Module Identifier EAM1220  
Module Title SPATIAL DATA ACQUISITION  
Academic Year 2005/2006  
Co-ordinator Dr Paul A Brewer  
Semester Semester 1  
Course delivery Lecture    
  Practical   Includes 2 field based practicals  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment 1) 2, 000 word laboratory practical project report on secondary data acquisition and processing.40%
Semester Assessment 2) 1,500 word `consultancy report - on the field application of DGPS.30%
Semester Assessment 3) 1,500 word GPR project: processing, analysis and interpretation of GPR profiles.30%
Supplementary Assessment Not available, module must be retaken. 

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Identify and acquire a range of secondary spatial data sources of relevance to the geographical, earth, and environmental sciences

2. Convert analogue spatial data to digital spatial data within a GIS framework

3. Acquire georeferenced spatial data in the field using DGPS

4. Acquire and interpret subsurface data using GPR techniques

Brief description

The first part of the module will deal with issues relating to the acquisition of secondary datasets (both analogue [e.g. maps and aerial photography) and digital [e.g. Digital maps, DEMs, LiDAR). The second half of module will provide students with training in the acquisition of primary datasets using surface topographic survey (total station and differential GPS) subsurface (GPR) techniques.

Content

The main themes covered in this module are:
  1. Types and sources of secondary spatial data - maps and map projections, aerial photographs and LiDAR (1 week)
  2. Acquisition and processing of spatial digital data - Landmap and Digimap (2 weeks)
  3. Converting analogue spatial data to digital spatial data - map and AP digitizing techniques ( 2 weeks)
  4. Land survey techniques - total station (1 week)
  5. Land survey techniques - DGPS (2 weeks)
  6. Sub-surface surveying techniques (2 weeks)

Module Skills

Problem_solving None  
Research skills Developed through training provided in digitizing, GIS, DPS and GPR  
Communication None  
Improving own Learning and Performance Practice in writing scientific reports, development of new GIS and land-survey skilss  
Team work Several laboratory and field-based exercises will involve group work, both in terms of data processing and data interpretation  
Information Technology Use of state-of-the-art GIS and DGPS processing packages. Excel. Use of web-based databases for acquisition of spatial datasets  
Application of Number Coordinate geometry will be used in DGPS processing  
Personal Development and Career planning None  
Subject Specific Skills Training will be provided in the use of state-of-the-art DGPS equipment  

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Ackroyd, N. and Lorimer, R. (1994) Global navigation : a GPS user's guide Lloyd's of London Press
B. Hofmann-Wellenhof, H. Lichtenegger, and J. Collins. (2001) Global positioning system : theory and practice. Springer-Verlag: New York

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7