Civil Engineering in the Field
Cadets taking Civil Engineering 121, Surveying, took a field trip to McKethan Park before Thanksgiving furlough to practice flying Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or 鈥渄rones鈥�) used in surveying and mapping.
Led by Maj. Rodney 鈥淏uddy鈥� Wilkins, assistant professor, and Steve Neas ’77, the labs introduce entry-level civil engineering students to technology and techniques used in surveying.
鈥淸Cadets] are introduced to a number of methods and instruments to measure distance, elevation, and angles in space,鈥� Wilkins said. 鈥淭he objective of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle module is to expose students to cutting edge technology with application in both civilian and military environments.鈥�
Cadets practiced creating models and maps from the data gained from the drones. Wilkins noted skills learned in the class are especially applicable to military careers, from reconnaissance to delivering offensive ordnance.
鈥淥ther applications for civil engineers include documenting progress on construction sites, topographical mapping, aerial surveying in challenging spaces, and even thermography,鈥� Wilkins explained.
