Course Objectives

The students should be able to:

· explain the geodetic basis for the surveyor’s profession and describe various datum

· suggest methods and choose equipment, detailed surveying and establish reference points

· carry out calculations using relevant ICT tools

· identify sources of error and evaluate the quality of collected data

· explain how digital topographic models are built up and be able to create simple digital topographic models

· describe the basic principles of GIS (Geographical Information Systems)

· follow the requirements and norms for the profession and evaluate the competence of others in the field

Course Description

The course will provide a basic introduction to the land surveying profession, together with an understanding of digital topographic models and a short introduction to GIS (Geographic Information Systems). Topics of interest include the geodetic basis, survey instrument theory, altitudes, coordinate systems and coordinates, basic surveys, detailed surveys, property surveys, maps, GPS, sources of inaccuracy and the SOSI standard, and a brief introduction to GIS (Geographic Information Systems).

Learning Methods

Lectures, instrument practice and project assignment. The class will be divided into groups which will carry out two instrument practical assignments with fixed content and write reports on the work. In addition, the students will organise themselves into groups according to fields of interest and work with a project assignment in which they may examine a particular topic in depth. This assignment may possibly be carried out in cooperation with external employers, but the content and dimensions of the project must be determined in consultation with the subject teacher. This assignment will be executed in keeping with Telemark University College’s project model and the results will be presented to the rest of the class. ICT is used extensively and the students are expected to employ laptop computers during the course. The use of computers is also permitted in the final examination.

Assessment Methods

Each of the two written reports on instrument practical assignments count for 10%. The project assignment with presentation counts for 40% and the course will end with a 3-hour written examination which counts for 40%, and which must receive a passing grade. Some of the work which forms a basis for the evaluation is group-based, but the final individual grade will be the result of the student’s cumulative efforts.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean