Topographic Engineering
Overview
This unit aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge to apply the theory, data analysis and fieldwork techniques to accurately measure and map when conducting a variety of surveys applicable to civil engineering projects.
Additionally, students will learn to process and interpret survey data using modern software and technologies, enabling them to integrate survey results into design and planning processes for building and infrastructure development.
Requisites
31-May-2026
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Follow established workplace procedures of surveying when carrying out field work and recording data
- Plan, set up and operate automatic levels when measuring elevations and leveling tasks on civil engineering project sites
- Plan, set up and operate a Total Station to obtain precise measurements of angles, distances, and elevations of project sites when working on civil engineering projects
- Plan and conduct a variety of surveys, including topographic survey for contouring, that are essential for planning infrastructure and building projects
- Analyse and compute surveying data to obtain co-ordinates, reduced levels, bearings and distances when working on civil engineering projects
- Analyse, process and map digital data using GIS software when working on civil engineering projects
- Complete relevant documentation and prepare reports and plans when working as part of a team
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
On-campus |
4.00 | 16 weeks | 64 |
| On-campus Class |
2.00 | 14 weeks | 28 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning |
3.63 | 16 weeks | 58 |
| Total | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULOs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Individual | 10-20% | 5,6,7 |
| Examination | Individual | 30-50% | 5,7 |
| Project Report | Individual/Group | 20-30% | 1,2,3,4 |
Hurdle
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, a student must have achieved:
(i) an aggregate mark of 50% or more, and
(ii) at least 40% in the final exam.
Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirement (ii) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.
Content
- Types of Survey and required accuracies and precisions
- Levelling
- Contouring
- Angles and Bearings
- Measurement Principles and application
- Data collection using Electronic Total Station
- Digital data processing
- Use of GIS (Geographic Information System) in mapping digital surveying data
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.