Unit Outline

The fundamental role of a surveyor is to measure and map urban and natural environments using specialist equipment and geometric computations. In this unit, you will learn about the fundamentals of surveying data collection, reduction and analysis techniques employed across all sectors of the profession. During the semester, you will develop theoretical and technical knowledge alongside the practical, field-based skills required to undertake basic surveying tasks. The unit will introduce you to fundamental surveying topics such as introduction to specialist instrumentation; basic data collection methodologies; measurement of length, direction and angles; statistical and error analysis of measurement data. In this unit, you are given multiple opportunities to implement your technical and theoretical knowledge via weekly practical classes where you will use levels and total stations to undertake basic survey tasks and solve simple real-world problems.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Apply survey methodologies to collect spatial data.
2.	Analyse survey data using a range of computational methodologies.
3.	Appraise error sources that affect survey outcomes.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

In response to the feedback from previous student cohort, changes have been made including some adjustment to assessment weightings and alignment of some of the timelines. As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s eVALUate surveys following your completion of the unit.

Teaching arrangements


ATTENDANCE MODE	TEACHING TYPE	LEARNING ACTIVITY	CONTACT HOURS	FREQUENCY
On Campus	Seminar	Seminars (2 x 1 hour per week) will generally follow the structure and topics as described in the Unit Schedule. Notes/slides, recordings and required readings will be uploaded to MyLO after each lecture is completed. Active participation is expected in seminars.	1	2 times per week
	Tutorial	Tutorials will be used to undertake survey calculations and reduce survey data. The tutorial sessions provide your primary opportunity for supported learning of survey computations required for the practical components of the unit and your future careers	1	Weekly
	Practical	Practical sessions offer a means of developing the skills required to collect survey data with modern instruments, they will also provide time for data reduction and computational work. Staff will be available for support within the timetabled sessions. Practical sessions are a significant part of this unit, it is critical that students attend and participate in both the fieldwork and computational sessions.	3	Weekly

Attendance / engagement expectations

If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Levelling Survey Reports	Week 4	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Levelling Practical Test	Week 4	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Basic Survey Techniques Reports	Week 8	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:	Join and Radiation Survey Reports	Week 11	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 5:	Traverse Survey Reports	Week 14	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 6:	Total Station Practical Test	Week 14	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Levelling Survey Reports

Task Description:

Over a series of 3 practical classes you will use basic levelling equipment to collect field survey data and then apply fundamental computational techniques to reduce the data and determine height values.Error analysis of the survey results will be undertaken after the field work and reductions have been completed.

You will submit a portfolio of technical reports describing the instruments, methodology, data reduction, results and analysis of survey data from a series of in-class practical exercises. The portfolio will consist mostly of computational examples and short written analyses.

Task Length:

approximately 6 pages

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Collect data using survey methodologies.	LO1
2	Compute reductions for measured survey data.	LO2
3	Assess the quality of survey results.	LO3
4	Record survey field notes.	LO1
5	Identify factors that influence the outcomes of surveys.	LO3
6	Collect data using specialist equipment	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Levelling Practical Test

Task Description:

You will have 1.5 hours of class time in week 4 to complete a level run, reduce your observations, determine and distribute the misclose and identify the error sources in your survey.

This assessment is a unit hurdle task.

This test is a hurdle task for the unit.

Task Length:

1.5 hours of practical, computational and written tasks.

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Collect survey data using a level.	LO1
2	Collect survey data using standard levelling procedures.	LO1
3	Reduce levelling data using standard computational techniques.	LO2
4	Assess and correct errors in the survey data.	LO2, LO3
5	Explain error theory relevant to levelling surveys.	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Basic Survey Techniques Reports

Task Description:

Over a series of 3 practical classes you will use total stations and tapes to collect angular and distance field survey data and then apply fundamental computational techniques to reduce the data. Error analysis of the survey results will be undertaken after the field work and reductions have been completed.

You will submit a portfolio of technical reports describing the instruments, methodology, data reduction, results and analysis of survey data from a series of in-class practical exercises. The portfolio will consist mostly of computational examples and short written analyses.

Task Length:

approximately 6-8 pages

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Collect data using survey methodologies.	LO1
2	Compute reductions for measured survey data.	LO2
3	Assess the quality of the survey results	LO3
4	Record field notes.	LO1
5	Identify factors that influence the outcomes of surveys	LO3

Assessment Task 4: Join and Radiation Survey Reports

Task Description:

Over a series of 3 practical classes you will use total stations to collect survey data, then apply computational techniques to reduce the data and solve a series of coordinate-based problems. Error analysis and a review of the survey outcomes will be undertaken after the field work and reductions have been completed.

You will submit a portfolio of technical reports describing the instruments, methodology, data reduction, results and analysis of survey data from a series of in-class practical exercises. The portfolio will consist mostly of computational examples and short written analyses.

Task Length:

approximately 6-8 pages.

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Collect data using survey methods.	LO1
2	Compute reductions for survey data.	LO2
3	Assess the quality of survey results.	LO3
4	Record field notes.	LO1
5	Identify factors that influence the outcomes of surveys.	LO3
6	Collect data using specialist equipment	LO1

Assessment Task 5: Traverse Survey Reports

Task Description:

Over a series of 3 practical classes you will use total stations to collect traverse survey data, then apply computational techniques to reduce the data and determine coordinates of survey marks. Error analysis and a review of the survey outcomes will be undertaken after the field work and reductions have been completed.

You will submit a portfolio of technical reports describing the instruments, methodology, data reduction, results and analysis of survey data from a series of in-class practical exercises. The portfolio will consist mostly of computational examples and short written analyses.

Task Length:

approximately 6-8 pages

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Collect data using survey methodologies and equipment	LO1
2	Compute reductions for measured survey data.	LO2
3	Assess the quality of the survey results.	LO3
4	Record survey field notes.	LO1
5	Identify factors that influence the outcomes of surveys.	LO3
6	Collect data using specialist equipment.	LO1

Assessment Task 6: Total Station Practical Test

Task Description:

You will have 2 hours in week 14 to complete a total station survey, reduce your observations, determine and correct the errors and identify the error sources in your survey.

This assessment is a unit hurdle task.

This test is a hurdle task for the unit.

Task Length:

2 hours of practical, computational and written tasks

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Collect survey data using a total station.	LO1
2	Collect data using standard total station survey procedures.	LO1
3	Reduce distance and angular data using standard computational techniques	LO2
4	Assess and correct errors in the survey data.	LO2, LO3
5	Explain error theory relevant to total station surveys.	LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

You will need to download a copy of the following online PDF-book:

Harvey, B.R. (2017). Survey Computations. School of Surveying and Spatial Information Systems, The University of New South Wales, Sydney.
https://www.sage.unsw.edu.au/sites/sage/files/u112/BRH_Survey_Comps%20textbook.pdf