SRV 235 - Introduction to Geodesy

Credits: 5
Lecture Hours: 4
Lab Hours: 2
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: Voc/Tech

This course deals with concepts of astronomy and geodesy that are relevant to the practice of surveying. They include theory, field techniques, coordinate systems, gravity and leveling; control surveys and networks; GPS surveying, an introduction to the figure of the Earth and its geometric and physical characteristics; solar and Polaris observation and computations involved in the determination of true north.
Prerequisite: SRV 120, CET 119 [Inactive] and CET 169 [Inactive]
Competencies

Examine history of Geodesy
1. Explain Eratosthenes’ method for determining the size of the earth
2. Define Cassinis’ ellipsoid; Huygen’s theoretical ellipsoid
Understand and explain how the Global Positioning System (GPS) work
1. Examine the figure of the earth and its geometric and physical characteristics
2. Examine satellite systems
Discuss the concepts of astronomy and how astronomy is applied to surveying
1. Obtain a position by astronomic positioning
Examine astronomic coordinates
Define and explain the current technical terminology associated with GPS
Understand and use spatial location standards, methods, and United States national map accuracy standards
1. Examine National Geodetic Survey, United States Geological Survey, and World Geodetic Survey maps
2. Examine National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) datasets
3. Identify fundamental geodetic networks
4. Evaluate methods of elevation determination
Use GPS hardware and software to plan a GPS field survey
1. Assess the needs in planning a GPS field survey.
2. Utilize gathered data and GPS software to prepare for fieldwork
Demonstrate the effective use of GPS hardware and software to collect geographic data in the field
1. Utilize GPS methods and equipment to perform a control and topographic survey
2. Utilize GPS methods and equipment to collect data to utilize in survey layout
Operate GPS hardware and software to conduct real-time and post-processing differential GPS (DGPS
Integrate DGPS data in a GPS database framework