Basic Information of the Micro-Major

Major Category: Surveying and Mapping (0812)

Major Code: 081201

Chinese Major Name:低空遥感与智慧城市

English Major Name: Low-Altitude Remote Sensing and Smart Cities

Duration of Study: 3 Semesters

I. Major Advantages and Features

Leveraging the rapid development of the low-altitude economy, the major of Low-Altitude Remote Sensing and Smart Cities aligns with national strategies and industry frontiers. It integrates multiple disciplinary fields, including information technology, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and surveying and mapping science and technology, featuring strong interdisciplinary characteristics.

The major emphasizes practical teaching. Through teaching methods such as case analysis and practical projects, students continuously accumulate practical experience during their studies and enhance their problem-solving abilities.

Moreover, the major keeps track of the latest trends in smart city construction and technological innovations, enabling students to stay at the forefront of the industry, grasp development opportunities in smart cities, and gain strong employability and broad career prospects.

II. Training Objectives

The major of Low-Altitude Remote Sensing and Smart Cities is committed to cultivating application-oriented talents who master modern information technology, spatial data acquisition technology, and smart city services, so as to adapt to and promote the rapid development of smart city construction.

Through systematic teaching and practical training, students will acquire theoretical foundations and practical skills in smart city data acquisition, processing, management, and visual application. Meanwhile, they will develop innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities, providing solid talent support for the construction and management of smart cities.

III. Curriculum Structure and Credit Requirements for Each Module

A total of 5 courses are offered, including:

Introduction to Low-Altitude Remote Sensing and Smart Cities

UAV Aerial Photography Technology

UAV-Based 3D Modeling of Urban Facilities

Fundamentals of 3D Visualization WebGIS Technology

3D Visualization Development for Smart Cities

The program has a total of 12 credits, with the following credit allocation for each course:

Introduction to Low-Altitude Remote Sensing and Smart Cities: 1 credit

Each of the other courses: 2-3 credits

IV. Core Courses and Descriptions

(1) UAV-Based 3D Modeling of Urban FacilitiesThis course focuses on the innovative application of UAV remote sensing technology and 3D modeling in fields such as urban planning and environmental monitoring. It systematically explains technologies for UAV aerial survey data acquisition, processing, and the construction of 3D models (DEM/DSM/real-scene models). By combining theory with hands-on practice, students will master the core skills of generating high-precision maps and 3D models using UAV data, and learn how to apply these skills to practical engineering and scientific research projects.

(2) Low-Altitude Remote Sensing and Smart CitiesLow-altitude remote sensing enables comprehensive and systematic monitoring of the urban environment, allowing for detailed understanding of urban environmental conditions from multiple perspectives. It not only provides urban managers with comprehensive and accurate data support and technical support but also helps improve the urban environment, enhance urban management efficiency, and elevate quality of life.

This course is mainly designed for students majoring in Geographic Information Science, Remote Sensing Science and Technology, Surveying and Mapping Engineering, and related science and engineering disciplines. Through special lectures, it introduces the application principles and implementation methods of low-altitude remote sensing technology in fields such as urban environmental monitoring and evaluation, planning, simulation, prediction, smart city construction, dynamic changes in urban development, and pollution source monitoring.

By studying this course, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the detailed process by which low-altitude remote sensing technology contributes to smart city construction and develop an in-depth grasp of the application methods of low-altitude remote sensing technology in smart city development. The course also pays attention to the latest developments and cutting-edge technologies in the field of urban environment, continuously updates teaching content and methods to ensure that the knowledge students learn keeps pace with the times, and provides strong support for their future career development.

(3) Fundamentals of 3D Visualization WebGIS TechnologyTargeting the interdisciplinary field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Web development, this course systematically explains how to use front-end technologies such as HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript to develop 3D visualization WebGIS systems. It covers basic Web development skills and practical training on 3D GIS frameworks (e.g., Mapbox GL JS), cultivating students’abilities to implement browser-side 3D map rendering, spatial data analysis, and interactive application development.

(4) UAV Aerial Photography TechnologyAs a basic compulsory course for the major of Low-Altitude Remote Sensing and Smart Cities, this course covers the following core content: working principles of UAV systems, basic operations and flight techniques, flight planning and mission execution, and UAV applications in high-precision surveying and mapping.

By studying this course, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the basic knowledge of UAV aerial photography, field control, and image information acquisition. It helps consolidate students’foundational knowledge in UAV photogrammetry, enables them to master the basic concepts and principles of UAV photogrammetry as well as the methods for planning and executing UAV aerial photography missions, and enhances their practical ability to acquire spatial data using photogrammetry knowledge.

(5) 3D Visualization Development for Smart CitiesFocusing on the 3D visualization development needs in the smart city field, this course takes Cesium and Mapbox GL as core technology frameworks and systematically explains the entire process of urban-level 3D scene construction and digital twin interactive development. Through real-case simulations of scenarios such as smart transportation, park management, and emergency command, the course cultivates students’practical ability to implement end-to-end solutions—from data integration to the deployment of 3D business systems.