BASIC SUBJECTS Topic/Element Content Learning outcomes Module and Content Hours T P SG B1: Mathematics, Statistics, Theory of Errors B1.1 Linear Algebra (B) Vector and affine spaces, vector and inner products, norms. Linear equations, determinants. Analytical geometry, line and plane equations. Linear operators, matrix representation, composition, inverse, transpose. Translations, rotations, coordinate transformations. Describe and apply 2D transformations involved in surveying and mapping. (E4.1c) Solve linear equations using matrix methods. B1.2 Differential calculus (B) Real and vector valued functions. Gradient of real-valued functions and their discrete approximations. Series and integrals. Compute the gradient of a vector valued function. Define a function as a series. Calculate explicit integrals of classical functions. B1.3 Trigonometry (B) Basic trigonometry Sphere, great circle, rhumb lines, sphere angles, spherical triangles and spherical excess. Apply plane and spherical trigonometry to surveying problems. B1.4 Statistics (I) Random variables, mean, variance, standard deviation Covariance and correlation Estimation of mean, variance, covariance Normal distribution Explain what is meant by a random variable, estimate the mean, variance and standard deviation for a random variable and also the covariance between random variables. B1.5 Theory of errors Linear observation equations Covariance propagation law Apply the variance propagation law to a linear observation equation, and derive a
(B) measurement uncertainty as a function of observables’ covariances. B1.6 Least squares (B) Least squares procedure Covariance of estimated parameters Use of unit variance factor estimate Interpretation of ellipses of confidence Interpret results from a square estimation applied to survey measurements. B1.7 Interpolation (B) 1D polynomial interpolation Spatial interpolation by inverse distance weighting methods Differentiate between 1-D and spatial interpolation methods. Create and compare interpolated surfaces from one set of sparse survey measurements using appropriate software under different configurations. B2: Information and Communication Technology B2.1 Computer systems (I) Central Processing Unit RAM, data storage Communication board, serial links, communication ports buffers, Ethernet links, data transmission rates Communication protocols Clocks, clocks time tagging and synchronization of data Operating systems Device drivers Describe the different components of a real-time data acquisition system, including various modes of communication and time-tagging. Describe the role of a device driver and its relation to data exchange. B2.2 Office work software suites (I) Word processors Spreadsheets Graphics and image processing software Database management systems and languages Use classical office work software suites. Construct a database, populate it and query its content.
B2.3 Programming (I) Basic operations of a computer program or script Algorithms (loops, conditional instructions) Scientific computation environments Application to data exchange, file conversion Write a program for data format conversion and/or basic algorithm computation. B2.4 Web and network communications (B) Networks (LANs) Internet Networks integrity Communication protocols Describe the different network communication protocols used in remote data exchange applications. B2.5 Databases (B) File (binary, text, XML) Relational databases Geospatial databases Describe different of geospatial data and their representation. B3: Physics B3.1 Mechanics (B) Kinematics (angular and linear velocities, accelerations) Coriolis Effect Newton’s law, forces, accelerations, energy Describe the relationship between linear and rotational motions through acceleration and velocity B3.2 Gravity (B) Gravity field of the earth Equipotential surfaces Describe the gravity field of the earth in terms of acceleration and potential B3.3 (B) Electromagnetic waves Pressure Ocean waves Wave Propagation Electromagnetic spectrum Radiation, emission and absorption Reflection, refraction, diffraction Differentiate between of waves and their generation and propagation. Explain how medium parameters affect wave behavior.
(B) A-frames, blocks, wire, slip rings and optical cabling Moonpools Launch and recovery Station keeping and maneuvering B5.10 Anchoring (B) Shipboard ground tackle including anchor, windlass, stoppers Small boat anchoring Multiple anchors Describe ship and small boats anchoring and ground tackle. Explain how the final position of the vessel can be adjusted through the use of anchors. B5.11 Instrument moorings (B) Launch and recovery Anchors and acoustic releases wire, flotation, tension Weights Prepare, deploy and recover seabed instruments. B6: Meteorology B6.1 Weather observations (B) Vertical structure and the variability of the atmosphere Temperature, humidity, frost-point Atmospheric pressure, Clouds and precipitations Rain, snow Visibility, advection fog and radiation fog Pressure systems anabatic and katabatic winds Instruments and sensors used to register temperatures, pressure, direction and Define physical meteorological parameters Operate instruments and sensors used to register temperature, pressure, direction and intensity of wind. Record parameters according to internationally accepted standards. Identify characteristics of weather by simple observation of the sea and the sky. B6.2 Wind (B) Explain the relation between atmospheric pressure, temperature and wind. Describe wind circulation around pressure systems and the effect of friction. point,
intensity of wind B6.3 Weather forecasting (B) Synoptic charts Weather forecast Interpret a synoptic Produce an operational short range forecast based on meteorological information, weather bulletins and facsimile charts ESSENTIAL SUBJECTS Topic/Element Content Learning outcomes Module and Content T P SG E1: Underwater Acoustics E1.1 Acoustic Theory E1.1a Generation of acoustic waves (B) Plane and spherical waves in terms of wavelength, amplitude and frequency. Speed of sound in relation to water properties and profile in the water column. Acoustic units, intensities and sound levels Active Equation including sound source, causes of propagation loss in relation to water properties together with characteristics of the sea floor and targets, noise level and directivity Refraction and the path of sound rays through the water column. Transducer principles and beam characteristics Explain how transducer parameters impact upon beam characteristics. E1.1b Propagation of acoustic waves (I) Using appropriate units, describe acoustic wave behavior with reference to physical properties of the water column. Create a sound speed profiles from water column measurements and describe its effect on the acoustic ray path. E1.1c Reflection, scattering and system performance (B) Detail sources of noise and the impact of noise on operation of acoustic systems. E1.1d Reception Explain how a system is optimized in
System parameters including bandwidth, pulse length, pulse repetition rate, gain, detection threshold, range resolution and spatial resolution. of acoustic waves (B) terms of environmental factors for measurement and target detection. E1.2 Single Beam Systems & Side Scan Sonar E1.2a Single beam echo sounders (I) Split beam and dual beam echo sounders Components of a single beam echo sounder. Operation of single beam echo sounders. Bottom detection principles. Full-echo-envelope returns Sub-bottom profiling systems. Validation & Calibration. components, geometry and deployment of side scan sonar systems. Side scan sonar backscatter and sea floor reflection. Side scan images and sources of distortion. Combining sources of uncertainty. Set up, deploy and operate a single beam echo sounder. Select appropriate range, scale, frequency and pulse repetition rate for specific applications in relation to spatial resolution, bottom penetration and depth of water. E1.2b Single beam echo sounder data recording. (I) Interpret echo sounder returns through differentiation between return signals. E1.2c uncertainty (I) Detail and quantify components contributing to uncertainty in derived ranges. E1.2d Side scan sonar (I) Set up, deploy and operate side scan sonar. Interpret side scan sonar records considering target characteristics, system configuration, potential sources of noise and distortion. E1.3 Swath Systems E1.3a Beam characteristics (B) Transducer elements and arrays. Beam forming and beam steering Define characteristics of beams in relation to transducer settings. Compare phase and interferometric systems with multi-beam systems
Principles and geometry of multi-beam and interferometric (phase measurement) sonar systems Amplitude and phase bottom detection Variations in beam spacing and footprint size Backscatter and seabed classification Hull and pole mounting of transducers considering platform motion. Integration of components including time stamping, attitude compensation, sensor offsets and networking. and water column sound speed monitoring Gain, power, pulse length Quality control procedures E1.3f Operation (I) Set up, deploy and operate a swath sonar system. Identify problems or artefacts in on-line data due to inappropriate configuration or changing environmental parameters. Tune acoustic parameters for optimum performance. Apply quality control procedures to data acquisition and on-line processing E2: Remote Sensing E2.1 LiDAR E2.1a Airborne LiDAR systems (B) Wavelength, water penetration and ground detection Scanning frequency and pattern in relation to power, coverage and spatial density. Influence of sea surface roughness, column turbidity on the beam pattern and penetration. Sea bed optical characteristics and bottom detection. Explain the principles, capabilities and limitations of topographic and bathymetric LiDAR. Describe the physical environment and operational situations in which bathymetric LiDAR surveys are complementary to echo sounder surveys E2.1b Airborne data products Extract high and low lines from bathymetric and topographic LiDAR data sets. Use topographic and bathymetric
charts. Geomorphological influences on tidal characteristics E3.1b Tidal information (B) Tide and current tables Tide prediction tools Use tide tables and appropriate software to determine predicted water levels and tidal currents. E3.1c Non-tidal water level variations (B) Changes in water level caused by: atmospheric pressure, wind, seiches, ocean temperature and precipitation. Water level variations in estuaries, wetlands and rivers Water level variations occurring in inland lakes, rivers, reservoirs and canals Describe the effect of non-tidal influences on tidal water levels in the conduct of a hydrographic survey Describe sources of level variations occurring in inland waters E3.2 Water Level Measurement E3.2a Water level gauges (I) Operating principles of various of water level gauges including pressure (vented and unvented), GNSS buoys, float, radar, acoustic sensors and tide poles/boards/staffs. Installing water level gauges, establishment and levelling of associated survey marks Networks of level gauges Reference levels such as MSL, chart datum, and mean high water. River and lake datums Uncertainties associated with measurement devices Uncertainties associated with Explain the principles of operation of different types of water level gauges. Install, and calibrate a water level gauge. E3.2b measurement (I) Configure water level gauges for logging data, data communication, data download and for network operation with appropriate quality control measures. E3.2c Water level datums (B) Define various tidally based reference levels on the basis of tide time series and explain how these values are computed. Describe how vertical reference levels in rivers and lakes are defined, and determined in practice. E3.2d Uncertainty in Relate uncertainty in water levels to uncertainties in measurement, duration
duration of observations. associated with spatial separation of water level measurements. water level (B) and distance from water level gauge. E3.3 Water Level Reduction E3.3a Water level reduction of soundings (I) Vessel squat Lever-arms and Position Reference Point offsets Vertical datums for sounding reduction Predicted tides versus measured tide reduction Co-tidal charts Reduction of survey data to a using GNSS observations Reduction of survey data using water level observations Use information, and vessel parameters to reduce soundings to a specified datum. E3.3b Reduction of soundings GNSS observations (I) Configure and calibrate GNSS to reduce soundings to a specified survey datum. E3.4 Currents E3.4a streams and currents (B) The relationship between currents and tides Rectilinear and rotary streams Methods for measuring tidal streams and currents, including current meters, acoustic current profilers (ADCP) and drogues. Current surveys Surface current observation Portraying current data Explain the forces behind currents and change in currents with tides. E3.4b Current measurement and portrayal (B) Describe techniques for current measurement and identify appropriate methods for acquiring and displaying current data. E4: Positioning E4.1 Geodesy E4.1a Shape of the Earth as a sphere, Describe the shape of the Earth in terms
Introduction to Geodesy (B) ellipsoid of revolution and the geoid; Definitions of astronomical and time. Geodetic computations on the ellipsoid. geodetic reference frames Vertical datums Terrestrial reference systems and reference frames. Modern geodetic datums WGS84, GRS80. and datum transformation techniques of potential and ellipsoidal models E4.1b Coordinate systems, frames and datums (B) Describe modern geodetic reference systems and associated reference frames. E4.1c Geodetic transformations and associated computations (B) Describe horizontal and vertical datum transformation concepts E4.1d Ellipsoidal computations (B) Describe geometry of on the ellipsoid and perform forward and inverse computations on the ellipsoidal surface using available software. E4.2 Principles of Cartography E4.2 Map projections Geometrical properties of map projections Cylindrical, conical Describe the properties and distortions in different types of projections used in maps and charts.
(B) projections including the UTM system and stereographic Analytical projection formulae and planimetric coordinates Distortions in distance and direction associated with different map projections Explain the selection of projection type and apply appropriate projection formulae. E4.3 Positioning Measurements, Methods and Techniques E4.3a Positioning fundamentals (I) Principles of distance measurement and angle measurement Principles of 2D adjustment Sextant Total station Theodolite Electromagnetic positioning devices Intersection, Resection, and Traverse methods for determination of orientation. Expansion of traditional geodetic networks Principle of GNSS positioning GNSS services characteristics (single baseline, network, Precise Point Positioning) Performance of code vs. carrier; differential vs. autonomous modes; multiple vs. single frequency; fixed vs. float ambiguity resolution (troposphere, ionosphere) effects on GNSS Undertake control surveys, establish, mark and describe control stations, describe horizontal positioning procedures, apply appropriate methods and use corresponding instruments for positioning. Correct gyros using astronomic methods. E4.3b Satellite positioning (I) Explain the GNSS concept and principles. Define pseudo ranging and carrier phase based modes of satellite positioning Differentiate between base station and permanent networks, real-time and E4.3c Positioning systems (I) test and use distance and angle measurement instruments. Apply field validation procedures Operate GNSS and DGNSS equipment, assess accuracy and precision, GNSS data using appropriate software. E4.3d Historical surveys (B) Relate historical surveys to legacy positioning systems. E4.3e Survey Establish, mark, and describe control process processing.
signals stations Logistical aspects of providing control control (I) stations, particularly hydrographic stations. E4.4 Vertical Positioning E4.4a Height systems (B) Height systems (dynamic, orthometric and normal) Leveling instruments stations Effects of curvature and refraction GNSS observations Differentiate between gravity-related and ellipsoidal heights E4.4b Elevation measurements and computation (I) Describe methods for determining elevation differences. Determine height GNSS equipment. Compute elevations and leveling networks from observed leveling data. Use observation techniques for correction of curvature and refraction. E4.5 Acoustic Positioning E4.5a Acoustic positioning concepts (B) Long baseline Short baseline Ultra-short baseline Transponders Depth sensors Integration with INS and velocity sensors Use of acoustics for positioning towed vehicles, ROVs and AUVs Describe the deployment, calibration, signal structure and performance of acoustic positioning devices. Describe the use of acoustic positioning systems in offshore survey operations. E4.5b Acoustic positioning systems (B) Describe the principles of integrated subsea positioning systems and their application to remote survey platforms E4.6 Inertial Navigation E4.6a Inertial Measurement (B) and accelerometers IMU Procedures for INS static and dynamic alignment Use of IMU in heave estimation Describe principles and use of IMU’s including finding and heave estimation. Compare IMU heading measurements with magnetic and gyro compasses. E4.6b Inertial Distinguish IMUs and INS, and describe
Aided Inertial navigation: ADCP/INS GNSS/INS USBL/Depth/INS Navigation Systems (B) dynamic alignment of INS. Explain the concepts of aided inertial navigation system. E4.7 Uncertainty in Positioning E4.7 Sources of uncertainty (I) Static surveys: GNSS observations stations Leveling instruments Acoustic positioning Mobile surveys: GNSS equipment IMU/INS Acoustic positioning Total propagated uncertainty Describe and explain the sources and magnitude of uncertainties associated with each positioning method and positioning system. Monitor, review and assess the performance of each positioning system to be used including repeatability, precision and accuracies of relative and absolute positions using appropriate statistical tools. E5: Hydrographic Practice E5.1 Hydrographic Survey Projects E5.1a Hydrographic survey purposes (I) IHO S-44 and other survey quality standards. Hydrographic instructions and tenders Types of surveys, such as: Nautical charting survey Boundary delimitation survey Harbor and waterways surveys Engineering works and dredging surveys Coastal engineering surveys Inland surveys Erosion and land-sea Compare, interpret and hydrographic instructions and tenders associated with survey specifications. E5.1b Hydrographic survey execution requirements (I) Identify the different phases and terminology associated with types of survey operations. E5.1c Hydrographic survey project organization Distinguish the and responsibilities of individuals within a survey team.
profilers Data acquisition and integration systems Bar Boresight calibration for alignment bias Layback calculations Explain the purposes and apply speed of sound measurements in acoustic systems. E5.2d Line planning (I) Planning for data acquisition including line spacing and sample locations in alignment with tasks to be performed on surveys and equipment to be used. Planning of survey operation considering currents, and survey speed. Track guidance and route following information systems. Plan survey vessel survey lines as well as towed, remote vehicle and autonomous vehicle lines in space and time. E5.2e Line keeping (B) Explain the methods of maintaining a survey vessel or survey system on a planned survey line or route. Describe the effects on the survey quality due to the vessel motion (speed over the ground, angular velocity). E5.2f Survey operations (B) Survey parameters including: scale, positional accuracy and precision, survey line orientation, environmental and oceanographic parameters survey lines, interlines and cross lines, sounding density and spatial resolution overlap data coverage. Quality control of: Describe the roles and the relationships of the following survey parameters: scale, positional accuracy, survey speed, line orientation, survey lines, interlines, cross lines, fix interval, data coverage. E5.2g Quality control (I) Explain methods for quality control of survey data and the quality assurance of survey operations.
surface velocity probe Side-scan Surface positioning system IMU / INS Subsea positioning system (USBL) ROV / AUV / ASV Data acquisition system and software Time-tagging Data visualization (I) Use monitoring software to detect possible biases and errors in the data. E6.1c Data transfer and storage (I) Content of in different formats used to record data in survey planning, data acquisition and products. Organization of survey databases Data storage and backup systems Create the required data types that will be part of standard exchange formats. Configure systems for secure storage, transfer and backup of survey data E6.2 Data Processing and Analysis E6.2a Spatial data cleaning (I) Data cleaning techniques (manual and automated) Identification of outliers Identification of real features Apply data cleaning techniques using appropriate software. Distinguish between noise, outliers & real features E6.2b Spatial data quality control (I) Total propagated uncertainty - horizontal Total propagated uncertainty - vertical Comparing crossing or adjacent data between survey lines Comparing overlapping data between survey platforms Assess the total propagated uncertainty of survey data relative to the survey specification Apply procedures used to assess, accept and reject data.
common oceanographic parameters and profiles oceanographic sensors (e.g. for temperature, conductivity, and depth) and need for calibration measurements (I) E7.1c Waves (B) Wave parameters and elements involved in the wave growth process including fetch and bathymetry Breaking long-shore drift and rip current processes. Outline wave generation processes and discuss mitigation tactics against the impact of waves in planning survey operations. E7.2 Marine Geology and Geophysics E7.2a Seabed characteristics (B) Seabed samplers such as grabs, corers and dredges and basic sediment types. Types of seabed Processes involved in seabed dynamics Explain the objectives of seabed sampling detailing sampling equipment and how samples are stored and analyzed. E7.2b Magnetic surveys (B) Magnetic fields and anomalies Objectives of magnetic surveys to detect pipelines, cables and ordnance. Magnetometers Describe Earth’s magnetic field and explain the use of magnetometers and the objectives of magnetic surveys. E7.2c Seismic surveys (B) Continuous reflection/refraction seismic profiling. Typical sound sources, receivers and recorders. High resolution seismic systems Sub-bottom profilers Explain the objectives of seismic surveys and the equipment used to conduct such surveys. E7.3 Environmental impact E7.3a Impact of Permanent and temporary Describe appropriate procedures and