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SPSU Civil Engineering Technology
Building L
1100 South Marietta Pkwy
Marietta, GA 30060
678-915-7261

Home >> CET >> Programs of Study >> BS Surveying and Mapping >> BS Surveying and Mapping

BS Surveying and Mapping

Survey Lab The Surveying and Mapping program is offered through the Civil Engineering Technology program.  Students in Surveying and Mapping are taught the principles and techniques of field measurements and adjustments, boundary, topographic, geodetic, route and construction surveys.

Students apply classroom knowledge in laboratory exercises with modern surveying equipment including theodolites, electronic distance meters, electronic total stations, Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite receivers, and optical alignment devices.  Mapping topics include Geographic Information Systems (GIS), photogrammetry and remote sensing.

In laboratories, students develop maps from field measurements, design and layout construction projects, plan subdivision developments and establish horizontal and vertical control using satellite geodesy.  Microcomputers are used extensively in reducing data, planning field layouts, plotting boundaries, drawing (CAD) plats and map production.

Students also study topics from the Civil Engineering Technology program including elementary structures, fluid mechanics, hydrology and the design and construction of highways.  Courses in mathematics, business principles and core requirements provide the student added depth.

The program exceeds the State of Georgia academic registration requirements to become a Registered Land Surveyor.

Program Educational Objectives

Program Educational Objectives are broad statements that describe career and professional accomplishments that the program prepares graduates to achieve during the first few years following graduation. In practice graduates of the Surveying and Mapping program will:  

  1. Possess a balance of technical knowledge that encompasses surveying, mapping and land development.
  2. Meet industry expectations for expertise in planning, execution, and development of a survey, site/subdivision design and small-scale map.
  3. Meet industry expectations in evaluating ethical, societal, and environmental issues in the practice of surveying and mapping.
  4. Practice effective professional communications in formats common to industry practice.
  5. Be capable of career advancement, professional development, and can pursue registration as a Professional Land Surveyor in the State of Georgia.

 Program Outcomes

Program Outcomes are statements that describe knowledge and skills acquired by students that complete the program and which prepare them to achieve the educational objectives. The program outcomes are demonstrated by students at or before graduation. Students completing the Surveying and Mapping program will be able to:    

  1. Implement procedures for the use and care of field equipment.
  2. Apply math, science, and technology in surveying activities.
  3. Perform a boundary survey and preparation of a plat using appropriate Georgia standards and laws.
  4. Perform typical land surveying activities including ALTA, topographic, volume, as-built, control, geodetic, and subdivision surveys.
  5. Design residential subdivisions including lot layout, roads, and drainage.
  6. Perform coordinate calculations on the State Plane Coordinate System and transformations to other coordinate systems.
  7. Identify the surveyor’s role in a land information system (GIS).
  8. Identify careers in surveying and mapping and be committed to the profession and lifelong learning, ethical and safe practices, and respect diversity and societal issues in practice.
  9. Effectively communicate information in these formats:  written, oral, mathematical, and graphical. 
  10. Identify and perform typical surveying business activities including project management, bidding, contracts and overhead.
  11. Function effectively as team members (or team leaders) on multi-disciplinary teams.


If you have questions about the CET Department, please call: Professor Timothy W. Zeigler,CET Department Chair, at (678) 915-7261  or (678) 915-5495 or send e-mail to: tzeigler@spsu.edu