Catalog rights may apply, see a counselor for more information.
Term Effective:
Summer 2012
Description:
This major/certificate is undergoing revisions. Please consult a counselor or program coordinator.
Surveying Technology Program "How does your future measure up?"
The Surveying Technology program prepares students for a variety of technical positions in the
surveying and mapping professions. The program recommended course sequence is set up to allow
the student to progress through four semesters and achieve a Certificate of Achievement or an
Associate’s Degree. This program also prepares students to transfer to university to further
their studies in surveying or geomatics.
A career in surveying?
In general, people who like surveying also like math—primarily geometry and trigonometry.
The field attracts people with geology, forestry, history, engineering, computer science, and
astronomy backgrounds, too. Surveying curriculum includes courses in algebra, geometry,
trigonometry, computer aided drafting (CAD), geospatial technology (GIS), geography and computer
science.
What is surveying?
Land surveying is crucial to responsible land development. Land surveyors work with
engineers, architects and builders to produce precise descriptions (surveys and maps) of surface
features of the Earth. Land surveyors perform a variety of vital tasks such as boundary surveys,
topographic mapping and construction staking.
What do surveyors do?
Many people think that surveyors only conduct fieldwork. Surveyors can choose from many
specialties and get involved at many stages of a project. Sometimes a surveyor may work in the
field and then deliver the data to a surveyor who works in the office. The office-based surveyor
analyzes the data, creates maps and other documents.
Today's Technology
Land surveyors need to be current with emerging technologies such as GPS (Global Positioning
System), 3D laser scanning and digital photography. GPS is used for precise positioning of
points anywhere on the earth that are used in a wide variety of mapping procedures. In general,
the main function of a land surveyor is measuring and mapping the earth's surface through the
use of current technologies and softwares.
Career Options
Land surveying is a career field in high demand throughout industry, government and the
private sector. As a land surveyor you will provide services for planned communities, schools,
shopping centers, highway projects and more.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects job opportunities in the surveying field to grow
steadily through 2014, and the areas of urban planning, architecture, construction, and disaster
and emergency planning will be particularly strong.
The following is an example of the career path for the Surveying Technology Certificate: Note
that some positions require licensing or certification by the state, not just a degree or
certificate of completion.
Land Surveying Career Ladder
- Principal Land Surveyor (Owner or Principal in company, Professional Land Surveyor License)
- Land Surveying Coordinator/Manager (Supervisor, PLS License)
- Associate Land Surveyor (Licensed Lead Person, PLS, Office or Field positions)
- Assistant Land Surveyor (Lead Person, Land Surveyor-in-Training (LSIT) Certificate, Office
or Field positions)
- Land Surveying Technician I, II, III (Certificate of Achievement from SRJC and experience,
Office or Field positions)
- Land Surveying Aide (Part time employees without certificate)
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this major, the student will be able to:
- Define and describe land surveying terminology, methods, procedures, standards and
technology;
- perform mathematical, computer and statistical computations related to location, elevation,
grade, distance, direction, area, and volume;
- communicate clearly and effectively in oral, written and graphic formats;
- prepare land surveying maps, plats, documents and drawings using computer-aided drafting and
geographic information systems technology;
- operate terrestrial and global positioning surveying instruments for various types of
surveys; and
- research, file, retrieve, analyze, locate and prepare descriptions of land, drawings, maps,
plats, documents, records, reports and correspondence related to land surveying.
Surveying Technology Program Recommended Sequence of Courses
Students interested in a suggested order for taking classes in this program, please view the recommended course sequence.
A certificate of achievement will be awarded upon fulfillment of 46 units of Surveying Technology Core & Emphasis Requirements. To receive an Associate’s Degree in Surveying Technology, an additional 16 units of general education is required in addition to the certificate requirements. Consult a counselor for courses required for an associate’s degree.
Program Requirements:
The requirements for the Surveying Technology Certificate program are:
-
Complete 46 units from
- Civil Engineering Technology and Surveying Technology Core Requirements
- Surveying Technology Emphasis Requirements
Civil Engineering Technology and Surveying Technology Core Requirements - complete 27.00 units |
GIS 40 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | 3.00 |
APTECH 45 | Basic Drafting Skills | 1.50 |
APTECH 46 | Introduction to Computer-Aided Drafting | 2.00 |
CEST 51 | Civil Drafting Technology | 3.00 |
CEST 192 | Non-Technical Skills for the Civil Engineering Technician | 1.50 |
SURV 50 | Introduction to Plane Surveying | 4.00 |
SURV 51 | Plane Surveying Applications | 4.00 |
Complete any combination totaling at least 4.00 units from the following:
| Course | Description | Units |
APTECH 90A | Applied Mathematics | 4.00 |
MATH 155 | Intermediate Algebra | 4.00 |
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Complete any combination totaling at least 4.00 units from the following:
| Course | Description | Units |
APTECH 90B | Quantitative Reasoning in Applied Technology | 4.00 |
MATH 27 | Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry | 5.00 |
|
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Surveying Technology Emphasis Requirements - complete 19.00 units |
SURV 53 | Route Surveying & Design | 4.00 |
SURV 56 | Introduction to Global Positioning Systems | 3.00 |
SURV 57 | Advanced Global Positioning Systems | 3.00 |
SURV 58 | Evidence and Procedures for Boundary Determination | 3.00 |
SURV 59 | Boundary Control & Legal Principles | 3.00 |
Complete any combination totaling at least 3.00 units from the following:
| Course | Description | Units |
CEST 63 | Subdivision Planning | 3.00 |
CEST 64 | Public Works Inspection & Testing | 3.00 |
CEST 65 | Public Works Plans and Estimating | 3.00 |
CEST 81 | Civil Engineering Design/ Drafting | 3.00 |
CEST 85 | CAD for Civil, Surveying & Land Development | 3.00 |
CEST 98 | Independent Study in Civil and Surveying Technology | 1.00-3.00 |
CEST 99I | Civil Engineering Tech Occupational Work Experience Intern | 0.50-8.00 |
GIS 51 | Intermediate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | 3.00 |
GIS 52 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | 3.00 |
GIS 53 | Cartography in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | 3.00 |
GIS 54 | Data Acquisition in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | 3.00 |
GIS 55 | GIS Applications for Earth Sciences | 3.00 |
GIS 56 | GIS Applications in Land Planning | 3.00 |
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Term Effective:
Summer 2012
The requirements for this program of study are effective beginning the semester shown above. If you began working on this program before the effective semester, you may not be affected by the changes. Consult with the program contact person or the department chair to determine your eligibility to complete the program under previous requirements.
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