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Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Surveying (Geomatics)

Surveying (Geomatics)

Overview

Degrees and Certificates Offered

  • A.S. in Surveying/Geomatics
  • Surveying/Geomatics Certificate

Associate Degree

A.S. in Surveying/Geomatics

The Surveying/Geomatics program provides the student with instruction in survey theory and fundamentals for both office and field practice. The goal of the program is to prepare students for entry level employment into the land surveying profession. There are numerous specialties in survey employment, and early counseling is suggested to help select the proper optional classes.

Recommended High School Preparation: Courses in algebra, trigonometry, physics, and geography.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
SURVY 300 Elementary Surveying 4
SURVY 320 Advanced Survey 4
SURVY 330 Special Surveying Projects 4
SURVY 340 Photogrammetry 3
SURVY 350 Boundary Control and Legal Principles 4
SURVY 352 Evidence and Procedures for Boundary Location 4
A minimum of 3 units from the following: 3
SURVY 311 Survey Map Production with Civil 3D (4)
SURVY 360 Survey Business Practices (3)
Total Units: 26

The Surveying/Geomatics Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See SCC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • operate all surveying measurement instruments commonly in use within the profession.
  • demonstrate a knowledge of the techniques and methodology of surveying measurement.
  • select appropriate survey measuring instruments to accurately complete a variety of surveying projects.
  • list specific requirements of local agencies for approval and filing of survey maps such as, record of surveys, parcel maps, subdivision maps, preliminary and final maps, and also improvement plans.
  • demonstrate an understanding of boundary surveying and photogrammetric surveys, theory of geodetic and control surveys, Global Positioning Systems, Geographic Information Systems and electronic surveys.
  • demonstrate knowledge of statutory and common law regulating the surveying industry.
  • prepare and interpret different forms of legal descriptions of land ownership and transfer.
  • discuss various types of land ownership and classify effects and intent of various land transfers and transactions.

Career Information

Students may find employment in field jobs as surveyor assistants to do specific jobs as rod, chain, level, and instrument person, and notekeeper. In office jobs, students may do survey computations, draw maps of property lines, topographic maps, profiles of construction sites, and compute acreage. Employers are private survey and engineering firms and government agencies throughout the United States. Job titles are Boundary Technicians, Survey Technicians, Engineering Technicians, Engineering Aide, and Survey Aide.

Certificate of Achievement

Surveying/Geomatics Certificate

The Surveying/Geomatics program provides the student with instruction in survey theory and fundamentals for both office and field practice. The goal of the program is to prepare students for entry level employment into the land surveying profession. There are numerous specialties in survey employment, and early counseling is suggested to help select the proper optional classes.

Recommended High School Preparation: Courses in algebra, trigonometry, physics, and geography.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Certificate Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
SURVY 300 Elementary Surveying 4
SURVY 320 Advanced Survey 4
SURVY 330 Special Surveying Projects 4
SURVY 340 Photogrammetry 3
SURVY 350 Boundary Control and Legal Principles 4
SURVY 352 Evidence and Procedures for Boundary Location 4
A minimum of 3 units from the following: 3
SURVY 311 Survey Map Production with Civil 3D (4)
SURVY 360 Survey Business Practices (3)
Total Units: 26

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • operate all surveying measurement instruments commonly in use within the profession.
  • demonstrate a knowledge of the techniques and methodology of surveying measurement.
  • select appropriate survey measuring instruments to accurately complete a variety of surveying projects.
  • list specific requirements of local agencies for approval and filing of survey maps such as, record of surveys, parcel maps, subdivision maps, preliminary and final maps, and also improvement plans.
  • demonstrate an understanding of boundary surveying and photogrammetric surveys, theory of geodetic and control surveys, Global Positioning Systems, Geographic Information Systems and electronic surveys.
  • demonstrate a knowledge of statutory and common law regulating the surveying industry.
  • prepare and interpret different forms of legal descriptions of land ownership and transfer.
  • discuss various types of land ownership and classify effects and intent of various land transfers and transactions.

Career Information

Students may find employment in field jobs as surveyor assistants to do specific jobs as rod, chain, level, and instrument person, and notekeeper. In office jobs, students may do survey computations, draw maps of property lines, topographic maps, and profiles of construction sites, and compute acreage. Employers are private survey and engineering firms and government agencies throughout the United States. Job titles are Boundary Technicians, Survey Technicians, Engineering Technicians, Engineering Aide, and Survey Aide.

Surveying (Geomatics) (SURVY) Courses

SURVY 300 Elementary Surveying

  • Units:4
  • Hours:45 hours LEC; 81 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:MATH 373 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L2
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides an introduction to the principles and practices of plane surveying. Survey instrumentation and methods of measuring distances, angles, and differences in elevation will be presented. Fundamental surveying methods including traversing, survey computations, and use and care of electronic survey equipment will be covered.

SURVY 310 Survey Map Production

  • Units:4
  • Hours:45 hours LEC; 81 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:EDT 310 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides an exposure to the special procedures and requirements unique to computer-assisted survey mapping. Fundamental survey drafting methods and types of maps will be stressed. Conformance with local agency and State of California mapping requirements will be addressed. Students will work with state of the art computer hardware and software to produce industry standard survey maps.


SURVY 311 Survey Map Production with Civil 3D

  • Units:4
  • Hours:36 hours LEC; 108 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:EDT 310 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU (effective Fall 2026)
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course exposes students to the special procedures and requirements unique to computer-assisted survey mapping. Emphasis will be on fundamental survey drafting methods and types of maps. Conformance with local agency and State of California mapping requirements will be addressed. Students will work with computer hardware and software to produce industry standard survey maps.

SURVY 320 Advanced Survey

  • Units:4
  • Hours:45 hours LEC; 81 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:SURVY 300 with a grade of "C" or better; or equivalent.
  • Advisory:MATH 373 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course focuses on real-world surveying applications such as primary control, construction layout and staking, horizontal and vertical curves, above and underground structural staking, subdivision lotting, and street improvement construction. Introduction to boundary surveying and photogrammetric surveys, California State Plane Coordinate System, and theory of geodetic and control surveys. GPS, GIS, and electronic surveys and mapping are also introduced. Students will need a hand-held electronic scientific style calculator equipped with trigonometric capabilities.

SURVY 324 Global Positioning Surveying (GPS)

  • Units:3
  • Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:SURVY 320 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is an introduction to the methods, techniques, tools, and applications of GPS for use in Land Surveys. It will also present factors of geodesy for surveying, enabling the student to understand and use the mathematical parameters of the earth's shape and effect on survey measurements.

SURVY 330 Special Surveying Projects

  • Units:4
  • Hours:45 hours LEC; 81 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course focuses on real world surveying applications, construction control, layout and staking, horizontal and vertical curves, above and underground structural staking, subdivision lotting, and street improvement construction. This course will provide an introduction to boundary surveying and photogrammetric surveys, theory of geodetic and control surveys. Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographic Information System (GIS), and electronic surveys and mapping are also included.

SURVY 340 Photogrammetry

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:SURVY 320 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course focuses on the theory and practice of Photogrammetry, including image systems and quality, theory of stereo photography, and orientation and design of stereo models. The class will also address design and operating principles of stereo plotting and photogrammetric and orthophoto mapping. This course also focuses on considerations for flight and control planning, control identification techniques, advanced field completion surveys, and property line investigations. Study of other remote sensing technologies are included. This courses was formerly known as SURVY 340: Basics of Photogrammetry.

SURVY 350 Boundary Control and Legal Principles

  • Units:4
  • Hours:72 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides instruction in the concepts and legal principles associated with the historic and current practices of surveying and mapping procedures used in locating boundaries and land ownership lines. This course has been developed for those in the fields of surveying, civil engineering, title insurance, and real estate.

SURVY 352 Evidence and Procedures for Boundary Location

  • Units:4
  • Hours:72 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:SURVY 350 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is a continuation of boundary location with emphasis on procedures rather than principles. It provides an introduction to the historical development, current concepts, and evidence and procedures used in boundary determination. Techniques of gathering and evaluating evidence used in boundary locations and methods of presenting that evidence in the form of maps and descriptions are emphasized. This course is designed for those in the fields of engineering, land surveying, land law, real estate, and title insurance.

SURVY 360 Survey Business Practices

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

The course provides an introduction to surveying business economics; contracts and specifications; organizing, staffing, hiring, training, and supervision of professional/technical personnel; surveyor-client relationships; and ethics of practice.

SURVY 495 Independent Studies in Surveying

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

UC transfer credit will be awarded only after the course has been evaluated by the enrolling UC campus. The units completed for this course cannot be counted towards the minimum 60 units required for admissions.

SURVY 499 Experimental Offering in Surveying

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

Catalog