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Study information

Land Surveying - 2019 entry

MODULE TITLELand Surveying CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODECSMM134 MODULE CONVENERDr Sam Hughes (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11 0 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 20
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Surveying is a multidisciplinary skill that is applied to any area of science and engineering that requires the accurate measurement of natural and manmade features on the Earth’s surface. This highly practical module is designed to provide all the underpinning knowledge to become a surveyor.

The course begins by introducing the fundamental surveying techniques. This includes using surveying equipment to make spatial measurements (angles, distances and elevations), as well as the theory and mathematics involved with establishing control networks. As the module advances you will be introduced to global navigation satellite systems in surveying, and be given an introduction to setting out and engineering surveying. This module is delivered in the form of lectures, workshops and practical sessions.

The second half of the module involves completing a full topographic survey. During this survey you will use your knowledge and understanding of surveying to establish a primary control network on a site, connect to a coordinate system using RTK GNSS receivers, collect topographic detail using total stations, and produce a scaled topographic plan using digital terrain modelling software and AutoCAD.

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of fundamental and advanced surveying techniques that will provide you with the foundation skills to complete a topographic survey (using a variety of surveying equipment and associated computational packages). The module addresses methods of survey control and detail data capture and provides an introduction to DTM and CAD packages used for mapping.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1 Understand the aims of surveying and define the role of the surveyor in engineering;

2 Define coordinate systems on different scales and understand their origins and uses, and utilise the sexagesimal system of angular measurement;

3 Demonstrate knowledge and skills in applying the fundamental surveying techniques – including levelling, angle and distance measurement, traversing and coordinate calculations, working “whole to part”, detail surveying, area calculations, global navigation satellite systems, and setting out;

4 Become competent in the use of surveying equipment and spatial data collection, including elevations from levelling equipment, angular measurements with a theodolite, distance measurement using EDMs, as well as integrated systems such as total stations, and RTK GNSS receivers;

5 Undertake surveys using a variety of equipment, and be able to accurately record data, perform the appropriate survey calculations and critically analyse data;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

6 Prove knowledge and capability in the use of computer aided design software (AutoCAD);

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

7 Use a wide range of academic skills in data acquisition (through the use of equipment), interpretation (through calculation) and communication of results;

8 Develop problem solving, learning skills and data handling and manipulation;

9 Develop mapping skills through field-based activities and assessments;

10 Develop interactive and group-working skills through working in small teams throughout the assignments and field-based exercises;

11 Apply given tools/methods accurately and carefully to a well-defined problem and begin to appreciate the complexity of the issues in the discipline.

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Topic 1 - Introduction to Surveying: purpose of surveying, applications of surveying, origination of coordinate systems, true, grid and magnetic north derivations, sexagesimal angular measurement, equipment used in surveying, outline of surveying techniques, introduction to mathematics in surveying (lecture, example sheet 1);

Topic 2 - Levelling: levelling techniques and purpose, vertical coordinate systems, equipment and types of levels used, booking of data, levelling calculations and checks, trigonometrical levelling methods, errors involved with levelling (lecture, example sheet 2);

Practical Session 1 – Levelling;

Topic 3 - Measuring Angles and Distances: types of theodolites and an explanation of their use, methods of reading both the horizontal and vertical circles, booking of data and consequent reduction and calculations, measuring of distances with EDMs (electromagnetic distance measurement), tapes and steel bands, linear surveying procedure, stadia tacheometry (lecture, example sheet 3);

Topic 4 - Traversing and Coordinate Calculations: purpose and types of control surveys, traversing procedure including both an example of closed coordinate and open / link traverses, calculation procedures for closed traverses including angular adjustment, converting angles to bearings, partial coordinate calculations, traverse accuracy, Bowditch adjustments and subsequent coordinate calculations (lecture, example sheet 4);

Practical session 2 – Traversing;

Topic 5 - Introduction to GNSS: development and importance of GNSS, different types of GNSS and applications, application of GNSS in surveying, GNSS positioning methods, errors in GNSS (lecture);

Topic 6 - Setting Out and Area Calculations: aims, principles and methods of engineering surveying, uses and applications of setting out, control methods, equipment used in setting out, worked area calculations for straight and irregular bounded shapes (lecture, example sheet 5);

Campus Survey – complete a topographic survey of an area of the Penryn Campus. The survey will be completed over a duration of 6 weeks. During this time there will be lectures and workshops including:

- Introduction to total stations;

- Introduction to surveying topographic detail;

- Introduction to AutoCAD and LSS, and an AutoCAD training course (2 day course, on campus);

Topic 7 - Revision Session: at the end of term there will be a tutorial session covering the mathematics and theory covered during the module in preparation for the closed book examination (lecture, tutorial);

(Syllabus plan may be subject to change during term time).

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 50 Guided Independent Study 100 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities 50 Lectures, Practicals and Workshops
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities 30 Independent Surveying
Guided Independent Study 70 Private Study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Example Sheets (covering questions following each of the major topics) N/A 2-5, 8-9, 11 In-class group discussion; individual feedback at request
Practical Workshops N/A 1-11 In-class group discussion and feedback

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 40 Written Exams 60 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Individual Levelling Assignment - individual calculations and report following a practical exercise 5 250 words 1-5, 7-11 Written feedback; verbal feedback on request
Individual Traversing Assignment – individual booking sheets and coordinate calculations following a practical exercise 5 250 words 1-5, 7-11 Written feedback; verbal feedback on request
Campus Survey Group Traverse Report – documenting the methodology, data collection and calculations for the control survey of the Campus Survey 15 1,000 words equivalent 1-10 Written feedback; verbal feedback on request
Campus Survey Group Topographic Plan – production of a scale topographic plan using data collected from the Campus Survey 15 1,000 words equivalent 1-10 Written feedback; verbal feedback on request
Examination 60 2 hours 1-5, 8, 11 Tutor Meeting, on request

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Coursework Assessment Additional Summative Assessment As Above Ref/Def Period
Examination Additional Examination (2 hours) As Above Ref/Def Period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

As above, one piece of Coursework (40%), and/or one examination (60%).

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

ELE - https://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Bannister, A., Raymond, S. and Baker, R. Surveying 7th edition Longman 1998
Set Irvine, W. and Maclennan, F. Surveying for Construction 5th edition McGraw-Hill 2005
Set Uren, J. and Price, W.F. Surveying for Engineers 5th edition Palgrave-Macmillan 2010
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Thursday 6th July 2017 LAST REVISION DATE Friday 19th July 2019
KEY WORDS SEARCH Engineering Surveying; Control Surveys; Topographical Surveys; Coordinate Systems; GNSS; AutoCAD

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.