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Baccalaureate Degree in Surveying Engineering

The Baccalaureate Degree Program in Surveying Engineering was developed with the help of the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors, and was created in response to the increasing need for specialists in capturing, processing, and managing geospatial data.

The Surveying Engineering major provides a basic undergraduate education required for private and public service in the profession of surveying. Particular emphasis is placed on fundamental surveying principles required in all areas of surveying. Instruction is provided in the main divisions of surveying, including land surveying, mapping, photogrammetry, data analysis and adjustment, geodesy and map projection coordinate systems, remote sensing, geographic information systems, and land development. Students study various data collection techniques using surveying tools including total stations, levels, softcopy photogrammetry, satellite imagery, and the global navigation satellite system (GNSS). They also study legal principles related to land surveying, professional ethics, applications for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in surveying, and data management techniques. Through the use of projects and capstone courses students will design measurement systems, alignments, land information systems, and land development.

Specific educational objectives of the program are to prepare graduates who, after the first few years of their professional careers:

  1. Proficiently use mathematics, science, measurement methods, and modern surveying tools to collect, analyze, and reduce spatial data in professional applications or advanced study in surveying engineering or a related field.
  2. Proficiently apply basic principles of land surveying, professional practice, and professional ethics to design and conduct surveys, and to analyze and interpret data in surveying engineering applications.
  3. Effectively convey technical and professional information in written, verbal, and graphic forms, as an individual and as a member of a professional team.
  4. Demonstrate their recognition of the importance of professional organizations for advancement toward professional licensure, development of leadership skills, and maintaining a broad understanding of contemporary societal issues by participating in activities of professional organizations in capacities ultimately leading to leadership positions.
  5. Demonstrate their recognition of the need for continuous, life-long learning by participating in continuing education as students or as instructors.

For the B.S. degree a minimum of 132 credits is required. The baccalaureate program in Surveying Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc.

Business Minor

Get value added to your Surveying Engineering degree by obtaining a minor in business. Many of our employers suggest that our B.S. students consider getting more courses in business management. The BS program allows students to us up to nine (9) credits in technical electives towards the Business minor. To learn more about this minor follow the link http://www.psu.edu/bulletins/bluebook/major/bsbmin.htm. With additional courses, you can easily obtain this minor and strengthen your position in a company. Develop an academic plan in consultation with your advisor. To declare the intent to get a minor complete the form at http://www.registrar.psu.edu/student_forms/entrancetominor.pdf and take it to the registrar.

A possible list of courses for the minor include:

  1. Required Courses: ACCTG 211(4), ECON 002 GS(3), MGMT 301(3), MKTG 301(3)
  2. STAT 401 substituted for MS&IS 200
  3. SUR 465 and SUR 471

All of these courses can be used in the major.

 

Undergraduate Bulletin Program Descriptions:

B.S. in Surveying Engineering

 

 

 

Semester Plan:

B.S. in Surveying Engineering