Remote Sensing

Remote sensing provides technical and methodological approaches to holistically study human activities that have an impact on the Earth's physical processes. Ever-increasing natural and anthropogenic influences on the earth system necessitate the formation of a cadre of scientists well-trained to fully exploit the terabytes of information available daily from air- and space-borne sensors. While the information resulting from analysis of these data is, by itself, policy relevant, only by combining the information available from remote sensing with the knowledge, approaches, and analytical tools of the social sciences can complex issues at the interface of science and society be addressed. Further, remote sensing itself engenders a variety of social and policy questions, ranging from personal privacy to the social and cultural change that inevitably results from the wide adoption of transforming technology.

The goal of this program is to provide fully integrated educational experiences that will strengthen and enhance the ability of our graduates to address interdisciplinary challenges facing remote sensing scientists in today's workplace. We do this by incorporating all aspects of remote sensing, including science, engineering, theory, data analysis, applications, and policy.

Our internationally-recognized faculty members span 5 colleges and 13 departments at Virginia Tech:

College of Engineering

• Aerospace and Ocean Engineering (AOE)
• Biological Systems Engineering (BSE)
• Computer Science (CS)
• Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)
• Mechanical Engineering (ME)
  

College of Natural Resources and Environment

• Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation (FREC)
• Geography (GEOG)
  

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

• Agricultural and Applied Economics (AAEC)
  
• Biological Systems Engineering (BSE)

College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences

• History (HIST)
• Science and Technology Studies (STS)
  

College of Science

• Geosciences (GEOS)
• Biological Sciences (BIOL)
  
• Statistics (STAT)

What You'll Need

Transcripts

Include a scanned copy of your college transcripts with your online application, then arrange for an official copy to be sent to us after you receive an offer of admission.

Letters of Recommendation

Check to see whether your department requires letters of recommendation from references. If so, you can include the letter writers' email addresses in your online application, or have the people you ask to write those lettes send paper copies directly to your program’s department.

Graduate School Testing Requirements

The Graduate School does not require entrance tests, but check to see whether your department requires you to submit GRE, GMAT, or subject test scores with your application. If so, have the testing agency send official scores to Virginia Tech Graduate School, code 5859. 

International students may be required to submit TOEFL scores. 

Application Fees

Degree-seeking students must include a $75 fee with their application, though check to see if you qualify for a waiver or reduced fee. All application fees are non-refundable.

Refund procedure

All application fees are non-refundable.