Overview

Geodesy:

• Shape of the Earth
• The Geoid
• Datums
• Co-ordinate systems and transformations
• Projections
• Position fixing systems
• GPS
• Galileo and Glonass
• Underwater positioning systems

Remote sensing:

• Introduction
• Remote sensing systems
• Corrections applied to the data
• Processing of remote sensing data
• Applications of instrumentation to measure sea surface height, sea surface roughness, temperature, ocean colour, dissolved organic matter
• Handling and analysing satellite data.

Acoustic methods:

• Acoustic theory
• Acoustic instrumentation and survey techniques
• Applications of seafloor mapping

Assessment Strategy

Threshold - (D- grade) Partial understanding of basic principles of geodesy, positioning, remote sensing and underwater acoustic propagation; Basic appreciation and limited understanding of the potential applications of remote sensing and acoustic techniques; Basic ability to solve numerical problems associated with acoustic propagation in the water column; Basic ability to process, present and interpret a variety of spatial data.

Good - (B grade) Clear understanding of the basic principles of geodesy, positioning, remote sensing and acoustic propagation; Comprehensive appreciation and clear understanding of the potential applications of remote sensing and acoustic techniques in earth systems analysis, including applications in physical oceanography, marine geology and marine biology including ability to solve numerical problems associated with satellite design and application and the propagation and interactions of EM and ocean waves; Ability to solve numerical problems associated with acoustic propagation in the water column; Ability to process, present and interpret a variety of spatial data.

Excellent - (A grade) Thorough understanding of the basic principles of geodesy, positioning, remote sensing and sound propagation in ocean waters and at the sediment/water interface; Highly developed appreciation and thorough understanding of the potential applications of remote sensing and acoustic techniques in earth systems analysis, including applications in physical oceanography, marine geology and marine biology including keen ability to solve numerical problems associated with satellite design and the propagation and interactions of EM and ocean waves; Highly developed ability to solve numerical problems associated with acoustic propagation in the water column; Highly developed ability to process, present and interpret a variety of spatial data.

Learning Outcomes

• To analyse and interpret acoustic data sets, notably echo-sounder, side scan sonar and sub-bottom profiler data.

• To appreciate the potential pitfalls in positional data in terms of geodetic datums, and understand the basic principles of geodesy as they influence the apparent position of any acquired scientific field data.

• To demonstrate an ability to use computer packages for image analysis of spatial (remote sensing) data

• To understand and appreciate practical applications of marine acoustics.

• To understand how GPS, DGPS and RTK GPS works and be able to decide upon the most appropriate position fixing systems for a given application (to appreciate their accuracy limits, practical limitations and pitfalls in their use).

• To understand the behaviour of EM radiation and its utility in remote sensing systems

• To understand the fundamentals of acoustic propagation in ocean waters and near surface sediments.