Surveying, AAS

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This program is designed to prepare students to enter the land surveying profession as surveying technicians, instrument persons, drafters, and/or office technicians. The philosophy of the program is that all students are potentially seeking their professional land surveyors license. Success in the surveying program requires an above average proficiency in math and strong English skills. Graduates of the Surveying program will:

Be able to function in field work activities including operating current instrumentation, searching for field evidence, taking and reducing field notes, and staking construction projects and boundary monumentation;
Be able to function in office activities including calculator operations, computer data entry and analysis, manual and computer drafting of various survey-related drawings, and records research;
Possess sufficient background knowledge and skills to 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

CAPP 131 - Basic MS Office Credit(s): 2 ³
M 095~ - Intermediate Algebra Credit(s): 4 *
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 *

First Semester Total: 18

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
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 *
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: 71-72

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

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

³Advisor may waive this course requirement with proof of competence in MS Office.

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

Additional Professional Development Program Offering:

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 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 FVCC Student Support Center or the Program Advisor.

Student Support Center Advisor	Program Advisor
Russ Lamson	Corryn Greenawalt
LRC 129	RH 164
(406) 756-3885	(406) 756-3913
rlamson@fvcc.edu	cgreenawalt@fvcc.edu