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This book is a teaching textbook in geodesy for university students and professional practitioners.
Geodesy is the study and practice of making precise measurements over long distances or over large areas
on or near the earth’s surface. The use of electromagnetic energy and satellite systems has revolutionized
the provision of geodetic services and products. This rapid technological change has pushed the need for a
working knowledge of geodesy from the halls of graduate school to the field and office of the geomatics
professional.
The responsible use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the use of Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) concepts and software to provide services and products desired by society demand an understanding of
fundamental geodetic theory. Geodetic theory involves models such as the ellipsoid and geoid; reference
frames and coordinate transformations; datums and datum conversions; gravity and potential; ellipsoid
heights, geoid heights, and orthometric heights; and the traditional reduction of observations.
This textbook contains over 100 drawings and figures to graphically demonstrate basic concepts and
relationships. Most chapters contain several sample problems completely solved to demonstrate the
application of basic theory. The book has been used for three years to teach the first course in
geodesy at Troy State University and at the Oregon Institute of Technology.
Dr. James A. Elithorp earned a Ph.D. in Geomatics Engineering (1999) and a Masters of Science in
Surveying Engineering (1996) from Purdue University; the Bachelors of Science in Surveying (1994) from
the Oregon Institute of Technology; the Masters Public Administration (1980) from California State
University, Sacramento, and the Bachelor of Arts in Government (1970) from Sacramento State College.
Dr. Elithorp became interested in the study of geomatics as the owner’s representative on a
hydroelectric plant construction project in eastern Oregon. He worked for the Alaska State Office of the
Bureau of Land Management participating in the provision of cadastral surveys in the Alaskan bush.
He worked for the Western Region of the Federal Highway Administration doing route surveys for highway
construction. Dr. Elithorp taught geomatics courses at Purdue University for a year before accepting his
current responsibilities as director of the Troy State University Geomatics Program.
Dennis D. Findorff graduated with a Master of Science in Surveying Engineering (1994) from
Purdue University. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering Technology (1982)
from Montana State University. Mr. Findorff is a registered professional land surveyor and professional
engineer. He was a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics at Oregon Institute of
Technology for nine years before resigning in 2003 to pursue pastoral ministry.
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About this book