- International Fees
International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Course Overview
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.
- Retired
- This course has been retired and is no longer offered. Find other Flexible Learning courses that may interest you.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to use onboard total station programs including 'Free Station', 'Set Out'.
- Calibrate and check a total station for horizontal collimation / vertical index errors.
- Explain and set basic total station parameters for electronic data transfer.
- Demonstrate observational, note keeping and reduction methods for traversing.
- Demonstrate 3 procedures for typical building layouts.
- Demonstrate an understanding of workplace hazards and safe work procedures.
- Collect, download and reduce electronic data in conjunction with industry software.
- Define and determine magnetic declination.
- Use a compass to determine directions.
- Explain the basics of the GPS for low accuracy surveys.
- Collect data and produce a topographic plan from raw field measurements.
- Describe four coordinate systems used in astronomy by surveyors.
- Determine astronomic azimuth by time and altitude methods by solar and star observation.
- Describe the equation of time, apparent time, sidereal time and Universal Time.
- Use the Star Almanac for Land Surveyors for determining right ascension, declination, R and E.
Effective as of Winter 2012
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.