Course Title: Conduct geodetic surveys

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2025

Course Code: GEOM5174C

Course Title: Conduct geodetic surveys

School: 530T Built Environment and Sustainability

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5416 - Diploma of Surveying

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

Thierry Demathieu | Trainer and Assessor - Building, Surveying and Land Management

College of Vocational Education

RMIT University

+61 39925 8359

thierry.demathieu@rmit.edu.au   

www.rmit.edu.au

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 conduct a survey of a land area in which corrections are made for the curvature of the earth’s surface. This includes applying reference surfaces and projection planes to geodetic components and performing geodetic calculations. The course also includes using a range of coordinate systems, such as Map Grid of Australia and Geocentric Datum of Australia to manage surveying data.

This course is suitable for skilled surveying technicians and skilled spatial information system (SIS) technicians who use a broad range of cognitive, technical and communication skills to select and apply methods and technologies to analyse information and provide solutions to sometimes complex surveying/spatial information problems.

 

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CPPSSI5058 Conduct geodetic surveys
Element:	1. Prepare for geodetic survey
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Analyse standards, specifications and information in plans and drawings to determine survey requirements. 1.2 Schedule key activities and timelines according to available resources, and project and organisational requirements. 1.3 Apply safe work practices, use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and strategies to manage risk and contingencies according to organisational requirements. 1.4 Determine specialised equipment required for geodetic survey according to project specifications. 1.5 Check equipment for correct operation and functionality according to manufacturer specifications.
Element:	2. Plan geodetic survey
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Select relevant reference surface and projection plane for geodetic components to meet project requirements. 2.2 Obtain and validate existing survey control data according to project and organisational requirements.
Element:	3. Carry out geodetic surveying tasks
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Measure identified surveying components according to project specifications. 3.2 Reduce measured surveying data according to project requirements and specifications. 3.3 Validate and record measurements according to project specifications and industry-accepted standards. 3.4 Identify and resolve discrepancies between specifications and actual results according to organisational requirements.
Element:	4. Finalise geodetic survey
Performance Criteria:	4.1 Check survey for compliance with project and organisational requirements. 4.2 Notify appropriate persons of survey results according to organisational requirements. 4.3 Check and store surveying equipment in accordance with manufacturer specifications and organisational requirements. 4.4 Record technical information, complete survey documentation and archive data 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

Completing these assessment tasks allows students to demonstrate their ability to:

• Prepare resources for geodetic surveys using GNSS equipment 
• Develop project planning for various methods of GNSS surveying 
• Undertake network surveying methods to achieve high accuracies using GNSS for geodetic purposes 
• Use both the total station and GNSS instruments to complete geodetic surveys 
• Demonstrate complex post-processing workflows using a least squares adjustment 
• Analysis of network data to determine optimal solutions and predictions of accuracies 
• Compile final deliverables for submission to client 

 

    

Teaching Schedule

Session	Brief	Assessment details
Date: 14-20 July   Session: 1	Introduction to GNSS and Geodetic Field Surveying and Assessments
Date: 21-27 July   Session: 2	Introduction to Geodetic Field Surveying and Assessments
Date: 28 July - 3 August   Session: 3	GNSS Connection to MGA	Activity 1
Date: 4-10 August   Session: 4	Feature Survey and Validation Methods	Activity 2
Date: 11-17 August   Session: 5	Large Scale traverse	Fieldwork for Assessment 1 (Geodetic)
Date: 18-24 August   Session: 6	GNSS Survey	Fieldwork for Assessment 1 (GNSS Surveys)
Date:   25-31 August   Session: 7	Process Assessments
Date: 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.
Date: 8-14 September   Session: 8	Finalising Assessments	Assessment 1 due: Sunday 14 September 2025.
Date: 15-21 September   Session: 9	Preparation for GNSS Control survey	Office work for Activity 3
Date: 22-28 September   Session: 10	Preparation for GNSS Control survey	Office work for Activity 4
Date: 29 September - 5 October   Session: 11	GNSS Control survey	Fieldwork Activity 3
Date: 6-12 October   Session: 12	GNSS Control survey	Fieldwork Activity 3
Date: 13-19 October   Session: 13	GNSS Control survey	Fieldwork Activity 4
Date: 20-26 October   Session: 14	GNSS Control survey	Fieldwork Activity 4
Date: 27 October- 2 November   Session: 15	Process Assessments
Date: 3-9 November   Session: 16	Finalising Assessments	Assessment 2 due: Sunday 9 November 2025
Date: 10-16 November   Session: 17	Consultation
Date: 17-23 November   Session: 18	Consultation

 

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

All email communications will be sent to your RMIT email address and you must regularly check your RMIT emails.

Students will be able to access course information and learning materials through the Learning Hub and may be provided with additional materials in class. Lists of relevant reference books, resources in the library and accessible Internet sites will be provided where possible. You will also use equipment and software packages in the laboratory for the project work. During the course, you will be directed to websites to enhance your knowledge and understanding of difficult concepts

Check the Library Subject Guides: http://rmit.libguides.com/geospatial

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 Name	Description	Release Date	Due Date
Geodetic survey and engineering set-out using a total station and GNSS	In this assessment you will take on the role of a surveyor. You are responsible for an engineering project proposed for the development of RMIT Bundoora West Campus. It involves the design and setout requirements for the project of a proposed road design to link Mckimmies Rd with Clements drive,	14 July 2025	Sunday 14 September 2025
Static GNSS network survey	In this assessment you will take on the role of a surveyor. You will be responsible for a geodetic survey required at the Bundoora West RMIT University campus for the purpose of establishing permanent marks with MGA 2020 coordinates.	14 July 2025	Sunday 9 November 2025

Assessment Matrix

 

Element	Performance criteria
		Assessment Task 1:  Geodetic survey and engineering set-out using a total station and GNSS	Assessment Task 2:  Static GNSS network survey
1 Prepare for geodetic survey.	1.1 Analyse standards, specifications and information in plans and drawings to determine survey requirements.	B(1.1)	B(1.1)
1.2 Schedule key activities and timelines according to available resources, and project and organisational requirements.	B(1.3)	B(1.2)
1.3 Apply safe work practices, use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and strategies to manage risk and contingencies according to organisational requirements.	A(1.1,1.2,1.3)	A(1.1)
1.4 Determine specialised equipment required for geodetic survey according to project specifications.	A(2.1), B(1.2)	B(1.3)
1.5 Check equipment for correct operation and functionality according to manufacturer specifications	A(2.2)	A(2.2)
2 Plan geodetic survey.	2.1 Select relevant reference surface and projection plane for geodetic components to meet project requirements.	A(2.3)	A(2.1)
2.2 Obtain and validate existing survey control data according to project and organisational requirements.	A(2.4)	A(2.4)
3 Carry out geodetic surveying tasks.	3.1 Measure identified surveying components according to project specifications.	A(2.4, 2.6, 2.7)	A(2.4,2.2)
3.2 Reduce measured surveying data according to project requirements and specifications.	A(2.4)	B(2.1)
3.3 Validate and record measurements according to project specifications and industry-accepted standards.	A(2.4, 2.5, 2.6)	A(2.2, 2.4, 2.5)
3.4 Identify and resolve discrepancies between specifications and actual results according to organisational requirements		B(2.1, 2.2)
4 Finalise geodetic survey.	4.1 Check survey for compliance with project and organisational requirements.	A(2.7)	B(2.3)
4.2 Notify appropriate persons of survey results according to organisational requirements.	B(3.1)	B(3.1)
4.3 Check and store surveying equipment in accordance with manufacturer specifications and organisational requirements.	A(2.8)
4. Record technical information, complete survey documentation and archive data according to organisational requirements.	B(1.4, 2.1,3.1)	B(2.4, 3.1)

 

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 skill	Description	Describe how each foundation skill is demonstrated through the relevant assessment
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

 

Performance Evidence
	Assessment Task1:  Geodetic survey and engineering set-out using a total station and GNSS	Assessment Task 2: Static GNSS network survey
total station	Total station used to complete geodetic traverse
global navigation satellite system (GNSS) software.	GNSS used in RTK mode to complete traverse and to set-out the road design	GNSS used for static survey to establish new control.
application of relevant geodetic coordinate systems and reference points to survey activities	Project uses the GDA and MGA reference systems and mapping datums, respectfully. The reference points at Bundoora campus are simulated as existing control	Project uses the GDA and MGA reference systems and mapping datums, respectfully. The reference points at Bundoora campus are simulated as existing control
use of coordinate systems, including Map Grid of Australia and Geocentric Datum of Australia to manage surveying data.	GDA and MGA are used to manage the traverse survey and set-out procedure	GDA and MGA are the datum used in the field and post-processing procedures for GNSS static surveying

 

Knowledge Evidence
	Assessment Task1: Geodetic survey and engineering set-out using a total station and GNSS	Assessment Task 2: Static GNSS network survey
To be competent in this unit a candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
graphical and technical information in project specifications		KQ1
common terms used in geodetic surveying calculations		KQ2
standard survey plan design and presentation conventions		KQ3
geodetic formulas for point-to-point calculations on Map Grid of Australia		KQ4
reference surfaces, projection planes and coordinate systems for geodetic components		KQ5
measurements and calculations relating to shape and size of the earth		KQ6
data reduction techniques		KQ7
concepts of algebra, geometry and trigonometry		KQ8
accuracy and precision requirements for geodetic surveying data		KQ9
coordinate systems that are compatible with GNSS		KQ10
industry-accepted methods for error analysis and standards of accuracy		KQ11
industry-accepted techniques for survey control.		KQ12

 

Assessment conditions	Describe how assessments meet the assessment conditions
Assessors must satisfy the requirements for assessors contained in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations.	RMIT employment requires all trainers and assessors to comply with the Standards for RTOs in respect to holding the TAE40116, or higher VE qualification including any necessary updated units.  All employees must show currency within their vocational specialty along with their professional employment.
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.	All geodetic projects are conducted at the RMIT Bundoora West Campus. Permanent Marks (PM) have been established across the site to simulate real workplace settings. All industry aligned equipment and software are used throughout the GNSS and total station workflows.
Candidates must have access to:
equipment to conduct geodetic surveys	Students have access to all total station and GNSS equipment and accessories to simulate these geodetic surveying projects. This includes specialised software for network adjustments, analysis and visualisation of data.
personal protective equipment (PPE)	Radios, safety cones and safety vests are available from the equipment room at Bundoora to complete these activities safely. These items and safety procedures for working at RMIT are discussed during the induction and fieldwork induction sessions.
survey specifications, including relevant plans and drawings.	Students have access to engineering drawings and design plans to assist in the process of simulating these projects. These are found in the client specifications and requirements section and can also be found in canvas within the assessment page.

 

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:

 Relevant

 Current

Satisfies the learning/competency outcomes of the course

 

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
• Maths and science developmental support and advice
• English language development

 

Please Refer http://www.rmit.edu.au/study andlearningcentre 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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