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Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Environment

Coursework Specification

Module Information

Module Title

Land Surveying

Module Code

KB4023

Module Level and Credit Points

4 (20 credits)

Module Leader

Professor Mike Lim

Coursework Title

Surveying Concepts and Data Analysis

Coursework Specification Author

Professor Mike Lim

Academic Year and Semester(s)

2021/22, Semester 1

Coursework Submission and Feedback

Release Date of Coursework Specification to Students

10:00 BST on 31st October 2022

Mechanism Used to Disseminate Coursework Specification to Students

Assessment and Submission folder on Blackboard module

Date and Time of Submission of Coursework by Students

11:00 BST on 15 December 2022

The mechanism for Submission of Coursework by Students

Turnitin digital submission portal in Assessment and Submission folder on Blackboard module

Return Date of Unconfirmed Internally Moderated Mark(s) and Feedback to Students

No later than 11:00 BST on 13 January 2023

Northumbria

University

NEWCASTLE

The mechanism for Return of Unconfirmed Internally Moderated Mark(s) and Feedback to

Students

Turnitin digital submission portal and/or My Grades on Blackboard module

MCE | Department Education Board

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Assessment Details

Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs) Assessed by Coursework

1. Determine positions and levels of points, to an acceptable degree of accuracy, using a range of

surveying techniques.

2. Identify the contribution surveying makes to the design, quality, sustainability and successful

completion of engineering projects.

3. Use surveying equipment effectively, efficiently and to professional standards of skill and safety

considerations

4. Develop and apply teamwork, communication and leadership in order to complete group tasks and

address problems solving issues.

5. To identify issues and potential causes of error and work effectively to reduce those contributors in

future tasks engaging with critical reasoning and reflection.

Coursework Overview

Land surveying includes gaining measurements of the built and the natural environment that are both

precise and accurate. Professional surveying skills are required for all construction projects and form the

fundamental process by which designs can become a reality. A key concern of surveyors is to work

efficiently and effectively to save costs, improve sustainability and identify issues and solutions to

maximise the accuracy and quality of their work. The objectives of this coursework have been designed

to demonstrate and enhance your ability to:

●

●

●

Evaluate the role of surveying in large projects with a particular focus on earthworks;

Demonstrate a clear understanding of errors in key surveying tasks;

Use surveying knowledge and understanding to reduce the impact of errors in their work.

Coursework Tasks to be Completed by Students

For your coursework you should complete all the questions given in Section 5. Your coursework is

an individual piece of assessment, and you should be aware of the universities policy on academic

misconduct (see Section 4). Your answers should be neatly presented in a document with a cover page.

Figures and Tables should be appropriately labelled and referenced.

Expected Size of Submission

Maximum of 3500 words or equivalent.

Referencing Style

You are to write your coursework using the Cite Them Right version of the Harvard referencing system or

the methodology stated by the module leader. An online guide to Cite Them Right is freely available to

Northumbria University students at https://www.citethemrightonline.com/

Assessment Criteria

Table 1: Marking criteria and marks available

Question Description and marking criteria

1

2

Survey procedure correctly justified and carried out

Clear and correct booking procedure

Within tolerance: (+5√n) mm

Credit given for calculation accuracy and precision.

Correct Reduced Levels

Correct check procedure

● Clarity of original booking

Survey procedure correctly carried out

●

Survey data accuracy, area measurement and calculation

Adjustment and checks

Whole circle bearing calculations

Coordinates calculations, including adjustments

Closed traverse plots correctly labelled

Clarity of original booking

MCE | Department Education Board

Weighting

20%

20%

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4

5

6

7

8

9

Correctly classified and justified/explained error types and mitigation

measures for three distinct sources of error

Correct calculation procedure and accurate results, presented appropriately

for polar coordinates.

Appropriately identified and explained survey approach, accurate and

annotated sketch and sufficient development to show an understanding of

how it would improve efficiency and profitability of the project.

Appropriate area calculation formula selected, justified and applied.

Tables correctly completed and calculations clearly set out. Correct degree

of precision and suitable accuracy shown throughout.

Clear and appropriate response to the task brief, demonstrating clear

understanding of the approach being proposed and any suitable

considerations and appropriate, well justified suggestions.

Correct definition and suitable examples used, demonstrating and explaining

the role of GIS in relevant surveying applications.

(1) Assessment Regulations and Policies

(a) Assessment Regulations for Taught Awards

(b) Group Work Assessments Policy

(c) Moderation Policy

(d) Retention of Assessed Work Policy

(e) Word Limits Policy

(2) Assessment Feedback

(a) Anonymous Marking Policy

(3) Late Submission of Work and Extension Requests

(4) Personal Extenuating Circumstances

Technical Extenuating Circumstances

(6) Student Complaints and Appeals

(7) Academic Misconduct

(8) Student Disability and Unforeseen Medical Circumstances

Guidance for Students on Policies for Assessment

The University has several policies for assessment. The following information, which is available to you

from the link below, provides guidance on these policies, including relevant procedures and forms.

5%

excellence/assessment/guidance-for-students/

5%

MCE | Department Education Board

5%

10%

15%

10%

10%

https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/university-services/academic-registry/quality-and-teaching-

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1.

Coursework Tasks

Using the TBM allocated to your team, carry out a loop levelling survey to include the four relevant stations

(see table 2) and including an inverted reading at position H (note this marker has been painted over and

is now all white!), as indicated on Map 1. You must use a minimum of three appropriate change points

during the survey. Produce fully completed booking sheets (word processed) using either the Height of

Collimation method or the Rise and Fall method, justifying your choice of method. Clearly show all stages

of calculations required to check for accuracy. Include a copy of the original field results in the appendix

and a neatly typed version with the calculations in the main answer.

Trinity

Building

NORTHUMBERLAND ROAD

KEY

A

Brady and

↑

Northumberland

Building

6

52

Map 1: Obtained from Edina digimap.

GROUP

1

2

3

4

5

TCBs

DE

Station

Ground Station

46.0m +

TBM/Ground

station

Invert Station

Northumberland Annexe

CA

BA

AA

GA FA EA DA

Notes

TBM Number

A

B

C

D

E

F

MCE | Department Education Board

RADNOR STREET

60 m

Ground Station:

Metal disc

TBM: Yellow

Disc

Sub Sta

TBM HEIGHT

12.875

21.904

38.203

40.192

53.971

68.234

El

Sub Sta

Camdd

Invert station

Arrow disk

(arrow now

white)

Safety and Security - when carrying out the survey work please consider:

Your personal safety - you must read and follow the surveying risk assessment (in the module guide).

The safety of all staff, students, members of the public, visitors and others using the area.

Security of the surveying equipment.

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You must wear high visibility clothing (e.g. vest / coat) at all times during the survey. If you require

any clarification regarding safety or security then please ask. Students not wearing high visibility vests will

not be allowed to partake in the survey.

Do not leave surveying equipment unattended at any time.

Furthermore, be aware that there is only a limited amount of equipment so booking in advance is always

advised and may be necessary if working outside of allocated practical sessions.

For the four relevant points A - F outlined in Question 1, perform a 4 (four) station traverse survey using

the same starting stations allocated to your group (A - F) and the relevant initial bearing and starting

coordinates:

Starting Station 1

A

B

C

D

E

F

2

C

C

D

F

A

B

MCE | Department Education Board

3

E

E

A

C

C

F

F

A

D

Bearing

014°45'56"

015°45'56"

016°45'56"

017°45'56"

018°45'56"

019°45'56"

Easting (m)

1050.000

2050.000

3050.000

4050.000

5050.000

6050.000

Northing (m)

1610.000

1550.000

1320.000

1440.000

1230.000

1170.000

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