A practical course on land surveying. Only available during the summer. Only 2 weeks long, but very intense schedule. Start at 9:30 in the morning and end at around 4:30 in the afternoon. First week: morning lecture in the classroom and afternoon field work on the main field. Final exam on Sunday. Second week: field work all day to collect data to make a map for your final project.

Introduction: definitions, basic geography, types of surveys, surveying methods, coordinate systems, types of north, whole-circle bearing, cartesian calculations, scale, units, significant figures, field notes. Error and Uncertainty: mistake vs. error, sources of error, precision vs. accuracy, basic statistics, error propagation, minimum accuracy. Levelling: how to setup a tripod over a point, definitions, differential levelling, curvature and refraction effects, benchmarks, how to use a level, how to use and read a levelling rod, step-by-step procedure on how to find the elevation difference between two points using differential levelling, reciprocal levelling, three-wire levelling, two peg test, level loop, booking and reduced level calculations, error and precision. Distance Measurem...read more

Tried to lighten workload by cancelling certain activities. Sometimes disorganized, and TAs were also sometimes clueless.

This course is more physically demanding than academically. The theoretical concepts are presented in a very thorough way, but what you actually need to remember for the assignment, project, and final is much less. The assignment and final are mostly recycled year after year. The tight schedule and large fieldwork component means you will be working outside regardless of the weather, so make sure to rest well and dress appropriately. Never erase anything from your fieldbook; the TAs will get triggered. You will be working with a partner for the fieldwork component. Make sure you get along with them as they can either make your life much easier or much harder.