Course info

Module name: Introduction to SURVEYING

 

Instructor: Mr. Esaie Dufitimana (MSc.)

                 Email: e.dufitimana@ines.ac.rw

                 Phone: 0788885058

 

Course Description

This course is to provide a foundation for professional surveying. The main aim of this course is to introduce basic principles of surveying which is employed as a tool for capturing land information. The course will familiarize students with basic principles of surveying; and to introduce students to basic methods of angular and distance measurement using different techniques.

Program learning outcomes:

At the end of the programme students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

-      Basics, objectives, principles and classification of surveying;

-      Operation of basic surveying instruments like GPS, theodolites, levels and total stations; and

-      Various types of errors in surveying.

-      Perform angular and distance measurements in the field using modern surveying instruments;

-      Compute joins and polar;

-      Compute areas of different geometric figures;

-      Use surveying software to capture and process survey data;

-      Use cartographic software to plot and visualize geo-information using maps;

-      Apply the most appropriate technique to solve different surveying problems; and

-      Assess the accuracy of survey data and manage errors in typical surveying practice.

Course Requirements:

The module will utilize a lot of hands-on experience in different Land Administration skills and in the GIS lab. At a minimum, you need to possess skills related to:

— Mathematics, Probability and Statistics,

— Basic Computer Science and Programming

Topics/ Content

-      Introduction: Brief history of land surveying and mapping; Uses and branches of surveying; Data types and sources; angles, distances, gravity, aerial photos, satellite images etc. Data presentation: maps, plans, coordinate etc.

-      Surveying Philosophy: basic principles in surveying; control surveys; detail mapping.

-      Coordinate Reference Systems: Datum concept; coordinate systems; map projections and coordinate transformations.

-      Types of Survey Measurements: Plane surveying measurements and instruments; Geodetic measuring techniques; Basic measuring principles; Types of errors and their management.           

-      Survey Computations: Computation of joins and polar. Area computation: figures bounded by straight line boundaries and curvilinear boundaries, distance and bearing from co-ordinates.

-      Application of surveying to land administration, property management  and valuation

-      Field Exercises

Attendance requirements:

Students are expected to attend every class, complete the required assignments before every session, bring the assigned texts and materials to class, and participate in class discussion. It is important for our class I will promptly take roll at the beginning or end of each class session. If you come to class after I have called roll and marked you absent, you are still absent, which means you have missed a day of work.

Note: You will not be allowed to pass the final exam if your presence is less than 85% as per institutional regulations.

Computer Requirements:

-      Computer access to current MS office and Internet access

-      For use of LAB Computers here at INES – please see instructions as per institute.

-      Permission levels in your personal computer will be different than the LAB computers.

Learning and Teaching Strategy

The learning and teaching strategies will follow student centered mode. The students will acquire basic and advanced knowledge about application of surveying through lectures and field and LAB practices, in-depth reading and group discussions. Furthermore, the students will develop skills to use geospatial techniques for data acquisition/collection, processing and analyses of survey data. In this module, we shall use 50% of the time for theory whilst 50% for Field and LAB practices.

Assessment Strategy

This will include the following: Verification of regular student attendance; In-Module assessment; assignments; presentation and final examination.

1.    Assignments: Individual and Group assignment

2.    Quiz

3.    Practical quizzes and individual assignments

4.    Practical group assignment in form of a project

5.    Final exam

Assessment Pattern and grading

Components	Weighting (%)
Class Presentations	10	Test student’s capacity to talk and answer questions
Assignments	20	Acquiring deep understanding
Practical Assignments	30	Evaluating understanding of practical sessions
Final theoretical exam	40	Assessing understanding of the Module
Total	100

 

Course Schedule

Week (Monday to Friday)	Lectures
1 Time: 8:15 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 17:00	Theory: -      Introduction to surveying; -      The role of surveying in land administration;
2 Time: 8:15 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 17:00	Theory: -      Different surveying methods and techniques; Field: Field survey using Theodolite and GPs devices
3 Time: 8:15 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 17:00	Field: Field survey using Total Station Lab: Processing surveying data

 

 

 

Textbook/Reading Materials

            Bannister, A. (1998). Surveying. England Prentice hall.

            Bhavikatti, S. (2017). Surveying: Theory and practice. New Delhi I.K. International pub.

            Ghilani, C. D. (2016). Elementary surveying : an introduction to geomatics. Boston : Pearson, [2015].

            Kavanagh, B. (2009). Surveying:Principles and application. New Jersey Prentice hall .

            Wirshing, J. (1985). Introductory surveying. New York Mc Graw Hill .