At the upcoming 2019 GSA Annual Meeting in Phoenix, AZ, there are two short courses that will be of interest (https://community.geosoci...sa2019/learn/short). These courses have been offered in the past at the GSA Annual Meetings:

509. Introduction to Drones (sUAS) in the Geosciences.
Sat., 21 Sept., 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
This short course is designed for any unexperienced or novice users of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS; “drones”)—students, faculty, and professionals. No prior experience with drones is required. Although topics covered may be insufficiently advanced for intermediate- to expert-sUAS users, such users are nevertheless highly encouraged to participate and share their knowledge & experience during group work. Topics covered will include sUAS hardware & software basics, current U.S. national & state rules/regulations, and case studies in state-of-the-art applications including orthomosaic & structure-from-motion (SfM) techniques. Working groups will be used throughout the workshop.

510. High Resolution Topography and 3D Imaging II: Introduction to Structure from Motion (SfM) Photogrammetry.
Sat., 21 Sept., 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Structure from Motion (SfM), a photogrammetric technique that uses overlapping images to construct 3D surface models, is quickly emerging as a valuable research and education tool in geodesy, geomorphology, structural geology, and related disciplines. Images can be collected with a standard consumer-grade camera, making SfM a low-cost tool that compliments other 3D imaging technologies, such as terrestrial and airborne laser scanning (lidar). SfM can be collected from a handheld camera or an airborne platform such as an aircraft, tethered balloon, kite, or UAS (unmanned aerial system), enabling 3D imaging of features ranging in size from decimeters to several kilometers. This one-day course will provide faculty, students, and professionals with an introduction to SfM technology, data collection and processing, and examples of science and educational applications. A combination of lectures and hands-on demonstrations of SfM equipment and data processing will be used. This course can be taken alone, or together with “501. High Resolution Topography and 3D Imaging II: Introduction to Terrestrial Laser Scanning" for an introduction to a 3D imaging technology that compliments SfM.