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Surveying Engineering Technology (BS)

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Application Code: 
1046
Degree Received: 
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Academic Department: 
Civil Engineering Technology
Description: 

Individuals benefit from having a land surveyor determine the boundaries of their property. Governmental agencies, private industries, and individuals all benefit from the surveying and mapping of our natural resources. Surveyors help in the planning of our transportation systems, our recreational facilities, new cities, and land subdivisions.

The modern surveyor has learned to increase his/her productivity and measurement accuracy by using modern surveying equipment such as the electronic total stations to measure angles and distances. Computational tasks and mapping are enhanced by the use of the computer.

Particularly exciting about the future of the surveying profession are the emerging technologies of Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Land Information Systems (LIS).

The course of study at Alfred provides a thorough understanding of the basic sciences of mathematics and physics as well as such applied subjects as graphics and computer aided drafting and design. The knowledge obtained from these basic courses is applied to a well rounded study of modern surveying theory and practice.

The student constantly applies theoretical knowledge in meaningful and comprehensive laboratory sessions. Therefore, upon graduation the student is educated in a two-fold sense, both theoretically and practically.

Program Educational Objectives

Program educational objectives were established with the assistance of the Industrial Advisory Committee and are reviewed periodically. The BS in surveying engineering technology program produces graduates who:

  1. Write, read, and orally present technical reports, letters, and projects that meet the standards of the profession;
  2. Have an understanding of and are able to implement basic field and office survey procedures;
  3. Are capable of performing elementary research;
  4. Are competent in surveying techniques;
  5. Recognize the need for, and an ability to engage in, continued formal education as well as lifelong learning;
  6. Will be capable of sitting successfully for the Land Surveyor Examination;
  7. Have the skills to perform a land title survey in all its complexity;
  8. Will be capable of employing state-of-the-art surveying techniques in leading a survey crew to accomplishment of its goal.

A laptop computer is required for students entering the surveying engineering technology program. See laptop specifications.

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations: 
  • Required: math A & B (algebra, geometry, and trigonometry); SAT and/or ACT scores with a recommended combined SAT score of 1000 (critical reading and math) or a composite ACT score of 21.
  • Recommended: physics
Accreditation/Certification: 

Both surveying engineering technology programs are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission/Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology, Inc. [TAC/ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202; (410) 347-7700.] The program is also accredited by the NYS Education Department. These accreditations mean that the graduates of the BS program will receive four years of credit toward the total statutory time requirement for licensure as a land surveyor in New York State. The BS graduates are eligible to take the first part of the NCEES licensing exam for Land Surveying in their senior year, eighth semester, if within 20 semester credit hours of graduation.

Additionally, graduates of the BS program will receive six years of credit towards the statutory time for licensure as a Professional Engineer in New York State. The BS graduates are eligible to take the first part of the NCEES licensing exam for Professional Engineer in the fall following their graduation.

Features & Facilities: 
  • Covers global positioning satellite systems and geographical information systems with associated computer applications
  • Global Positioning Satellite Systems hardware and software plus CAD and adjustment software are available
  • Program can lead to professional licensure
Articulation Agreements: 

Formal articulation agreements exist between Alfred State College and Mohawk Valley Community College and Paul Smith's College.  Graduates from these and other two-year surveying programs can typically graduate with a bachelor degree from Alfred State College in two additional years.

Career Opportunities: 
  • Land Surveyor (after successfully meeting state requirements)
  • Surveying Engineering Technician
  • Party Chief
  • Field Technician
  • Instrument Person
  • Drafter - Computer
  • Mapping Technologist
  • Project Surveyor
  • GPS Surveyor
  • Office Assistant
Typical Semester Layout: 

Approximately 11 to 16 hours each week are spent in classroom lecture instruction, with class size ranging from 10 to 30 students. Structured labs are six to 12 hours a week. The student's academic adviser is a faculty member who teaches in this program.

First Semester credits
COMP 1503 Freshman Composition 3
CIVL 1011 Civil AutoCAD 1
CIVL 1204 Surveying I 4
CIVL 1013 Portland Cement Concrete 3
CIVL 1182 Civil Tech Graphics 2
MATH 1033 College Algebra 3
      16
Second Semester credits
CIVL 2154 Quality Control of Construction Materials 4
CIVL 2204 Surveying II 4
PHYS 1024 General Physics I 4
MATH 2043 College Trigonometry 3
LITR 2603 Introduction to Literature 3
      18
Third Semester credits
CIVL 3204 Legal Aspects & Practice of Land Surveying 4
CIVL 3214 Control Surveying 4
PHYS 2023 General Physics II 3
MATH 1063 Technical Calculus I 3
  xxx3 Gen Education Elective 3
      17
Fourth Semester credits
CIVL 4204 Subdivision Theory & Application 4
CIVL 4214 Surveying Practicum 4
CIVL 4243 Surveying Computer Applications 3
CIVL 4273 Photogrammetry 3
  xxx3 Gen Education Elective 3
      17
Fifth Semester credits
MATH 2074 Technical Calculus II 4
SPCH 1083 Effective Speaking
3
COMP 5703 Technical Writing II
3
CIVL 5104 Geological Engr Tech 4
CIVL 5114 Land Surveying OR  
CIVL 7114 Geographic Info Systems 4
      18
Sixth Semester credits
MATH 5014 Technical Calculus III 4
BUAD 3043 Business Law 3
CHEM 5013 Applied Chem Principles 3
CIVL 6104 Anal & Adj of Surv Meas 4
CIVL 6113 Environmental Tech Concepts
3
      17
Seventh Semester credits
MATH 7113 Economic Analysis for Engr Tech 3
MATH 7123 Statistics for Engr Tech 3
CIVL 8104 Satellite & Geodetic Surv 4
CIVL 5114 Land Surveying OR
 
CIVL 7114 Geographic Info Systems 4
CIVIL
7001
Senior Seminar & Proj Design
1
  xxx3 Gen Education Elective 3
      18
Eighth Semester credits
BSET 8003 Senior Technical Project 3
PHYS 8013 Modern Physics 3
CIVL 7104 Land Develop & Design 4
  xxx3 Gen Education Elective 3
CISY
1113
Intro to Computer Programming
3
      16

Entry level of student into math and composition/literature sequences is a function of student's high school preparation and mathematics and English placement examinations.

Math through technical calculus I must be completed. Freshman composition II and introduction to literature must be taken.

Also required: One unit of physical education.

General Education Electives: (maximum- one from each area)
American History Social Sciences Western Civilization
Other World Civilization Arts  
Employment and Transfer Report
Employment and Transfer Rate: 
100%
Employment and Transfer Survey Details: 
Survey Details200620072008
Receiving Degrees 5
9
10
Responding to Survey 5 (100%) 7 (78%) 7 (70%)
Employed 5 (100%) 7 (100%) 5 (71%)
Employed in Field 5 (100%)
7 (100%)
4 (80%)
Transfered -- -- 2 (29%)
Unemployed & Seeking Employment -- -- --
Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment -- -- --
Employment and Transfer Salary Information: 

Average annual salary for ASC graduates - $57,000 (1 respondent)