Southern Polytechnic State University

Undergraduate Academic Catalog 2012-2013

Surveying and Mapping Program

(Bachelor of Science Degree Offered)

Program Coordinator: Professor Matt Wilson

Students completing the Surveying and Mapping program will be able to:

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

In practice Graduates of the Surveying and Mapping Program will:

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

The Surveying and Mapping program is offered through the Civil Engineering Technology Department. 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 total stations, robotic instrumentation, 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. Computer analysis is 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.

With focused, laboratory-based classes, students develop the critical thinking needed to work in this field. Using a variety of tools — GPS receivers, electronic distance meters, laser total stations, and data collection equipment to name a few — students become adept at creating maps from field measurements, designing and laying out construction projects, and planning subdivision developments. Field exercises, which take place right on campus, help prepare you to work in the private sector, government and utilities, or engineering practices.

Starting annual salaries have always been competitive. Approximately 75% of our graduates begin their careers in subdivision and boundary surveying, and eventually two-thirds of them own their own businesses.

Professional Registration

Registered Land Surveyor: Surveying and Mapping majors exceed the educational requirements to become licensed as a Registered Land Surveyor (RLS) in Georgia. In addition, they must obtain

Four-years of acceptable experience and pass the FLS and PLS examinations.

In this section:

Surveying and Mapping — Bachelor of Science Requirements

Up one level:

Programs of Study

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