THE ENGINEER SURVEYOR

Abstract

Survey Training for the Civil Engineer at the University has been discussed in four articles in the Review. (R. N. Ray, M.A., xii, 89, 104–110; H. Biesheuvel, B.Sc., xii, 90, 159–165; A. Stephenson, O.B.E., M.A., F.R.I.C.S., xii, 91, 217–222; K. R. Peattie, B.Sc., Ph.D., A.R.T.C., A.M.I.C.E., xii, 94, 376–379.) Cost of equipment for a large class and limitation of time in an already heavily loaded curriculum prevent the student acquiring enough training to undertake the survey work required on alarge engineering scheme. The schemes of training described in the four articles are greatly to be admired and it is hard to see how any improvement can be made.     

SURVEYING INSTRUCTION AT THE UNIVERSITY

Abstract

The title and content of Mr. Ray's contribution to the July number of the E.S.R. entitled “Surveying Instruction at the University” is in the present writer's opinion, somewhat misleading. Obviously he is only referring to the teaching of surveying to civil engineering undergraduates and to students of such other branches of engineering as may be catered for, and does not mention the quite extensive surveying courses associated with the degrees in Geography and Mining at certain Universities. The gist of the article is confusing in that the author concludes by stating that he is “making an honest attempt to assess the merits of the surveying instruction given in the Universities of this country”, which is an admittedly worthy quest but scarcely compatible with some earlier statements such as “the long overdue overhaul of our University courses”, a statement which seems a little premature for one who is still in the stage of “honestly assessing” what is going on.     

The NASA environment remote sensing analysis facility (ERSAF) support for space shuttle earth observations

Abstract

A major concept in urban geography deals with determining the spheres of influence for urban centers. This paper describes an instructional module used in two different geography courses showing students how a model might be developed to measure spheres of influence for multiple urban centers within a given region. A geographic information system (GIS) is employed throughout the development of the model. This module is incorporated into a traditional undergraduate urban geography course and a beginning GIS course. The software packages used are MapViewer and Grapher. The region is the Mississippi Lowlands with five urban centers: New Orlenas, Memphis, Little Rock, Jackson, and Baton Rouge. Keywords: GIS, spheres of influence, MapViewer, urban geography.     

CONVENTIONS AND GENERALIZED FORMULAE FOR THE ASTRONOMICAL TRIANGLE

Abstract

In the October 1953 issue of this Review (E.S.R. xii, 90, 174), Mr. J. G. Freislich has written of the difficulties of a southern hemisphere computer attempting to use astronomical formulae from a textbook prepared for use in the northern hemisphere. He proposes a solution in which different conventions are adopted in the two hemispheres, leading to different formulae for the two cases, a solution which the present writer does not favour.     

HEIGHTS ON KILIMANJARO

Abstract

The Tanganyika Department of Lands and Surveys is to be congratulated on the successful Kilimanjaro Heighting Expedition recorded in the January 1954 issue of this Review (xii, 91, 194–210). In particular, K. T. Pugh is to be commended for his tenacity in makjng the summit observations under trying conditions.     

LENGTH AND AZIMUTH OF LONG LINES ON THE EARTH

Abstract

In the E.S.R., viii, 59, 191–194 (January 1946), J.H. Cole gives a very simple formula for finding the length of long lines on the spheroid (normal section arcs), given the coordinates of the end points. In the course of the computation the approximate azimuth of one end of the line is found, the error over a 500-mile line being of the order of 3″ or 4″. If the formula is amended so that the azimuth at the other end of the line is used in computing the length of the arc, the error is then less than 0″·1 over such a distance. An extra term is now given which makes this azimuth virtually correct over any distance. Numerical tests show that Cole's formula for length and the new one for azimuth are very accurate and convenient in all azimuths and latitudes.     

DETERMINATION OF AZIMUTH AND LATITUDE FROM OBSERVATIONS OF A SINGLE UNKNOWN STAR BY A NEW METHOD

Abstract

Encouraged by the great interest evoked by the study of S. K. Ghosh (xii, 87, 17–26), the author of the present article considers it timely to present this paper. As readers know, the ingenious stereo-analytical solution of Ghosh was recently supplemented by Gougenheim (xii, 94, 342–349) who introduced approximate values in a method conveniently applicable also to graphical determinations.     

THE STEREOGRAPHIC SOLUTION OF THE SPHERICAL TRIANGLE

Abstract

At the suggestion of Mr. T. H. Corfield, who has himself given two solutions (E.S.R., No. 12, pp. 345–6) of Mr. A. J. Potter's problem, I venture to submit a third solution, which has at least the merit of simplicity.     

A Place to Howl: A GIS Instructional Module on the Mexican Gray Wolf

Abstract

This paper covers the development of a GIS instructional module centered on the reintroduction of the Mexican Gray Wolf in the Southwest, United States. This module is used in an undergraduate geography course on the United States. The paper also reports on how forty‐one students applied the module in trying to find an appropriate location to reintroduce the wolf.     

面向测绘地理信息服务的测绘工程专业地理教学思考

在"十二五"测绘地理信息发展24字总体战略背景下,如何培养测绘地理信息复合型人才是当前测绘工程专业教学过程中需要思考的重要问题,也是影响我国测绘领域"十二五""监测地理国情"目标实现的重要因素。从明确测绘地理信息融合对测绘工程专业人才培养的要求入手,笔者对测绘工程专业地理教学存在问题进行了分析,并围绕教学内容优化与教学方法改革进行了探讨。     

DIRECT USE OF AIR PHOTOS FOR CADASTRAL PURPOSES IN ZANZIBAR

Abstract

Since a number of factors have combined to separate the second part of this paper from the first appearing in the E.S.R., issue No. 63, Volume IX, pp. 1–14, and written by Sir Ernest Dawson, I feel that some emphasis, already given, may reasonably be reproduced. To quote from Sir Ernest's paragraph on the Main Problem :—“The crux of the matter which I had been invited to solve, was the definition and record in a simple, sure and economical way, of the increasing number of unstable small holdings in their tangled setting throughout the Protectorate.”     

地理信息科学专业学生数学素养的培养

地理信息科学专业涉及地理学、测绘学、数学、计算机等多个学科,就培养角度而言,地理信息科学一方面强调地理学和测绘科学的知识学习,另一方面强调以数学素养为代表的素质教育。本文重点探讨了数学素养、核心要素和专业课程学习之间的关系,并探究实践对数学素养培养的影响。以武汉大学地理信息科学专业4届学生成绩为例,分析了数学素养及其与专业课程学习之间的相关性。分析结果表明：数学素养有助于地理信息科学专业课程的学习和深化。地理信息科学专业课程教学中需要激发学生的数学思维,这样不但有助于学生数学素养的提升,更加有助于对专业课程的理解和升华。同时,实践是检验和锻炼数学素养最好的方式,学生应在实际实践中不断提高自身数学素养与综合能力。     

FURTHER NOTES ON FIGURES OF REFERENCE

Abstract

Major Hotine (E.S.R., No. II, pp. 264–8) still finds the location of a reference spheroid to offer insuperable difficulties. I confess that my difficulty is to see his! In my previous article (E.S.R., No. 8) at the foot of page 76, I used the word “coincidence” in error for “parallelism”. This harmonizes the article and I am glad that Major Hotine has directed attention to the error.     

WITH THE FIELD SURVEY UNITS IN FRANCE

Abstract

Colonel MacLeod has already given in this Review (vol. i, 151–6, 207–14, 253–9) an excellent general account of the activities of the Field Survey Units in the Great War, but perhaps the details of some of the problems that presented themselves and the personal experiences of a Field Survey Officer may still be of some interest.     

FIGURES OF REFERENCE FOR THE EARTH

Abstract

1. The object of this note is to clear up what I believe to be some misconceptions regarding the use of a reference system by a surveyor of the earth's surface. In his article “An Aspect of Attraction”, E.S.R., No. 7, pp. 24–8, Major M. Hotine expressed doubts as to the validity of the process usually followed. I may say at once that I consider these doubts are unfounded.     

DEVELOPING THE CARTOGRAPHIC SKILLS OF GEOGRAPHY STUDENTS (Organization of laboratory work in the “Cartography” course)

The authors describe the content and objectives of laboratory work in the general cartography course at Moscow University. The course is taken by all third-semester geography students, with laboratory work designed to develop basic skills in mapping and map use rather than supply professional cartographic training. A lab syllabus, designed as a model for similar courses throughout the USSR, permits comparison of Soviet emphases with those prevailing in North American universities. Considerable attention is devoted to development of evaluative skills (selection of suitable projections, methods of presentation, etc.) and recognition of basic sources of cartographic information. Translated from: Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, geografiya, 1984, No. 5, pp. 43-48.