|
Introduction
Earth
Science
Research activities in the Department include mantle convection,
core dynamics and Earth rotation, experimental and theoretical
geophysical fluid dynamics, remote sensing, synthetic aperture
radar, geodesy, geological applications of Geographical Information
Systems (GIS) and the development of new GIS techniques. These
research areas relate closely to the two options currently in
the Earth Science program: exploration geophysics, and geomatics.
[Applied Geophysics is currently not supported for financial reasons,
even though this program is highly regarded both internally and
externally, with the current president of the Ontario Association
of Professional Geoscientists being one of our graduates. At this
time new students are only being admitted to the geomatics option
because of the synergy with the Geomatics Engineering program
also offered by the Department of Earth and Space Science and
Engineering].
Geomatics is founded on the scientific framework of Geodesy,
the Earth Science sub-field concerned with the determination of
size, shape, physical surface and gravity field of the Earth,
in three-dimensional, time-varying space. Geodesy deals with the
establishment, maintenance and continuous development and enhancement
of national and global four-dimensional spatial reference frames
and the measurement and monitoring of geodynamic phenomena. It
makes use of conventional and space geodetic techniques in a globally
integrated observing system. Geomatics is the combination of several
disciplines dealing with geospatial information (i.e., information
tied to geographic or other spatial coordinates). It includes
global positioning systems (GPS, GLONASS, other), satellite imaging
and photogrammetry, remote sensing, computer vision and image
processing, geographic information systems (GIS), survey engineering,
land management, computer mapping, digital terrain modelling and
the wireless and web-based dissemination of geospatial data. Four
ESSE faculty are principal investigators in geomatics research
projects in one of Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence,
GEOIDE (Geomatics for Informed Decisions). The geomatics area
is considered one of the most important new growth sectors of
our economy. In a recent study, the US Department of Labour cite
geospatial technology as currently one of the three most important
emerging and evolving fields (along with biotechnology and nanotechnology).
Our first geomatics students graduated in June 2005. Local geomatics
industries and associations have offered scholarships and summer
employment opportunities to encourage this new area of study.
This all bodes well for graduates in this new area of Earth Science.
The Department builds on a long history with the instrumentation
and interpretation methods in Applied Geophysics. Several of the
world's leading geophysical instrument manufacturers including
Scintrex Ltd. and Geonics Limited are located in
the vicinity and now employ our graduates. In addition, major
contractors who perform geophysical surveys and interpret these
results including Geosoft Inc., Fugro Airborne Surveying
are also in the area and employ our graduates. More recently,
the expertise in geophysical methods for exploration of minerals
has been extended to the modern methods of environmental assessment,
and to delineation of buried infrastructure in the urban environment.
This recent development suggests that future urban and environment
issues will benefit greatly by the combined technologies associated
with geomatics and exploration geophysics. Examples are electromagnetic
systems to locate oil drums which have been used to bury toxic
substances or new methods such as ground penetrating radar (GPR)
for near surface exploration and environmental assessment; a former
student is playing a major role in this work at Sensors and
Software Inc. An Environmental Test site with a known array
of buried targets has been built at York University which is contributing
significantly to the external recognition of the Department of
Earth and Space Science and Engineering (ESSE) through its activities
in Applied Geophysics and Geomatics Engineering. Students have
opportunities to be exposed to the latest instruments because
of companies coming to use the site. Rapport with instrument companies
existed before the site was built, but interaction with them has
now increased with the publicity of the test site. Opportunities
for undergraduate students have been enhanced by the recognition
of York's commitment to Earth Science development.
Geomatics Engineering
Geomatics Engineering is concerned with the development of new
technologies for the acquisition, analysis, management and distribution
of geospatial data and with the creation and implementation of
new decision-making tools and applications based on the geospatial
information. It involves the design and development of new software
tools and algorithms to analyse, interpret and graphically represent
the acquired data in formats useful to the end-users. It also
involves designing, testing and mounting small portable sensors
and transmitters on satellites, aircraft, land-based vehicles
and water-based vehicles.
Geomatics Engineering is a rapidly developing field with applications
in widely diverse fields. Geomatics Engineering uses terrestrial,
marine, airborne and spacecraft sensors that are referenced to
a national, highly accurate and globally consistent, three-dimensional
spatial reference frame to acquire data for a wide range of applications.
The same techniques used for in vehicle map navigation can be
applied in the fields of navigation and transport, and in retailing,
urban planning and management of the environment.
Please see the following presentation on the importance of Geomatics
in the emerging economy: "Geographic
Knowledge: The Key to Survival in the GeoEconomy"
The common feature linking these fields is their reliance on
geospatial data; owing to the extraordinary growth in the information
technology sector these data are being acquired and stored in
ever-increasing quantities. Graduates skilled in the management
of geospatial data are highly sought after in all fields dealing
with this explosive growth of data. Our graduating Geomatics Engineers
are all employed in the geomatics sector throughout Canada or
have been admitted to graduate studies at leading universities.
Geomatics Engineering facilitates economic growth and well-being
and safety of the citizens of the country. Geomatics technology
and techniques are used in a wide variety of fields such as forestry,
agriculture, geology, mining, oceanography, hydrography, environmental
management, urban planning, public utilities, transport, navigation,
defence, medical epidemiology, disaster management, geomarketing,
health emergency responses, and business and commerce.
Areas of study may include Geographical Information Systems (GIS),
remote sensing, geodesy, approximation and estimation theory,
global positioning systems, computer aided cartography, land surveying,
geodetic surveys, aerial photography, data mining, photogrammetry
and digital terrain modelling/analysis, spatial analysis, resource
modelling, spatial data storage, high-resolution satellite imagery,
web-based mapping, Internet data dissemination, data integration,
mobile computing data visualization, image processing and high
speed data transmission.
The Geomatics Instrumentation Lab is equipped with advanced geomatics
software, conventional instruments and satellite positioning field
systems of the latest technology. A sample of instruments and
key software includes:
4 Wild-T2 Theodolites
1 Wild-T3 Theodolite
8 Automatic levels (Zeiss, Nikon, Sokkia, Topcon)
1 Ni002 level and invar rods
4 Total Stations (Leica, Sokkia, Nikon)
1 Leica TC1800 total station
1 Leica TCA1800 (Robotic) total station
3 GPS Receivers (Trimble, 2 Leica 1200 RTK)
GEOLAB Network Adjustment Software
(courtesy of Microsystems Inc.)
AutoCAD Software
PCI Geomatica Software: Image Processing
and Photogrammetry
ESRI GIS software
Our students have access to the following high tech laboratories:
Engineering Design Lab
Geographical Information Systems Lab (GIS)
Geographical Information and Communication
Technology Lab (GeoICT)
CRESS Space Instrumentation Lab (CSIL)
Space Geodesy Lab
Earth Observations Laboratory (EOL)
|
