MSC 256
Cartography/Hydrographic Survey
Instructor:
Tim Shaw
COURSE DESCRIPTION This course covers basic hydrographic surveying techniques as they apply to marine research and industry. Topics covered in this
course are the understanding of methods, software, equipment and instrumentation used for hydrographic surveying around the world
today. Upon completion, students should be familiar with and able to use various hydrographic survey software and equipment and
able to apply it in the field for surveys on board a variety of vessels.
COURSE CREDIT & HOURS PER WEEK
2 Semester Credit Hours: 1 lecture hour per week, 3 lab hours per week
PREREQUISITES
CIS 111, MSC 152
COREQUISITES
MSC254
TEXT & MATERIALS

Course text will be the HYPACK® Quick Start and full version manuals. These manuals will be provided in a digital PDF
format. Hardcopies are available in S515 and are not to be removed from the classroom.

Exams may be "open book" but you will not be able to use the computers to access the PDF manuals during the written
portions of the exams. The class room manuals will be available on a “first come first serve” basis.

You will need at least a 16 GB Flash Drive (This Flash drive is to be used for MSC 256 and MSC 254 ONLY!) These may be
collected throughout the semester for grading purposes.
WEBSITE
www.cfcc.edu/faculty/tshaw
To access class material from the website you will need a password. The Username is tshaw and the Password is msc256. Both are
case sensitive.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1.
The student will learn methods for single beam and multibeam hydrographic surveys.
2.
The student will learn the instrumentation and procedures used to setup and conduct hydrographic surveys.
3.
The student will learn the basic features and functions using HYPACK® and HYSWEEP® hydrographic software.
4.
The student will learn to acquire survey data and properly record the data digitally.
5.
The student will learn data compilation, reduction and processing techniques in the field that is typical with hydrographic
surveys.
*Always be prepared on field trip days for the weather and wear the appropriate clothing. Some days in the field may require
make up hours. You should be prepared to bring a lunch/drink on such days. Advance notice will be given.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Class attendance: According to CFCC policy, a student must attend at least 80% of the scheduled class hours in order to receive
credit for the course. Attendance is marked at the beginning of each class. Those not present at that time will be marked absent. Late
arrivals must personally see the instructor at the end of class that day to have an absence converted to a tardy; failure to do so will
result in the absent designation remaining. Arriving late and leaving early is disruptive to the class and will be recorded and points
deducted from the student’s attendance grade unless a valid excuse is presented to the instructor. Each student should check his or her
attendance record periodically to ensure they do not exceed allowed time missed.
Withdrawal: CFCC withdrawal policies are found in the student handbook. A grade of “F” will be entered after the 13th hour
missed (20% of 64 hrs). A student may not withdraw if prior arrangements have not been made with the instructor.
Conduct: In an effort to assist in proper building maintenance and provide a classroom atmosphere conducive to learning, we are
not permitted to eat or drink inside the classroom. Individual private conversations should be avoided as they tend to be disruptive
and are a distraction to others who are trying to listen to the information being presented. Students are encouraged to participate in
classroom discussions. Electronic devices such as cell phones are to be turned off before entering the classroom or lab. Computers in
S515 are to be used for class material (MSC 256). The use for anything but class material is prohibited except during breaks
or you have permission from the instructor. The printer in S515 is only to be used for MSC 256 material while in MSC 256!
Please do not print during lectures as this is disruptive.
Safety: Students must follow safety requirements. Students who ignore or violate safety requirements will be subject to discipline,
which may include dismissal from the course. Students are required to wear proper footgear, (i.e. No bare feet, sandals, or open
ended shoes) at all times while in the “W” building, dock area or on school vessels or field trips.
Testing: There will be quizzes throughout the semester which may or may not be discussed prior to the quiz. There will be no
make-up of daily/ pop quizzes without a valid excuse of why it was missed. There will be 2 exams given during the semester, a
midterm and a final. The midterm will be based on all material covered to the halfway point of the semester and the final will be based
on all material covered during the semester. Typically these exams have a written portion and a practical portion. A make-up test will
be given only in the case of an emergency and the student must provide documentation of the emergency. A make-up test may
be different from the original test and must be taken within the first four days of the student's return to class.
Homework: There may be homework given after lectured classes. This homework is due the following week during class.
Homework may be turned in late if you were absent the date it was assigned and is turned in the week after the date you
return. It is the student’s responsibility to find out what was missed or what will be missed. Homework must be turned in by the time
discussed to receive full credit otherwise ½ credit will be given for anything turned in after its due date. (What could’ve been a 100 is
now a 50 etc….)
Assignments: Assignments are to be turned in by scheduled DUE DATES and TIMES. Arrangements must be made with the
instructor if this is not possible. If an assignment is missed due to absence, it is the student’s responsibility to make time to make up
the assignment. The same late grading applies as for homework. REMEMBER if it is an assignment using HYPACK/ HYSWEEP,
you are limited to S515, S208 or W019!
GRADING SCALE: [as outlined on the current CFCC VoTech Grading Policy]
(A minimum average semester grade of 68% is required to receive credit for MSC 256)
50%
Field Work & Lab Assignments
40%
Test & Quizzes
10%
Attendance
The following grading system will be used for this class.
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
I
WP
WF
Numerical Equivalency
Significance
Quality Points per Sem. Hr.
92 - 100
Superior
4
84 - 91
Good
3
76 - 83
Average
2
68 - 75
Poor
1
0 - 67
Failure
0
Incomplete
[Student failed to complete required course assignment due to extenuating circumstances]
Withdrawal Passing
0
Withdrawal Failing
0
WF is computed as a Failure on transcripts
GRADE DEFINITIONS:
A - Outstanding performance by student. Exceeds all basic requirements. Student demonstrates high level of
competency in course material. Student capable of independent work in field.
B - Above average performance by student. Student exceeds some requirements. Student demonstrates good
competency in course material and field.
C - Average performance by student. Student meets basic course requirements. Student demonstrates adequate level of
competency in course material and field. Student can work in field with supervision.
D - Below average performance by student. Student barely meets course requirements.
F - Unacceptable performance by the student. Student fails to meet course requirements. Student does not demonstrate
proficiency in course material or field.
FACULTY OFFICE & OFFICE HOURS [Tim Shaw]
Office: W019
Phone: 362-7650
Email: tshaw@cfcc.edu
Hours: Instructor's Schedule is posted on office door
Office hours as scheduled, by appointment
Additional/Alternate times by appointment only
Student Accounts:
Your myCFCC account is a single username and password for all of your CFCC network accounts: email, WebAdvisor, Blackboard,
campus computer access, and more. The email account provided to you (yourusername@mail.cfcc.edu) is used for all official
communication with CFCC instructors and staff. Some information will ONLY be sent by email and not by postal mail, so it is very
important that you check this account. This account may also be used for personal mail, but it is subject to the CFCC Acceptable Use
Policy. Be sure to logout of your account in each service you may have opened (email, Blackboard, etc.) when you leave a shared
computer, otherwise it is possible for the next user of the computer to access your information.
Check your email accounts and clean them out periodically as this will be the way that I communicate to you when needed!
Accommodation of Special Needs Based on Disability: Any student who requests classroom accommodations because
of a disability must present documentation to verify his/her disability. This documentation must be furnished to the Disabilities
Service Coordinator, and this should be provided prior to requesting accommodation by the instructor. On a confidential basis, the
student, disabilities services and the instructor will determine the appropriate accommodations following documentation.
Accommodations will be provided in a manner that is consistent with the objectives, outcomes, and academic standards of the course.
Absences must not exceed class attendance policy.
***The instructor reserves the right, acting within the policies and procedures of Cape Fear Community College,
to make changes, adjustments, additions, and deletions in course content, first-day handout, or instructional
technique, without notice or obligations.
Tobacco use is prohibited on all CFCC property. The first offense is a warning and the second offense may result in disciplinary action.
Good Work Ethics Should Lead to Career Success
Cape Fear Community College and employers recognize the importance of good work ethics. The standards
that govern the conduct of persons in the workplace are known as work ethics. More specifically, a persons’
conduct, such as punctuality, honesty, motivation, reliability, cooperation, thoroughness, and creativity, pertains
to the values, abilities, and behaviors that he or she brings to the job. Studies show that employees’ lack of
ability to do a job accounts for only 15 percent of firings and dismissals. Of the other 85 percent, employers
often give the following reasons for “letting employees go”:
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
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Frequent absences from work
Habitual lateness
Inability to get along with other workers
Dishonesty
Lack of reliability
Failure to use resources properly
CFCC instructors want you to be prepared for further education and success in the workplace; therefore, they have classroom and
shop/lab rules and standards. Below is a checklist for assessing your commitment to school/work ethics.
__ I understand the importance of quality--the importance of doing a school/job assignment right the first time.
__ I am motivated, and I accept responsibility without close supervision.
__ I am receptive to new ideas, methods, and processes; and I pursue emerging technologies.
__ I speak and write effectively in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
__ I function in a “team” environment that requires working for the “good of the whole”.
__ I am dependable and reliable at school/work, reporting to my classes/job on time and completing assignments within
the required time.
__ I am honest in my dealings with instructors, supervisors, students, and coworkers; and I display a cooperative and
supportive attitude
__ I dress appropriately for school and the workplace and maintain a neat, clean appearance.
__ I manage my time effectively and look for ways to be more efficient at school and on the job.
__ I maintain a clean, orderly school/work space and leave it ready for use by others.
Act as if your instructors are your employers. Good & bad class work and field work ethics are what
instructors remember when students ask for references!!