CSM1045 | 2025/6 | University of Exeter

MODULE TITLE	Surveying and Digital Mapping	CREDIT VALUE	15
MODULE CODE	CSM1045	MODULE CONVENER	Dr Andrew Wetherelt (Coordinator), Neill Wood (Coordinator)

DURATION: TERM	1	2	3
DURATION: WEEKS	11	0	0

Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated)	70

DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Surveying is a multidisciplinary skill that is applied to any area of science and engineering that requires the accurate measurement of natural and manmade features on the Earth’s surface. This applied module offers an opportunity to learn the fundamental surveying techniques, equipment and mathematics.

The course begins with the fundamental surveying techniques. This includes using surveying equipment to make spatial measurements (angles, distances and elevations), as well as the theory and mathematics involved with establishing control networks and use coordinate systems. As the module advances you will be introduced to how global navigation satellite systems are used in surveying, and be given an introduction to setting out and engineering surveying. This module is delivered in the form of lectures, workshops and practical sessions.

As well as learning the more traditional surveying methods and computational skills, the module also covers modern methods, including the use of total stations and the application of GNSS in surveying. You will also learn about the use of digital mapping techniques in surveying (AutoCAD), in particular with the manipulation and presentation of geospatial data. The practical sessions and workshops will allow you to use a variety of surveying equipment to further enhance the learning experience. No prior knowledge of surveying is necessary and there are no pre-requisite modules needed to take this module.

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the fundamental surveying techniques and introduces the standard surveying equipment (levels, theodolites, GNSS receivers and total stations). The course continues to examine other methods of survey control and detail data capture, along with the computational skills required for these methods. By the end of this module the student should have all of the necessary skills to complete a topographic survey.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1 Understand the aims of surveying and the role of the surveyor in engineering;

2 Define coordinate systems on different scales and understand their origins and uses, and utilise the sexagesimal system of angular measurement;

3 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of different surveying techniques, including levelling, angle and distance measurement, traversing and coordinate calculations, area calculations, GNSS and setting out;

4 Display competency in the application of surveying techniques to obtain data including elevations from levelling equipment, angular measurements with a theodolite and distance measurement using EDMs/tapes;

5 Demonstrate the correct methods for booking data, perform the appropriate survey calculations, and critically analyse results;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

6 Prove knowledge and capability in the use of digital mapping software (AutoCAD);

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:

7 Use a wide range of academic skills in data acquisition (through the application of equipment), interpretation (through calculation) and communication of results;

8 Collect data from a range of sources and perform simple research tasks with external guidance;

9 Illustrate mapping skills through field-based activities and assessments;

10 Exemplify interactive and group-working skills throughout surveying exercises exercises;

11 Apply given methods accurately and carefully to a well-defined problem and begin to appreciate the complexity of the issues in the discipline.

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Topic 1 – Introduction to Surveying: purpose of surveying, types of surveying, origination of coordinate systems, true, grid and magnetic north derivations, sexagesimal angular measurement, equipment used in surveying, outline of surveying techniques, introduction to mathematics in surveying (lecture, example sheet 1, classroom-based tutorial);

Topic 2 – Levelling: levelling techniques and purpose, vertical coordinate systems, equipment and types of levels used, booking of data, levelling calculations and checks, trigonometrical levelling methods, errors involved with levelling (lecture, example sheet 2, practical-based tutorial);

Topic 3 – Measuring Angles and Distances: types of theodolites and an explanation of their use, methods of reading both the horizontal and vertical circles, booking of data and consequent reduction and calculations, measuring of distances with EDMs (electromagnetic distance measurement), tapes and steel bands, linear surveying procedure, stadia tacheometry, errors involved in measuring angles and distances (lecture, example sheet 3, practical-based tutorial);

Topic 4 – Traversing and Coordinate Calculations: purpose and types of control surveys, traversing procedure including both an example of closed coordinate and open / link traverses, equipment specifications and choices, calculation procedures for closed traverses including angular adjustment, converting angles to bearings, partial coordinate calculations, traverse accuracy, Bowditch adjustments and subsequent coordinate calculations (lecture, example sheet 4, classroom-based tutorial);

Topic 5 – Detail Surveying: what is detail surveying, planning a topographical survey, role of a control network, methods of detail surveying, topographical features, data processing and the production of maps and plans (lecture);

Introduction to AutoCAD (Lecture): what is AutoCAD, uses of AutoCAD, AutoCAD in surveying, AutoCAD commands and features, creating a layout, scale and AutoCAD units, creating a border;

AutoCAD Workshops: a series of workshops to provide support during the production of a topographic plan;

Topic 6 – Introduction to GNSS: development and importance of GNSS, different types of GNSS and applications, application of GNSS in surveying, GNSS positioning methods, errors in GNSS (lecture);

Topic 7 – Setting Out and Area Calculations: aims, principles and methods of setting out, uses and applications of setting out, control methods, equipment used in setting out, volume surveys, worked area calculations for straight and irregular bounded shapes (lecture, example sheet 5);

Topic 8 - Revision Session: at the end of term there will be a tutorial session covering the mathematics and theory covered during the module in preparation for the closed book examination (lecture, tutorial).

(Syllabus plan may be subject to change during term time).

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities	40	Guided Independent Study	110	Placement / Study Abroad	0

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity	23	Lectures and tutorials
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity	11	Practicals
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity	6	Workshops
Guided Independent Study	110	Lecture and assessment preparation; private study and reading; formative and summative assessment; exam revision

ASSESSMENT

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

Form of Assessment	Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)	ILOs Assessed	Feedback Method
Example Sheets (covering questions following each of the major topics)	n/a	2-5, 7-8, 10-11	In-class group discussion, individual feedback on request
Practical Workshops	n/a	1-5, 7-11	In-class group discussion

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework	40	Written Exams	60	Practical Exams	0

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment	% of Credit	Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)	ILOs Assessed	Feedback Method
Individual Levelling Assignment - individual calculations and report following a practical exercise	20	5 pages including calculations (1,000 words equivalent)	1-5, 7-11	Written feedback; verbal feedback on request
Individual AutoCAD Assignment – production of a scale topographic plan using data collected from a practical exercise	20	A4 or A3 plan and electronic copy of CAD File (1000 words equivalent)	1-11	Written feedback; verbal feedback on request
Examination	60	2 hours	1-5, 7, 11	Tutor Meeting on request

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

Original Form of Assessment	Form of Re-assessment	ILOs Re-assessed	Time Scale for Re-reassessment
Assignments	Additional Assignment	As above	August Ref/Def period
Examination	Additional Examination	As above	August Ref/Def period

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

If a student is referred or deferred, the failed / non-completed component(s) will be re-assessed at the same weighting as the original assessment.

RESOURCES

INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic Reading:

ELE - http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Web-Based and Electronic Resources:

CSM1045 Surveying and Digital Mapping ELE homepage – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=8059

Reading list for this module:

Type	Author	Title	Edition	Publisher	Year
Set	Bannister, A., Raymond, S. and Baker, R.	Surveying	7th edition	Longman	1998
Set	Irvine, W. and Maclennan, F.	Surveying for Construction	5th edition	McGraw-Hill	2005
Set	Uren, J. and Price, W.F.	Surveying for Engineers	5th edition	Palgrave-Macmillan	2010

CREDIT VALUE	15	ECTS VALUE	7.5

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES	None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES	None

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)	4	AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING	No
ORIGIN DATE	Tuesday 11th June 2019	LAST REVISION DATE	Monday 24th March 2025

KEY WORDS SEARCH	Engineering Surveying; Control Surveys; Topographical Surveys; Coordinate Systems; GNSS; Digital Mapping; AutoCAD

Surveying and Digital Mapping - 2025 entry