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20260412890The Bachelor of Hydorgaphic Surveying Program is considered one of the specialized and significant disciplines within the maritime field. It focuses on the study, collection, analysis, and representation of hydrographic data related to the seabed, coastal zones, and navigational channels, thereby contributing to the enhancement of maritime navigation safety, the protection of the marine environment, and the planning and management of coastal and marine projects. The Marine Surveying Program awards the degree of Bachelor of Science and has been developed in accordance with the university’s approved academic regulations, while aligning with internationally recognized standards in the field of hydrography.
International excellence in hydrographic surveying to support and sustain development plans in the marine sector.
Preparing distinguished competencies of graduates in the field of hydrographic surveying to meet the needs of the development plans and the labour market.
Last Modified Date: 23/07/2026 - 2:08 PM Saudi Arabia Time
| Course Code | Course | Credits | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSS 220 | Fundamentals of Surveying | 3 | MATH 201 |
| Description | Basic survey measurements, angle measurements using sextants and theodolites, balancing angles; taping, tacheometry, electronic angle and distance measurements, total stations and reflectorless Electronic Distance Measurements (EDM); traverses; coordinate geometry; differential leveling, Barometric and trigonometric heighting, effects of curvature and refraction; geodetic control surveys | ||
| MSS 221 | Technical Communication | 2 | ELIS 120 |
| Description | This course focuses on developing students' technical and scientific writing skills, as well as effective oral communication skills. | ||
| MSS 240 | Labor Market Skills | 3 | – |
| Description | The course covers résumé writing and its essential components, writing job application cover letters, interview preparation skills, verbal and written communication skills, body language, workplace ethics, the preparation and delivery of presentations, and the development of interpersonal and communication skills for effective interaction with others. | ||
| MSS 310 | Fundamentals of Nautical Science | 3 | – |
| Description | The course covers an introduction to navigation and chartwork, the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (Rules of the Road), traditional navigation methods, navigational warnings, nautical charts and nautical publications, maritime safety and seamanship, safety practices, ropes and wires, ship handling, anchoring, pilotage, and small boats. | ||
| MSS 311 | Positioning and Navigation Systems I | 3 | MATH 241, MSS 220 |
| Description | The course covers terrestrial radio navigation, celestial navigation, shore-based and satellite positioning systems, underwater navigation systems, and guidance systems. | ||
| MSS 312 | Estimation and Uncertainty Management | 4 | STAT 110, MATH 241, MSS 220 |
| Description | The course covers the fundamental concepts of estimation and uncertainty, analysis of surveying measurements, measures of central tendency, an introduction to probability theory, univariate statistical tests, covariance and correlation, the geometric interpretation of the covariance matrix and confidence regions, functional and stochastic models, the principles of the least squares method, parametric, conditional, and combined adjustment models, partitioning, weights and functional constraints, iterative solutions, residual analysis, and an introduction to filtering and smoothing. | ||
| MSS 313 | Geodesy and Map Projections | 4 | MATH 241 |
| Description | The course covers the Earth and its motions, the Earth's gravity field, the normal gravity field, and the geoid; classical geodetic positioning; astronomical, geodetic, and orbital coordinate systems; the geodetic datum problem and coordinate transformations; direct and inverse geodetic problems and boundary determination; relative positioning at the map level and map projections; and height systems. | ||
| MSS 320 | Water Level Measurements and Prediction | 3 | MS 201 |
| Description | The course covers the forces that generate tides, the Earth–Moon–Sun system, tidal classification, tidal analysis and prediction, harmonic tidal analysis, tidal constituents, co-tidal charts, tide tables, numerical tidal modeling, meteorological and non-tidal effects, tidal currents and streams, instrumentation and procedures, the establishment of temporary water level gauges, tidal datums, and the calibration and inspection of tide gauges. | ||
| MSS 321 | Positioning and Navigation Systems II | 3 | MSS 311, MSS 312, MSS 313 |
| Description | The course covers an overview of satellite positioning methods; GPS satellite orbits, including broadcast and precise ephemerides; GPS signal characteristics, signal propagation, and GPS measurement errors; GPS observations and linear combinations of GPS observations; single-point GPS positioning models and Precise Point Positioning (PPP); GPS models for short, medium, and long baselines; integer ambiguity resolution; communication links; GPS data and correction services; other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), including GLONASS and Galileo; and augmentation and integrated systems. | ||
| MSS 322 | Underwater Imaging and Mapping I | 4 | PHYS 204 Co-requisite: MSS 320, MSS 321 |
| Description | The course covers the fundamentals of wave propagation, acoustic waves, propagation losses, multipath effects, sound velocity, ray tracing, underwater acoustic noise, reflection and scattering; acoustic instruments, piezoelectric transducers, and array processing; single-beam echo sounders, recording, calibration of sounding systems, reduction of measurements and their accuracy, and acoustic surveys; side-scan sonar; multibeam sonar; non-acoustic bathymetric techniques, including laser bathymetry, remote sensing bathymetry, mechanical techniques, and inspection techniques. | ||
| MSS 323 | GIS and Database Management | 3 | CPIT 201, MSS 313 |
| Description | The course covers the fundamental concepts of Geographic Information Systems (GIS); GIS functions and architecture; database management systems for raster and vector data; algorithms used for the selection, filtering, smoothing, approximation, estimation, correlation, and analysis of spatial data; and marine applications. | ||
| MSS 410 | Marine Law and Policy | 1 | – |
| Description | The course covers the historical development of the Law of the Sea; the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); the nature and characteristics of different maritime delimitation zones; boundaries between states with opposite or adjacent coastlines; contracts and legal liability related to hydrographic products and services; marine accident investigations; and judicial cases related to hydrographic matters. | ||
| MSS 411 | Underwater Imaging and Mapping II | 4 | MSS 322 |
| Description | The course covers the fundamentals of signal processing; sonar fundamentals, angular spectrum, radiation patterns, beamwidth, main and side lobes, and near-field and far-field concepts; spatial and temporal resolution, and range and angular measurement accuracy; acoustic frequency selection; side-scan sonar systems, side-scan sonar geometry and accuracy, side-scan sonar image formation, and bathymetric side-scan sonar; multibeam echo sounder systems, transmit and receive arrays, beamforming, spatial interference, beam steering, array geometry, planar versus curved arrays, transmit steering for beam skew and longitudinal and transverse stabilization compensation, and beamforming using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT); depth coverage; auxiliary sensors, positioning and orientation requirements, sound refraction in the water column, uncertainty estimation in swath survey measurements, International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) survey specifications; seafloor acoustic backscatter, acoustic interaction with the seafloor, interpretation of backscatter data, and characterization of flat and sloping seabed surfaces. | ||
| MSS 413 | Remote Sensing for Marine Applications | 3 | MSS 322 |
| Description | The course covers the fundamental concepts of remote sensing; the electromagnetic spectrum; energy interactions with the atmosphere, the Earth's surface, and the sea surface; sensors and recording instruments; airborne and spaceborne systems; geometric and radiometric corrections, image enhancement, and image classification; marine applications, including bathymetry, coastline delineation, coastal zone management, water surface mapping, wind speed measurement, sea surface temperature, water column properties, search and rescue operations, and oil spill mapping. | ||
| MSS 414 | Marine Geology for Hydrographers | 3 | – |
| Description | The course covers the Earth's magnetic field and internal structure; the determination of the Earth's structure and interior using seismic waves; the classification and description of marine regions; theories of ocean basin formation, including continental drift, seafloor spreading, and plate tectonics; seafloor morphology; the determination of the composition and structure of the oceanic crust; marine sediments, their distribution, and depositional patterns; and sampling tools, including dredges, grab samplers, corers, and drilling platforms. | ||
| MSS 420 | Nautical Charting | 3 | MSS 310, MSS 323 MSS 412, MSS 413 Co-requisite: 421 |
| Description | The course covers the characteristics and features of nautical charts and supporting nautical publications; reduction and preparation of hydrographic data for nautical chart production; selection of depths and features; digital data storage and formats; the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) S-57 data standards; S-52 specifications for chart content and display methods; integration of multiple datasets; considerations of uncertainty and topology; and nautical chart production. | ||
| MSS 421 | Hydrographic Data Management and Presentation | 3 | MSS 323, MSS 411 Co-requisite: MSS 420 |
| Description | The course covers the collection and processing of hydrographic data; spatial data selection and analysis; data cleaning, filtering, and smoothing; digitization and scanning processes; digital data storage and formats; spatial databases and database management systems; integration of multiple datasets; uncertainty considerations; digital elevation models; data visualization and contour mapping; three-dimensional modeling and visualization; visualization requirements and standards; and data reduction and preparation for nautical chart production. | ||
| MSS 429 | Degree Project | 3 | MSS 221, Permission of the Department |
| Description | Each student is required to undertake a research project on an appropriate topic related to hydrography, subject to approval by the relevant department. The project includes conducting a literature review, developing a study plan, collecting and analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and providing recommendations. Students are also required to prepare a final project report and deliver an oral presentation of their research findings at the end of the course. | ||
| MSS 412 | Photogrammetry and Photo Interpretation | 3 | MSS 322 |
| Description | The course covers the principles of photogrammetric techniques and systems; geometric relationships and mathematical models; stereo model formation; orthorectification of aerial images; digital image rectification; photogrammetric project planning; underwater close-range photogrammetry; terrestrial and topographic applications; marine applications; and shoreline determination using photogrammetric methods. | ||
| MSS 422 | Offshore Geophysical Surveying | 3 | MSS 411, MSS 414 |
| Description | The course covers geomagnetic surveys; gravity surveys; digital seismic techniques; digital seismic data acquisition; digital seismic data processing; and analog equipment. | ||
| MSS 423 | Operational Use of Nautical Charts | 3 | MSS 310 |
| Description | The course covers geodetic principles; map projections; hydrographic considerations; chart compilation; paper charts; electronic charts; raster and vector charts; Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS); navigational functions; integration of ECDIS with other navigation systems; chart updating; uncertainty and safety considerations; and regulatory and legal aspects. | ||
| MSS 424 | Special Topics in Hydrography | 3 | MSS 411 |
| Description | The course content depends on the selected topics. | ||
| MSS 425 | Inland Waters Hydrography | 3 | MSS 411 |
| Description | The course covers hydraulic engineering; floodplain mapping; surveys of navigable inland waterways; erosion and sedimentation; and surveys supporting dredging operations. | ||
| MSS 490 | Hydrographic Surveying Practice II | 2 | MSS 390, MSS 411, MSS 420 |
| Description | Field calibration of various types of hydrographic surveying and auxiliary systems; survey design and planning; hydrographic surveying specifications; types of hydrographic surveys. Six weeks on a hydrographic survey vessel, immediately after final examinations. Students will be involved in all aspects of hydrographic surveying operations, including planning, conducting and processing hydrographic surveying data. | ||
| MSS 390 | Hydrographic Surveying Practice I | 2 | MSS 322 |
| Description | The course covers field calibration of single-beam echo sounders; survey design and planning; hydrographic survey specifications; and types of hydrographic surveys. The course includes six weeks of practical training aboard a hydrographic survey vessel, conducted immediately after the final examinations. Students participate in all aspects of hydrographic survey operations, including survey planning, execution, and survey data processing. | ||
