AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching unit aims to provide the theoretical foundations of geodesy, cartography, and nautical astronomy necessary for navigation. Students will gain proficiency in coordinate conversions and transformations between reference systems and map projections. The position fixing will be analysed in terms of celestial navigation. In addition, the teaching unit aims to provide theoretical and practical knowledge of statistical tools for evaluating the quality of measurements and the quantities derived from them.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The learning outcomes are:

• Theoretical and practical acquisition of the contents of the teaching unit.
• Elements for evaluating the accuracy of position and passage monitoring.
• Use of free and open source software, when possible, in accordance with the directive of the Minister for Innovation and Technology, December 19, 2003 that encourage the use of these technologies.

The teaching unit provides the tools for achieving competences required by the STCW Convention.

The teaching unit will develop the following transversal skills and competences (soft-skills): literacy, strategic thinking and critical thinking.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal theoretical lectures are combined with computer-based lectures and in lab and bridge simulator environment, to put the notions into practice in real application situations.

Lessons will be held in the classroom, but will also be available in synchronous and asynchronous online modes.

The course is held in English.

Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs), disabilities or other educational needs are invited to contact the teacher and the School's contact person for disability at the beginning of teaching to agree on possible teaching arrangements that, while respecting the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning patterns. Contacts of the teacher and the School's disability contact person can be found at the following link Comitato di Ateneo per l’inclusione delle studentesse e degli studenti con disabilità o con DSA | UniGe | Università di Genova

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Geodesy and Cartography: The terrestrial sphere and ellipsoid, theorems and equations of operative geodesy. The Geoid. Coordinate systems, reference systems and transformations between them. Cartographic projections. Chart scale and accuracy. The EPSG codes. Horizontal and vertical datum in nautical charts. Exercises on coordinate conversions.

Celestial Navigation: Celestial coordinates systems, PZX triangle, Sun apparent motion and twilight, Moon apparent and real motion, Time in celestial navigation, Use of the nautical almanac, Use of the sight reduction tables, The sextant, Identifying celestial bodies by sight and by calculation, Use of the Star finder, Position fixing in celestial navigation, Meridian passage and latitude calculation, Saint Hilaire method, Compass error check in celestial navigation. Application exercises.

Fundamentals of the statistical treatment of measurements and derived quantities: source of errors, accuracy and precision; position and dispersion statistical indexes; error propagation in case of linear and non-linear function of observed quantities. Practical lessons on statistical treatment of measurements and positions.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lecture notes and material provided by the teacher.

Additional texts for reference:

• Torge W.: Geodesy, ISBN 978-3110170726
• Weinberg R. V.:Deck Officers and Masters Guide - Volume 2: Navigation, Manoeuvring, Watchkeeping, ISBN  979-8557533898
• Bowditch N.: The American Practical Navigator – An Epitome of Navigation, National Imagery and Mapping Agency, 2002

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/11929/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is primarily written, including exercises and multiple-choice questions.

Students are also required to complete a short written exercise on astronomical positioning using direct-solution tables. This exercise is assigned to each student and can be completed at home.

The exam concludes with the viewing and discussion of the written exam, the discussion of the celestial navigation paper, and any additional oral questions.

The exam can be taken online in the cases provided for by the University Regulations.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The final grade will take into account knowledge of theoretical concepts and the ability to argue the results of tests and exercises.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Ask the professor for other information not included in the teaching schedule