A Brief History of Geodesy at OSU

 

1947:  The Mapping and Charting Research Laboratory first offers degrees.

1950:  The Institute of Geodesy, Photogrammetry, and Cartography is established (G. Harding, Director; W.A. Heiskanen, Scientific Director).

1953:  First M.S. degree is awarded (to W.M. Kaula).

1955:  First Ph.D. degree is awarded (to C.E. Ewing).

1961:  The Institute becomes the Department of Geodetic Science in the College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

1964:  Prof. Urho Uotila begins 20-year chairmanship of the Department.

1975:  B.S. in Surveying is added.

1981:  The department name changes to Geodetic Science and Surveying.

1984:  Prof. Ivan Mueller becomes chair of the Department.

1986:  The Center for Mapping is established, largely with efforts by the Department; John Bossler becomes its director.

1992:  Prof. Clyde Goad becomes chair of the Department.

1995:  The Department is tranferred to the College of Engineering under a university-wide re-structuring exercise.

1996:  The Department merges with Civil Engineering, which becomes Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Geodetic Science.

1996:  The Geodetic Science and Surveying Program continues within the new department, but independently of Civil Engineering programs.

1998:  B.S. in Surveying is changed to B.S. in Geomatics Engineering.

2002:  The Geodetic Science Program celebrates 50 years at OSU with the W.A. Heiskanen Symposium in Geodesy.

2005:  The majority of Geodetic Science faculty moves to the Department of Geological Sciences (College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences).

2006:  The Department of Geological Sciences becomes the School of Earth Sciences with divisions, one being the Division of Geodesy and Geospatial Science.