Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2025

Course Code: BUIL6451C

Course Title: Plan and conduct field surveying operations

School: 530T Built Environment and Sustainability

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4417 - Certificate IV in Surveying and Spatial Information Services

Course Contact: Matthew Sweeney

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4105

Course Contact Email: matthew.sweeney@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Simon Shachter | Course Coordinator

College of Vocational Education

RMIT University

+61 39925 8983

simon.shachter@rmit.edu.au   

www.rmit.edu.au

 

 

Nominal Hours: 40

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to organise and conduct field surveying operations. This includes planning and preparing equipment and supplies to meet task and work health and safety requirements for field surveying operations. The course also includes completing surveying operations in the field and cleaning, checking, maintaining and storing equipment after the field work is completed.

This course is suitable for entry-level technicians who use a broad range of cognitive, technical and communication skills to select and apply a range of methods, tools, materials and information to complete routine and non-routine activities and provide and transmit solutions to a variety of predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems.

 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CPPSSI4032 Plan and conduct field surveying operations

Element:

1. Plan field surveying operation

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify field surveying objectives, principal work activities and site location in consultation with appropriate persons. 1.2 Analyse plans and other relevant information to determine the location of services and site references. 1.3 Determine spatial data specifications, required resources, constraints, and WHS requirements. 1.4 Identify hazards, assess risks and integrate risk control measures into field services plan according to organisational requirements. 1.5 Develop a job schedule with allocated tasks and timeframes. 1.6 Plan logistics according to location, duration and size of field trip and resupply requirements. 1.7 Plan contingency procedures in case of unforeseen events according to organisational requirements. 1.8 Prepare equipment and vehicles and load and secure supplies according to organisational requirements. 1.9 Prepare and allocate safety equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE) for field work.

Element:

2. Carry out field surveying activities

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Locate, prepare and maintain surveying field site according to task and organisational requirements. 2.2 Conduct surveying activities to meet objectives, timeframes and WHS requirements, and to minimise environmental impact. 2.3 Determine and record feature positions in two distinct systems, analogue and digital. 2.4 Monitor surveying activities against planned schedules and objectives.

Element:

3. Finalise field surveying operation

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Restore site as near as practicable to original condition and dispose of waste according to organisational requirements. 3.2 Clean and store tools and equipment in a secure location according to organisational requirements. 3.3 Check equipment, report problems and organise any necessary repairs according to organisational requirements. 3.4 Complete documentation and check against job specifications. 3.5 Report job completion to appropriate persons according to organisational requirements.


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements. 


Details of Learning Activities

 You will learn to:

- OHS analysis processes including emergency planning 

- Planning for surveying operations 

- Scheduling tasks and developing project timeframes 

- Completing field-based activities 

- Quality assurance checks during field operations 

- Completing documentation and finalising project requirements 

The total number of scheduled hours of teaching, learning and assessment involved in this course includes all planned activities (face to face classes, lectures, workshops and seminars; workplace visits, online learning and other forms of structured teaching and learning). It also covers the amount of effort necessary to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, observation of work performance, discussions with supervisors and others providing third party evidence and one on one and group assessment sessions with students.

 


Teaching Schedule

 

  

Session/Date

Theme

Activities/Assessments

Session One

14 -20 July 

Introduction to Levelling 

Discussing what we will be learning throughout the course during the semester and given a demonstration on the equipment used throughout the course

 

Activity: Demonstration on the equipment used throughout the course

Session Two

21 – 27 July

Levelling Computations

Learn how to fill in a levelling sheet while conducting a levelling survey and how to complete the computations required to transfer elevations from a known point to an unknown point

 

Activity: Conduct calculations required to transfer elevations from a known point to an unknown point

Session Three

28 July – 3 August

Levelling Between Known Marks - BW32 to BW20 to BW28

Learn how to Conduct a level run between two known marks including the computations involved

Activity: Conduct a level run between three known marks

Session Four

4 – 10 August

Levelling Between Known Marks with a change point- BW32 to BW15

Learn how to Conduct a level run between two known marks including the computations involved

Activity: Conduct a level run between two known marks

Session Five

11 – 17 August

Levelling using Intermediaries 

Learn how conduct a traverse survey using intermediaries 

Activity: conduct a level run that includes intermediate measurements

Session Six

18 – 24 August

Setting up Using a Resection

Learn how to set up a total station using the resection method using three known marks

Activity: conduct a resection using three known marks

Session Seven

25 – 31 August

Assignment 1 - Practice Example

Learn how to conduct a levelling survey similar to assignment 1 in order to learn the principles involved

Activity: conduct a levelling survey that is similar to assignment 1

Census Date

1 September 

The Census Date is the last day you can withdraw from this course without financial penalty. If you need to withdraw from this course, you must do so before this date to avoid additional student fees. 

 

Mid-semester break

1 – 7 September

The Mid-semester break is a scheduled break in the semester. No teaching or assessment will occur during this time. Also, your Trainer/Assessor won't be available during this time. If you need to contact them, please email them via your student email account, and they will respond once they return from the break. 

 

Session Eight

8 – 14 September

Assignment 1 - Fieldwork

Fieldwork component for assignment 1

 

Activity: conduct fieldwork for assignment 1

Session Nine

15 – 21 September

Assignment 1 - Documentation and Report

Session to spend time ensure that field notes from the fieldwork from assignment 1 are neat and contain all the required information. A report to the client details the survey results will also be conducted

Activity: finalise field notes and writing report to client for assignment 1

Session Ten

22 – 28 September

Resection Computations

Learning to calculate the coordinate for a point based on measurements to two points with known coordinates.

Activity: conduct computations for a resections

Session Eleven

29 September – 5 October

Recovery Survey - Golf Course

Learning how to setup total station on datum and traversing to a point with a known coordinate

Activity: conduct recovery survey to find known point

Session Twelve

6 – 12 October

Recovery Survey - Athletics track

Learning how to setup total station on datum and traversing to a point with a known coordinate

Activity: conduct recovery survey to find known point

Session Thirteen

13 – 19 October

Assignment 2 - Practice Example

Learn how to conduct a survey similar to assignment 2 in order to learn the principles involved

Activity: conduct a survey that is similar to assignment 2

Session Fourteen

20 – 26 October

Assignment 2 - Fieldwork

Fieldwork component for assignment 2

Activity: conduct fieldwork for assignment 2

Session Fifteen

27 October – 2 November

Assignment 2 - Documentation and Report

Session to spend time ensure that field notes from the fieldwork from assignment 2 are neat and contain all the required information. A report to the client details the survey results will also be conducted

 Activity: finalise field notes and writing report to client for assignment 2

Session Sixteen

3 – 9 November

Assignment Feedback 

Time allocated to finalising assignments based on assessors feedback

Activity: finalise and amend assignments based on feedback

Session Seventeen

10 – 16 November

Addressing Assignment Feedback

 

Session Eighteen

17 – 23 November

Addressing Assignment Feedback

 

Official Results Release Date

1 December

Important: It is your responsibility to check your results on this date.

Your official results for this course will be released on this date. Your teacher will not inform you of your final result. It will only be available via My Student Record on RMIT's website. 

It is not your Trainer/Assessors responsibility to let you know your final result. 

Your teacher will not be available to comment on your assessment or final results from 18-29 June 2022. After this date, you can contact them to talk about your final result if you need it. 

 
                                


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

All other resources can be found on Canvas


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your written tasks. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS. 


Assessment Tasks

Assignment 1 - Leveling Survey Conduct a survey to transfer an AHD height to a temporary benchmark and the use that to perform a grid level survey across a parcel of land Start of Week 1 End of Week 9
Assignment 2 - Control Survey Conduct a survey using GNSS to establish new control points around a parcel of land Start of Week 1 End of Week 15


Assessment Matrix

Element

      

Performance criteria

      

 

      

 

      

 

      

 

      

Assessment

      Task 1: Title

      

Assessment

Task 2: Title

      

1. Plan field surveying operation.

 

 

 

      

1.1 Identify field surveying objectives, principal work activities and site location in consultation with appropriate persons.

      

A (1.1,1.2,1.3)

 

B (2.1,2.2,2.3)

      

A (1.1,1.2,1.3)

      

1.2. Analyse plans and other relevant information to determine the location of services and site references.

      

B (2.2,2.3, 

      

A (1.3)

      

1.3. Determine spatial data specifications, required resources, constraints, and WHS requirements

      

B (1.1,1.2,2.4,2.5)

 

 

      

B (1.1,1.2,1.4,1.5)

      

1.4. Identify hazards, assess risks and integrate risk control measures into field services plan according to organisational requirements.

      

A (3.5)

B (1.1,1.2,1.3,1.4, 

      

B (2.3)

      

1.5 Develop a job schedule with allocated tasks and timeframes

      

B (2.10)

      

B (1.11)

      

1.6 Plan logistics according to location, duration and size of field trip and resupply requirements

      

B (2.1,2.2,2.3,2.5)

 

      

B (1.1,1.2,1.3, 1.5,1.6,1.7,1.8)

      

1.7 Plan contingency procedures in case of unforeseen events according to organisational requirements

      

B (1.4)

      

A (3.4)

 

B (1.8)

 

      

1.8 Prepare equipment and vehicles and load and secure supplies according to organisational requirements

      

A (3.1,3.7)

B (2.5,2.6, 3.1)

      

A (2.1)

B (1.5,1.6,1.9,2.1)

      

1.9 Prepare and allocate safety equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE) for field work

      

A (3.6)

B (1.2, 2.5) 

 

      

B (1.5)

 

      

2. Carry out field surveying activities.

 

 

 

 

      

2.1. Locate, prepare and maintain surveying field site according to task and organisational requirements. 

      

A (3.2,3.3,3.4)

 

B (2.3, 3.2)

 

      

A (1.3)

 

B (1.3,1.7)

 

      

2.2. Conduct surveying activities to meet objectives, timeframes and WHS requirements, and to minimise environmental impact.

      

A (3.5-3.9, 4.1-4.4)

 

 

      

A (3.1-3.5)

      

2.3. Determine and record feature positions in two distinct systems, analogue and digital

      

A (3.8,3.9)

 

      

B (1.10,2.2)

      

2.4. Monitor surveying activities against planned schedules and objectives.

      

A (4.1)

      

 

      

3. Finalise field surveying operation.

 

 

      

3.1. Restore site as near as practicable to original condition and dispose of waste according to organisational requirements.

      

A (4.4)

      

A (3.5)

      

3.2. Clean and store tools and equipment in a secure location according to organisational requirements.

      

A (5.1)

      

 

      

3.3. Check equipment, report problems and organise any necessary repairs according to organisational requirements.

      

A (5.2)

      

 

      

3.4 Complete documentation and check against job specifications.

      

B (4.1,4.2)

      

B (3.1)

      

3.5 Report job completion to appropriate persons according to organisational requirements.

      

B (4.3)

      

B (3.3)

      

 

Performance Evidence  

      

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy the requirements below

      

Assessment

Task1:  Title

      

Assessment

Task 2: Title

 

      

To demonstrate competency a candidate must meet the elements and performance criteria of this unit by:

  • planning two field surveying operations, one of which must be in a remote or isolated area
  • carrying out field surveying tasks for one of the above planned operations.
      

Planning for field survey operations implemented for a levelling project. Carrying out the project completed and assessed.

      

Planning for field survey operations implemented for a total station project. Carrying out the project completed and assessed. 

This project is simulated to be in a remote location (LePage Homestead RMIT field site)

      

 

Knowledge Evidence  

      

To be competent in this unit a candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

      

Assessment

Task1:  Title

      

Assessment

Task 2: Title

 

      

planning and organising techniques and their application to field surveying work

 

      

KQ1

      

 

      

use of maps, photographs and other available data for planning activities.

 

      

KQ2

      

 

      

types and uses of surveying equipment.

 

      

KQ3

      

 

      

hazards, risks and risk control measures for field operations

 

      

KQ4

 

      

 

      

contingency procedures in the event of unforeseen events according to organisational requirements

 

      

 

      

KQ1

      

emergency communication procedures, including use of distress beacons.

 

      

 

      

KQ2

      

emergency equipment and procedures, including when working in remote and isolated areas.

 

      

 

      

KQ3

      

procedures for minimising the impact on the environment from field work activities.

 

      

 

      

KQ4

      

 

Assessment conditions

      

Describe how assessments meet the assessment conditions

      

Assessors must meet the requirements for assessors contained in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations.

      

Assessors need to satisfy the assessor requirements for delivering this unit. Assessors to have appropriate industry experience and knowledge This to be managed by the training manager

      

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting where these skills and knowledge would be performed.

 

      

Assessments reflect the workspace environment.

Assessors to have appropriate industry experience and knowledge

      

Candidates must have access to

      

communications equipment appropriate to field site location

 

      

UHF Radios are used in both AT1 & AT2 for communications on site

      

emergency and personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate to the operation

 

      

PPE is documented and included in the observation checklist for both AT1 & AT2. UHF Radios are used in both AT1 & AT2 for emergency response procedures

      

relevant equipment and instruments for field survey

 

      

AT2 includes scanning total station to complete the field surveying operations

      

organisational procedures and documentation relating to work health and safety (WHS).

 

      

Students are provided with documentation relating to work health and safety (WHS) through RMIT links and evacuation plans.

      

 

Other Information

Attendance Requirement - 85% for all students.
Resubmission Policy: To pass this course, students must achieve a Satisfactory (S) result for all their Assessments (and parts of those assessments).
Students who do not achieve a Satisfactory (S) result for their entire original submission for an Assessment will be provided with 1 (one) more submission opportunity (e.g. the resubmission) with a specific due date by their assessor. Students must achieve a Satisfactory (S) result on their resubmission for that Assessment, by the due date given to them by their Assessor.
Students who fail to submit their assessment by the due date will be issued a DNS (Did Not Submit) result which will not be overturned by teaching or managing staff . A DNS result will be overturned based on an approved Extension of Time or approved Special Consideration.
To be deemed Competency Achieved, students must achieve a satisfactory result in all assessment tasks. Students who fail to receive a Satisfactory result on all assessment tasks and have exhausted their resubmissions, extension of time applications, special consideration applications or Equitable Learning Plan provisions will be deemed as Not Yet Competent.
Credit Transfer and/or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
You may be eligible for credit towards courses in your program if you have already met the learning/competency outcomes through previous learning and/or industry experience. To be eligible for credit towards a course, you must demonstrate that you have already completed learning and/or gained industry experience that is:
Please refer to
http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit
to find more information about credit transfer and RPL.
Study and learning Support:
Study and Learning Centre (SLC) provides free learning and academic development advice to you.
Services offered by SLC to support your numeracy and literacy skills are:
- Assignment writing, thesis writing and study skills advice
Relevant
Current
Satisfies the learning/competency outcomes of the course
- Maths and science developmental support and advice
- English language development
Please Refer
http://www.rmit.edu.au/studyandlearningcentre
to find more information about Study and learning Support
Equitable Learning Services (ELS):
If you are suffering from long-term medical condition or disability, you should contact Equitable Learning Services (ELS) to seek advice and support to complete your studies.
Please refer to
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/equitable-learning-services
to find more information about services offered by Equitable Learning Services (ELS).
Late submission:
If you require an Extension of Submittable Work (assignments, reports or project work etc.) for 7 calendar days or less (from the original due date) and have valid reasons, you must complete and lodge an Application for Extension of Submittable Work (7 Calendar Days or less) form and lodge it with the Senior Educator/ Program Manager.
The application must be lodged no later than one working day before the official due date. You will be notified within no more than 2 working days of the date of lodgment as to whether the extension has been granted.
If you seek an Extension of Submittable Work for more than 7 calendar days (from the original due date) must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form under the provisions of the Special Consideration Policy, preferably prior to, but no later than 2 working days after the official due date.
Submittable Work (assignments, reports or project work etc.) submitted late without approval of an extension will not be accepted or marked.
Special consideration:
Please Refer
http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration
to find more information about special consideration
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is a form of cheating and it is very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University.
Please Refer:
www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity
to find more information about plagiarism.
Other Information:
All email communications will be sent to your RMIT email address and you must regularly check your RMIT emails.

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