Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

The aims of the module are:-

1.To provide the student with first hand experience of substantial real world applications of surveying such as precise monitoring, control, data capture and road design.
2.To build on and collate the existing skills acquired in Stages 1 and 2 and consolidate the learning within a practical environment
3.To allow the student to develop, more fully, the links between literature and theoretical based knowledge and field-based reality.
4.To further enhance group-based working, time management and core presentation and reporting skills.

Outline Of Syllabus

A fieldcourse in the UK to be held in Newcastle in October 2020 around the commencement time of Stage 3 studies. The course will integrate the material introduced in Stages 1 and 2 to real world survey problems, particularly from the perspective of precise monitoring, control, data capture and road design. This will be achieved through online lectures and pre-course study, survey design, field observation, analysis, presentation and reporting.

The different survey observation techniques of total stations, GNSS and GIS analysis will be compared and contrasted for application to DEM generation for water flow analysis including precise control, data capture and road design, illustrating their complementarity and the role and importance of transformations, datums and data analysis methods such as least squares. Students will have the opportunity to develop practical field based skills, be introduced to new technologies and analytical techniques and be able to plan and structure their activities as a group.

The course will highlight practical problems and issues faced by surveyors when designing, collecting and analysing survey data. It will highlight real-world solutions and workarounds that give a flavour of the imperfectness and reality of survey data observation and analysis, outside the confines of academia.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

An understanding of the role and complementarity of different survey observation techniques in real world practical problems, and the know-how to apply the most appropriate technique for a particular survey task.

Intended Skill Outcomes

1. Ability to collect, analyse, interpret and critically evaluate survey data within the context of the task deliverables
2. Ability to plan and implement fieldwork as a part of a team and in unfamiliar surroundings
3. Ability to report and present findings both orally and in writing
4. Increased familiarity with current survey instruments, techniques and software packages

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

1.Lectures and small group teaching activities introduce the tasks, the problem, the study areas, and the appropriate survey techniques and expected merits and shortcomings
2.Fieldwork provides opportunities for student-led design, planning and observation of survey tasks in teams of around four students. Training in fieldwork techniques and selection of suitable processes and analytical techniques and assistance in design/analysis will be available from staff

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

1. Coursework provides an opportunity to (i) synthesise, interpret and critically evaluate a range of theory and literature, and to collate and apply the range of survey techniques previously taught within the context of the tasks set and (ii) demonstrate the capacity to communicate concisely and effectively in writing, through graphical presentations and to report scientific studies in an appropriate manner. The coursework is presented through a formal written report from the group detailing the approach to tackling the tasks and the analysis applied, together with discussion and conclusions. An individual reflective summary report further demonstrates understanding.
2. Field presentations provide an opportunity, within the context of group exercises, to present the initial results of fieldwork, the context of the projects and to reflect on the developments and execution of small-scale research projects conducted in unfamiliar surroundings.

Project work to be marked and scaled individually according to staff and peer assessment of respective inputs.
The presentation will be assessed by staff.

General Notes

N/A