Exercise 3

Global Positioning System

M. Abad, A. P. Abeleda, C. G. Arce, and A. C. Capuchino
Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Espaa,
Manila, Philippines
Introduction
The Global Positioning System (GPS) has been used for a wide range of purposes and become
invaluable in field sciences such as ecology, forestry, limnology, etc. It is a world-wide
navigation system that was first used for military operations and was then adapted for use in
other fields. It uses accurate, stable atomic clocks in satellites and on the ground to provide
world-wide position and time determination (Ashby, 2003).
The work of scientists and ecologists has been more extensive since the arrival of this navigation
system. They were able to make repeating observations on the very same location as the
coordinates of location of sampling stations were recorded. Defining the borders of particular
areas which is of interest to them as preparation for further studying and mapping is also made
possible with the GPS. And, it is also used to have an idea of the spatial distribution of different
organisms be it in aquatic or terrestrial communities.
In order to prepare the students for a more profound use of the GPS for future field experiments,
locations around UST where assigned for each group to determine their coordinates using the
hand-held GPS receivers.
Materials and Methods
The group was given four different locations (TARC lobby, guard post at Dapitan gate near the
Commerce building, right side of the grandstand, and in front of the St. Albertus Magnus
building) in which they were to determine the coordinates using the Garmin GPSmap76CSx
receivers. Equipped with two AA batteries, one hand-held GPS receiver was provided to the

group with the time of departure and arrival to the laboratory recorded. The data sheet with the
locations and their corresponding coordinates was handed to the instructors.
Results and Discussion
1. TARC lobby
Location: N 1436.628 E 12059.239
Altitude: 48 ft.

2. Guard post at Dapitan gate near St. Raymunds building

Location: N 14 36.698 E 120 59.308
Altitude: 23 ft.

3. In front of St. Albertus Magnus building

Location: N 14 36.629 E 120 59.466
Altitude: 51 ft.

4. Right side of grandstand near Beato Angelico building

Location: N 14 36.473 E 120 59.353
Altitude: 53 ft.

Conclusion
The group was able to locate the coordinates of the four different locations: TARC lobby, guard
post at Dapitan gate near St. Raymunds building, in front of St. Albertus Magnus building and
right side of grandstand near Beato Angelico building learning how to use the Garmin
GPSmap76CSx receivers which may be equipped in future studies.
References
Ashby, N. (2003). Relativity in the global positioning sytem. Living Reviews in Relativity, 6(1).
doi: 10.12942/lrr-2003-1. Retrieved from http://www.livingreviews.org/lrr-20031.