Topography

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

The fundamental concepts are taught on the theoretic-practical classes, along with the resolution of some exercises to clarify the subjects. The laboratorial-practical classes include the resolution of exercises and field classes using total stations and levels.

Learning Outcomes

This discipline is intended to give the students’ the basic knowledge to use geodetic, topographic, cartographic and geographic information, as well as knowledge about the execution of topographic surveys. The students are supposed to know the equipment and the several methods used in this type of surveys and must be able to choose the most adequate topographic methods to solve a problem, make the necessary observations and make the treatment of the collected data.

Other approaches to obtain topographic data are also studied on a basic level, such as Global Navigation and Positioning Satellite Systems, Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Laser Scanning.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Fundamentals of geographical information

1.1 Plane representation of the Earth

1.2 Reference systems

1.3 Sources of cartographic and geographic information

2. Surveying with classical methods

2.1 Surveying equipment

2.2 Measurement of angles and distances

2.3 Methods to determine coordinates

2.4 Leveling

3. Other methods to collect topographic data

3.1 Global Positioning and Navigation Satellite systems

3.2 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

3.3 Laser scanning systems

4. Modeling, representation and processing of geographical information

4.1 Planimetric information

4.2 Altimetric information

4.3 Geographic Information Systems

Assessment Methods

Continuous
Execution of a practical work: 30.0%
Exam: 70.0%

Bibliography

Fonte, C. (2010) Textos de Apoio de Topografia. FCTUC.

Gonçalves, J. A., Madeira, S. Sousa, J. J. (2008) Topografia. Editora Lidel.

Casaca, J.; Matos, J.; Baio, M. (2005) Topografia Geral. Editora Lidel.

Anderson, J, Mikhail, E. (1998) Surveying. Theory and Practice. McGraw-Hill, Inc.