FOR 5284 LiDAR for Forestry and Environmental Management | College of Extended Learning | UNB

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College of Extended Learning

LiDAR for Forestry and Environmental Management

Subject Course No. Credit Value
GIS/Forestry FOR 5284 Three (3) credit hours

This course introduces the core concepts, terminology and theory behind airborne laser scanning before leading students through the preparation of LiDAR point cloud datasets for use in ArcGIS Pro (system requirements) where they will be visualized, filtered and used to create common useful derivatives towards solving spatial questions.

Then, using the power of the point cloud, students statistically analyze and stratify LAS datasets to glean additional information on forest composition, including basic enhanced forest inventory metric derivation using ArcGIS, FUSION, LAStools and MS Excel (system requirements).

Contact the instructor to request a syllabus.

Instructor: Jae Ogilvie
Prerequisite: Some introductory GIS ability is an asset.

What you will learn

This course is designed to help you:

  • Understand Airborne LiDAR data and how to manage it.
  • Learn how to use LAS point cloud information to derive useful datasets to assist in answering forestry and environmental management-related questions.
  • Gain the analytical skills needed to use ArcGIS Pro and command-line applications like FUSION and LAStools.

Students have six months from the registration date to complete the course. All course exams and/or assignments must be completed by the designated end date.

Assignments and examinations

  • 10 x assignments (30% total)
  • 3 x quizzes (15%)
  • 1 x final assignment (20%)
  • 1 x final exam (35%)

System requirements

This course requires the use of ArcGIS Pro Desktop.

A windows-only program, please ensure that your computer is suitable for installation. Learn more about the minimum system requirements.

Note: Mac users can still install ArcGIS Pro desktop on their computer using BootCamp or a virtual machine (VM) such as Parallels. Additionally, students may use the UNB Virtual Lab to access the software remotely using a PC or Mac.

A fully-featured copy of ArcGIS Pro can be provided to registered students, if necessary. Details are provided within the course to registered students.

Check your computer’s ability to run ArcGIS Pro.

Other software required for successful completion of this course:

  • LAStools: available for download, unlicensed
  • FUSION: available for download
  • Microsoft Excel: not provided

Fees and payments

There is a $150 non-refundable/non-transferable online fee per course in addition to applicable tuition & fees. Learn more about our payment options.

Apply now