Surveying, AAS

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This program prepares students to enter the land surveying profession as technicians, instrument persons, drafters, and/or office technicians. The philosophy of the program is that all students are potentially seeking a professional land surveyor license. Success in the surveying program requires an above average proficiency in math and strong English skills. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to

Operate current instrumentation to search for field evidence, take and reduce field notes, and stake construction projects and boundary monumentation;
Function in office activities including calculator operations, computer data entry and analysis, manual and computer drafting of various survey-related drawings, and records research;
Enter a geographic information system entry-level position; and
Possess sufficient theoretical and practical surveying knowledge to sit for the Land Surveyor Intern exam.

Required Courses

First Year

Fall Semester

M 095~ - Intermediate Algebra Credit(s): 4 * ^R
M 123 - Surveying Mathematics I Credit(s): 2 * ¹
SRVY 152 - Surveying Graphics Credit(s): 2
SRVY 241 - Introduction to Surveying for Land Surveyors I Credit(s): 5 *
WRIT 101W - College Writing I Credit(s): 3 * ^R

First Semester Total: 16

Spring Semester

M 124 - Surveying Mathematics II Credit(s): 3 * ¹
PHSX 110 - Applied Physics Credit(s): 4 * ²
OR
PHSX 126NL - General Science: Physical Science Credit(s): 5 * ²
SRVY 242 - Introduction to Surveying for Land Surveyors II Credit(s): 5 *
SRVY 255 - Surveying Calculations Credit(s): 3 *
SRVY 262 - Public Land Survey System Credit(s): 3 *

Second Semester Total: 18-19

Second Year

Fall Semester

COMX 111C - Introduction to Public Speaking Credit(s): 3 ^R
SRVY 248 - Unmanned Aerial Mapping Systems Credit(s): 2
SRVY 268 - CAD for Surveying Profession Credit(s): 4 *
SRVY 270 - Legal Principles in Surveying I Credit(s): 5 * ^R
SRVY 283 - GIS for Survey Analysis Credit(s): 4

Third Semester Total: 18

Spring Semester

SRVY 246 - Introduction to GPS for Surveyors Credit(s): 2 *
SRVY 247 - Survey-grade GPS Control and Analysis Credit(s): 3 *
SRVY 265 - Surveying Laws and Land Division Credit(s): 3 *
SRVY 271 - Legal Principles in Surveying II Credit(s): 2 *
SRVY 273 - Route Surveying Credit(s): 2 *
SRVY 275 - Analytic Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Credit(s): 3 *
SRVY 280 - Land Surveying Computers Credit(s): 2 *

Fourth Semester Total: 17

Total Credits: 69-71

¹Another math sequence, which includes coursework through Calculus, may be substituted.

²Another physical science class may be substituted with advisor approval.

^R Indicates Related Instruction requirement.

*Indicates prerequisite and/or corequisite needed. Check course description.

Recommended Course Offering:

Students receiving financial aid or veteran’s benefits should check with the Financial Aid Office before registering for recommended courses.

SRVY 290x - Undergraduate Research Credit(s): 1 *

Program Information

This program meets the educational requirements for licensing set by the Montana Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors.
Success in the surveying program requires an above average proficiency in math and strong English skills. A minimum grade of “C-” must be achieved in all required surveying and math courses.
Out-of-state students from Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming are eligible to apply for reduced tuition under the terms of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). Contact the Admissions Office at (406) 756-3851 for details.
Students lacking a proficient background in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and/or English, will be advised to complete the survey degree program in three, rather than two, years.

Opportunities After Graduation

Upon completion of this degree, the Land Surveyor Intern (LSI) exam can be taken. In Montana, an additional six years of experience under the supervision of a licensed surveyor is required before the actual licensing (LS) exam can be taken. Students seeking to become licensed in other states should verify specific state educational and experience requirements.

Advising Information

For more information about this program, contact the advisor.

Academic Advisor
Russ Lamson
LRC 129
(406) 756-3885
rlamson@fvcc.edu