Proposal

Narrative

Students in the Geosciences must be able to capture spatial data in the field to an extremely high level of precision, both vertically and horizontally. This is true for an endless series of applications like monitoring coastal erosion caused by tropical storms, surveying the habitats of endangered species, and evaluating the efficacy of Everglades restoration efforts. For students working on such projects as part of their undergraduate and graduate research, the Trimble R12i Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver offers the precision required (8mm horizontal and 15mm vertical). Furthermore, the training received by students on this invaluable tool will provide them with skills that will make them highly sought after in the job market. This aligns with the following pillars of FAU’s strategic plan: “Ocean Science and Engineering/Environmental Sciences”, “Sensing and Smart Systems”, and “Undergraduate Research and Inquiry”. It also supports the University’s QEP by increasing exposure of students to research inquiry and the scientific methods in the Geosciences' curriculum, and enhances “student knowledge, skills, behaviors, and/or values.” This will impact, approximately 100 students per year, via the following classes: GLY3730, GIS4140, GEO4275, GLY/GEO4915/4916 GLY5575, GIS6032, GIS6127, GEO 6277, GLY6708, GLY6737, GLY 6457, GLY6888, and GLY6934. Geoscience classes attract students from multiple disciplines, including but not limited to: Biology, Geomatics, Anthropology, Urban and Regional Planning, and Criminal Justice. This is particularly true of students pursuing our certificates in Geographic Information Science (GIS).

Facilities

N/A

Hardware Requirements

This project will not require any updates to existing computer hardware or the purchase of new computer hardware. The following hardware shall be acquired: Trimble R12i GNSS Receiver System $20,476.74 Verizon Inseego MiFi X Pro 5G UW Mobile HotSpot $349.99

Software Requirements

None

Personnel Costs

None

Other Costs

Wireless Data plan: $20/ month for $36 months for a total of $720.

Timeline

Integration of the RTK GNSS Receiver will begin immediately upon acquisition, with continued use through the lifetime of the product.

Sustainability

Equipment has a minimum 5-year life expectancy as is and has the ability to be further extended through the acquisition of new batteries/regular maintenance. All software is licensed on a permanent basis.

Resource Matching

The Department of Geosciences has secured an educational discount with the manufacturer of the platform which collectively will save the University $19,789.50. Additionally, the Department of Geosciences/Charles E. Schmidt College of Science contributes approximately $7,000 annually towards the ESRI/FAU annual GIS site license agreement supplying most of the additional software to operate the GIS component of this system. The Department of Geosciences maintains teaching and research computer labs with approximately 100 computers that support current desktop GIS for educational and research activities.

Implementing Organization

Department of Geosciences, Charles E Schmidt College of Science. Faculty: James Gammack-Clark.