CE 506 Data Adjustment I Fall '04

Purdue University - School of Civil Engineering

last update 24-aug-04

Instructor: Jim Bethel, CIVL 4109, Tel: 494-6719, Email: bethel@ecn.purdue.edu
Primary Text: Analysis and Adjustment of Survey Observations, by Mikhail and Gracie, (out of print) obtain copy from instructor
History & Lessons Learned: The Measure of All Things, by Ken Alder, (in local bookstore), or Latitude, by Carter & Carter (instituteofnavigation.org or other online source). In a couple of weeks I give some questions for a brief essay due at the end of term.
Reference (not required): Linear Algebra, Geodesy, and GPS, by Strang and Borre, Wellesley-Cambridge Press, 1997
Numerical & Graphics Software (highly recommended): Matlab Student Version, Matlab is available on all ITAP & ECN machines but with this you can work in the comfort of your own home. ITAP "DACS" also works from home - it's better with fast internet service.
Class: T,Th 10:30 CIVL 2107, F 8:30 CIVL 2123
Office hours: any time is ok, ask early about assignments, not at last minute.
Grader: In-seong Jeong, ijeong@purdue.edu, CIVL 4108, Tel: 494-2182
Grading: 2 Midterm Exams 25% each, Final Exam 25%, Homework 25%, 1 page of notes allowed for exams
Homework: collaboration OK on ideas, but hand in your own work with solutions that you have personally created
Programming: you will need to become familiar with Matlab, later in the term we will do a GUI application
Web Address: www.ecn.purdue.edu/~bethel, follow link for fall, 2004, note: last year's site is there, use for reference and help. coverage will be about the same. homeworks and exams will be different.

Lord Rutherford: "If your experiment requires the use of statistics,
then you ought to have done a better exeriment"

Better statement: "Don't rely on fancy adjustment techniques to save you
from bad measurements, uncalibrated instruments, or poor planning"