Unit Outline

Everything on earth and in space has a location, and in modern society we use spatial information (i.e. positions) to understand the world around us and our place in it. The rise of easily-accessible location data via Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) has changed the way we live and significantly influenced how decisions are made, from the personal to corporate and government levels. Positioning via satellite has now become an indispensable tool in many industries and across scientific disciplines. As a result, individuals with expertise in GNSS positioning and applications are in high demand and will play a crucial role in advancing the economy, technology, industry and science.

Successful completion of this unit will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of GNSS theory and applications. You will learn about the underlying principles and operation of GNSS positioning including signal transmission, reception, and processing. You will also gain an understanding of the various sources of errors and biases in GNSS measurements and learn how to mitigate them during data collection and analysis. When working with GNSS data it is crucial that coordinate datums and transformations are well understood and correctly applied and so, at the beginning of the semester, we will also review the theory of coordinate definition and transformation. In the weekly hands-on activities and practical classes, students will develop skills in data collection and analysis to achieve different levels of positioning accuracy, from centimeter-level for surveying and geodesy applications to meter-level for navigation and mapping applications. You will also gain an understanding of the choices that are often required to be made between maintaining accuracy and precision, versus efficiency and cost when undertaking spatial data collection and analysis. Upon completion of this unit, you will have gained the skills and knowledge necessary to evaluate and select appropriate GNSS data collection and correction methodologies across a range of applications.

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.	Explain the relationship between GNSS theory and the accuracy of coordinated data.
2.	Evaluate coordinate definitions and transformations relevant to working with GNSS data.
3.	Develop professional methodologies for the collection, analysis and presentation of of GNSS data.
4.	Appraise GNSS survey outcomes in a scientific manner.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	KGG539

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.

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:	Coordinates Assignment	Week 8	10 %	LO2
Assessment Task 2:	GNSS Case Study	Week 14	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	GNSS Quizzes	Refer to Assessment Description	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	GNSS field surveys and data analysis	Refer to Assessment Description	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Coordinates Assignment

Task Description:

This assessment will develop your skills in understanding, interpreting and performing mathematical analyses on coordinate data. You will demonstrate understanding of the coordinate datums that are most commonly used in Australia, why they are important and how they are defined and implemented. Individual answers to specific computational and written answer questions will be submitted.

Task Length:

Approximately 7 computational and written questions relating to coordinate computation and definition.

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Evaluate coordinate computations using standard methodology	LO2
2	Explain the coordinate datums relevant to working with GNSS coordinate data.	LO2

Assessment Task 2: GNSS Case Study

Task Description:

You will be provided with a real-world scenario involving collecting and analysing GNSS data for a specific purpose. From the information provided and your knowledge of GNSS you will develop a work-plan for the given task and provide justification of your plan with respect to GNSS theory. The test will be held in-person but delivered online (i.e. you will need to attend campus to sit the test) and you will have 1-hour to complete it in week 14.

Task Length:

1 hour in-person, online case study analysis of a given example scenario. Submission of a work plan (including justification against GNSS theory) will be required.

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Develop GNSS field and analytical procedures for a given scenario.	LO2, LO3
2	Justify the selection of GNSS field and processing methodologies.	LO1
3	Explain the relationship between methodology and outcomes for GNSS surveys.	LO1

Assessment Task 3: GNSS Quizzes

Task Description:

Throughout semester you will be required to complete 3 online quizzes. Each quiz will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions relating to the unit curriculum from the preceding weeks. Students will be assessed on GNSS technical knowledge and understanding of coordinate systems. Quizzes will be held during tutorial class sessions in weeks 5, 9 and 13. Each quiz is worth 10% of your overall mark.

Task Length:

3x 1-hour in-class online quizzes

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain error theory in regard to GNSS data.	LO1
2	Evaluate coordinate datum information relevant to GNSS data.	LO2
3	Appraise GNSS field and processing procedures.	LO1, LO3
4	Evaluate GNSS survey outcomes.	LO4

Assessment Task 4: GNSS field surveys and data analysis

Task Description:

This assessment will develop your skills in using GNSS equipment for data collection and extend your ability to present results in a scientific format. You will be given a real-world client brief and undertake fieldwork, data processing and data analysis to meet that brief. These assessment tasks include planning and undertaking 3 - 6hrs of fieldwork to collect GNSS data on the Sandy Bay campus plus 6 - 9 hrs of data processing and analysis using specialist software.

The first report will describe the design, analysis and outcomes of a simple mapping exercise to collect and present data at a level of accuracy required for the majority of GNSS surveys. Much of the work required for this report will be conducted during practical classes in the first half of semester. The report will be due in week 7.

The second report will will describe the design, analysis and outcomes of a complex mapping exercise to collect and present data at a level of accuracy required for scientific GNSS surveys. Much of the work required for this report will be conducted during practical classes in the first half of semester. The report will be due in week 13.

Task Length:

2x Survey Reports - both reports will be approximately 6-10 pages in length and comprise a combination of written analysis and graphical presentation of scientific data.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Employ GNSS data collection methodologies for a given scenario.	LO3
2	Analyse GNSS survey data in a scientific manner.	LO3
3	Appraise the impact of a range of variables on the quality of results from a GNSS survey.	LO1, LO4
4	Communicate coordinate data in a scientific manner.	LO2, LO4

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.