Course Overview
This course covers the geometrical aspects of geodesy and consists of three components: datum and reference systems in geodesy, geodetic position computations, and mathematical cartography (map projections). The reference system components include the concepts of time, the natural coordinate system, terrestrial reference systems and reference frames, celestial reference systems, and the orbital coordinate system. Geodetic positioning computations consist of corrections and reductions of conventional geodetic measurements, as well as forward and inverse computations. The map projections component covers the concepts and properties of map projections and their classifications, the theory of distortions, and cylindrical, conic, and planar projections. The course also covers the reduction of conventional geodetic measurements from the surface of the earth to the map projection systems and coordinate computations.
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Explain the properties of different coordinate systems used in geodesy, including natural, terrestrial, celestial, and orbital coordinate systems.
- Interpret and apply time systems, such as universal, sidereal, atomic, and coordinate time systems.
- Distinguish among the different reference systems and frames used in geomatics, such as the Canadian Spatial Reference System (CSRS) and Frame, the International Celestial Reference System and Frame, orbital systems, and so on.
- Apply corrections and reductions to conventional geodetic measurements.
- Compute geodetic positions on the reference ellipsoid in different coordinate reference systems used in geomatics.
- Relate different reference coordinate systems used in geomatics with each other.
- Explain the problems of map projections.
- Describe the properties of surfaces used in map projections and the fundamental equations of those surfaces.
- Discuss the elements of map projection distortions (conformality, equivalency, equidistancy) and how those elements are represented mathematically.
- Evaluate distortions of maps using basic computational and graphical procedures.
- Classify map projections using different bases, such as the traditional bases of map projections classification.
- Choose a suitable map projection for a region.
- Illustrate the graticule appearance of different map projections used in geomatics, such as Mercator, TM, UTM, LTM, Stereographic (including double projection), and Lambert conformal conic.
- Discuss the properties, advantages and disadvantages of certain map projections, such as Lambert conic projection, Mercator conformal cylindrical projection, Gaussian conformal projection of the ellipsoid, UTM, 3TM, stereographic double projections.
- Reduce geodetic measurements from ground to map projection systems and vice versa.
- Transform coordinates calculated in one system to equivalent ones in the other.
Effective as of Fall 2024
Related Programs
Geodetic Positioning and Map Projections (GEOM 4080) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
School of Construction and the Environment
- Geomatics Engineering Technology
Diploma Full-time
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