Land Surveying and Geomatics
Program Description
The Land Surveying program prepares students to use equipment that is an integral part of land development for areas of engineering, construction projects and planning. Students learn to measure elevations, use equipment to measure on or below the surface and use technology to process data. The students will gain the knowledge needed for state certification.
All surveyor-specific courses can be completed for the two-year degree.
An online certificate program allows students who are already working as survey interns to complete the necessary computation/calculation, error analysis, and math and ethics coursework to enable them to take and successfully pass the state’s Professional Surveyor Exam (progressive work experience in land surveying and geomatics is an additional requirement for examination eligibility).
Land Surveying and Geomatics students will:
- Understand the fundamentals of land surveying and the importance of record research;
- Use the components of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and be able to gather and analyze data from these systems;
- Develop spreadsheets and utilize other relevant computer programs (CAD and industry specific software programs) to provide accurate surveying analytics;
- Apply higher level mathematical concepts that are necessary to complete complex survey tasks (analytical geometry, upper level algebra, calculus, statistics);
- Utilize the Common Law roots of Boundary Law, its importance in maintaining accurate records and be able to apply those principles in surveying;
- Work within the ethical, as well as the practical, role of surveying, including the applicable state and local laws.
Career Opportunities
- Surveyors
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Soil and Water Conservationists
- Landscape Architects
- Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
- Appraisers, Real Estate
Contact Information
Office of Student Services
CMU Tech, Bishop B102
2508 Blichmann Avenue
970.255.2670
SURV 100 Introduction to Surveying/Field Work3 Credits
Introduction to the common surveying units, the theory of significant figures, the basic theory of errors, and the use of surveying field notes. Topics also include the instrumentation and methodologies of measuring the common surveying units, such as differences in elevation, distances, angles, bearings, and azimuths.
Prerequisites: MATH 113 or higher.
Corequisites: SURV 102.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
SURV 102 Surveying Calculations I4 Credits
Fundamental mathematical calculations and theories associated with measuring techniques taught in SURV 100 in order to calculate the horizontal and vertical relationship between points, lines, and areas based on plane geometry.
Prerequisites: MATH 113 or higher.
Corequisites: SURV 100.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
SURV 195 Independent Study1-3 Credits
Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 6 credit hours.
SURV 200 Advanced Surveying Field Work3 Credits
Use of total station and robotic equipment, global positioning system (GPS) equipment, methods of construction staking, overall concepts of GPS, mapping surveys, mapping in general, photogrammetry, and an introduction to GIS.
Prerequisites: SURV 100 and SURV 102.
Corequisites: SURV 205.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
SURV 203 Legal Aspects of Surveying3 Credits
Introduction to the concepts of boundary control and legal principles. Topics include rights in land, Public Land System of Surveys, metes and bounds surveys, proportionate measurement, junior/senior title rights, retracement of original surveys, deed first/survey first, common and case law, ranking/prioritizing evidence, controlling monuments and corners, errors in legal descriptions and plats, record research, and case studies.
Corequisites: SURV 204.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
SURV 204 Real Property Descriptions2 Credits
Reading, writing, and interpreting property descriptions to be consistent with boundary law principles. Several areas of boundary law are reviewed, with an emphasis on the written legal documents that describe those properties.
Corequisites: SURV 203.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
SURV 205 Advanced Surveying Computations/Calculations4 Credits
Review of horizontal curve concepts and calculations followed by advanced skills development. Topics include vertical curve calculations, volume calculations, an introduction to the concepts of least squares adjustments, an overview of astronomical observations, an introduction of control surveys and geodetic reductions, and an introduction of state plane coordinates and other map projections.
Prerequisites: SURV 100 and SURV 102.
Corequisites: SURV 200.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
SURV 206 Property Law - Boundary Evidence3 Credits
Select topics of evidence and procedures for boundary location. Presents an introduction to the Public Land Survey System (Rectangular Survey System) of surveys used in the United States. Reviews Colorado Revised Statutes related to surveying and the Architects, Engineers, and Surveyor’s Board Rules (AES Board Rules).
Prerequisites: SURV 203 and SURV 204.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
SURV 207 Surveying Ethics: An Overview of Ethical Expectations2 Credits
Overview of the ethical standards of the Professional Land Surveyor and insight into the numerous ethical choices faced by the Professional Land Surveyor.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
SURV 298 Internship/Capstone Project4 Credits
Demonstration of proficiency in the required surveying-specific knowledge to pass the Colorado exams through an internship and delivery of a capstone project on a mutually agreed upon topic.
Prerequisites: SURV 100, SURV 102, SURV 200, SURV 203, SURV 204, SURV 205, SURV 206, SURV 207, STAT 200, MATH 130, and one of the following: MATH 141, MATH 121, MATH 131, MATH 135, or MATH 151.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.