Land Surveying - Geospatial Science AAS and Certificates
Welcome to the Program Page dedicated to the Land Surveying - Geospatial Science program! This page is designed to give an overview of what the quarter will look like based on the starting point in the year. Click on one of the desired tabs below to view the course schedule.
Bookstore Information
Information regarding the materials can be found at the RTC bookstore
Links to an external site.. Just fill in the course information and you will be set!
The bookstore has what you need in regards to materials so be sure to check it out! It is always better to be prepared than to wait last second to buy your materials!
General Overview
This program is not accepting new student enrollments at this time.
How long is the program? There are three options in this program:
- The Field Surveying Technician certificate is 3 quarters (9 months) with 41 total credits for fall and spring start, 4 quarters (up to 14 months) with 41 total credits for winter start.
- Before fall 2023, this certificate was 40 credits.
- The Land Surveying Technician certificate is an additional 3 to 4 quarters and 43 more credits.
- Before fall 2023, this certificate was 42 credits.
- The Land Surveying Technician - Geospatial Science AAS degree typically requires 1 more quarter and 10 additional credits (94 credits overall).
- Before fall 2023, this degree was 97 credits.
When do classes meet? Mondays and Tuesdays from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. in-person for the first year, then online
You will learn field survey techniques, calculations, and office skills through extensive hands-on training. Your class projects involve all aspects of work, from planning, measuring, and presentation of results.
What does a surveying and mapping technician do?
What is the average salary?
$59,370 annually in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area. Most surveying and mapping technicians earn at least $46,320; there is a wide salary range.
Who can I contact with questions?
Who can I contact with questions?
- New students, please visit our Zoom lobby (Links to an external site.) to talk with someone by video chat, or e-mail our advising department.
- For current students, please visit RTC's advising page (Links to an external site and look for the faculty counselor assigned to Field Surveying Technician or Land Survey Technician.
Overall Materials Needed:
- Access to a functioning laptop or computer (you may use computers in the RTC Library or Learning Resource Center)
- USB drive (approximately $20)
- Working internet connection
- Textbook ($70 for Field Surveying; $150 additional for Land Surveying)
Minimum GPA or grades to graduate
You need to earn a 2.0 in each SUR class and in COL 101 to finish your certificate or degree. You can earn a 1.0 or higher in the two general education classes required for your associate degree.
Materials Warning
Some materials on this page are listed as TBD, which means that the materials have yet to be determined. Please consult your instructor on what textbooks or materials are required for the class. If you rent a textbook, make sure you return it by the deadline. If you purchase a textbook, you can sell it back to the RTC bookstore -- but make sure that you won't need the book again for classes in the future!
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Fall 2023
Quarter 1
Quarter 2
Quarter 3
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 103 |
Construction Surveying | YES | 5 |
SUR 164 | Survey Calculations | YES | 4 |
SUR 175 | Communications | NO | 3 |
for AAS degree only POLS& 202 or PSYC& 100 |
American Government or General Psychology or another social science class |
varies by class | (5) |
Grand Total Estimate for Your Field Surveying Certificate: $5,541
Please continue down this map to work towards your Land Surveying Technician Certificate or Land Surveying Technician - Geospatial Science AAS degree.
Quarter 4
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 205 | Survey Adjustments | NO | 3 |
SUR 245 | Public Land System II | NO | 5 |
SUR 255 | Global Navigation Satellite Systems | NO | 3 |
SUR 257 | Geodetic Surveying | NO | 4 |
Quarter 5
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 235 | Boundary Law | YES | 4 |
SUR 242 | Legal Descriptions | YES | 4 |
SUR 247 | Emerging Technologies | NO | 3 |
SUR 251 | Advanced Computer Applications | YES | 5 |
Quarter 6
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 248 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | NO | 3 |
SUR 249 | Survey Research and Project Planning | NO | 4 |
SUR 256 | Land Development | NO | 3 |
SUR 281 | Business Fundamentals and Ethics | NO | 2 |
for AAS degree only CMST& 101 or ART& 100 |
Introduction to Communication or Art Appreciation or another communication or humanities class |
varies by class | (5) |
Estimate for Your Land Surveying Certificate: $5,777
Estimate for Your Land Surveying AAS Degree: $12,097
Winter 2024
Quarter 1
Quarter 2
Quarter 3
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 101 | Control Surveying | NO | 4 |
SUR 161 | Basic Mathematics for Field Surveying | NO | 4 |
SUR 174 | Computer Applications | NO | 2 |
SUR 181 | Human Relations | NO | 2 |
Quarter 4
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 162 | Intermediate Mathematics for Field Surveying | NO | 4 |
for AAS degree only POLS& 202 or PSYC& 100 |
American Government or General Psychology or another social science class |
varies by class | (5) |
for AAS degree only CMST& 101 or ART& 100 |
Introduction to Communication or Art Appreciation or another communication or humanities class |
varies by class | (5) |
Grand Total Estimate for Your Field Surveying Certificate: $5,791
Please continue down this map to work towards your Land Surveying Technician Certificate or Land Surveying Technician - Geospatial Science AAS degree.
Quarter 5
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 248 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | NO | 3 |
SUR 249 | Survey Research and Project Planning | NO | 4 |
SUR 256 | Land Development | NO | 3 |
SUR 281 | Business Fundamentals and Ethics | NO | 2 |
Quarter 6
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 205 | Survey Adjustments | NO | 3 |
SUR 245 | Public Land System II | NO | 5 |
SUR 255 | Global Navigation Satellite Systems | NO | 3 |
SUR 257 | Geodetic Surveying | NO | 4 |
Quarter 7
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 235 | Boundary Law | YES | 4 |
SUR 242 | Legal Descriptions | YES | 4 |
SUR 247 | Emerging Technologies | NO | 3 |
SUR 251 | Advanced Computer Applications | YES | 5 |
Grand Total Estimate for Your Land Surveying Certificate: $ 5,867
Grand Total Estimate for Your Land Surveying AAS Degree: $12,753
Spring 2024
Quarter 1
Quarter 2
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 101 | Control Surveying | NO | 4 |
SUR 161 | Basic Mathematics for Field Surveying | NO | 4 |
SUR 174 | Computer Applications | NO | 2 |
SUR 181 | Human Relations | NO | 2 |
for AAS degree only CMST& 101 or ART& 100 |
Introduction to Communication or Art Appreciation or another communication or humanities class |
varies by class | (5) |
Quarter 3
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 102 |
Topographic Surveying | YES | 4 |
SUR 145 | Public Land System I | YES | 3 |
SUR 150 | CAD for Surveying I | NO | 4 |
SUR 162 | Intermediate Mathematics for Field Surveying | NO | 4 |
Grand Total Estimate for Your Field Surveying Certificate: $5,471
Please continue down this map to work towards your Land Surveying Technician Certificate or Land Surveying Technician - Geospatial Science AAS degree.
Quarter 4
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 248 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | NO | 3 |
SUR 249 | Survey Research and Project Planning | NO | 4 |
SUR 256 | Land Development | NO | 3 |
SUR 281 | Business Fundamentals and Ethics | NO | 2 |
for AAS degree only POLS& 202 or PSYC& 100 |
American Government or General Psychology or another social science class |
varies by class | (5) |
Quarter 5
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 205 | Survey Adjustments | NO | 3 |
SUR 245 | Public Land System II | NO | 5 |
SUR 255 | Global Navigation Satellite Systems | NO | 3 |
SUR 257 | Geodetic Surveying | NO | 4 |
Quarter 6
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 235 | Boundary Law | YES | 4 |
SUR 242 | Legal Descriptions | YES | 4 |
SUR 247 | Emerging Technologies | NO | 3 |
SUR 251 | Advanced Computer Applications | YES | 5 |
Estimate for Your Land Surveying Certificate: $5,867
Estimate for Your Land Surveying AAS Degree: $12,128
Fall 2022
Quarter 1
Quarter 2
Quarter 3
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 103 |
Construction Surveying | YES | 5 |
SUR 164 | Survey Calculations | YES | 4 |
SUR 175 | Communications | NO | 3 |
Grand Total Estimate for Your Field Surveying Certificate: $5,541
Continue with Quarter 4 to work towards your Land Surveying Technician Certificate or Land Surveying Technician - Geospatial Science AAS degree.
Quarter 4
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 205 | Survey Adjustments | NO | 3 |
SUR 245 | Public Land System II | NO | 5 |
SUR 255 | Global Navigation Satellite Systems | NO | 3 |
SUR 257 | Geodetic Surveying | NO | 4 |
Quarter 5
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 235 | Boundary Law | YES | 4 |
SUR 242 | Legal Descriptions | YES | 4 |
SUR 247 | Emerging Technologies | NO | 3 |
SUR 251 | Advanced Computer Applications | YES | 5 |
Quarter 6
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 248 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | NO | 3 |
SUR 249 | Survey Research and Project Planning | NO | 4 |
SUR 256 | Land Development | NO | 3 |
SUR 281 | Business Fundamentals and Ethics | NO | 2 |
Estimate for Your Land Surveying Certificate: $5,716
$11,256 total for Field Surveying & Land Surveying Certificates
Quarter 7
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
ANTH& 106 | American Mosaic (recommended) or another social science class | varies by class | 5 |
CMST& 101 | Introduction to Communication (recommended) or another communication or humanities class | varies by class | 5 |
GEOL& 101 | Introduction to Physical Geology (recommended) or any General Education class | varies by class | (5) |
Total Estimate for Your Land Surveying Technician - Geospatial Science AAS Degree: $12,692
Winter 2023
Quarter 1
Quarter 2
Quarter 3
Quarter 4
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 162 | Intermediate Mathematics for Field Studying | NO | 4 |
for AAS degree only ANTH& 106 |
American Mosaic (recommended) or another social science class | varies by class | (5) |
for AAS degree only GEOL& 101 |
Introduction to Physical Geology (recommended) or any General Education class | varies by class | (5) |
Grand Total Estimate for your Field Surveying Certificate: $5,354
Continue with Quarter 5 to work towards your Land Surveying Technician Certificate or Land Surveying Technician - Geospatial Science AAS degree.
Quarter 5
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 248 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | NO | 3 |
SUR 249 | Survey Research and Project Planning | NO | 3 |
SUR 256 | Land Development | NO | 3 |
SUR 281 | Business Fundamentals and Ethics | NO | 2 |
for AAS degree only GEOL& 101 |
Introduction to Physical Geology (recommended) or any General Education class | varies by class | (5) |
Quarter 6
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 205 | Survey Adjustments | NO | 3 |
SUR 245 | Public Land System II | NO | 5 |
SUR 255 | Global Navigation Satellite Systems | NO | 3 |
SUR 257 | Geodetic Surveying | NO | 4 |
Quarter 7
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 235 | Boundary Law | YES | 4 |
SUR 242 | Legal Descriptions | YES | 4 |
SUR 247 | Emerging Technologies | NO | 3 |
SUR 251 | Advanced Computer Applications | YES | 5 |
Estimate for Your Land Surveying Certificate: $5,325
$10,679 total for Field Surveying & Land Surveying Certificates (82 credits)
Total Estimate for Your Land Surveying - Geospatial Science AAS Degree: $12,224 (97 credits)
Spring 2023
Quarter 1
Quarter 2
Quarter 3
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 102 | Topographic Surveying | YES | 4 |
SUR 145 | Public Land System I | YES | 3 |
SUR 150 | CAD for Surveying I | NO | 4 |
SUR 162 | Intermediate Mathematics for Field Surveying | NO | 4 |
Grand Total Estimate for your Field Surveying certificate: $5,113
Quarter 4
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 248 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | NO | 3 |
SUR 249 | Survey Research and Project Planning | NO | 3 |
SUR 256 | Land Development | NO | 3 |
SUR 281 | Business Fundamentals and Ethics | NO | 2 |
Quarter 5
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 205 | Survey Adjustments | NO | 3 |
SUR 245 | Public Land System II | NO | 5 |
SUR 255 | Global Navigation Satellite Systems | NO | 3 |
SUR 257 | Geodetic Surveying | NO | 4 |
Quarter 6
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
SUR 235 | Boundary Law | YES | 4 |
SUR 242 | Legal Descriptions | YES | 4 |
SUR 247 | Emerging Technologies | NO | 3 |
SUR 251 | Advanced Computer Applications | YES | 5 |
Estimate for Your Land Surveying Certificate: $5,325
$10,438 total for Field Surveying & Land Surveying Certificates (82 credits)
Quarter 7
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
ANTH& 106 | American Mosaic (recommended) or another social science class | varies by class | 5 |
CMST& 101 | Introduction to Communication (recommended) or another communication or humanities class | varies by class | 5 |
GEOL& 101 | Introduction to Physical Geology (recommended) or any General Education class | varies by class | 5 |
Total Estimate for Your Land Surveying - Geospatial Science AAS Degree: $12,074 (97 credits)
Not quite the career path you want to take? Let's go back to the Program Map!