GPS for Geodesy - Practical Lecture Notes and Reference

In this review of GPS for Geodesy the book is recommended primarily for practicing geodesists, advanced students and researchers who need a focused, lecture-based reference on the Global Positioning System as applied to geodetic work. The monograph collects revised and edited lecture notes from the 1995 International School in Delft, and its single biggest strength is that it condenses formal course material and discussion insights into a compact, technically oriented volume that clarifies both the potential and limitations of GPS for high-precision geodesy.

Key Features

• Lecture-based structure: The book preserves the original course organization, making complex topics approachable through successive lectures and discussion sessions.
• International perspective: Notes reflect contributions and attendees from America, Asia, Australia and Europe, giving a broad view of geodetic practice.
• Practical focus: Emphasis is on understanding real-world potential and limits of GPS technology for geodesy rather than pure theory.
• Edited lecture notes: Revised and edited material reduces redundancy and highlights the core methods and concepts taught during the school.
• Historic school record: Documents the curriculum and discussions held at the DISH Hotel in Delft during March-April 1995, useful for researchers tracing methodology evolution.

Who It's For

The book suits graduate students in geodesy and geophysics, surveyors and researchers who want a concise, course-derived reference on GPS applications in precision positioning and Earth science measurement. It is especially helpful for readers who appreciate structured lecture material and value access to contemporaneous discussion points raised by international participants.

Those looking for a modern tutorial on recent GNSS constellation advances, consumer GPS device tutorials, or step-by-step software guides should look elsewhere, since the volume reflects the state of knowledge and concerns from the mid-1990s and is focused on geodetic methodology rather than current equipment reviews.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Consolidates a week-long international school into a single technical reference useful for academic and professional study.
• Edited lecture notes improve clarity and reduce the duplication typical of raw transcripts.
• Provides context on the practical limitations as well as capabilities of GPS for geodesy.

Cons

• Material is dated to 1995 and does not cover later GNSS developments or recent software and hardware advances.

Specifications

Title	GPS for Geodesy
Authors	Peter J.G. Teunissen, Alfred Kleusberg
Origin	Lecture notes from International School, Delft
Event dates	March 26 - April 1, 1995
Audience	Geodesists, geophysicists, advanced students
Format	Revised and edited monograph of course lectures

Our Verdict

GPS for Geodesy is a targeted, practical monograph that captures an intensive week of instruction and discussion in a compact form. It is good value for readers seeking a course-style reference on GPS applications in geodesy and a useful historical snapshot of methodology; however, readers needing up-to-date GNSS technology reviews should supplement it with current sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for beginners?
The book assumes some background in geodesy or geophysics and is best for advanced students rather than complete beginners.

Does it cover modern GNSS systems?
No, the content reflects the state of GPS knowledge in 1995 and does not address later GNSS constellations or recent hardware.

What type of content is included?
The volume contains revised and edited lecture notes, structured lectures, and discussion summaries from the International School held in Delft.