Students learn how to write letters, memos, and routine email messages. They learn to write clear and concise sentences and paragraphs and to make documents easily accessible through headings, lists and white space. They learn how to avoid some common grammatical errors in their writing. They also learn to give an oral report based on library and online research on a new development in their technology. In addition, they learn how to prepare a resume and job application letter and fill out a job application form. Students also learn how to collaborate as part of a team to accomplish work related communication tasks.

Technical mathematics with emphasis on its application to surveying: trigonometric functions of any angle, solution of triangles, identities and trigonometric equations; spherical trigonometry; systems of linear equations; analytic geometry. Prerequisite: Principles of MATH 12 or Applications of MATH 12 C+.

This course is designed to test the student's ability to apply the laws of physics to applications in Geomatics. Basic concepts in language and measurement will be dealt with in detail. Concepts in optics, and optical instruments such as telescopes, theodolites and lasers will be covered. A review of vectors, kinematics, kinetics, and work and energy will form a basis for second term work. The lab program stresses measurement, data analysis, experimental investigation of physical laws and technical report writing. Mathematical treatment requires only algebra and trigonometry.

Introduction to surveying computations: units of measurements; plane trigonometry; solutions of right triangles and scalenes; coordinate systems; systems of defining directions of survey lines; angle measurements; bearing reductions; open traverses; computations and adjustments of closed traverses; inverse calculations; area computations by coordinate method; side shot calculations; bearing swing; location of an angular blunder or a linear blunder in closed traverses; missing (omitted) parts calculations.

An introductory survey drafting course in manual and computer aided drafting using CAD software. Topics include 2D and 3D Cartesian coordinate systems in mapping environment; plan design; map themes; map scales; common map and plan symbology; contouring and topographical mapping; reproduction of maps and plans.

SURV1164 course is an introduction to the basic principles of field surveying and surveying terminology. The principles and procedures for differential and trigonometric levelling will be covered for establishing elevations. The procedures for observing horizontal and vertical angles will be introduced with optical mechanical and electronic theodolites. Steel tape and electronic methods will be covered for distance measurements. Note keeping formats will be covered throughout the course. The proper care and handling of the equipment and safe work procedures will be emphasized throughout the term. Students will be introduced to career options and opportunities in the Geomatics industry. The lectures will cover theory and introduce the upcoming field assignments. The emphasis of the course will be on proper observational methods with differential levels, theodolites, steel tapes and electronic measuring instruments along with note keeping formats. The course will also introduce the types of error occurring in differential levelling, angular measurements with theodolites and distance measurements with steel tapes and electronic methods. The first component of the course uses differential levels to familiarize students with field notes, instrument care, setting up, mathematical checks on closures and instrument calibration. The course will then introduce WILD T1A optical mechanical theodolites to learn the fundamentals of horizontal and vertical angle measurement. Distance measurements with a steel tape will be introduced by traversing with a theodolite. Trigonometric levelling with vertical angles and distances will be covered before introducing total stations near the end of the term. Differing types of closed traverses will be covered in addition to open traverses. Proper care of equipment and safety awareness is emphasized throughout the course. Assignments are correlated with the Survey Computations and Survey CAD courses. Prerequisites: SURV 1161** (** must be taken concurrently)

This course familiarizes the student with basic operations of a personal computer (PC) and the HP-50g handheld graphing calculator. Topics covered include file management, word processing and spreadsheet functions on the PC and modes of operation, operator hierarchy, numeric functions, numeric, string and array variables, basic statements and commands, and program structure on the calculator. Students will gain the background required to efficiently operate a PC and perform typical computations and solve routine survey problems using the calculator.

This course expands the scope and complexity of the communication skills learned in COMM 1135, and teaches the fundamentals of job searches, productive meetings, conflict resolution, and report writing. Students learn to format and write resumes and letters, including cover letters and bad news messages. They also learn how to perform optimally in job interviews, and assess their performance and that of others. Prerequisites: COMM 1135

Differentiation rules for algebraic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, logarithmic and exponential functions; related rates, differentials and approximations used in surveying, radius of curvature; selected integration, arc length, the spiral curve; Taylor and Maclaurin series; 3D analytic geometry, partial differentiation with applications in geomatics. Prerequisite: MATH 1511 or permission of course instructor AND technology program head.

This course will extend the student's ability to apply the concepts of physics to Geomatics Technology. Concepts in simple machines, road banking, gyroscopes, waves and their relationship to distance measurement, hydrographic survey, basic electronics and magnetism, and electronic distance measurement will be covered. The lab program will extend first term work and enforce the lecture material. Prerequisites: PHYS 1151

This course is divided into two main components; the first is field survey procedures using a variety of equipment including compasses, total stations, digital levels, recreational GPS units and external data collectors. The second component is an introduction to astronomy for survey applications. The field survey procedures will include an introduction to the use of a magnetic compass covering declination, variation and the field procedures for determining bearings. The field labs with total stations and external data collectors will deal with electronic communication parameters and the use of onboard software for 'Resection' and/or 'Free Station', setting out points, offsets, point coding and establishing reference lines. These routines will be used in field labs dealing with traversing, as-built /topographic surveys and setting out field locations from a plan. The field returns will include computer and hand drafted plans. The review of differential levelling will introduce students to the use of a digital level. Different methods and procedures for simple layout surveys will be introduced with an emphasis on field checks for accuracy. The GPS material will cover the basic theory for the use of 'recreational' receivers. Observational, note keeping and electronic data collection procedures, as applicable, will be dealt with throughout the course. Workplace hazards and safe field procedures will also be introduced. The astronomic portion of the course will include the following topics:- the celestial sphere and its coordinate systems; altitude and azimuth; declination, hour angle, right ascension; celestial latitude and longitude; time (sidereal, apparent, universal); the equation of time; the determination of azimuth by time and altitude methods and the use of almanacs. Students will be introduced to the field procedures for determining azimuth by Sun and star observations. A star observation field lab will provide students with practical experience in determining azimuth from astronomic observations. Prerequisites: SURV 1161 and SURV 1164

This course is a continuation of SURV 1161 and will acquaint the Geomatics students with more complex and varied cases of surveying computations. Specifically, this course covers omitted parts computation; integrated Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) closed traverse computation; control survey by methods of intersection and resection; subdivision land parcels according to specific requirements; the geometry of simple circular curve; computation of layout data for circular curves using various methods, compound curves, reverse curves, problems associated with these types of curves; transformation of coordinates; calculations of areas of road cross-sections and earthwork volumes; calculations of dirt volumes involving large areas; slope staking; calculate vertical curve data for centerlines of roads. Prerequisites: SURV 1161

This introductory course is designed to acquaint Geomatics students with the fundamental concepts of Earth Science and will demonstrate the importance of the topic to their future practice of Geomatics. Topics include the Earth (evolution, structure, gravity & magnetic fields), Forces within the Earth (tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes), the Atmosphere & Hydrosphere (composition, heat & temperature, climate & weather, earths water, worlds oceans), Sculpturing the Earth’s Surface (weathering, glaciers, resulting land-forms), Earth Materials (minerals, rocks), and the Biosphere (biomes of the world, forests of Canada & British Columbia). Wherever relevant, the central focus will be on Canada & British Columbia (e.g. earthquakes, climate & weather, rocks & minerals, land-forms).

This course is focused on developing the student's skills in an integrated coordinate geometry and drafting environment with an emphasis on MicroSurvey software. When possible, we will use field data from the concurrent Field Survey Course. Students will become familiar with Electronic data uploading & downloading and data processing. The student will learn traverse data entry and adjustment, importing and exporting routines, creation of drawing templates, Land Title drafting standards, creation of symbols and parts. Creation of basic legal survey plans, subdivision and area calculations, fitting house layout to lots with set back requirements and an introduction to 3-D modelling and contour plans. Prerequisites: SURV 1163

Introduces aerial photographs and other remote sensing acquired data, aerial photography, stereovision and the geometry of the stereo model. Discusses Photogrammetric applications, and how they relate to surveying. Review terrestrial, large scale and remote sensing applications.

This course will introduce Coordinate Geometry software for the hand held programmable calculator (HP50G). This software is used in the computations and field courses of Geomatics. Coordinate Geometry covers: creating jobs, creating & editing points, creating & editing traverses, inversing, intersection computations, area computation, and special coordinate operations such as transforming, Helmert's, and building shifts. This course will also introduce simple programming for the hand held programmable calculator (HP50G). This part of the course will deal with the structure of programs used in the HP50G including: Data types, variables, basic input and output, decision making, and loops. Labs and projects will be designed around typical Survey problems and data processing exercises. Prerequisites: SURV 1161 and SURV 1172

Matrix algebra and its use in least squares adjustments. Matrix calculus with Taylor Series linearization, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, quadratic forms and error ellipses. Prerequisite: MATH 2511.

This course is a continuation of SURV 2261 of the full-time day program of the Geomatics Engineering Diploma Program. It covers the following topics: Review of horizontal circular curves including simple and compound curves; performing computations for symmetric and non-symmetric spiral curves; performing computations for terminal curves; applying mathematical theory to compute symmetric and non-symmetric vertical curves; and performing linear transformation of coordinates. Prerequisites: SURV 2261

Concepts and properties of maps; Classifications of maps; Theory of distortions; Conformality; Equivalency, Equidistancy; Tissot's indicatrix; Cylindrical projections (including the Mercator projection, the UTM projection, and the modified Transverse Mercator projection); National Topographic System (NTS) of Canada; Conical projections (Conic projection of the British Columbia); Perspective projections; Stereographic projection (including the stereographic projection used in the Maritimes). Prerequisites: MATH 2511

This course emphasizes the use of a variety of total stations with a range of industry standard data collection systems. Topics will include the collection and analysis of the measurements and procedures to minimize field and computational errors, analysis of electronic field data, presentation of results, in graphic and non-graphic forms. Measurements using industry grade GPS equipment for Rapid Static and Real Time methods will be introduced. Labs will be based on industry type problems which will include a design or planning component, a field measurement / data acquisition component, and a processing – computation – drafting component. Prerequisites: SURV 2261 and SURV 2264 and SURV 3372* (* may be taken concurrently)

Introduces the object based CAD drawing environment. Students will create and edit a variety of object styles; import, edit and display digital data from a variety of sources; use coordinate geometry tools; create scaled plots. Prerequisites: SURV 2265

Introduction into the field of Geodesy as applied in the Geomatics profession. Topics will include the fundamentals of Geodesy, the shape and size of the Earth and their impact on the standard surveying field procedures and computations. Also includes physical and mathematical modelling of the real Earth, ellipsoid of revolution and ellipsoidal geometry, problem and definitions of horizontal and vertical datums, various coordinate systems and their transformations. Other topics include the deflections of the verticals and convergence angle in Geomatics. Also includes the introduction of Gravity, different types of height systems and the computation of scale factors. Prerequisites: MATH 2511

This course covers the fundamentals of remote sensing and digital mapping. The first half of the course is dedicated to the technology, data collection, and interpretation of remotely sensed imagery. Both airborne and spaceborne remote sensing are discussed. The second half of the course is devoted to the study of digital mapping. Topics covered include projections, aerial photography, and geographic information systems. Fundamental concepts of elements of interpretation (size, shape, shadow, etc.) will be discussed in detail with particular reference to the similarities between analogue and digital interpretation. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be familiar with passive optical remote sensing and various approaches to digital mapping and be able to recommend appropriate methods and data for various environmental problems. Prerequisites: SURV 2267

This course will introduce and emphasize the software components used in survey courses at BCIT. The HP50g calculator will be used initially to calculate Sun Shot data to determine the azimuth to a Reference Object (RO). Microsoft EXCEL will then be used to solve a number of typical survey problems using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) tools within EXCEL to enhance computational ability. Civil 3D will be used to compute coordinates from Field Book File data. Traverses will be computed using the Compass Rule and Least Squares Adjustments will be introduced as a method of adjusting traverse data with common points for added redundancy. Civil 3D will be used to process, adjust and analyse control network data using Least Squares to detect and remove blunders. Prerequisites: SURV 2272

Students will be able to use GPS high precision geodetic equipment to conduct static, kinematic and real-time surveys and process the collected survey data. This course will cover topics such as datum transformation from GPS to North American datums, scale factors in GPS surveying, network adjustment using GPS data and reference station networks in North America. Prerequisites: SURV 3366

This course expands the scope and the complexity of communication skills learned in COMM 1135 and COMM 2252. Students learn how to write proposals, progress reports and formal reports. Emphasis throughout the course is placed on using effective writing and editing techniques to prepare professional and functional workplace reports. Prerequisites: COMM 2252

Data organization, estimation, hypothesis testing, propagation of measurement error, error ellipses and bivariate normally distributed data as used in least squares adjustments. Prerequisite: MATH 3511.

Includes tides and water levels, obtaining, positioning and reducing soundings, an overview of electronic positioning, electromagnetic wave propagation and positioning systems; propagation of sound in water; acoustic positioning and devices used in hydrography; types and uses of nautical charts. Prerequisites: SURV 2261

This final course in Survey Computations is designed to complete the Diploma Student’s application of knowledge to the solution of common survey problems. Topics covered will include a review of error types and sources of errors, the propagation of random errors – in measurements, areas and traverses. Area calculations and the partitioning of land will be considered together with cross-sectional areas, volumes and slope staking calculations for earthworks. Finally a review of the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) map projection and associated calculations will be covered. Prerequisites: SURV 3361

Use of Total Stations, Electronic Levels & GPS Survey grade equipment; on-board data collection, methods and field techniques in data acquisition; analysis of field data, techniques for minimization of field and computational errors. Reduction and least square adjustment of electronic data. The course will stress applications of electronic survey data collection and analysis as applied toward typical survey problems. This course will enable students to practice methods and procedures used in the Survey Industry involving measurements obtained from modern electronic Survey equipment. Prerequisites: SURV 3364

Introduces the Canadian legal system, real property law and boundary concepts: registration systems; the multipurpose cadastre; the history of land survey systems and land titles systems, descriptions of land; laws and regulations governing surveys legal survey monumentation; hierarchy of evidence; pro-rationing; resolution of ethical dilemmas faced by the Professional Land Surveyor.

Students will be introduced to planning issues including: legislation; long term planning as associated with official community plans and community visions; land use choices, site analysis; development potential, and the intensity of land use; environmental issues; public involvement; the planning process and costing.

Working in teams (4 or 5 students per team), students will develop and present oral and written reports on the surveying specifications and instructions associated with major engineering projects. Their tasks will include literature searches as well as contacting local surveying and engineering firms and government agencies. They will be responsible for writing a mid-term progress report and a final written report on their chosen topic; they will also be responsible for giving an oral presentation relating to the final report. Prerequisites: SURV 3351 or SURV 3364 and COMM 2452** (** must be taken concurrently)

Use AutoCAD Civil 3D software to create surfaces; edit both surfaces and surface data; create and annotate contours; analyze surface models; calculate volumes; create horizontal and vertical alignments; create ground profiles from alignments and terrain models; create roadway templates for design; carry out roadway design; interpret roadway design reports; subdivide parcels of land. Prerequisites: SURV 3365

SURV4476 presents a hands-on introduction to various CADD and high definition survey software packages that are used in the Geomatics industry. Students will work through labs using these different software packages so that they are introduced to the process of managing, manipulating, editing and modeling real world and complex datasets used in high definition surveying.

This course builds on the concepts and theory presented in SURV 3372 and introduces fundamental elements of database systems and architecture. Various data structures are introduced with specific focus on relational database management systems. Prerequisites: SURV 3372

Topics include: an introduction to mines, mining terminology, the importance of mining in Canada and British Columbia; underground surveying techniques (control transfer, shaft plumbing, azimuth determination, traversing and leveling, volume determinations); open pit mining surveying requirements with an introduction to pit slope stability techniques; introduction to high-precision survey instruments, including their calibration and operation; accuracy standards and field procedures for high-precision horizontal and vertical control surveys (including high-precision GPS surveys); error analysis of survey measurements (angle, distance and height difference); pre-analysis and design of survey projects; application of optical and electromagnetic measuring principles and techniques; introduction to deformation surveys and analyses. Prerequisites: SURV 3361 and SURV 3364 and SURV 3366 and SURV 4663* (* may be taken concurrently)

Covers fundamental GIS concepts and terminology including spatial data models, GIS databases, query and analysis, data input and editing. Students will learn how to use commercial GIS software.

Covers definitions and classification of errors, measures of precision; propagation law of standard errors; weights and propagation of weights; principle of least squares (in matrix notation); adjustment by variation of parameters; conditional observations; combined adjustments; adjustments of triangulation, trilateration nets and traversing post adjustment global and local tests. Prerequisites: MATH 3511 and SURV 2261