Online B.S. in Surveying Engineering Technology

Online Bachelor of Science in Surveying Engineering Technology

UMaine is ranked #88 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report.

The online B.S. in Surveying Engineering Technology develops the skills and education required to enter a rewarding career in land surveying. Students learn about surveying, engineering, business, and communications to become well-rounded and successful professional land surveyors.

The Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET accredits this program.

Those wishing to continue their education can earn a Graduate Certificate in Surveying Engineering Technology, an M.S. in Engineering Technology, or a PSM in Engineering and Business.

To learn more, visit the Surveying Engineering Technology program website at online.umaine.edu/online-surveying-engineering-technology-programs.


Students’ Experience Earning Their B.S. in Surveying Engineering Technology Online


Curriculum

Students are taught a variety of surveying topics through a highly technical and rigorous curriculum. Areas explored include plane surveying, construction surveying, photogrammetry, remote sensing, boundary law, civil engineering technology, cadastral surveying, global positioning systems, land development design, and geographic information systems.

125 credits are required.

In order to complete a degree from the University of Maine, students must earn a minimum of 30 credits originating from the University of Maine with at least 15 of those credits at the 300 level or higher.

All students must also complete the general education requirements. An example of the course sequence can be found here.

Required Courses

The following courses are required:

  • Surveying/Engineering Courses (48 credits):
    • SFR 400: Applied Geographic Information Systems (4 credits) (on-campus only)
      OR GIS 300 (offered online through UMaine at Machias)
    • SVT 100: Introduction to Surveying Technology (1 credit)
    • SVT 101: Basic Surveying Field and Office Processes (3 credits)
    • SVT 110: Instrumentation and Data Collectors (1 credit)
    • SVT 121: AutoCAD for Surveyors I (3 credits)
    • SVT 122: AutoCAD for Surveyors II (3 credits)
    • SVT 201: Adjustment Computations (3 credits)
    • SVT 202: Route & Site Surveying (3 credits)
    • SVT 221: Boundary Law (3 credits)
    • SVT 322: Preparing Effective Property Descriptions (1 credit)
    • SVT 329: Site Planning and Subdivision Design (1 credit)
    • SVT 331: Photogrammetry (3 credits)
    • SVT 332: Engineering for Surveyors (3 credits)
    • SVT 341: Advanced Surveying (3 credits)
    • SVT 352: Practical Field Operations (3 credits)
    • SVT 418: Fundamentals of Surveying Exam Overview (1 credit) 
    • SVT 437: Practical GPS (3 credits) 
    • SVT 451: Survey Business Law (3 credits)
    • SVT 490: Surveying Capstone (3 credits) 
  • English/Communications Courses (12 credits):
    • CMJ 103: Public Speaking (3 credits) (on-campus only)
      OR COM 200 (offered online through UMaine at Fort Kent)
    • ENG 101: College Composition (3 credits)
    • ENG 201: Strategies for Writing Across Contexts (3 credits)
    • ENG 317: Business and Technical Writing (3 credits) 
  • Math/Statistics Courses (13-15 credits):
    • MAT 116: Introduction to Calculus (3 credits) 
      Or  MAT 126: Calculus I (4 credits)
    • MAT 117: Applications of Calculus (3 credits)
      Or MAT 127: Calculus II (4 credits)
    • MAT 122: Pre-Calculus (4 credits) 
    • STS 215: Introduction to Statistics for Business and Economics (3 credits)
      Or STS 232: Principles of Statistical Inference (3 credits)
  • Physics Courses (8 credits):
    • PHY 107: Technical Physics I (4 credits)
    • PHY 108: Technical Physics II (4 credits)
  • Business/Economics Courses (12 credits):
    • ACC 201: Principles of Financial Accounting (3 credits)
    • ECO 120: Principles of Microeconomics (3 credits)
      Or ECO 121: Principles of Macroeconomics (3 credits)
    • ECO 254: Small Business Economics and Management (3 credits)
      Or SVT 475: Small Business Management (3 credits)
    • EET 484: Engineering Economics (3 credits)

Survey Labs/Fieldwork

  • SVT 101: Basic Surveying Field and Office Processes contains four homeworks that require fieldwork. Students will find a  local surveyor in their area who is willing to be their mentor. The labs are sent to the surveyor and the surveyor provides the equipment and a little help to perform the fieldwork.

View Curriculum

For further information about the curriculum, contact Professor Ray Hintz, P.L.S. at ray.hintz@maine.edu.


Admissions

Transfer Credits

Students are encouraged to reach out to their transfer registration contact once they have been accepted to discuss how their transfer credits will apply to their degree and to receive a degree requirement summary.  In some cases, a final degree requirement summary may not be available until the end of the first semester if there are a number of courses that transfer in as electives and need additional review by the department.

Requirements

The following courses should be taken in high school or at an institution for higher learning:

  • Algebra I & II
  • Geometry
  • Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, or Calculus
  • Physics
  • One additional science

Application Materials

UMaine makes it easy to apply — on your terms. Apply online at go.umaine.edu/apply.

Blue bear paw print with Apply in the palm

Apply Now

Contact Us

Have questions about earning your B.S. in Surveying Engineering Technology online with UMaine? Contact Tiffany Peterson, Undergraduate Online Retention and Advising Coordinator, at 207.581.3151 or at tiffany.peterson@maine.edu.

photo of Tiffany Peterson

Contact Tiffany

Schedule an Appointment


Careers

According to Salary.com, the average surveying engineering professional in the U.S. earns an annual salary of $65,552, with the salary range typically falling between $59,506 and $72,754.

Graduates are prepared to obtain a surveyor’s license. Graduates can become licensed as a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) after gaining a state-defined requisite amount of experience and successfully passing the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) fundamentals of surveying exam and professional surveying exam.

Notable Companies Employing Alumni

  • Bureau of Land Management
  • U.S. Forest Service
  • Maine State Department of Transportation
  • Plisga and Day
  • Sebago Technics
  • Survey Engineering Resources, LLC
  • Gartley and Dorsky Engineering and Surveying
  • Herrick and Salsbury, Inc.
  • Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
  • SGC Engineering, LLC
  • Northern Survey Engineering, LLC
  • SurvTech Solutions, Inc.

NC-SARA Statement

This program will prepare students to be eligible for licensure within the State of Maine. Visit the UMS State Authorization & Licensure page to learn more about the licensure requirements in other states and territories, in addition to the contact information needed to inquire further into the licensure requirements associated with this program.


scholarships available - click here to learn about scholarship opportunities