu/policy/student-affairs/code-of-conduct/). Any work submitted by a student in this course for academic credit will be the student's own work. Students are allowed to work together on homework, but must submit their own work.
Accommodations for students with disabilities:
Students with disabilities needing accommodations to fully participate in this class should contact the Educational Access Center (EAC). All accommodations must be approved through the EAC prior to being implemented. To learn more about the accommodation process, visit the EAC’s website at https://www.boisestate.edu/eac/.
Inclusivity Statement:
We understand that students in this class represent a rich variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Department of Geosciences is committed to providing an atmosphere for learning that respects diversity. While working together to build this community we ask all members to:
● share their unique experiences, values and beliefs
● be open to the views of others
● honor the uniqueness of their colleagues
● appreciate the opportunity that we have to learn from each other in this community
● value each other’s opinions and communicate in a civil manner
● keep confidential discussions that the community has of a personal (or professional) nature
● use this opportunity together to discuss ways in which we can create an inclusive environment in this course and across the campus community
Undergraduate Geosciences Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
For those enrolled in GEOS420 this course serves BSU Geosciences undergraduate PLOs 1,2,4, and 5 with particular emphasis on PLO 5.
Integrate geoscientific principles to infer and demonstrate knowledge of Earth system processes
Formulate geoscientific research questions and hypotheses and design ways to test them
Collect, process, analyze, and interpret various types of geoscientific data (e.g. field, lab, synthetic)
Communicate scientific ideas and their societal relevance in a variety of formats (verbal, written, graphical) to diverse audiences
Apply physics, chemistry, math, and computational methods to solve problems in the geosciences
Evaluate professional preparation in the field of geosciences and how it relates to their career goals
Assessment of PLOs will be accomplished through coursework, which includes practicum assignments, in-class self-graded quizzes, and a final exam.