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GGE
GEODESY AND GEOMATICS ENGINEERING
The courses presently offered in the Geomatics Engineering Program by the Department of
Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering are described below.
The first digit of the identification number indicates the level of the course. A “5” indicates an
elective course, normally done in the final year.
The second digit normally indicates the subject area as follows:
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
measurement, positioning and navigation
applied analysis
geodesy
imaging and mapping
information management, modelling and visualization
land administration
synthesis and design
technical communication, complementary studies
service course for other disciplines
general [geodesy or geomatics or both]
The third digit carries the course sequence identification integer where "0" refers to the first
course, "1" to the second course, and so on.
For list of core courses and technical elective courses, see Section G.
Note: See beginning of Section H for abbreviations, course numbers and coding.
GGE 1001 Introduction to Geodesy and Geomatics
5 ch (3C 3L)
Introductory geodesy and geomatics. Measuring geometry (surveying, hydrography,
satellite positioning, navigation, photogrammetry and remote sensing, ocean
mapping). Understanding measurements (introductory uncertainty & estimation
theory). Managing geographic information. Applications of geomatics techniques,
including creation of topographic plans from electronic total stations.
GGE 1803 Practicum for Civil Engineers
Two weeks of practical exercises following spring examinations. Involves optical
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distance measurement; trigonometric heighting; taping; balancing angles, height
differences, traverses; horizontal circular curves; vertical curves; area & volume
computations; stream gauging; elementary photogrammetry. Prerequisite: GGE
1001 or equivalent.
GGE 2012 Advanced Surveying
4 ch (2C 3L)
Barometric and trigonometric heighting. Precise levelling. Mechanical distance
measurements. Electronic angle and distance measurement, total stations, and
reflectorless EDM. Coordinate transformations and positioning by trigonometric
sections. Route and construction surveys. Geodetic control surveys: from triangulation
to GPS. Digital terrain models. Contouring. Practical use of GPS. Introduction to the
design of surveys and specifications. Related issues of occupational health and safety.
Prerequisites: GGE 1001 , STAT 2593 .
GGE 2013 Advanced Surveying Practicum
Two weeks of practical exercises following spring examinations. Management of
occupational health safety issues. Prerequisites: GGE 2012 , STAT 2593 .
4 ch
GGE 2413 Mapping Concepts and Technology
5 ch (3C 3L)
Introduction to computer-based systems and processes for creating, managing,
analyzing and visualizing spatial information. Introduction to geographic information
systems (GIS), spatial data structures and 2-dimensional spatial transformations.
Comparative overview of alternative spatial data collection technologies. Systemsbased approaches to desktop mapping, cartographic production and map analysis.
Basic properties and applications of common map projections. Prerequisites: CS
1003 or 1073 , MATH 1503 or equivalent introduction to matrices and systems of
linear equations.
GGE 3423 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
4 ch (2C 3L)
Introduction to GIS technology; Application of GIS; understanding the nature of
geographic data, from geographic data to geographic information (GI), Information
Systems (IS), and GIS; earth size and shape; tracing and mapping entitles on the earth;
geographic data sources and collection methodologies; evaluating the quality of the
data sources; representing geographic data in the GIS; loading and managing
geographic data in the GIS; analyzing geographic data, solving geographic related
problems using GIS, mapping the results of that analysis using GIS, and publishing the
results of the analysis on the web. Program credit cannot be given for both GGE 3423
and GGE 2423. Prerequisites: CS 1003 or 1073 , MATH 1053 or equivalent introduction
to matrices and systems of linear equations; or permission of the instructor.
GGE 2501
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Land Administration I
4 ch (3C 1L)
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Introduction to the principles of cadastral systems and survey law with a focus on
Canadian jurisdictions. An extensive reading list supplements the lecture material.
Students will be required to conduct a title search, write property descriptions, review
legal cases, and complete other laboratory assignments demonstrating the practical
aspects of managing cadastral survey systems.
GGE 3022 Survey Design and Analysis
4 ch (2C 3L)
Specifications for surveys. Systematic and random errors, design, processing and
analysis of angle, distance, and height difference measurements. Issues of
occupational health and safety. Prerequisites: GGE 2012 , GGE 3111 , GGE 3202 . Corequisite: GGE 3122 .
GGE 3023 Surveying Design Practicum
Two weeks of practical exercises following spring examinations. Management of
occupational health and safety. Prerequisite: GGE 3022 .
4 ch
GGE 3042 Introduction to Global Navigation Satellite Systems
5 ch (3C 3L)
Principles of space geodesy. The celestial sphere, its coordinate systems, and variations
in coordinate systems. Star observations. Time keeping. Satellite based positioning
systems, especially the Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) including observations,
development of mathematical models, static and dynamic positioning, error analysis,
software structure, and processing considerations. Prerequisites: MATH 1503 , MATH
2513 . Corequisite: GGE 3202 .
GGE 3111 Introduction to Adjustment Calculus
5 ch (3C 3L)
Calculus of variations; quadratic forms; least-squares principles; least-squares method,
weight matrix, variance factor; parametric, condition and combined adjustment.
Prerequisites: MATH 1503 , MATH 2513 , STAT 2593 .
GGE 3122 Advanced Adjustment Calculus
4 ch (3C 2L)
Hilbert space approach to adjustment, uni- and multivariate statistical testing;
approximation, prediction, filtering; constraint functions; weighted parameters.
Prerequisites: GGE 3111 , MATH 2513 ; Co-requisite: CS 3113 .
GGE 3202 Geodesy I
4 ch (2C 3L)
Introduction to the subject of geodesy; kinematics, gravity field, and size and shape of
the Earth; temporal deformations of the Earth. Geodetic control in Canada. History of
geodesy. Geodetic heighting. Prerequisites: ENGG 1081 , PHYS 1082 ,MATH
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1503 , MATH 2513 . Co-requisite: MATH 3543 .
GGE 3342 Remote Sensing
5 ch (3C 3L)
Overview and physical basis of remote sensing. Space- and air-borne sensor systems,
active and passive sensors. Fundamental geometry of photogrammetry. Image
statistics. Rectification of digital imagery. Image enhancement, spectral and spatial
filtering. Multi-spectral transformations. Thematic information extraction,
classification and accuracy assessment, change detection. Credit will be given for only
one of GGE 3342 or GGE 5342 . Prerequisite: GGE 2413 or GGE 2423 or permission of
instructor.
GGE 3353 Ocean Mapping
5 ch (3C 3L)
Introduction to hydrography: geomatics aspects, trends and prospects, role in offshore
management. Depth determination: seabed and seawater properties, non-acoustic
methods, underwater acoustics, vertical and oblique incidence methods, bathymetric
and imaging methods. Prerequisites: MATH 3543 , GGE 3342 .
GGE 4022 Precision Surveying
4 ch (2C 3L)
Measurements, processing, and analysis in densification surveys. Control surveys for
photogrammetry and construction. Introduction to mining and tunnelling surveys,
deformation measurements and analysis, and industrial metrology. Related issues of
occupational health and safety and their management. Prerequisite(s): GGE 3022 , GGE
3023, , GGE 3122 .
GGE 4211 Geodesy II
4 ch (3C 2L)
Terrestrial, celestial and orbital coordinate systems; coordinate transformations;
positioning in 3 dimensions, on the ellipsoid and on a conformal mapping plane. Height
systems. Prerequisites: GGE 3202 , MATH 3543 .
GGE 4313 Airborne Mapping Systems
5 ch (3C 3L)
Photogrammetric principles, systems and products. Fundamental photo and model
space coordinate systems. Photogrammetric measurement and refinement. Geometry
of vertical, tilted and stereoscopic aerial photographs. Direct and inverse coordinate
transformations. Photo mosaicking techniques. Collinearity and coplanarity conditions.
Interior, exterior, relative and absolute orientations. Principles of analytical and digital
rectification, DEM generation and orthorectification. Concepts of aero-triangulation.
Flight project planning. Prerequisites: GGE 3342 .
GGE 4403 Geographic Information Systems
4 ch (2C 3L)
Applications of hardware and software components of geographical information
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systems (GIS). GIS functions and architecture. Characteristics of GIS data structures and
database management systems. Introduction to spatial modelling and analysis. GIS
data integration and standards. Prerequisites: GGE 2413 or permission of instructor.
GGE 4423 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
5 ch (3C 3L)
Mapping concepts and Geographic Data Management and Analysis: (a)Mapping
concepts: colour and visual perception, map symbols, cartographic generalization and
multiple representation, map projections and spatial reference systems,
representation of the terrain (DEM/DTM), map design and interactive visualization; (b)
Geographic Data Management and Analysis: database design theory, conceptual
models (entity relationship model, UML), logical models (relational, object and object
relational model), physical models, spatial index structures, algorithms for analysis of
geographic data, introduction to XML and XML-based languages for GIS, geographic
data integration and sharing (GI standards). Prerequisites: GGE 2423 or permission of
the instructor.
GGE 4512 Land Administration II
3 ch (2C 1L)
Introduction to modern issues in land tenure and administration from Canadian and
international perspectives. Includes the role of property systems in land management,
aboriginal rights to land and natural resources, parcel-based land information systems,
comparative analysis of land administration systems, coastal zone management, law of
the sea, and delimitation of maritime boundaries. Prerequisite: GGE 2501 or
permission of instructor.
GGE 4541 Geomatics Engineering Economics and Management
3 ch (2C 2L)
Outline of government and professional organizations involved in the management of
geomatics in Canada: multi-purpose geomatics programs; the time value of money,
depreciation, inflation; national and regional benefit/cost geomatics case studies;
decision making in the public sector. Financial statements; break even analysis,
decision making in the private sector. Prerequisite: ECON 1073 , completion of at least
135 credit hours.
GGE 4700 Design Project and Report
6 ch (2C 2L)
A full year course [fall term then winter term] involving the design and implementation
of a geomatics activity or project and a reporting on the results or outcome, all under
the direct supervision of a faculty member or equivalent in industry. Lecture topics
include: engineering economics and business management issues specific to
geomatics; financial decision making in geomatics. Must be done in the student’s final
year of the programme.
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GGE 5011
Oceanography, Tides, and Water Levels
4 ch (3C 1L)
Descriptive and theoretical introduction to physical oceanography, focusing on the
coastal zone and the continental shelf. Components of physical oceanography that
affect the accuracy and operational conduct of hydrographic surveying. Detailed
studies of the controls on sound speed structure (seawater properties, propagation
and refraction).
Detailed studies of the controls on surface water level (tides, waves and swell, vertical
reference surfaces). Constituent extraction from tidal observations and prediction of
tides. Discrete and continuous tidal zoning, including an introduction to coastal
hydrodynamic models.
GGE 5012
Marine Geology and Geophysics
4 ch (3C 1L)
Descriptive marine geology including all ocean depths, but focusing on the coastal
zone and continental shelf. Components of surficial sedimentology that affect the
accuracy and operational conduct of hydrographic surveying. Detailed studies of the
controls on seafloor processes (deposition and erosion) and bottom backscatter
strength (sonar performance, geomorphology, sediment classification).
Descriptive and introductory-theoretical marine geophysics including single-channel,
2D multi-channel and 3D multi channel reflection seismic surveying. Marine refraction
seismology.
GGE 5013 Oceanography for Hydrographers
2 ch (3C 1L)
Descriptive and theoretical introduction to physical oceanography, focusing on the
coastal zone and the continental shelf. Components of physical oceanography that
affect the accuracy and operational conduct of hydrographic surveying. Detailed
studies of the controls on sound speed structure (seawater properties, propagation
and refraction). Half term course [6 weeks].
GGE 5023 Tides and Water Levels
2 ch (3C 1L)
Detailed studies of the controls on surface water level (tides, waves and swell, vertical
reference surfaces). Constituent extraction from tidal observations and prediction of
tides. Discrete and continuous tidal zoning, including an introduction to coastal
hydrodynamic models. Half term course [6 weeks].
GGE 5033 Marine Geology for Hydrographers
2 ch (3C 1L)
Descriptive marine geology including all ocean depths, but focusing on the coastal zone
and continental shelf. Components of surficial sedimentology that affect the accuracy
and operational conduct of hydrographic surveying. Detailed studies of the controls on
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seafloor processes (deposition and erosion) and bottom backscatter strength (sonar
performance, geomorphology, sediment classification). Half term course [6 weeks].
GGE 5041 Engineering Surveying
4 ch (2C 3L)
Design and analysis of deformation surveys. Geotechnical measurements of tilt, strain,
stress, etc. Special surveying methods and instrumentation of high precision.
Application of lasers. Prerequisites: GGE 4022 , GGE 3122 .
GGE 5042 Kinematic Positioning
5 ch (3C 3L)
Performance requirements, mathematical models, observation methods, processing
strategies, uncertainties and other characteristics associated with moving marine, land
airborne, and space vehicle positioning, orientation and attitude applications, using
autonomous, terrestrial, satellite, and acoustic methods. Prerequisites: GGE
3042 , GGE 3122 , GGE 3353 , GGE 4211 .
GGE 5043 Marine Geophysics for Hydrographers
2 ch (3C 1L)
Descriptive and introductory-theoretical marine geophysics including single-channel,
2D multi-channel and 3D multi channel reflection seismic surveying. Marine refraction
seismology, marine magnetic surveys (focus on target detection) and marine gravity
surveys. Half term course [6 weeks].
GGE 5061 Mining Surveying
4 ch (2C 3L)
Introduction to mining engineering. Mapping of open pits and underground mines.
Shaft plumbing; use of lasers; use of gyrotheodolites. Tunnelling surveys. Rock
deformation measurements. Monitoring and analysis of ground subsidence.
Prerequisites: GGE 4022 , GGE 3122 .
GGE 5072 Hydrographic Data Management
3 ch (2C 3*L)
Principles and use of hydrographic data management tools which acquire, clean, store,
retrieve, select, interpolate, determine uncertainty, colour-code, and visualize
individual and aggregated high density observed depth data points. Hydrographic data
layering, analysis, artificial illumination, texturing, and animation. Visualization
requirements and standards for safety of navigation. Prerequisites: GGE 3353 , GGE
4403 or GGE 4423 .
GGE 5083 Hydrographic Surveying Operations
3 ch
Planning, executing and appropriately presenting the results from a hydrographic
survey. Seamanship and piloting. Survey case studies. Six to eight weeks on a
hydrographic survey vessel after the spring examinations or before the next fall term.
Enrollment is limited to the capacity of the vessel. Students will be responsible for
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paying their own travel and accommodations for the field work. Prerequisites: GGE
3353 , GGE 5013 , GGE 5072 .
GGE 5093 Industrial Metrology
4 ch (2C 3L)
Spatial measurements of high precision for experiment lay-out and industrial settingout and quality assurance. Prerequisite: GGE 4022 .
GGE 5131 Special Studies in Adjustments
4 ch (3C 3*L)
Hilbert space techniques; sequential techniques; digital filtering; interpolation and
approximation; large system techniques. Prerequisite: GGE 3122 .
GGE 5222 Gravity Field in Geomatics
4 ch (2C 3L)
Review of Potential Theory. Theory of Earth’s gravity field. Space, airborne and
terrestrial observational methods. Gravity field parameter transformations. Temporal
variations. Applications (e.g., gravimetry, geoid determination, heights, mass transfer)
Mathematical models, observational methods, and uncertainties associated with
absolute, relative and moving-base gravimetry, and gravity networks.
Prerequisites: 3122 , 4211 .
GGE 5242 Special Studies in Geodesy
4 ch (3C 3*L)
Review of coordinate systems. Orbital dynamics. GPS for high precision positioning and
navigation. Major practical lab in GPS positioning. Prerequisites: GGE 3202 , GGE
4211 .
GGE 5322 Digital Image Processing
4 ch (3C 3*L)
Image data formats; software code for input and output images; writing, compiling and
running software code; advanced image processing and computer vision algorithms
and software programming; includes advanced edge detection, mathematical
morphology, image segmentation, texture, skeletonization, image restoration,
wavelets, image matching, fuzzy logic. Prerequisites: GGE 3342 and experience in
programming, preferably in C/C++.
GGE 5332 Special Studies in Photogrammetry
4 ch (3C 3*L)
An in-depth treatment of various topic areas, such as terrestrial photogrammetry,
orthophotography and rectification, cameras, instrumentation and auxiliary aids.
GGE 5341
Advanced Technologies in Remote Sensing
4 ch (3C 2L)
An introduction to the concept and basic theory of Artificial Neural Network (ANN),
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Wavelet Transformation (WT), and Fuzzy Logic (FL); literature review of remote sensing
applications or other applications which used one the three modern technologies; and
seminar presentations on the applications and techniques learned from literature.
Prerequisite: GGE 3342 or permission of the instructor.
GGE5403 Geospatial Web
3 ch (2C 2L)
This course focuses on both the theoretical and practical issues related to the
dissemination of mapping/geographic content on the web. Students will learn how to
design and implement advanced semantic-based web mapping applications and
geospatial web services using commercial and open source s/w tools. Special attention
will be given to recent technological developments and research directions.
Prerequisite: GGE4423 or permission of instructor.
GGE 5402
Geographic Databases
3 ch (2C 2L)
This course focuses on both the theoretical and practical issues related to the
development of geographic databases and the extraction of knowledge from
geographic data collections. Special attention will be given to recent technological
developments and research directions. A series of Lab Sessions will run in parallel,
using commercial and open source s/w tools, such as PostgreSQL/PostGIS DBMS,
Oracle Spatial DBMS, MongoDB, Protégé, Quantum GIS s/w, WEKA Data Mining s/w,
and other prototype s/w packages.
Prerequisite: GGE 4423 or permission of the instructor.
GGE 5413 Special Studies in Digital Mapping
4 ch (2C 3L)
An in-depth treatment of topics in digital mapping such as software engineering,
computational geometry, and three-dimensional data structures. Prerequisite: GGE
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4403 or GGE 4423 .
GGE 5521 Survey Law
4 ch (3C 3*L)
Review of common and statute law affecting property, boundaries, and surveys. Role
of a land surveyor in resolving boundary disputes and as an expert witness. Various
types of legal surveys. Professional responsibilities, ethics. Case studies.
Prerequisites: GGE 2501 , GGE 3022 , GGE 3023 , GGE 3122 , GGE 4211 , GGE 4512 .
GGE 5532 Land Economy and Administration
3 ch (3C)
Introduces land management and administration from economic and institutional
perspectives. Evolving concepts of property and land tenure systems. Role of property
institutions in land management. Economic principles in the valuation, allocation,
development, and conservation of land resources. Land administration and land
information systems. Special issues such as coastal zone management, environmental
management, aboriginal tenure, and land reform. Prerequisite:GGE 4512 .
GGE 5543 Marine Policy, Law, and Administration
3 ch (3S)
Coastal and marine [offshore] legal issues and how they relate to the framework of
policy and administration. Focuses primarily on Canadian legal and policy regime,
drawing on international law and practice where appropriate. Law of the sea and
delimitation of zones and boundaries; Canadian coastal and offshore jurisdictional and
administrative issues; coastline delimitation for various purposes; legal issues related
to hydrographic surveys, hydrographic data, and marine accidents. Legal principles
involved when designing and planning various marine surveys.
GGE 5703 Exploration and Surveying in Literature and the Arts
3 ch (1C 3S) [W]
A complementary studies elective examining the place and portrayal of exploration
and explorers and surveying and surveyors in contemporary and historical literature
and, also, in the arts, especially in print media, painting, photography, and the cinema.
Open to geomatics engineering students in their final year of their programme.
GGE 5813 Urban Planning for Geomatics
3 ch (3C) [W]
Introduction to city and regional planning. The evolution of cities, discussion of
planning in municipal administration, principles of land use, urban transportation,
municipal services, subdivision design, comprehensive planning, master plans,
programs, planning studies, and the administration and enforcement planning
regulations. Restricted to students with at least 90 ch completed.
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GGE 5833
Land Use Planning for Geomatics
4 ch (3C 3L) [W]
Introduction to urban and site planning and related environmental management
issues. The evolution of cities, community planning and municipal administration,
principles of land use, and the administration and enforcement of planning
regulations. In the context of geomatics: site analysis and the physical, social, and
environmental impacts of development on a site and its surroundings. The economics
of land development.
Restricted to students in their final year.
Prerequisite: GGE 4512; co-requisite: GGE 5521, or permission of the instructor
GGE 5842 Site Planning for Geomatics
3 ch (2C 3L)
To better appreciate the comprehensive nature of site analysis and the physical, social
and environmental impacts of engineering works on a site and its surroundings. To
incorporate site characteristics to enhance a project in terms of costs, appearance, and
energy efficiency. This course will be limited to a maximum of 18 students. Restricted
to students with at least 90 ch completed. Prerequisite: GGE 5813 or CE 5313 .
GGE 5901 Special Studies in Geomatics I
1 ch (1T 1L)
Directed study in an approved topic in geomatics. Supervision by a faculty member.
Normally done in a student’s final term. Credit will be given for only one of GGE
5901, 5902 , or 5 5903 .
GGE 5902 Special Studies in Geomatics II
2 ch (1T 3L)
Directed study in an approved topic in geomatics. Supervision by a faculty member.
Normally done in a student’s final term. Credit will be given for only one of GGE 5901 ,
5902, or 5903 .
GGE 5903 Special Studies in Geomatics III
3 ch (1T 5L)
Directed study in an approved topic in geomatics. Supervision by a faculty member.
Normally done in a student’s final term. Credit will be given for only one of GGE
5901 , 5902 , or 5903.
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