Land surveying is a critical field that integrates engineering, technology, and environmental science to measure and map Earth’s environments precisely. Technological advancements increase the number of highly skilled professionals in this field. For this reason, land surveying graduate programs may pursue doctoral degrees to advance techniques and pursue careers in academia or research. These programs focus on the impact of land surveying techniques on the natural landscape and the influence of public policy on this industry.
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What Is a Land Surveyor?
A land surveyor is a technical specialist who uses mathematics, data, global positioning systems, and direct observation to measure surface distances and boundaries. Your responsibilities as a land surveyor would involve determining the coordinates of geographic features, recording elevations, depressions, and contours in a specified land region, and confirming the quality of data and calculations. Additionally, you will generate reports, maps, and sketches and research the property to determine boundaries. To identify locations properly, you must become familiar with and understand how to use a Global Positioning System (GPS). Information from the Geographic Information System (GIS) will also be utilized.
4 Steps for Ph.D. in Land Surveying
Step 1: High School Courses
High school courses in algebra, trigonometry, geometry, drafting, and computers can help you prepare for a career in surveying. High school graduates without post-secondary education may secure work as apprentices for some companies, although a bachelor’s degree is typically required.
Step 2: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Land Surveying
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), you must have at least a bachelor’s degree to work as a surveyor. Many colleges have bachelor’s degree programs in geography, surveying, and mapping. Computer science and engineering degrees are also beneficial for this career.
A surveying bachelor’s degree program aims to provide you with theory, basic concepts, and practical skills. These courses include real estate law, statistical techniques, survey research, land information systems, satellite surveying, and remote sensing.
Furthermore, some technical schools and community colleges offer surveying programs for those seeking a 2-year degree.
Step 3: Earn a Master’s Degree in Land Surveying
A master’s degree program in land surveying provides specialized training to enhance your career in this field.
Master-level land surveying courses, or geomatics or geographic information systems, concentrate on various cutting-edge and conventional techniques and tools. It is common for courses and laboratories to involve practical surveying projects for companies, governments, and other entities. The following subjects are often covered in courses:
- Surveying and mapping
- Topographic map reading
- Geographic information systems
- Global positioning systems
- Cadastral mapping databases
- Photogrammetric surveying and remote sensing
- Geodetic surveying
- Digital mapping
Step 4: Earn a Ph.D. in Land Surveying
Land surveying Ph.D. candidates research advanced topics in evaluating, measuring, and compiling information about a section of the planet for development or preservation objectives. Research is a major component of Ph.D. programs, but lectures in class are equally important. Most graduates secure positions as professors, consultants, or researchers.
The Ph.D. program in land surveying and geoinformatics may include the following courses:
- Spatial databases
- GIS project management
- GIS data structure
- Combinational math
- Spatial data analysis
- Cartographic interface design
Plus, Doctoral Application Coaching offers valuable guidance and support throughout the application process for those aspiring to pursue a PhD in land surveying.
