Fundamentals of Surveying SURV 5108

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Describe Basic Concepts

• Define geomatics and surveying.
• List the various branches of surveying.
• Define and identify systematic and random errors.
• Define and identify blunders.
• Outline the properties of geometric space.
• Carry out slope and sea level distance reductions.
• Carry out computations on a simple plane involving rectangular and polar coordinates.

Determine Elevation Differences

• Identify the basic components of a surveyor's level.
• Describe barometric, differential and trigonometric levelling.
• Compute and adjust a differential level loop.
• Compute elevation differences using vertical angles and distances.
• Compute and apply the vertical correction for earth curvature and refraction.
• Perform a differential levelling loop.

Determine Coordinates by Traversing

• Identify the basic components of a total station.
• Describe the difference between a closed traverse and an open traverse.
• Compute and adjust the angular misclosure in a closed traverse.
• Determine the coordinate misclosure of a closed traverse.
• Adjust a traverse using the Compass Rule.

Carry Out a Topographic Survey

• Explain the purpose of a topographic plan and contours.
• List the properties of contours.
• Carry out the field measurements for a topographic plan using a total station.
• Produce a scaled topographic survey plan.

Describe the Global Positioning Satellite System

• Explain the components of the GPS system.
• Describe the basic concept of satellite positioning.
• List the errors that exist in GPS measurements.
• Explain ellipsoid-geoid separation.
• Explain the importance of selecting the correct datum.
• Define the various acronyms associated with GPS.

Effective as of Winter 2008