Surveying and Mapping Science

ETSU Surveying and Mapping, one of the top programs in the United States, offers a unique undergraduate (B.S.) degree program with three sequences of guided electives in Cadastral/Design, Geographic Information Systems & Photogrammetry, and Surveying Business. The department also offers an M.S. degree in Technology with a concentration in Engineering Technology.

 
At ETSU, surveying has been offered for decades. In 1987, the existing program was revised and expanded. The goal was to create a four-year degree in surveying and mapping science that could meet the needs of the surveying profession in the central southeastern region of the nation. Since 1994, the undergraduate program has been accredited, by the Applied Science Accreditation Commission (ASAC) of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410) 347-7700.

 
To keep the program active and growing, we are always looking for new students. Many of our current students have had some field experience in surveying, and most of them have taken some college classes at another institution. We are always willing to discuss transfer agreements with two-year programs at many institutions who offer surveying, civil engineering, drafting and related studies. When students have the long-term goal of becoming licensed professional surveyors and may be having their own business, working toward a four-year degree is one step toward that goal.

Program Outcomes

Surveying and Mapping Science students at graduation will have:

• An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and applied sciences.
• An ability to design experiments and conduct experiments as well as analyze data and interpret data.
• An ability to formulate or design a system, process or program to meet desired needs.
• An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.
• An ability to identify and solve applied science problems.
• An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
• An ability to communicate effectively.
• The broad education necessary to understand the impact of solutions in a global and societal context.
• A recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in life-long learning.
• A knowledge of contemporary issues.
• An ability to use the techniques, skills, modern scientific and technical tools necessary for professional practice.
• Graduates can function as effective individuals and obtain professional goals, outcomes and opportunities.
• Produce graduates who can quickly adapt to the work environment.

Educational Objectives

Surveying and Mapping Science graduates within 2-4 years will:

• Successfully complete FLS (Fundamentals of Land Surveying) portion of the professional license exam.
• Have received progressive experience or increased professional opportunities.
• Graduates will obtain a position of management in a firm that conducts professional surveys.
• Graduates will become active and strive for a leadership role in the state and national organizations that represent the profession.

What is Surveying/Geomatics?

Surveying and Mapping, which is now also known as Geomatic Engineering, is a rapidly developing discipline that focuses on spatial information, i.e. locational information. The location is the main factor used to integrate a very wide range of data for viewing and analysis. As almost all information has some kind of location, the varieties of information and applications with which the Surveying Engineer is involved are extremely wide. Surveying/Geomatics Engineering includes the disciplines of land boundaries cadastres, geodesy, photogrammetry, remote sensing, mapping, geographic and land information systems, spatial computing, computer vision, and surveying business.

• Land boundaries (cadastres) are concerned with the surveying of property boundary lines.
• Geodesy is concerned with precise positioning on the Earth, and thus serves as a foundation for other spatial sciences.
• Photogrammetry is the science of high precision measurements from photographs and other forms of imagery.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are systems for bringing together large amounts of data, spatial and non-spatial, to aid in complex decision-making, modeling, planning and management of resources, and land management.

Requests for increased college education in the specialization of land surveying and mapping have been on the rise for over 20 years. Many states now require professional surveyors to attend professional development seminars annually. The requirements for new licensees have also been modified to include a formal education component. In Tennessee, all applicants for new license after July 2003, will need a four-year degree in Surveying and Mapping or a degree in a closely related field and a minimum number of credit hours in surveying courses. The ETSU program meets all of these requirements.

Seniors in the program are allowed to take the LSIT (Land Surveyor in Training) exam. This is day one of the professional licensing process.

Facilities and Equipment

Classroom, laboratory and outdoor field space is provided in and around Wilson-Wallis Hall. Lecture classes can have 20 or more students but laboratory class size is usually limited to 15-18. Total stations, first-order theodolites, precise levels, GPS units, photogrammetric stereoplotters and Pentium computers are all available for students to experience and use. Surveying and mapping software from several companies has been either donated or purchased at educational discounts. GIS software is available and used in several classes. A 20-station second-order network of stations covers the main campus. A baseline to calibrate the electronic distance equipment is under construction and will be made available to the professionals.

Expansion of the computer facilities and additional field equipment will always be needed to keep the program on the cutting edge of the profession. Tax-deductible, in-kind contributions of equipment or software as well as designated financial contributions are always welcome and appreciated.

Academic Common Market:

The Academic Common Market is an interstate agreement among southern states for sharing academically uncommon programs. Because ETSU's Surveying & Mapping Science program is so unique, students from the following states may apply for Academic Common Market status and qualify for in-state tuition rates:
Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia (as approved for the 2008/09 academic year).

Please note that as a programs' Academic Common Market status is subject to change from numerous entities, please check with a program advisor &/or faculty member and the current ETSU Undergraduate Catalog.

Scholarships:

There are numerous scholarships specifically available for students enrolled in the Surveying & Mapping Science program:

• Dr. Ben Buckner Surveying and Mapping Scholarship—Two (2) $3000 annual awards (beginning Fall 2005).
  
  
• Crouch/Fulton/TAPS Scholarship—For students majoring in Surveying &ping Science. Must be a junior or senior.
  
  
• John Foster Memorial Scholarship—Awarded to students from Virginia studying Surveying and Mapping Science. 2.5 GPA minimum.
  
  

Many other scholarship opportunities may be available through the department (e.g., Wayne G. Basler Incentive Scholarship, Kevin Wayne Bunn Memorial Scholarship, etc.); the College of Business & Technology (e.g., James and Jane Hales Scholarship); and the University (including the Tennessee Lottery-funded HOPE scholarship). Elligibility requirements and application deadlines vary; please consult the latest ETSU Undergraduate Catalog or contact a SAMS faculty member for more information.