CEC > Civil Engineering & Construction > Surveying-Geomatics Program Pathways (New)

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).

For advising sheet, click here!

The following programs include Surveying-Geomatics embedded Certificates:

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) with Surveying-Geomatics: Advising Sheet

Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering (BSConE) with Surveying-Geomatics: Advising Sheet

Bachelor of Science in Construction Management (BSCon) with Surveying-Geomatics: Advising Sheet

Traditional students typically obtain an embedded certificate through the above programs, all of which are offered in the Civil Engineering and Construction Department.

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) with Surveying-Geomatics Specialization: Advising Sheet

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.

Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree with Surveying-Geomatics Specialization: Advising Sheet

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

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Non-traditional adult and working students
Traditional undergraduate civil Engineering, construction engineering and construction management students
Graduate civil engineering: MSCE or Accelerated Bachelor’s Master’s (ABM) Program
Transfer students
Before you apply, please contact your academic advisor or program coordinator.

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

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

Career Opportunities

Surveying-Geomatics Career Opportunities

Surveyors are not likely to run out of things to do. Surveying has existed for thousands of years as a means to facilitate the location, construction, and cataloging of data. From the time of the ancient Egyptians to the modern day, surveyors have been the first on the job and the last to leave to make sure that things are located and constructed correctly.

There are a number of services that only a licensed Professional Surveyor can provide.

The location of property boundaries, and land-related services such as:

Location
Topography
Spatial position
Land use planning

Anything related to land location and use generally requires the services of a Professional Surveyor. Surveyors also collaborate with many other professionals, including engineers, architects, attorneys, realtors, developers, and contractors, and they advise land owners.

Land surveyors may have slightly different processes, depending on their specific type of surveying.

Construction or Engineering: This type of surveyor studies changes in property lines and identifies the precise locations of buildings and roads. They may also survey road topography and grade or determine the appropriate depth for building foundations.

Geodetic: A surveyor who uses satellite and aerial imaging to measure very large portions of the earth is called a geodetic surveyor.

Boundary or Land: This type of surveyor fulfills the important duty of determining exactly where property lines are located.

Contact Links for Career Opportunities:

Program Contact:

Courses

Surveying-Geomatics Course Flyers

• CENG 2231: Surveying

• CENG 5137/G: Engineering Hydrology and Hydraulics

• CENG 5431/G: Advanced Surveying

• CENG 5432/G: Introduction to GIS in Surveying-Geomatics and Transportation

• CENG 5433/G: Drainage and Erosion Control

• CENG 5434/G: Surveying History and Law

• CENG 5435/G: Introduction to Terrestrial LiDAR

• CENG 5436/G: Introduction to Close-Range Photogrammetry

• CENG 5438/G Surveying-Geomatics Professional Practice

Tentative Surveying-Geomatics Course Offering Schedule

Course Number & Name	Fall Semester	Spring Semester	Summer Semester
CENG 2231 Surveying (or TCM 2233 Construction Surveying)	X	X	X
CENG 5137/G Engineering Hydrology & Hydraulics			X
CENG 5431/G Advanced Surveying			X
CENG 5432/G Intro to GIS in Surveying-Geomatics & Transportation		X
CENG 5433/G Drainage & Erosion Control	X
CENG 5434/G Surveying History and Law		X
CENG 5435/G Intro to Terrestrial LiDAR	X
CENG 5436/G Intro to Close-Range Photogrammetry		X
CENG 5438/G Surveying-Geomatics Professional Practice	X
GEOG 3440 Intro to GIS and Cartography	X

FAQ

Where can I find employment? Graduates can find employment just about anywhere they want to live. Logically, there will be more opportunities in the Atlanta area than in southwest Georgia. We hope that our graduates get jobs all over the United States, from Atlanta to California.

Can I get licensed as a surveyor? The program at Georgia Southern University is set up to support graduated students in obtaining surveyor’s licenses in Georgia. Completing the necessary courses, obtaining the required experience (four to eight years depending on your education) and successfully passing two exams (Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) and Professional licensed Surveyor (PS) exams) leads to licensure as a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS). You can see the surveying exam applications and information at the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) website. https://ncees.org/surveying/

What types of jobs can I get after completing my surveying pathway at Georgia Southern University? Numerous jobs are available in the surveying-geomatics and geospatial fields depending on your education and background. The most common jobs are survey technician, survey party chief, survey project manager, computer aided design (CAD) technician, CAD manager, geographic information system (GIS) technician, GIS manager, photogrammetrist, geodesist, office manager and corporate officer. Jobs are available in the private sector and in the government sector at the local, state and federal agencies. If you are an entrepreneur at heart, setting up your surveying business is always an option after obtaining your surveying license.

What is the starting salary? Starting salaries depend on the position and the location of the employer. The Atlanta area probably has higher starting salaries. The starting salaries for licensed surveyors in Georgia can range from range from $45,000 to $90,000.

Where do graduates work? Graduates work across the United States. In Georgia, they work in small towns and large cities. Some work in small, family surveying companies. Others work in large multi-state surveying and mapping companies and civil engineering companies. Graduates can generally work where they desire, in any size firm they feel comfortable.

Is it difficult to get jobs? Like any profession, surveying employment depends on the location and the market or demand. There will be a demand for surveyors in Georgia in the future as the economy grows and the number of licensed surveyors declines due to retirement.

How difficult is it to find summer jobs? With a little effort, traditional students can obtain summer positions in the surveying or mapping fields. Career fairs at Georgia Southern University afford the student’s opportunities to seek out internships and summer employment. We would like for our students to establish a relationship with a Surveying Company as soon as possible after their first year of college.

How do I fit in at Georgia Southern University? Georgia Southern University has nearly 26,000 students and, for the traditional on-campus student, has comfortable dorms, a good research library, an event auditorium, numerous recreation opportunities, nationally recognized sports teams (e.g., NCAA football), tutoring for core classes, and a friendly atmosphere. The average class size in a surveying class size is 24 students or less. There are three faculty members with doctorates and one part-time faculty member that teach the Surveying-Geomatics courses.

Are the courses difficult? All engineering and Surveying-Geomatics courses can be difficult. Students who put sufficient effort into their studies generally pass. Students with learning disabilities are provided with help and faculty receive instruction on how to help students learn.

Can Surveying-Geomatics students get a Professional Engineering (PE) license along with a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license? Yes, civil engineering & construction engineering students can obtain a PE license. Additional education, experience and exams are required.

Can I take the required Surveying-Geomatics courses online? Yes, the Surveying-Geomatics courses are set up in an online platform. Four of the Surveying-Geomatics courses require labs that can be completed on campus or with the help of a Licensed Professional Surveyor (PLS option).

How much do the Surveying-Geomatics Courses Cost? The cost for a 3-hour undergraduate course (In-State) for Spring of 2021 is approximately $791.39 (additional fees may be required). To see a listing of Undergraduate Tuition and Fees, go to: https://finserv.georgiasouthern.edu/bursar/office-of-student-accounts/tuition-and-fees/

How often are the Surveying-Geomatics Courses offered? All of the Surveying-Geomatics Courses are offered at least once per year. Go to the following link to see the tentative course offering schedule: Tentative S-G Course Schedule

If you have other questions about the Surveying-Geomatics paths at Georgia Southern University, contact Dr. Roger Purcell.

Contact Your Future Advisor

Non-Traditional Surveying-Geomatics Students and Undergraduate Students with Embedded Surveying-Geomatics Certificate: BSCE, BSConE., and BSCon
Kathy Shepherd
Statesboro Campus: IT 1208
(912) 478-8039
kshepherd@georgiasouthern.edu

Graduate Civil Engineering (MSCE or Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Program: Civil Engineering)
Erica Colbert
Statesboro Campus: IT 3004
(912) 478-3007
ercolbert@georgiasouthern.edu

Meet Your Advisor: https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/cec/advisement/meet-your-advisor/

Catalogs

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Undergraduate Catalog

Civil Engineering: B.S.C.E.

Construction Engineering: B.S.Con.E.

Construction Management: B.S.Cons.