Dr. Grenville Barnes, Professor
Geomatics
PO Box 110565
Gainesville FL 32611-0565
Grenville Barnes joined the faculty of the University of Florida in 1993. Previously he was on an Assistant Professor at Ohio State University. His specialties within Geomatics include Cadastral Systems, Land Tenure and Land Administration. At present, Barney is a Professor of Geomatics in the School of Forest Resources and Conservation and is also an affiliate faculty member in the Center for African Studies, the Center for Latin American Studies, and the School of Natural Resources and the Environment (SNRE). He is also a core faculty member in the new interdisciplinary Masters of Sustainable Development Practice (MDP) Program. Barney has extensive research, teaching and consulting experience in South and Central America, the Caribbean, Southern Africa and in countries such as Albania and Moldova. His research addresses the role of land tenure and property rights in poverty alleviation and in promoting sustainable development.
Research Interest:
Land Tenure and Property Rights
Governance of Natural Resources in Developing Countries
Cadastral Surveying and Mapping
Degrees:
| PhD | University of Wisconsin, Madison | (Civil and Environmental Engineering) | 1988 |
| MSc | University of Natal, South Africa | (Surveying and Mapping) | 1982 |
| BSc | University of Natal, South Africa | (Surveying and Mapping) | 1977 |
SUR 4501C/6502C Foundations of UAS Mapping (3 Credits, Spring)
This course introduces students to the fundamental components of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) and how they function together to produce high resolution, spatially accurate planimetric maps and 3D models of the terrain. These components include GPS/GNSS, inertial systems, lidar, and on-board sensors like cameras. We focus primarily on the application of these technologies, but also cover basic theoretical aspects. We deal with establishing ground control for sUAS imagery so that the products can be referenced to specific geodetic reference frameworks and integrated with other geo-spatial data. Students are also introduced to flight planning, Structure for Motion (SfM), and the creation of orthophotos from UAS imagery. It is designed around weekly projects, which either involve fieldwork or lab work.
This is the first of the three courses required for the Certificate in Mapping with sUAS. Students who do not have a geomatics background, such as an introductory surveying class or field experience, are required to get the permission of the instructor before they enroll.
SUR 4940C/6940C Practicum in UAS Mapping (3 credits, Summer A)
This course provides students with extensive hands-on experience with the complete work flow of mapping with unmanned aerial systems. This includes flight planning, ground control, image acquisition, and the processing of the imagery. Learning occurs primarily through field exercises and supervised in-lab work. We typically focus on two different field environments (e.g. forested, agriculture) and use a variety of UAVs, both fixed wing and copter vehicles.
The course meets daily over a period of 10 days at the beginning of May.
(Co-taught with Ben Wilkinson and Eben Broadbent)
SUR 4403 Cadastral Principles (3 Credits, Fall)
This course covers the legal principles used for evaluating boundary evidence and resolving property boundary problems. Course topics include: history of common-law estates; writing and interpreting boundary descriptions; registration of deeds and titles systems; principles for assessing boundary evidence; sequential versus simultaneous conveyances; public land survey system; easements; riparian boundaries.
SUR 4376/6377 Geospatial Applications of UAS (3 credits, Fall)
This course covers common applications associated with small unmanned aerial systems (UASs). These include UAS applied to agriculture, forestry, ecology, wildlife, infrastructure management, cadastral mapping, coastal monitoring, mining. Experts in these different applications provide a weekly lecture. Prior to this lecture students review relevant readings and other material and meet to prepare questions for the guest speaker. Following the guest lecture each week, designated students lead a Q and A session with the speaker and write a summary of the responses.
(Co-taught with Ben Wilkinson)
SUR 6427 Land Tenure and Administration (3 Credits, Spring every other year)
This course reviews the theoretical frameworks for examining land tenure, including common property regimes. Land administration institutions are analyzed in developing and transitional (post-communist) countries. The course focuses on regional land tenure issues in Latin America and Africa, including indigenous land claims, gender discrimination, poverty alleviation, climate change, and land issues following natural disasters. (not offered every year)