Nov 21, 2024  
2020-2021 SLCC General Catalog 
    
2020-2021 SLCC General Catalog [**** ATTENTION: YOU ARE VIEWING AN ARCHIVED CATALOG ****]

Surveying: AAS (CTE)


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Associate of Applied Science | 67 credits minimum

Natural Sciences and Engineering Division
Taylorsville Redwood Campus
SI 241
General Information 801-957-4073
Program Information 801-957-4176
Program Website
Academic and Career Advising

Program Faculty
Associate Professor - R. Adam Dastrup, MA, GISP

All Surveying & Geomatics faculty are experienced, degreed, and state-licensed Professional Land Surveyors (PLS).

Program Description
The surveying and geomatics program serves three distinct purposes:

  • Provides students who have little or no experience in the field the skills needed for employment as a surveyor;
  • Gives those already working in the profession additional knowledge needed to prepare for their professional licensing examinations;
  • Gives licensed professionals opportunities for upgrade training on new issues and equipment in surveying.

Career Technician Certification
SLCC is an approved National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) Certified Surveying Technician (CST) Proctor Site.

Transfer/Articulation Information
The Surveying program at SLCC has a junior-status articulation agreement with the Geomatics Department at Utah Valley University (UVU).

Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx

Estimated Time to Completion
Time to completion is four semesters based on a full-time minimum of 15 credits per semester. Less than 15 credits per semester will increase time to completion.

Licensure Information
Graduation from the Surveying and Geomatics program does not guarantee the ability to obtain a Utah state license to practice as a Surveyor. Licensure is the exclusive right and responsibility of each state.  In order to practice as a Surveyor, students must satisfy individual state requirements, independent of SLCC graduation requirements. It is highly recommended that students consult in advance with the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL), or similar agencies in other states, to find out more about eligibility for licensure. DOPL can be reached at 801-530-6628 or at their website.

For students who plan to work as a Surveyor in another state, here is one suggested website for researching state licensure requirements: License Finder sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. If you have difficulty finding the licensure requirements for your state, please contact your academic advisor or SLCC’s state authorization coordinator for help.

Program Student Learning Outcomes Related College-Wide Student Learning Outcomes
  1 - Acquire substantive knowledge
2 - Communicate effectively
3 - Develop quantitative literacies
4 - Think critically and creatively
5 - Develop knowledge and skills to be civically engaged
6 - Develop the knowledge and skills to work with others in a professional and constructive manner
7 - Develop computer and information literacy
8 - Develop the attitudes and skills for lifelong wellness

Demonstrate the knowledge and skill sets to:

  • demonstrate knowledge of surveying history.
  • analyze how to apply units of measurement.
  • determine the role of the surveyor.
  • determine the fundamentals of surveying.

1, 2, 4, 6

Demonstrate the knowledge and skill sets to:

  • utilize the specialized formulas and mathematical functions.
  • apply trigonometry and algebra.
  • apply mathematical and analytical skills relating to an entry-level surveyor could be expected to perform.

1, 3, 4, 6,

Demonstrate the knowledge and skill sets to perform these various types of professional surveys and applications regarding:

  • Control
  • Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Land Planning
  • Public lands
  • Construction and staking
  • Boundary

1, 3, 4, 6, 7

Demonstrate the knowledge and skill sets to:

  • Observe and apply safety precautions.
  • Analyze environmental concerns.   

1, 4, 6

Demonstrate knowledge and skill sets that demonstrate entry-level and hands-on applications and concepts, including:

  • the roles of surveying party members, including party Chief, Instrument Person, Rod-person, Note-keeper/sketcher, tape-person/safety spotter.
  • the ability to perform and check mathematical calculations and operations.
  • the ability to operate surveying equipment and instruments, including automatic Total Stations, rods, auto-levels, plumb-bobs, high-accuracy RTK GPS, automatic data collectors, etc.
  • the ability to perform accurate field-note taking and records.
  • the ability to work in teams and collaboration.

1, 2, 4, 6, 7

Demonstrate knowledge and skill sets regarding:

  • use CAD and GIS as source data.
  • apply correct use of analytical and calculation tools.
  • demonstrate knowledge of the various interdisciplinary surveying applications of CAD and GIS in land development, drafting, and mapping.
  • Public record research.
  • Writing legal descriptions of land parcels.

1, 4, 6, 7

Demonstrate knowledge and skill sets in Photogrammetry, including:

  • equipment
  • aerial geometry
  • stereoscopic viewing
  • map development

1, 4, 6, 7

Demonstrate knowledge and skill sets regarding the laws and standards regarding:

  • surveying ethics.
  • surveying liability.
  • the history of U.S. boundary law.
  • applications of boundary law.
  • ownership and transfer of real property.
  • title rights and interests in land.
  • current statutory and case laws.
  • the surveyor’s role in unwritten boundary lines.
  • the surveyor’s role in legal proceedings.  

1, 4, 6

General Education Requirements


Core Skills


Composition (EN) 1 course


Quantitative Studies (QS) 1 course


Communication (CM) 1 course


Human Relations (HR) 1 course


Distribution Areas (3 Credits)


Choose 1 course from 1 of the following Distribution Areas.

Graduation Map


Advising Notes


Students who need to take preparatory classes to meet the requirements of first semester courses (see summer term in sample schedule) should plan on extra time to complete the program. It is the student’s responsibility to examine each course description for details of prerequisite classes. Those prerequisites must be satisfied before the designated class may be taken and may require extra time to complete the program.

Onsite and hybrid SVT courses are taught during weekday evenings, and during the day on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday to accommodate students already working in the profession. Courses available in a totally online format are: SVT 1010 , SVT 1110 , SVT 2050 , and SVT 2060 . SVT 2160  & SVT 2170  are hybrid courses with special hours during Fall and Spring semesters, contact Program Coordinator at (801) 957- 4176 for detailed information.

Credit may be granted for equivalent work experience, duly accredited courses or challenge tests up to 16 credit hours.

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