Geodesy

This document is a complete geodesy course designed for undergraduate and graduate students in geophysics.
It provides the theoretical foundations and practical tools needed to understand how the Earth’s geometry, gravity field, and reference systems are modeled and measured.

The course begins with an introduction to the scientific principles of geodesy, followed by the mathematical background required for geophysical applications, such as spherical trigonometry, curve and surface geometry, and the properties of the ellipsoid used to approximate the Earth’s shape.

It then explains modern geodetic reference systems, including WGS84, the geoid, and various national datums, which are essential for integrating geophysical observations, satellite data, and cartographic products.

The document also covers geodetic networks, both classical and satellite-based (GPS/GNSS), showing how precise coordinates are determined, adjusted, and used in Earth sciences.
Students will gain insight into measurement corrections, height systems, map projections (Lambert, UTM), and the reduction of field observations to the ellipsoid.

Finally, the course introduces the principles of satellite orbits, the physics behind GPS positioning, and the geodetic methods used in geophysical studies such as crustal deformation, tectonics, sea-level monitoring, and Earth rotation dynamics.