SUR 201 | Surveying I

Focus on fundamental surveying principles, mathematics, and equipment operations, with an emphasis on computations up to and including traverses, coordinates and area computations, and using instruments such as the surveyor’s tape, level, and total station. The laboratory component includes hands-on exercises for basic instrument use and elementary surveying operations in the field. Prerequisite: College Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry OR Pre-Calculus for college students with a grade of “C” or higher. Students who cannot submit a college transcript with these prerequisites will be required to pass a Skills for Surveying Fundamentals math assessment test. Failure to pass this test will require Introduction to Surveying Mathematics with a grade of “C” or better before being admitted to this course. Objectives:

1. Apply basic surveying principles.
2. Evaluate site survey requirements.
3. Plan, conduct, and document diverse survey measurements.
4. Calculate corrections and adjustments to initial measurement data including traverses.
5. Utilize various surveying instruments and related equipment.

3 Credits

SUR 202 | Surveying II

Focus on theory and practice, including mathematics, of advanced traverse computations including inversing and various combinations of distance and direction intersections including perpendicular offsets. Additional topics that are introduced include concepts in route surveying; elementary concepts of property boundary surveying, topographic mapping, and volume calculations; and construction surveying. Concepts and applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are also introduced. This course has a laboratory component where the student builds on the instrument use and surveying operations learned in Surveying I. Prerequisite: SUR 201 (Surveying I) with a grade of “C” or higher Objectives:

1. Perform advance traverse computations including areas and distance and direction intersections.
2. Execute essential survey operations for topographic, highway, and railroad fieldwork safely.
3. Employ total stations across various surveying techniques.
4. Explain accuracy standards and to be able to make necessary adjustments to the observed data.
5. Grasp fundamentals of GIS, GPS, and State Plane Coordinate System concepts.

3 Credits

SUR 301 | Land Records: Researching and Using

Essential skills for conducting land records research in preparation for property boundary surveys is the focus. Students will learn to examine deeds, survey records, and related documents to gather evidence of ownership, historical information, and legal requirements. The curriculum covers the application of records research in accordance with Missouri (and other state) Standards for Property Boundary Surveys, as well as ALTA/NSPS specifications for land title surveys. Prerequisite: SUR 202 (Surveying II) with a grade of “C” or higher Objectives:

1. Analyze discrepancies between recorded information and other discovered evidence Including field evidence.
2. Correlate technical, legal, and administrative facts.
3. Evaluate the reliability of all discovered evidence.
4. Apply prescribed standards and historical values.
5. Formulate a reasoned conclusion regarding the title boundary locations of real property.

3 Credits

SUR 302 | Legal Aspects of Boundary Surveying

This course teaches the legal principles of property boundary surveying including topics in boundaries, property law as applied to surveying, monumentation, deed interpretation, and professional liability and ethics. Also discussed are various principles of Missouri survey law, regulations such as the Missouri (and other state) Standards for Property Boundary Surveys, and the applicable portions of the standards for land title surveys of the American Land Title Association (ALTA)/National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). Various aspects of professional practice and ethics are also included. Prerequisite: SUR 302 (Land Records: Researching and Using) with a grade of “C” or higher Objectives:

1. Recognize ownership, transfer, and real property descriptions.
2. Identify various easements and reversions.
3. Assess boundary evidence effectively.
4. Demonstrate effective communication techniques with clients, the public, and fellow surveyors..
5. Understand the influence of GPS and GIS on boundary law.

3 Credits

SUR 303 | Elements of Surveying Practice

This course delves into the legal dimensions of surveying practice, with a primary focus on Missouri-specific requirements and statutes. Topics encompass land description comprehension, interpretive skills, and effective descriptive writing. It reviews and builds expertise in the Missouri Standards for Property Boundary and other standards promulgated for land surveyors. Emphasis is placed on practical exercises, including the review and the creation of plats from provided data. Additionally, the course equips participants with a comprehensive understanding of statutes, regulations, and rules pertinent to surveying practice. This includes navigating the application process for obtaining and maintaining a professional license. Relevant examples of documentation and figures, maps and plats as well as case studies are used. Prerequisite: SUR 303 (Legal Aspects of Boundary Surveying) with a grade of “C” or higher Objectives:

1. Create land descriptions, including metes and bounds, “of” descriptions, aliquot parts of sections, non-aliquot parts of sectionalized land, and properties with riparian boundaries.
2. Understand the process of drafting clear and unambiguous land descriptions.
3. Analyze the language and structure of description calls, spanning from the caption to the declaration of quantity.
4. Evaluate surveys using provided checklists, ensuring adherence to surveying standards.
5. Construct compliant surveys using observation data and relevant documentation.
6. Apply statutes, rules, and regulations integral to surveying practice for full compliance.
7. Grasp a surveyor’s ethical responsibilities to both the public and clients.
8. Explore the process of applying for, obtaining, and sustaining a professional surveying license.

3 Credits

SUR 121 | Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam Review

This course prepares students to take the Fundamentals of Surveying Examination offered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Students will have extensive readings from standard surveying textbooks and weekly assignments and/or written or oral quizzing. There will be frequent video calls to conduct seminars. In some weeks, two calls may be scheduled in a week. 
Prerequisite: No formal prerequisites but you must have substantially completed the required courses for your PLS education requirement.
Objectives:

1. Be better prepared to pass the Fundamentals of Surveying (NCEES) examination
2. Have a broader and deeper grasp of terms used in surveying, whether they have encountered them in the workplace or not
3. Be better prepared to read, understand and then answer the questions they will encounter in the exam
4. Have a better grasp of the way FS questions are constructed and learn the importance of considering every possible selection before selecting their “best response” to a question

2 Credits

SUR 123 | Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam Review

This course is primarily intended for students who have completed most, if not all, of their required coursework for land surveying licensure and successfully passed the Fundamentals of Surveying Examination offered by NCEES. The course is designed to reflect the requirements of the exam specifications for the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam.  The course assists in refreshing topics that the student has already been exposed to and is focused on problem-solving. Class work is primarily reading and drilling on math applications, technical knowledge, or concepts in surveying, legal aspects of surveying, and ethical and business issues. The content includes discussion of legal terms used in surveying. The course recommends regular attendance video calls that are scheduled during the semester for the purpose of discussions, problem solving and student reporting to the class on their homework solutions. 
Prerequisite: No formal prerequisites but you must have completed the NCEES FS exam and met its prerequisites.
Objectives:

1. Be better prepared to pass the Principles and Practice of Surveying (NCEES) examination
2. Have a broader and deeper grasp of terms used in surveying, legal and technical, whether they have encountered them in the workplace or not.
3. Be better prepared to read, understand and then answer the questions they will encounter in the exam
4. Have a better grasp of the way PS questions are constructed and learn the importance of considering every possible selection before selecting their “best response” to a question

2 Credits

SUR 125-MO | Missouri Specific Exam Review

This course prepares students for the Missouri State Specific Exam for land surveyor licensure. Content includes the unique, Missouri-Specific aspects of the USPLSS not covered in the BLM Manual, and other aspects that differentiate Missouri’s system from other systems in other states. It also includes review of the Missouri Standards for Property Boundary Surveys, as well as other standards affecting surveying in Missouri that have been published by the Missouri Land Survey. The Missouri State Plane Coordinate System is discussed, as well as other topics listed on the Licensing Board’s list of exam topics. Unique aspects of legal issues concerning surveying in Missouri are covered, such as riparian topics. The course also reviews all the statutes known to affect the professional practice of surveying.
Prerequisite: No formal prerequisites but you must have completed the NCEES FS exam. It will be helpful if you also have passed the PS Exam.
Objectives:

1. Be able to understand and process retracement, reestablishment and restoration of GLO corners and lines in Missouri.
2. Develop familiarity with the “double corner” system to protract a section to determine the theoretical position of corners.
3. Calculate positions for reestablishment or restoration of corners of sections, ¼ sections and lots. 
4. Interpret all aspects of the various standards published by the Missouri Land Survey, but especially the Standards for Property Boundary Surveys.
5. Working knowledge of the current (1983) state plane coordinate system and get preliminary information available on the new system based on NATREF 2022. Calculations include grid north, scale factors and conversion of ground distances to grid distances and coordinates and vice versa.
6. Develop complete awareness of all the Missouri Statutes that may affect a surveyor’s work in Missouri.
7. Have awareness of all the rules and regulations that may affect a surveyor’s work in Missouri

2 Credits