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Curriculum

Degree Programmes

Overview

The faculty offers BSc. in Surveying Sciences degree in five areas of specialization. All students entering the faculty must follow the core courses during the first five semesters. Selection for the specialization is done at the end of 3rd year 1st semester, based on personal preference and merit.

 

 

 

Specialization areas

The students can follow the BSc. in Surveying Sciences degree in five specialization areas specified below. The department of Surveying and Geodesy is offers courses in three specialization areas and the department of Remote sensing and GIS offers courses in two specialization areas as indicated below.

 

Specialization area

Department

 Bachelor of Science Honours in Surveying Sciences in Surveying & Geodesy

Surveying and Geodesy

 Bachelor of Science Honours in Surveying Sciences in Land Management

 Bachelor of Science Honours in Surveying Sciences in Hydrographic Surveying

 Bachelor of Science Honours in Surveying Sciences in Remote Sensing

Remote Sensing and GIS

 Bachelor of Science Honours in Surveying Sciences in Geographic Information System

 

All students entering the faculty must follow the sore courses during the first five semesters. Selection for the specialization is done at the end of 3rd year 1st semester, based on personal preference and merit. According to the Sri Lanka Qualification Framework (SLQF) guidelines, a Bachelor of Science Honours degree needs to offer a minimum of 120 credits. However, as the BScHons (Surveying Sciences) degree is at exit level 7 (SLQF – Sep. 2015), a student needs to complete a minimum of 150 credits to be eligible for graduation. Of these 150 credits, 113 credits come from the common but compulsory core of the programme, with the rest from selected specialization courses.

 

Study Mode

This Bachelor of Science Honours in Surveying Sciences degree is offered as a full time course by the Faculty of Geomatics, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka at the main campus situated at Belihuloya. Further the medium of instructions of this course is English. Refer, Faculty Hand Book for the criteria of the selection for specialization.

 

Selection Criteria for Specialization

The students should apply for specialization, indicating the preferences at the end of the 5th semester. However, if there are more applicants for a course than viable, examination results of the core programme will be considered. Additionally, a student needs to pass all relevant pre-requisite courses from the core programme to be eligible for his/her choice of specialization. The pre-requisite subjects will be decided by each department.

The student has to apply for his/her choice of optional courses, from the courses offered by each department, before the commencement of the new semester. Then, he/she is allowed to add or drop courses until the end of the first week of the semester, if necessary.

At the same time, a student can apply for a greater number of courses than the number of courses required to earn the prescribed minimum number of credits. In this case, the student must choose and specify the courses that are to be counted for the Final Grade Point (FGP), and the grades of the rest of the optional courses will be recorded in the detailed transcript but not counted towards the calculation of the FGP. However, all decisions are subjected to discussion and approval by the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Geomatics.

Refer, Faculty Hand Book for the proposed courses for each semester, with the appropriate number of credits per course.

 

Duration of study and methods

The duration of the study is:

  1. Minimum 8 semesters (4 years)
  2. Maximum 12 semesters (6 years)

 

The methods of teaching and learning

 

Directed Learning

Lectures  Power point presentation/ Conventional delivery methods
Practical     Laboratory/ Field/ Demonstrations
Tutorial     Discussing and solving problems/questions with students
Student Centred Learning (SCL) Students presenting certain topics in the curriculum, debates, homework, group/individual presentations
Seminar   Knowledge imparted by a resource person/expert to a ‘class’ with minimum or no practical component
Workshop  Knowledge imparted by a resource person/expert to a ‘class’ with the major portion comprising of hands-on experience

 

Independent Learning            

SCL activities     Preparation for SCL activities in class
Assignments   Questions/ Quizzes/ Presentations/ Demonstrations/ Debates
Projects    Individual/ Group activities involving a certain topic/ activity
e-Learning  Use of electronic media, commonly the internet for education
Homework   Studies that a student has to do out of the class hours
Field visit  Report/ Presentations/ Viva
Revision/Preparation for Exams Working through the entire curriculum by oneself (before the final examination)

Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

The basic learning outcomes that must be demonstrated by the students at the end of the programme are summarized as follows.

 

Description of the Learning Programme

(a) Knowledge

  • An adequate theoretical knowledge to plan and conduct Geomatics related projects
  • Ability to use techniques, skills & modern tools to solve Geomatics related problems effectively & creatively
  • To manage geo-spatial data effectively

 

(b) Skills

  • Ability to apply his knowledge and skills to enhance the management of the natural and anthropogenic resources for the sustainable development of the nation
  • Ability to think critically and solve problems efficiently
  • Ability to lead a team effectively to achieve a common goal
  • Ability to communicate effectively
  • Ability to apply skills in financial, operational and human resource management
  • Ability to apply entrepreneurial skills effectively

 

(c) Attitudes

  • Ability to work independently & in collaboration with others
  • Care of instruments and other resources
  • Intellectual integrity, respect for truth & for the ethics of research & scholarly activities
  • An ability to lead the community and the willingness to accept social & civic responsibilities
  • Respect the values of the other individuals and groups, and an appreciation of human and cultural diversity
  • Continuous professional and personal development

Foundation Programme

Course Outline

Year I Semester I

Subject Code

Subject

Credit

FC 11216

Analytical Geometry and Linear Algebra

2

FC 11218

Basics in Land Surveying

2

FC 11319

Basics in Cartography

3

FC 11221

Calculus

2

FC 11322

Computer Applications

3

FC 11231

English I **

2

FC 11544

Land Surveying Practical I

5

FC 11249

Mechanics

2

FC 11150

Occupational Health and Safety

1

FC 11055

Sinhala I*

Non credited

FC 11057

Tamil I*

Non credited

  TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR I SEMESTER I 22

* Compulsory, non-GPA subjects
**Compulsory, credited and non-GPA subjects.


Year I Semester II

Subject Code

Subject

Credit

FC 12217

Basic CAD for surveyors

2

FC 12120

Basics in Environmental Sciences

1

FC 12323

Computer Programming  

3

FC 12325

Descriptive Statistics and Probability Distribution

3

FC 12232

English II**

2

FC 12243

Land Surveying

2

FC 12545

Land Surveying Practical II

5

FC 12152

Personality Development and Conflict Resolution

1

FC 12056

Sinhala II*

Non credited

FC 12058

Tamil II*

Non credited

FC 12260

Vector Calculus and Spherical Trigonometry

2

FC 12361

Waves and Vibrations

3

  TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR I SEMESTER II 24

* Compulsory, non-GPA subjects
**Compulsory, credited and non-GPA subjects.


Year II Semester I

Subject Code

Subject

Credit

FC 21212

Adjustment Computations

2

FC 21114

Advanced Land Surveying

1

FC 21324

Database Management Systems

3

FC 21328

Electricity and Magnetism

3

FC 21129

Electronic Distance Measurement

1

FC 21241

Geometric Geodesy

2

FC 21342

Inferential Statistics and Numerical Methods

3

FC 21546

Land Surveying Practical III

5

FC 21248

Management

2

FC 21159

Technical Communication

1

TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR II SEMESTER I

23


Year II Semester II

Subject Code

Subject

Credit

FC 22211

AC Theory and Circuits

2

FC 22213

Advanced CAD for Surveyors

2

FC 22226

Differential Equations and Mathematical Methods

2

FC 22130

Engineering Surveying

1

FC 22238

Fundamentals of Satellite Based Positioning and Navigation

2

FC 22239

Geodetic Astronomy

2

FC 22247

Land Surveying Practical IV

5

FC 22351

Optical Remote Sensing

3

FC 22153

Philosophy and Critical Thinking

1

FC 22362

Web Based Developing Techniques

3

TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR II SEMESTER II

23


Year III Semester I

Subject Code

Subject

Credit

FC 31327

Digital Image Processing

3

FC 31133

Entrepreneurship Skills

1

FC 31234

Fundamentals of Cadastre & Land Management

2

FC 31335

Fundamentals of GIS

3

FC 31236

Fundamentals of Hydrographic Surveying

2

FC 31337

Fundamentals of Photogrammetry

3

FC 31140

Geodetic Computations

1

FC 31254

Professional Practice

2

FC 31465

Survey Camp

4

TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR III SEMESTER I

21

Specializations at Department of Surveying and Geodesy

Course Outline

Year III Semester II

Subject Code

Subject

Credit

SG 32211

Advanced Concepts of GNSS

2

SG 32314

Construction Surveying

3

SG 32216

Fundamentals in Physical Geodesy

2

SG 32217

Map Projections

2

Elective Subject*

2

UP 41899

Research Project - Part 1(Proposal)

2

TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR III SEMESTER II - Surveying and Geodesy

13

UP 41899 – Research Project*** – 2 credits (proposal)

***the subject will be continued into the following semester (Year IV semester I) and evaluated as a single subject at the end.

*should cover at least 2 credits from selected courses from other specializations. The selected courses will be given by the Faculty, based on the availability of resources etc. prevailing at any given time.


Year IV Semester I

Subject Code

Subject

Credit

SG 41212

Advanced Physical Geodesy

2

SG 41313

Applications of GNSS

3

SG 41215

Deformation Monitoring and Analysis

2

SG 41218

Quantity Surveying

2

Elective Subject*

2

UP 41899

Research Project - Part 2 (Final Project with Technical paper)

6

TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR IV SEMESTER I - Surveying & Geodesy

17

UP 41899 - Research Project*** – 6 credits (4 – thesis and 2 – research paper)

***The subject is a continuation of the previous semester and will be evaluated as a single subject with a total of 8 credits.

*should cover at least 2 credits from selected courses from other specializations. The selected courses will be given by the Faculty, based on the availability of resources etc. prevailing at any given time.


Year IV – Semester II

IT 42798 - Industrial Training** – 700 hours – 7 credits.

**Compulsory, credited and non-GPA subjects.

Total credits for Surveying & Geodesy specialization is 150 (113+37).

Specialization in Land Management

Course Outlines

Year III – Semester II

Subject Code

Subject

Credit

LM 32221

Applied Project Management

2

LM 32223

Land Administration

3

LM 32226

Land Tenure and Property Rights

2

LM 32227

Land Valuation

2

Elective Subject*

2

UP 41899

Research Project - Part 1 (Proposal)

2

TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR III SEMESTER II - Land Management

13

      

UP 41899– Research Project*** – 2 credits (proposal)

*should cover at least 2 credits from selected courses from other specializations. The selected courses will be given by the Faculty, based on the availability of resources etc. prevailing at any given time.

***the subject will be continued into the following semester (Year IV semester I) and evaluated as a single subject at the end.


Year IV – Semester I

Subject Code

Subject

Credit

LM 41122

Designing a Land Management Project

1

LM 41224

Land Law

2

LM 41225

Land Policy and Land Management

2

LM 41228

Spatial Data Infrastructure

2

LM 41229

Urban Planning

2

Elective Subject*

2

UP 41899

Research Project - Part 2 (Final Project with Technical paper)

6

TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR IV SEMESTER I - Land Management

17

UP 41899 - Research Project*** – 6 credits(4 – thesis and 2 – research paper)

*should cover at least 2 credits from selected courses from other specializations. The selected courses will be given by the Faculty, based on the availability of resources etc. prevailing at any given time.

***The subject is a continuation of the previous semester and will be evaluated as a single subject with a total of 8 credits.


Year IV – Semester II

 

 

IT 42798- Industrial Training** – 700 hours – 7 credits.

**Compulsory, credited and non-GPA subjects.

Total credits for Land Management specialization is 150 (113+37).

Specialization in Hydrographic Surveying

Course Outlines

Year III – Semester II

Subject Code

Subject

Credit

HS 32331

Advanced Hydrographic Surveying

3

HS 32337

Tides

3

HS 32235

Oceanography & Marine Meteorology

2

HS 32236

Seamanship and Navigation

2

SG 32217

Map Projections*

2

UP 41899

Research Project - Part l (Proposal)

2

TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR III SEMESTER II - Hydrographic Surveying

14

UP 41899 – Research Project*** – 2 credits (proposal)

*Compulsory  course from the Specialization programme in Surveying and Geodesy.

***the subject will be continued into the following semester (Year IV semester I) and evaluated as a single subject at the end.


Year IV – Semester I

Subject Code

Subject

Credit

HS 41138

Underwater Acoustics

1

HS 41332

Hydrographic Data Management

3

HS 41134

Law of the Sea

1

HS 41537

Hydrographic Practical

3

UP 41899

Research Project - Part 2 (Final Project with Technical paper)

6

TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR IV SEMESTER I - Hydrographic Surveying

16

UP 41899- Research Project*** – 6 credits (4 – thesis and 2 – research paper)

***The subject is a continuation of the previous semester and will be evaluated as a single subject with a total of 8 credits.


Year IV – Semester II

IT 42798- Industrial Training** – 700 hours – 7 credits

**Compulsory, credited and non-GPA subjects.

Total credits for Hydrographic Surveying  specialization is 150 (113+37).


Specializations at Department of Remote Sensing and GIS

Course Outline

Year III Semester II

Subject Code

Subject

Credit

RS 32241

Advanced Photogrammetry

2

RS 32348

Artificial Neural Networks

3

RS 32243

Digital Elevation Modelling

2

RS 32347

Microwave Remote Sensing

3

Elective Subject*

2

UP 41899

Research Project - Part l (Proposal)

2

TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR III SEMESTER II - Remote Sensing

14

UP 41899– Research Project*** – 2 credits (proposal)

*should cover at least 2 credits from selected courses from the other specializations. The selected courses will be given by the Faculty, based on the availability of resources etc. prevailing at any given time.

***the subject will be continued into the following semester (Year IV semester I) and evaluated as a single subject at the end.


Year IV – Semester I

Subject Code

Subject

Credit

RS 41342

Advanced Remote Sensing

3

RS 41244

Digital Photogrammetry

2

RS 41245

Fundamentals of Space Science

2

RS 41246

Industrial Photogrammetry

2

RS 41149

Satellite Technology

1

UP 41899

Research Project - Part 2 (Final Project with Technical paper)

6

TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR IV SEMESTER I - Remote Sensing

16

UP 41899 - Research Project*** – 6 credits (4 – thesis and 2 – research paper)

***The subject is a continuation of the previous semester and will be evaluated as a single subject with a total of 8 credits.


Year IV – Semester II

IT 42798- Industrial Training** – 700 hours – 7 credits

**Compulsory, credited and non-GPA subjects.

Total credits for Remote Sensing specialization is 150 (113+37).

Specialization in GIS

Year III Semester II

Subject Code

Subject

Credit

GS 32351

Advanced GIS

3

GS 32253

Disaster Management

2

GS 32254

Environmental Sciences

2

GS 32258

GIS Modelling and Applications

2

Elective Subject*

2

UP 41899

Research Project - Part l (Proposal)

2

TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR III SEMESTER II – GIS

13

UP 41899– Research Project*** – 2 credits (proposal)

***the subject will be continued into the following semester (Year IV semester I) and evaluated as a single subject at the end.

*should cover at least 2 credits from selected courses from the other specializations. The selected courses will be given by the Faculty, based on the availability of resources etc. prevailing at any given time.


Year IV Semester I

 

Subject Code

Subject

Credit

GS 41152

Colours in Cartography

1

GS 41255

Generalization and Symbolization

2

GS 41256

Geo-statistics in GIS

2

GS 41257

GIS Customization and Programming

2

GS 41260

Open Source GIS and Web Mapping

2

Elective Subject*

 

2

UP 41899

Research Project - Part 2 (Final Project with Technical paper)

6

TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR IV SEMESTER I – GIS

17

UP 41899 - Research Project*** – 6 credits (4 – thesis and 2 – research paper)

***The subject is a continuation of the previous semester and will be evaluated as a single subject with a total of 8 credits.

* should cover at least 2 credits from selected courses from other specializations. The selected courses will be given by the Faculty, based on the availability of resources etc. prevailing at any given time.


Year IV – Semester II

IT 42798- Industrial Training** – 700 hours – 7 credits

**Compulsory, credited and non-GPA subjects.

Total credits for GIS specialization is 150 (113+37)

Evaluation Criteria

  • A student following the curriculum of the Faculty of Geomatics will obtain 50% of the total mark of a course through continuous assessments including practical components (if any), and 50% through the final written examination.
  • The final written exam shall be a one-hour paper for 15 lecture hours and a two-hour paper for 30 lecture hours.
  • The continuous assessments shall have a minimum of five (05) assignments for a two-credit course and a minimum of three (03) assignments for a one-credit course, at least one of which is a group task.
  • A student need to have 80% attendance for theory class and 80% attendance for practical classes (If there is a practical component in the subject , to be eligible to apply for the written semester examination.
  • A maximum of three (03) make-up CAs for a 2-credit subject and two (02) make-up CAs for a 1-credit subject, will be conducted at the end of the lecture series. Only excused (medical certificate (submitted within 14 days) or a formal letter from university confirming participation in university activities) students are eligible to sit for the make-up CAs. In the case of a funeral, only that of the student’s parents, siblings, spouse and/or children is excused. This is the same for both CAs and semester examinations. If a student submits more than 3 medicals/excuses in the case of a 2-credit subject, and 2 in the case of a 1-credit subject, such cases will be open for discussion at the Faculty Board.
  • If the absence to a semester examination is excused (medical certificate or formal letter from university confirming participation in university activities), the student will carry his/her CA marks of the respective theory subject to whenever they sit for the examination. In the case of a subject comprising a practical examination (i.e. Computer Programming etc.), the student carries his/her CA marks, practical marks and/or theory marks of that subject to whenever they face the examination.
  • For a repeat (2nd or 3rd attempt) examination, CA or practical marks will not be considered. Instead, in the case where there is no practical component, 100% of the evaluation will be done through the examination paper. In the case of a subject with a practical examination, the student must sit both the practical and theory components, and 70% of the evaluation will be through the theory paper and 30% through the practical paper. Maximum grade for a repeat examination is ‘C’, that is 50 marks.
  • All courses conducted as seminars/workshops are evaluated through attendance, SCL activities, and report.
  • The evaluation criteria will be presented to the class by the respective lecturer/instructor as a handout on the very first day of the lecture/practical series.
  • However, the final decision of the evaluation criteria of a course, if there is a requirement for any change to above, shall be taken by the Faculty Board.
  • Evaluation of the Land Surveying Practical Subject

Attendance                               - 10%

Proper attire                             - 10%

Field procedure                        - 30%

Spot tests in Field Inspection   - 10%

Plan work / Computation          - 25%

Report                                      - 15%

                             100%

Practical examination/Viva  - Pass / Fail

  • It is mandatory to obtain a PASS mark in the practical examination to obtain the final results.
  • The course is evaluated using a Grade Point Average (GPA) system, and the final grade with the corresponding Grade Point (GP) is given in next Table.

The final grade and the corresponding GP

Final Grade

Mark Obtained (M)

Grade Point

A+

M ≥ 90

4.0

A

80 ≤ M <90

4.0

A-

75 ≤ M < 80

3.7

B+

70 ≤ M < 75

3.3

B

65 ≤ M < 70

3.0

B-

60 ≤ M < 65

2.7

C+

55 ≤ M < 60

2.3

C

50 ≤ M < 55

2.0

C-

45 ≤ M < 50

1.7

D+

40 ≤ M < 45

1.3

D

30 ≤ M < 40

1.0

E

M < 30

0.0

 
 
  • According to the GP obtained by the student, the GPA will be calculated as below;

where is the credit corresponding to the ith subject, and GP the grade point of the final grade of that subject.

The final GPA will be calculated as follows;

where is the total number of credits for the jth semester, and  the corresponding GPA for that semester.

 

Any changes to the evaluation will be done by the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Geomatics, as there is a need.


Award requirements

A student who satisfies the following conditions is eligible for the award/pass of a degree in Bachelor of Science Honours in Surveying Sciences:

Be registered by the university as a candidate for the degree programme.

  • Have completed the programme of studies for each semester to the satisfaction of the Senate.
  • A candidate must obtain at least “D” passes for all courses in each semester, securing a minimum FGPA of 2.0.
  • Shall have obtained a minimum of 'C' grades for all four Land Surveying Practical subjects.
  • Must have at least a 'C' grade for all of the compulsory subjects in his/her area of specialization.
  • Must complete within the prescribed course duration (i.e. within six years period)

Award of degree and classes

Pass

A student securing a FGPA ≥ 2.00, at the end of the degree programme and satisfying all requirements in the Section 4.1 is eligible to award of a degree.

First Class

Pass in Degree and obtain a FGPA not less than 3.70(i.e. FGPA ≥ 3.70)

Second Class Upper Division

Pass in Degree and obtain a FGPA between 3.30(inclusive) and 3.70 (exclusive)
(i.e. 3.30 ≤ FGPA < 3.70)

Second Class Lower Division

Pass in Degree and obtain a FGPA between 3.00 (inclusive) and 3.30 (exclusive)
(i.e. 3.00 ≤ FGPA < 3.30)

 

NOTE: To be eligible for Category-B certificate, students who followed the BSc. Hons (Surveying Sciences) (Hydrographic Surveying) must pass all modules specified by IBSC-S5 (Category B).