Geomatics Engineering Undergraduate Program
What is Geomatics Engineering?
Geomatics Engineering is a rapidly developing discipline that focuses on spatial information, i.e. information that has a location. The location is the main factor used to integrate a very wide range of data for viewing and analysis. As almost all information has some kind of location, the varieties of information and applications with which the Geomatics Engineer is involved are extremely wide.
Geomatics Engineering includes the disciplines of geodesy, photogrammetry, remote sensing, mapping, land and geographic information systems, spatial computing, computer vision and all types of surveying. Geomatics is the science that knits all these spatial information disciplines together, and Geomatics Engineering is developing the science and creating new uses for the technology developed.
A Look at the Parts of Geomatics Engineering
Geodesy
- Concerned with precise positioning on the Earth, and thus serves as a foundation for other spatial sciences. It is also concerned with precise determination of the size and shape of the Earth, measurement of the Earth's gravity field, and the monitoring of geodynamic phenomena.
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Closely related with other Earth Sciences like solid Earth physics, hydrology, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, glaciology, geophysics and geology, and thus aids our understanding of the dynamic behavior within the solid and liquid Earth, the movements of crustal plates and the behavior of the oceans and atmosphere.
This field uses some of the most advanced satellite, measurement, electronic and computer technologies. Radio and visual astronomy, satellite measurement of location, space-based measurement of atmospheric and oceanic phenomena, laser and radio measurement of satellite location, use of inertial navigation and measurement systems, gravity measurement and computer modeling are all part of the work of geodesists. - Has been a major field of study and research at OSU for nearly half a century, and OSU has an excellent international reputation in the field.
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Photogrammetry is the science of high precision measurements from photographs and other forms of imagery. This ranges from aerial photographs for mapping, through close-range photos for medical measurements, to the use of digital images in sophisticated digital workstations. Photogrammetry is now moving into the computer vision and image understanding fields and digital photogrammetry is revolutionizing the way we think about and work with maps.
Remote sensing is concerned with acquiring spatial information from a range of sensors, including satellite imagery, airborne scanners and radar satellites. Computer-based digital image processing allows the classification of information about what is on the ground.
Photogrammetry and remote sensing provide large amounts of data about the landscape very rapidly, and are often used for disaster monitoring, environmental assessment and rapid mapping of areas. Mapping can now be done from moving ground vehicles, using digital photogrammetry and high-precision positioning technology. OSU is about to commercialize a major development in digital imagery collected from aircraft, and has already led the world in the development of mobile mapping technology.
Computer Mapping
Computer systems that can handle spatial data and information are now finding wide-spread application, and professionals with the skills to work with spatial information in Land and Geographic Information Systems (LIS and GIS) are in high demand.
Computer mapping goes far beyond paper maps, allowing interactive maps, 3-D maps, and complex querying and modeling in which the spatial data is linked to a wide range of other types of data. Census data, municipal land records, environmental data, socio-economic and business data can all be linked and analyzed in their spatial context.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
GIS are systems for bringing together large amounts of data, spatial and non-spatial, to aid in complex decision-making, planning and management of resources, and land management. Many systems of this type are in use in government and private sectors.
This technology is still in its early days, with a great deal of development still ahead. Many graduates of our programs go on to work in this field.
GIS expertise involves an understanding of how spatial data and information behaves, data structures in computerized information systems, system and application development, an ability to work within complex administrative and institutional environments, as well as an understanding of application areas.
Land Information Systems (LIS)
LIS are like GIS, but focus on questions of land ownership, land management and automation of cadastral systems. This field is booming internationally, as the former communist nations attempt to sort out land ownership problems, as well as try to deal with complex environmental problems.
Expertise in LIS combines a thorough understanding of GIS with a knowledge of land and general law, land ownership system and the operation and economics of land markets.
Spatial Computing
Spatial computing is all about ways of using spatial data and information in computerized operations and systems. Spatial data comes in a great many forms, and in many cases, conventional software do not work well with it. There is a great deal of interest in combining location and spatial knowledge with many other types of information.
Spatial computing is related to areas such as computer vision, where we try to get a computer to understand what an image means, rather than just things that can be recognized in the image. This has application in other areas of geomatics, as well as in industrial applications.
Geomatics engineers will be well placed to develop this technology and find ways of using to solve complex problems in the work place and the environment.
Surveying
Surveying includes boundary, or cadastral, surveying, which provides the basis for the cadastral system, which in turn guarantees the ownership of land and the economic systems built on top of the security of land.
The value of an efficient cadastral system has been demonstrated in a multi-billion dollar program in Thailand to establish such a system across the whole country, thereby providing a solid basis for their expanding economy.
Surveying is also used in engineering and construction work, as well as range of high-precision tasks. These include measurement of structures like dams, bridges and buildings for safety and during construction.
Topographic surveying is used to make detailed maps, generally in a computer, for design and development. Mining surveying is used for measurements for mines, tunnel construction and underground safety.
Surveyors today use satellite receivers, laser-based total stations and high-powered workstations and software for their work. They also provide links in multi-disciplinary teams, as are often found on large projects.