Geospatial Field Methods

3 units

This course introduces students to methods for making and analyzing precise geospatial measurements in field settings. It is framed within the discipline of geomatics, the science and technology of acquiring, managing, and analyzing spatially referenced data for high-resolution mapping and modeling. Students will learn both theoretical foundations and practical, hands-on applications of geomatics tools, with the goal of enabling them to apply these methods in their own work and research. The course is project-focused, with a series of exercises designed to teach effective use of high-precision GNSS equipment, total stations, terrestrial laser scanners (TLS), and UAVs (drones). Drones will be equipped with sensors such as RGB cameras, multispectral cameras, and lidar. Students will design data collection strategies, conduct surveys, and become familiar with data processing pipelines and visualization techniques for these data types. After completing the course, students will be prepared to safely and effectively conduct independent surveys and apply geospatial methods across Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences, archaeology, environmental science, ecology, landscape architecture, urban design, agriculture, and other field-based disciplines.