Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)
Land Surveying/Geomatics Emphasis

Surveying is the art and science of measuring the physical features of the earth using specialized equipment and procedures to obtain results that meet the specifications of clients. Career opportunities in surveying are available with private survey and mapping firms; federal, state, and local government agencies; and large land development companies. Geomatics professionals frequently perform boundary retracement surveys to locate parcel boundary lines for clients. They perform engineering-related surveys to prepare maps, plots, and plans depicting topography. They also verify the location of existing or planned surface or sub-surface features in relation to existing survey control. Using high-precision optical and electromechanical instruments and global positioning data from satellites, surveyors are responsible for interpreting the information and formulating conclusions.

The program is structured to allow students to work while gaining coursework toward the four-year degree in the evenings or over the Internet.

Licensure requirements to practice Land Surveying/Geomatics vary from state to state. Nevada statute requires a four-year degree in Land Surveying/Geomatics for new members to gain licensure within the Profession. The typical path to licensure allows one to sit for the eight-hour Fundamentals of Surveying Examination upon graduation from the required four-year degree program. Successful passage of the Fundamentals of Surveying Examination typically results in the status of Land Surveyor in Training. After gaining four years of verifiable experience acceptable to the Nevada State Board of Engineers and Surveyors, the candidate for licensure may be allowed to sit for the six hour Principles and Practices of Surveying and the two-hour Nevada State Specific Examination. Successful passage of these two examinations will allow the candidate to apply for professional licensure as a land surveyor.

The Land Surveying/Geomatics Profession is currently undergoing a significant transition in many areas including paths to licensure. A person with significant work experience in Land Surveying/Geomatics is advised that alternative paths to licensure may exist in Nevada for a short transitional period, and that contact with the Nevada State Board of Engineers and Surveyors may be necessary to explore these options.

Sponsorship

Great Basin College is providing the opportunity for land surveyors, licensed in any state in the United States, to assist qualified students gain the laboratory portion of the three lower division survey courses required to gain a four year degree in Land Surveying/Geomatics. Additional information about the sponsorship program is provided here in PDF* format. The sponsorship application is also online in both PDF* and MS Word formats.

Additional Information

For comprehensive program details, please consult the faculty website of Dr. James Elithorp. For a listing of the program's advisory board members, click here.

Curriculum (PDF*)

The Emphasis Requirements and Suggested Course Sequence below may assist you in planning your course of study and determining course availability. However, if you are currently enrolled in the program, your specific requirements may vary from what's shown here (see the appropriate GBC Catalog). All BAS students should consult with a departmental adviser in planning course work.

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Program Requirements

Lower-Division Prerequisites Computer-Aided Drafting: CADD 100 and CADD 105 or equivalent courses, or a demonstrated facility with a Computer-Aided Drafting software package. Introduction to Statistics: STAT 152 Precalculus II: MATH 127, or Precalculus and Trigonometry MATH 128 (offered by other NSHE institutions): Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems: GIS 109 General Physics I and II: PHYS 151/151L and PHYS 152/152L -OR- Physics for Scientists & Engineers I and II: PHYS 180/180L and PHYS 181/181L Fundamentals of Geomatics I or an elementary surveying course approved for transfer by the Program Coordinator: SUR 280 Fundamentals of Geomatics II or a surveying course approved for transfer by the Program Coordinator: SUR 281 Introduction to Urban Development or courses containing the basic elements of construction surveying, land development, and subdivision design practice as approved by the Program Coordinator: SUR 290 Students admitted to the BAS Program with an earned AAS Degree in Land Surveying/Geomatics or the equivalent must complete INT 339 and INT 349 increasing the BAS Degree total credits to 65 for graduation. Note: All students graduating from Nevada institutions of higher education must satisfy the U.S. and Nevada Constitutions requirement with PSC 103 and PSC 100.

Emphasis Courses 3 Fund. of Speech Communication: COM 113 or Oral Interpretation: THTR 221 3 Professional Ethics: ECON 311 3 Professional Communications: ENG 333 3 Applied Accounting and Finance: FIN 310 3 Integrative Humanities Seminar: INT 339 or Integrative Soc. Science Seminar: INT 349 3 Integrative Mathematics Seminar: INT 359 or Integrative Science Seminar: INT 369 3 Foundations of Management Theory and Practice: MGT 310 3 Organizational & Interpers. Behavior: MGT 323 or Human Resource Management: MGT 367 3 Operational Quality Control & Problem Solving: MGT 441 3 GIS for Surveyors: SUR 320 3 Intro. to Least Squares Adjustment: SUR 330 3 Photogrammetry: SUR 340 3 Public Land Survey System: SUR 360 3 Legal Descriptions: SUR 365 3 Geodetic and GPS Surveying: SUR 440 3 Construction Surveying: SUR 450 or Mine Surveying: SUR 455 3 Advanced Boundary Analysis: SUR 460 3 Land Surveying/Geomatics Capstone: SUR 495 4 Calculus I: MATH 181 4 Calculus II: MATH 182 Total Emphasis Credits: 62 Program Coordinator & Support Staff Dr. James Elithorp, Coordinator Greenhaw Technical Arts 110, Elko Campus 775.753.2240 Email Penny Ronk, Support Staff Greenhaw Technical Arts 135, Elko Campus 775.753.2235 Email

Suggested Course Sequence