SCHOOL OF SURVEYING & SPATIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS

GMAT 9 2 11

MODERN GEODESY AND APPLICATIONS

Course Outline – Session 2, 2008

Version: 24/07/2008

This document, and other material, is available at the Course Website:

http://www.gmat.unsw.edu.au/wang/gmat9211/home.htm
(User name and password supplied in class)

Page Table of Contents

2 Staff involved in the course and their contact details
2 Educational Aspects of the course
4 Course schedule
5 Assessment in the course
5 Course resources
6 Administrative matters

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1. Staff involved in the Course and their Contact Details

1.1 Lecturer and Course Convener: Dr. Jinling Wang (JLW)

Office: EE405 (Whenever present, you may just drop in)

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 9385 4203

1.2 Guest Lecturers:

Invited speakers from industry/government/academia.

1.3 Computing Supervisor: Dr Jack Wang/Nathan Knight

Contact details:
Office: EE216/EE402 (Whenever present, you may just drop in)
Phone: 54190/54185
Email: [email protected]

1.3 Staff absences during session:

Dr Jinling Wang will be off campus for the period of 15-19/9/2008. During this period, he can be
contacted by email at the above email address.

2. Educational Aspects of the Course

2.1 How this course relates to others in the program

This 6 UoC course is one of the elective courses for the postgraduate coursework programs within
the School of Surveying and Spatial Information Systems. This course is also an advanced elective
subject in the undergraduate program. It is based on the concepts learned and the skills gained in
other courses in the undergraduate program. Major topics of this course have close connections
with the subjects GMAT2700, GMAT3700 and GMAT9205. This course will focus more on the
modern geodetic techniques as well as the three pillars of geodesy.

2.2 Aim of the Course

This course aims to introduce you to (1) the fundamentals and modern concerns of geodesy, (2)
the concepts and computations in gravimetry and geoid determination, (3) recent developments in,
and applications of, global and satellite geodesy.

2.3 Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session you should be able to

a) Understand the basic concepts and classification of geodesy;
b) Explain the basic steps for gravity survey and geoid determination;
c) Describe the principles of major modern geodetic techniques: satellite altimetry, airborne
and satellite gravimetry, SLR/VLBI/DORRIS, Galileo/Glonass/Compass;
d) Apply the practical procedures of GPS heighting;
e) Appreciate the advantages and limitations of the various global/satellite geodetic
techniques;
f) Explain the trends in modern geodesy (such as GGOS);
g) Locate and use web-based resources for selected topics in geodesy.

2.4 Teaching Strategies

A variety of teaching activities will be included to achieve the optimal teaching and learning
outcomes. Major teaching activities in this course are:
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 1) Regular lectures
2) Tutorials and computing tasks
3) Invited lectures given by professionals from industry/government agencies
4) Class discussions
5) Regular quizzes and discussions on the questions from the quizzes
6) Essay writing

This course will provide students with significant reading materials from a range of topics in
modern geodesy.

2.5 Suggested Learning Methods

The most important factors in learning are studentsʼ commitment and learning methods. You are
encouraged to attend all the lectures and other teaching activities. In addition, relevant resources
on the web (visit the course website for details) are of great help in understanding the basic
concepts discussed in the lectures and the trends in the discipline.

Based on some studies by John Biggs, most active students in the class are not just to listen, see,
collect notes and take notes, but most importantly, they will “express understanding; raise issues,
speculate, solve problems, discuss, answer questions and reflect”.

Students are strongly encouraged to attend all the lectures and do sufficient preparation for class
discussions on selected topics.

2.6 UNSW Graduate Attributes

This course provides an environment that fosters in our students the following attributes is listed:

the skills involved in scholarly enquiry Significant

an in-depth engagement with relevant disciplinary knowledge in its interdisciplinary context Significant
the capacity for analytical and critical thinking and for creative problem solving Significant
the ability to engage in independent and reflective learning Significant
the skills to locate, evaluate and use relevant information (Information Literacy) Some
the capacity for enterprise, initiative and creativity Minimal
an appreciation of and respect for, diversity Some
a capacity to contribute to, and work within, the international community
the skills required for collaborative and multidisciplinary work Some
an appreciation of, and a responsiveness to, change
a respect for ethical practice and social responsibility

2.7 Course Evaluation and Development

The University has implemented a former procedure to collect your feedback on the course
through the Course and Teaching Evaluation and Improvement (CATEI) Process.

To achieve the optimal teaching and learning outcomes, your feedback on the course and the
teaching activities will be periodically gathered during the session, using various means. All the
constructive suggestions will be carefully considered during the teaching activities.

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3. Proposed Course Schedule
(Any changes will be notified in the class and at the course website)

Tuesday Tuesday
Week No. (Start 10:00am – 12:00am 12:00am - 1:00pm
date) QUAD 1049, Lectures EE401A, Tutorials

1 (28 July) Course Outline; Modern geodesy: an Web-based resources on geodesy

overview

2 (4 August) Fundamentals of physical geodesy Characteristics of surface spherical

harmonics in geoptential model

3 (11 August) Geoid Determination Practicing geoid computations with

online software packages

4 (18 August) GPS heighting Error analysis for GPS heighting

5 (25 August) Airborne and satellite gravimetry Web-based resources on modern

gravity missions

6 (1 September) Satellite orbit determination Classifications and applications of

GNSS based satellite orbit
determination; Reviewing the GPS
heighting assignment

7 (8 September) Satellite altimetry Web-based resources on satellite

altimetry

8 (15 September) SLR/DORIS and VLBI (invited talk) Web-based resources on

VLBI/SLR/DORIS

9 (22 September) New Global Navigation Satellite Systems Geodetic and time reference systems
(GNSS): Galileo/Glonass/Compass in modern GNSS

Break (27
September) Mid-Session Break Mid-Session Break

International GNSS Services (IGS) and Applications of modern IGS products

10 (6 October) Applications/Modern geodetic
infrastructure

Global Geodetic Observing System Web-based resources on

11 (13 October) (GGOS) GGOS/Preparation on Class
Discussions

12 (20 October) Class Discussions (presentations) Revision

*During the tutorials, students will use the internet to search for electronic resources on the lecture
topics and will prepare a summary of their findings/understanding on the assigned topics.

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4. Assessment in the Course

Assessment for the course includes:

• Essay task 15% (due week 10)
• Class discussion/participation 15%
• Tutorial submissions 20%
• Mini-quizzes during lectures 10%
• Assignment on GPS heighting 10% (due week 7)
• Final exam 30% (during the formal exam period)

Mini-Quizzes:
To reinforce the learning experience, mini-quizzes will be given during the lectures. Some typical
questions with short answers will be asked on the material presented in the PREVIOUS lecturing
period.

Class Discussions/participation:
Students should regularly attend the lectures and participate actively in class discussions during
the lectures. In addition, students are invited to give a presentation to the class during the session
and the scheduled class discussions in week 12. The scheduled class discussions aim (a) to
extend the scope of the contents provided in the lectures; (b) to advance your ability for
independent learning and critical analysis; (c) to provide an opportunity for developing your
presentation skills.

Attendance:
At least 80% attendance at the scheduled classes is necessary to achieve a satisfactory learning
outcome from this course.

The Essay task, Tutorials and GPS heighting assignments will be documented separately and
distributed to you during the lectures/tutorial sessions.

Final Exam will be in ʻclosed bookʼ format, but the ʻcomplicatedʼ formulae to be used in the exam
will be provided in the examination paper.

All assignments and assessment items should be submitted with a signed

Assessment Cover Sheet:

I declare that this assessment item is my own work, except where

acknowledged, and has not been submitted for academic credit elsewhere, and
acknowledge that the assessor of this item may, for the purpose of assessing
this item:

Reproduce this assessment item and provide a copy to another member of the
University; and/or,

Communicate a copy of this assessment item to a plagiarism checking service

(which may then retain a copy of the assessment item on its database for the
purpose of future plagiarism checking).

I certify that I have read and understood the University Rules in respect of
Student Academic Misconduct.

Signed: ....................................................date:

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5. Course Resources

5.1 Lecture Material (check the course website):

http://www.gmat.unsw.edu.au/wang/gmat9211/home.htm

The Powerpoint lecture slides are available for download as PDF files at the course website.
The lecture material will be supplemented by electronic resources on the web, such as:

What is Geodesy? http://www.geod.nrcan.gc.ca/geodesy/index_e.php

IAG Geoid Resources http://op.gfz-potsdam.de/iagwg/WG_links.html
International Earth Rotation Service (IERS) : http://www.iers.org/
The International Terrestrial Reference Frame ITRF: http://lareg.ensg.ign.fr/ITRF/
International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry: http://ivscc.gsfc.nasa.gov/
International Laser Ranging Service: http://ilrs.gsfc.nasa.gov/
International DORIS Service (IDS): http://ids.cls.fr/welcome.html
International GNSS Service: http://igscb.jpl.nasa.gov/
Russian Official GLONASS website: http://www.glonass-ianc.rsa.ru
Technical Materials on GPS/Glonass:
http://www.topcon.com.au/gps/GPSGLONASS.htm
http://www.oso.chalmers.se/~geo/glonass.html
History of Com. on Int. Coordination of Space Techniques for Geodesy and Geodynamics:
http://www.gfy.ku.dk/~iag/cstg.html
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs http://www.oosa.unvienna.org/index.html

More web-based resources are listed at the course website:

http://www.gmat.unsw.edu.au/wang/gmat9211/home.htm

Additional materials will be provided during the lectures.

5.2 Text and Reference Books

Heiskanen W.A. and Moritz H. (1967) Physical Geodesy, W H Freeman and Company, 364pp.

Kearsley W. (1997) Gravimetric Geoid Heights and GPS Heighting, Lecture Notes, UNSW.

Torge W. (1980) Geodesy, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, 254pp.

Seeber, G. (1993). Satellite Geodesy, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, 531pp.

Stolz, A. (1994). An Introduction to Geodesy, Monograph 16, School of Geomatic Engineering,

The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, 122pp.

Lambeck K. (1988). Geophysical Geodesy: The Slow Deformations of the Earth, Clarendon Press,
Oxford, 718pp.

Mueller, I. I. and S. Zerbini (1989). The Interdisciplinary Role of Space Geodesy. Springer-Verlag,
Berlin Heidelberg, New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, 300pp.

Sanso, F. and Rummel, R. (1989). Theory of Satellite Geodesy and Gravity Field Determination,
Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg, 491pp.

You can also obtain assistance from the UNSW Library to seek relevant resources. One
starting point for assistance is: http://info.library.unsw.edu.au/web/services/services.html

5.3 Computational Aids

Pocket calculators are required during lecturing hours, for tutorials in this course. They have to be
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hand-held, internally powered and silent. They must be brought to all lectures and tutorials.

Computer software relevant to this course and available in the School’s computer lab EE401a,
includes: Grav (for geoid determination). The instructions for the use of this software will be
available at the course website

6. Administrative Matters
6.1 Expected work load

At UNSW, the normal workload expectations of a student are 24-26 hours per session for each
unit of credit, including class contact hours, preparation and time spent on all assessable work.

To assist students with the organisation of their studies, the expected workloads of the various
components of the course are listed below. It is strongly suggested that students use the listed
hours to plan their work during session.

Lectures/tutorials (11 x 3hr) 33hr

Class discussions (week 12, 3hr + preparation, 12hr) 15hr
GPS heighting Assignment 10hr
Essay Task 26hr
Revision of Lectures, preparation of tutorial reports, background reading
72hr
(approximately 6hr x 12wk)
Total 156hr

6.2 Rules

Students should read the University Calendar or Student Guide for details of University Rules and
special considerations.

Students are reminded that the University regards academic misconduct as a very serious matter.
Unauthorised material must not be taken into a test or examination. The penalty for any
suspected academic misconduct ranges from zero mark for the assignment or exam involved,
through failure of the subject, to expulsion from the University. If absent from an examination,
class test or practical, students must submit written documentation to the University, via the
Student Centre in the Chancellery.

All assignments or practical reports are compulsory parts of the course and must be handed in by
the due date. A mark of zero will be given for any submission which violates this rule. OR The
marks for late submissions will be reduced as follows: -20% (of the maximum mark) for up to
24 hours after the scheduled submission time, then -10% (of the maximum mark) for each
additional 24 hour period late. (For example, a student submitting a report/assignment 4 days late
has his/her mark reduced by 4 if the maximum mark of the submission is 10.). Any late
submission must be made before solutions are issued to the class.

If a student is unable to submit on time due to illness or other legitimate reason, then a brief written
explanation must be given to the lecturer for consideration as soon as is feasible. In some cases
the lecturer may grant an extension to the submission date provided he has been contacted before
the due date.

Further assessment may be granted in this course at the lecturer's discretion. If further
assessment is granted then performance in tutorials may be considered as well as an oral exam
including use of a computer.

If students attend less than 80% of their possible classes they may be refused final assessment.

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6.3 Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the presentation of the thoughts or work of another as one’s own.*

Examples include:
• direct duplication of the thoughts or work of another, including by copying work, or knowingly
permitting it to be copied. This includes copying material, ideas or concepts from a book, article,
report or other written document (whether published or unpublished), composition, artwork, design,
drawing, circuitry, computer program or software, web site, Internet, other electronic resource, or
another person’s assignment without appropriate acknowledgement
• paraphrasing another person’s work with very minor changes keeping the meaning, form and/or
progression of ideas of the original;
• piecing together sections of the work of others into a new whole;
• presenting an assessment item as independent work when it has been produced in whole or part
in collusion with other people, for example, another student or a tutor; and,
• claiming credit for a proportion a work contributed to a group assessment item that is greater than
that actually contributed.†
Submitting an assessment item that has already been submitted for academic credit elsewhere may also
be considered plagiarism.
The inclusion of the thoughts or work of another with attribution appropriate to the academic discipline
does not amount to plagiarism.
Students are reminded of their Rights and Responsibilities in respect of plagiarism, as set out in the
University Undergraduate and Postgraduate Handbooks, and are encouraged to seek advice from
academic staff whenever necessary to ensure they avoid plagiarism in all its forms.
The Learning Centre website is the central University online resource for staff and student information on
plagiarism and academic honesty. It can be located at:
www.lc.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism
The Learning Centre also provides substantial educational written materials, workshops, and tutorials to
aid students, for example, in:
• correct referencing practices;
• paraphrasing, summarising, essay writing, and time management;
• appropriate use of, and attribution for, a range of materials including text, images, formulae and
concepts.
Individual assistance is available on request from The Learning Centre.
Students are also reminded that careful time management is an important part of study and one of the
identified causes of plagiarism is poor time management. Students should allow sufficient time for
research, drafting, and the proper referencing of sources in preparing all assessment items.
* Based on that proposed to the University of Newcastle by the St James Ethics Centre. Used with kind permission from the University of
Newcastle.
† Adapted with kind permission from the University of Melbourne.

The School's Plagiarism Statement can be found at:

http://www.gmat.unsw.edu.au/currentstudents/general/plagiarism.htm

6.4 Grievances

In the first instance all grievances should be discussed with the lecturer involved. If the problem
cannot be resolved, students should contact the School’s Grievance Officer in writing.