Surveying-Geomatics Program Pathways (New)
At Georgia Southern University, you can use the following pathways to accomplish your Surveying-Geomatics goals. For place-bound students, our Surveying-Geomatics Courses (materials and quizzes) are available online with an option for required labs being facilitated by a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS Option).

The Non-Traditional Path (Required courses plus prerequisites)
This approach is best for the person who works during the day (preferably with a Surveying-Geomatics company). The non-traditional student may have some previous college coursework that may be considered for credit. Coursework under this path includes the necessary 18 semester credit hours currently required by the Georgia Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors for the Land Surveyor Intern Certification (or Land Surveyor-in-Training).
The following programs include Surveying-Geomatics embedded Certificates:
Traditional students typically obtain an embedded certificate through the above programs, all of which are offered in the Civil Engineering and Construction Department.
The Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) degree program is a path for advanced students. The course group under this path includes the necessary 18 semester credit hours currently required by the Georgia Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors for the Land Surveyor Intern Certification (or Land Surveyor-in-Training).
The MSCE degree typically takes two years to complete.
The accelerated degree program is a path for advanced students to obtain BSCE and MSCE degrees in five years.
The program prepares graduates to:
- Demonstrate a practical understanding of skills in mathematics, basic physical sciences, business, surveying, and geomatics sufficient to pass professional registration exams.

- Demonstrate proficiencies in surveying equipment, experimental and surveying data gathering, and analytical and problem-solving skills necessary to be in charge of surveying operations.
- Apply design skills sufficient to meet employer and client expectations in the areas of land development and survey operations planning.
- Conduct themselves ethically and professionally and exhibit personal integrity and responsibility in surveying practice.
- Be proficient in written, oral, and graphic communication in order to promote professional services, communicate, report to clients, interact with peers, and address client matters in public forums.
- Appreciate the arts, humanities, and social sciences, and their place among society and the profession.
- Take leadership roles in the community and profession.
- Work in a multi-disciplinary team environment, and lead when necessary to accomplish mission or project.
The Surveying-Geomatics program courses focus on the skills and education required for professional practice. In addition to basic courses in mathematics and the physical sciences, the students are exposed to:

- Traditional terrestrial surveying
- Data collection
- Global Positioning System
- Geographic Information System
- Photogrammetry
- LiDAR
- Elements of professional practice
Expected Student Outcomes
After completion of the Surveying-Geomatics coursework, students should be able to demonstrate the following capabilities:
- An ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills, and modern tools of mathematics, science, and technology to solve broadly defined surveying-geomatics problems appropriate to the discipline.
- An ability to design solutions for well-defined surveying-geomatics problems, components, or processes appropriate to the discipline.
- An ability to apply written, oral, and graphic communication in well-defined technical and non-technical environments
- An ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature.
- An ability to conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments.
- An ability to function effectively as a member leader on a technical team.

For details about Georgia Board of Registration requirements for certification as a land surveyor intern visit: https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-land-surveyor
or for the Land Surveyor in Training (LSIT) application in Georgia, go to:
https://sos.ga.gov/sites/default/files/forms/09 LSIT Application (Rev 20-28).pdf
Surveyors:
- Combine history with technology, mathematics with law, and art with CAD.
- Work outside in nice weather and inside in bad weather (have a tan all Summer).
- Don’t sit behind a desk for long (have an exercise plan as part of surveying practice).
- Earn a good salary for doing work they enjoy.
Surveyors in Action
Program Contact:

Dr. Roger C. Purcell, P.E., R.L.S.
Department of Civil Engineering & Construction
Georgia Southern University
P.O. Box 8077
Statesboro, GA 30460-8077
Office: Engineering Bldg. 1101A
Phone: (912) 478-5001
rcpurcell@georgiasouthern.edu
Last updated: 3/10/2022