The aim of the study: to analyse the principle of exemplarity, comprehend its features and their usage in university exact courses learning practice. The principle of exemplarity is a means of arranging the geodesy study course programme according to the most essential notions of the course and students abilities and knowledge level at Latvia University of Agriculture. It is one of the cognitive learning didactical principles proponed by the German scientist Martin Wagenschein and recognised in a teaching/learning process particularly in natural sciences. The origination of the principle of exemplarity, its relevant features and experience of other countries are analysed in the article. The following notions of the principle are analysed in the article: coping with information quantity, comprehension of a course entity and epistemology, interdisciplinarity; usage of exemplar as a feature of entity criterion in obtaining particular knowledge and skills; traits of Socratic dialogue. The principle of exemplarity is combined with problem-based learning, project method and student-centred approach and is used and discussed particularly in Germany and Denmark. The principle features and the ideas of its usage are being assessed, worked in and implemented in the geodesy study course programme for the land survey speciality first year students. The programme is revised thematically determining the focal themes (exemplars) in laboratory works via which the principle of exemplarity can be the means of obtaining the course of geodesy successfully.

Engineering structures such as bridges, overpasses, and viaducts constitute a crucial component of the infrastructure of any industrial city. The wide-scale industrialisation of the twentieth century transformed the urban landscape. Many designs and solutions have become morally and physically outdated since those times, yet their usage continues, which is not always safe. With the aging of infrastructure, the issue of their further safe use inevitably arises. Geodetic monitoring of structural deformations can provide control and safety, as well as gather data for designers and engineers. The data collected by deformation monitoring systems should form the basis for the reconstruction and maintenance project of infrastructural facilities. Deformation monitoring systems are designed for each object based on the parameters of the structure, taking into account the constructive features, materials, and the importance of the infrastructural object to the city traffic. It is not always possible to completely close an overpass during reconstruction, as this would affect the transport flow in a specific district of the city. Monitoring of recently put into operation structures will ensure the collection of deformation data for the survival analysis. Once the structural health is defined, the period of service life until scheduled maintenance will be determined. As a result of our research on the Brasa overpass in Riga, we developed a scheme for swift response to signals from the monitoring systemʼs sensors. Additionally, we ensured the safe operation of the old overpass during the construction of the new one by promptly utilising data obtained from the deformation monitoring system.