Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2025
Course Code: GEOM5186C
Course Title: Collect spatial data using a total station
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
Nominal Hours: 60
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 collect spatial data using a total station. This includes identifying control marks, equipment set-up and operation as well as data validation, correction and adjustments using industry-accepted methods to achieve required accuracy range.
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: |
CPPSSI4040 Collect spatial data using a total station |
Element: |
1. Prepare for spatial data collection |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Review project specifications, information and control marks and plan surveying tasks in consultation with appropriate persons. 1.2 Check site conditions to identify factors that could impact on operation of equipment. 1.3 Identify optimum equipment positions to improve accuracy and precision of measurements. 1.4 Comply with legislative and organisational requirements for workplace safety. |
Element: |
2. Operate total station |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Set up and check equipment according to manufacturer specifications. 2.2 Interpret equipment software menus and configurations and collect required spatial data and related attributes. 2.3 Measure identified survey components and reduce data according to job specifications. 2.4 Perform surveying calculations relating to height, distances, angles, bearings and coordinates 2.5 Measure and calculate basic spatial data based on control marks with known coordinates heights. 2.6 Validate and record legible measurements and computations according to job specifications and data collection plan. |
Element: |
3. Finalise spatial data collection |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Check and validate accuracy of spatial data by applying industry-accepted standards and procedures. 3.2 Take additional measurements where required and make adjustments to data to correct errors. 3.3 Download data and complete project documentation according to organisational requirements. 3.4 Store and file data in accordance with organisational and legislative 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 levelling Principles and Computations, set out Methods and Protocols, feature Survey Procedures and how to Set out Road Curves
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 |
Welcome and course overview In this session you will be introduced to the concepts and instruments used for the course, along with an outline of the assessment requirements. You will also learn the basics of setting up a total station successfully over a reference mark. |
Activity: Completing a four sided traverse with bearings |
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Session Two 21 – 27 July |
Introduction to elementary traversing using the Total Station In this session you will be introduced to the basic functions of the total station, the concept of bearing measurements and how to check angular accuracy (misclose).
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Activity: Introduction to bearing and distance measurements using the Total Station |
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Session Three 28 July – 3 August |
Traversing using the Total Station over Longer Distances In this session you will conduct a traverse survey to set up control over large distances |
Activity: Conduct a traverse survey to set up control over large distances |
|
Session Four 4 – 10 August |
Face Left (FL) and Face Right (FR) bearing measurements using a larger traverse In this session you will be will continue measuring on FL and FR using a larger traverse |
Activity: Face Left (FL) and Face Right (FR) bearing measurements using a larger traverse |
|
Session Five 11 – 17 August |
Basic set-out methods using a Flexline Total Station In this session you will learn the basics of completing a manual set-out using a total station. This will include computing the bearing and distance to each design point. |
Activity: Conduct a basic set-out methods using a Total Station |
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Session Six 18 – 24 August |
Setout Survey using TS16 Total Station Learning how to use the TS16 total station including using the stake to point function for a setout survey |
Activity: Conduct a setout survey using the TS16 total station |
|
Session Seven 25 – 31 August |
Setout Survey using Stake to Line Function Learning how to use the TS16 total station including using the stake to line function for a setout survey |
Activity: Conduct a setout survey using the the stake to line function |
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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. |
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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. |
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Session Eight 8 – 14 September |
Assignment 1 - Fieldwork Fieldwork component for Assignment 1
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Activity: conduct fieldwork for assignment 1 |
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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 |
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Session Ten 22 – 28 September |
Traversing Survey with the TS16 using Heights Learning how to conduct a traverse survey to set up control with the TS16 using heights |
Activity: conducting a traverse survey to set up control with the TS16 using heights |
|
Session Eleven 29 September – 5 October |
Feature Survey - Golf Course Use a resection to set up a total station and do a feature survey of the golf course at the Bundoora Campus |
Activity: conduct a feature survey of the golf course |
|
Session Twelve 6 – 12 October |
Feature Survey - Athletics Track Use a resection to set up a total station and do a feature survey of the athletics track at the Bundoora Campus |
Activity: conduct a feature survey of the athletics track |
|
Session Thirteen 13 – 19 October |
Horizontal Curve Setout Computations Learn how to do the computations required to calculate the bearings and distances required to setout a horizontal curve for a road design |
Activity: conduct the computations required to complete a horizontal curve setout |
|
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 |
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Session Seventeen 10 – 16 November |
Addressing Assignment Feedback |
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Session Eighteen 17 – 23 November |
Addressing Assignment Feedback |
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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 recourses 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
| Assessment 1 - Building Setout | Conduct a survey to setout the corners of a parcel of land and the corners of a building to be constructed | Week 1 | Week 9 |
| Assessment 2 - Curve Setout | Conduct a survey to setout an alignment of a horizontal transition curve for a road | Week 1 | Week 15 |
Assessment Matrix
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Foundation Skills – This section is only completed when foundation are explicitly stated in the unit of competency. In most Training Packages the foundation skills are integrated into the unit of competency and this is clearly stated. Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
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Performance Evidence | ||
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To demonstrate competency a candidate must meet the elements and performance criteria of this unit by collecting spatial data using a total station for two different tasks selected from:
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Assessment Task 1: |
Assessment Task 2: |
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a minimum of five 3‑D traverse legs |
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resections to a minimum of four control points |
Part 2(2.3) |
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spot level and detail surveys over a minimum of 500 m2 area |
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Part 2 (2.5) |
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pick up building outlines using reflectorless radiations. |
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Knowledge Evidence To be competent in this unit a candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
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Assessment Task 1: Shed Setout Project |
Assessment Task 2: House Setout Project |
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methods for setting up, levelling and adjusting equipment |
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KQ1 |
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types, functions and accuracies of total stations used in surveying |
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KQ2 |
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methods for calculating spatial data and verifying its accuracy |
KQ1 |
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mathematical concepts relating to algebra, trigonometry and geometry and their use in calculating basic spatial measurements |
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Part 1 (manual computations) |
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methods for downloading data collected using terrestrial technologies |
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KQ3 |
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formats and documentation used for recording spatial data collected using total stations. |
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KQ4 |
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Assessment conditions |
Describe how assessments meet the assessment conditions |
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Assessors must meet the requirements for assessors contained in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations. |
All assessors meet the requirements for conducting the training and assessment for this unit. This includes:
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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. |
This assessment will be conducted at the Bundoora Geospatial Science Field Station to simulate an industry environment. All the latest equipment is provided in line with current industry practices. |
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Candidates must have access to:
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All elements are provided for the student throughout the training and assessment of this unit. This includes:
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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 fi nd more information about services off ered 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.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview