Class Details:

June 21 for one 3-hour session.
An introduction to the Geodesy required for the competent use of GPS. This professional CEU covers the figure of the earth, ellipsoidal models, Vertical and Horizontal Datums, Elevation and Orthometric Height, various forms of direction and how they are related.

Note: Professional development hours have been approved through our partnership with A-B Tech Civil Engineering department as an approved sponsor (of continuing education) by the NC Board of Engineers and Land Surveyors

People who would be interested are any land surveyors and engineers with an interest in basic Geodesy, need to understand how elevation is derived from GPS data, and need to understand the relationships between the various ways of expressing direction.

I. Geodesy
Ancient knowledge and measurements
Early Modern Period (17th -19th centuries)
Modern period
Figure of the earth
Gravity and deflection of the vertical
Geodetic Datums – horizontal position
Elevation and Orthometric height – vertical datums

II. Elevation via GPS
Geoid vs Ellipsoid
Geoid Separation
Where to get Geoidal heights and what do they mean Computation of elevation

III. Direction
4 different types of direction
(Magnetic, Astronomic, Geodetic, Grid) Declination and how to determine
Expected accuracy of NOAA website declination Direction Conversions
Magnetic to True (Astronomic and Geodetic) True to Magnetic
True to Grid
Grid to True
Calculator Programs

About the facilitator

Richard L. Hardison, P.L.S. P.E., CFedS is currently employed as an Engineer/Surveyor at the Eastern band Of Cherokee Indians. 

Work Experience
Eastern Band of Cherokee Engineer, Engineer/Surveyor 2006 – present
NCDOT, Assistant DDC Engineer 2005-2006
Morgan County, Ohio County Engineer, 1998-2004
OHDOT Transportation Engineer 1992-1998

Education and Licenses

TNRLS, October 1991
BSCE Tennessee Technological University May 1992
OHPS, November 1994
OHPE, April 1997
NCPE, December 2004
NCPLS, October 2005
Certified Federal Surveyor, June 2008