Program Student Learning Outcomes

Related College-Wide Student Learning Outcomes

1 - Substantive Knowledge
2 - Communicate Effectively
3 - Develop Quantitative Literacy
4 - Think Critically
5 - Civic Engagement and/or Working Professionally

Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the history, units of measure, terminology, and role of the surveyor in the progress of the United States of America.
Successful students will apply basic Earth geometry and geodesy concepts techniques relative to:

• Geoids, ellipsoids, and spheres
• World and local datums, geographic, state plane coordinate systems,  and projection.

Demonstrate and apply the knowledge to perform the basic types of surveys that will be required in the profession:

• Plane and Geodetic
• Control
• Location and Navigation
• Land Boundary
• Private Lands
• Public Lands
• General  and Topographic Mapping
• Construction

Demonstrate entry-level proficiency in all survey party roles, competence using modern high-tech surveying equipment and instruments, field notes, the ability to perform calculations, and competencies to work as an entry-level member of a survey crew.

Demonstrate and apply the knowledge of the Public Land Survey System relative to:

• General and Special Instructions
• Lost and obliterated corner monuments
• Single and double proportions
• Monumentation
• Riparian boundaries laps
• Hiatuses
• Mineral surveys
• Official documents

Demonstrate and apply the knowledge of writing legal descriptions relative to:

• Writing and understanding legal descriptions
• Required  parts of a legal description
• Latent and patent ambiguities
• Points of Beginning and Basis of Bearings
• Interpretation of terms
• Public Notice and recordation

Apply and demonstrate the knowledge of  photogrammetry relative to:

• Photo identification
• Stereographic Interpretation
• Photo geometry
• Measurements from aerial photography

Apply and demonstrate the knowledge of land boundary law relative to:

• Land boundary surveyor responsibilities
• Protecting rights, title, and interest of the land
• Statute and common law
• Ownership and conveying rights in land
• Unwritten transfers of land
• Practical location

Demonstrate and apply the knowledge of public records relative to:

• Researching in law libraries
• Public Notice
• Recordation of conveyances, maps, plats, charts, and related documents.
• Access to Government, quasi-public, and private records

Demonstrate and apply the knowledge of geospatial technology relative to:

• Analyzing spatial patterns through the use of discipline related data, photogrammetry, satellite imagery, GPS, and a strong emphasis on Geographic Info. Systems (GIS).  

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Apply surveying, mapping, and related techniques to communicate spatial and non-spatial data:

• Apply cartographic principles to create and edit visual representations of spatial and non-spatial data including maps, graphs, charts, plats, and diagrams
• Demonstrate appropriate results of surveys, classification, and symbolization.
• Critique the design of a map or plat based on the intended audience

2

Demonstrate the ability to utilize the specialized formulas and mathematical functions; trigonometry, and algebra, relating to the skills an entry-level surveyor could be expected to perform in the office and field.

3

Demonstrate an ability to apply critical thinking in various geomatics environments

• Apply various geospatial referencing techniques in relation to spheres, datums, coordinate systems, and projections
• Assess the geometric relationship between datums and coordinate systems
• Demonstrate an ability to transform geographic coordinate systems into plane projections and explain the various distortions that can occur
• Demonstrate knowledge of the importance of surveying  instruments, equipment, and measurements quality in terms of uncertainty within the data, accuracy, precision, primary versus secondary sources, and appropriate use of data for a particular project.

4

Analyze legal and ethical issues related to surveying data:

• Demonstrate an understanding of how surveying and mapping technology is used in government, military and homeland security, humanitarian work, environmental science and conservation, private sectors, non-profit organizations, and society at large.
• The reinforcement of statutes, codes, and professional licensing laws that protect the environment, and the public health, safety, and welfare.

5

Develop professional skills related to the discipline and profession of geomatics.

• Identify related fields that rely on geospatial measurements technology and that employ geospatial professionals
• Participate in scientific and professional organizations
• Demonstrate familiarity with codes of professional ethics and rules of conduct for geospatial professionals
• Identify legal, ethical, and business considerations that affect an organization’s decision to share geospatial data
• Demonstrate the ability to work on large projects and within teams

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