Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Plane Surveying and GPS (Face-to-Face)

CCET 2240-01

Course: CCET 2240-01
Credits: 2
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ET
CRN: 30562

Course Description

Introduction to the measurement of distance, direction, and elevation using mechanical, optical, and electronic equipment. Plane surveying applications in leveling and traversing, measurement corrections and adjustments, area and volume calculations, earthwork, horizontal circular curves, and vertical curves. Utilization of computers and software for data collection, reduction, analysis, and presentation. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): CCET 2245 Prerequisite(s): MATH 1060 or MATH 1210 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C- Can be taken concurrent with MATH 1210.

Required Texts

Kavanagh, Surveying with Construction Applications, 8th or 9th Edition, by Pearson Prentice Hall

Learning Outcomes

1.     Operational Mastery of Surveying Equipment: Students will be able to operate and maintain various types of surveying equipment, including total stations, theodolites, GNSS receivers, and leveling instruments.
2.     Application of Surveying Principles: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practices of plane and topographical surveying, including the ability to perform horizontal and vertical measurements accurately.
3.     Data Collection and Management: Students will be proficient in collecting, managing, and analyzing survey data using both traditional methods and GPS technology. This includes the ability to conduct field measurements and use software for data reduction and error analysis.
4.     Design and Calculation Competencies: Students will be capable of calculating areas, volumes, and other relevant geometric properties necessary for civil engineering projects, such as earthwork and route surveying.
5.     Construction of Topographic Maps and Sections: Students will develop skills in creating detailed topographic maps and site survey cross sections, demonstrating both accuracy and precision in their work.
6.     Understanding of GPS and Coordinate Systems: Students will gain a deep understanding of GPS technology and its integration into surveying practices, including knowledge of different coordinate systems and their applications in engineering.
7.     Problem Solving in Civil Engineering Applications: Students will apply their surveying knowledge to solve practical problems in civil engineering, using innovative surveying techniques to address real-world challenges.
8.     Communication and Presentation Skills: Students will be able to effectively communicate surveying results, both orally and in writing, including the preparation of professional-level reports and maps.
9.     Ethical and Professional Responsibility: Students will understand and apply ethical principles in the execution of surveying practices, recognizing the importance of accuracy and integrity in the surveying profession.
10.  Teamwork and Collaboration: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively in teams, collaborating on projects and sharing responsibilities in field and lab settings.

Course Requirements

1. Attendance
  • Regular attendance is essential for mastering both theoretical and practical aspects of surveying.
  • Students will receive 5 points per class for full attendance, provided they arrive on time.
  • Late arrivals may forfeit attendance credit.
  • Attendance points will be added to your final course grade and can impact your overall letter grade.
 
2. Homework
  • Homework assignments must be neatly organized, with all work shown, and solutions clearly boxed or double-underlined.
  • Each submission must include:
    • Your name, date, and assignment number on the first page.
    • A brief problem statement, relevant background, and complete solution steps.
  • Use of Excel, Python, or other computational tools is encouraged when appropriate.
  • Assignments are due in class on the specified date.
  • Late submissions will receive a 10% deduction, unless a valid, documented excuse is provided.
  • Homework submitted electronically should be emailed directly to the professor with clear file naming and format.

3. Quizzes
  • Multiple quizzes will be administered throughout the semester, some of which may be pop quizzes.
  • Online quizzes (via Canvas) will have a 24-hour submission window.
  • No make-ups will be offered for missed quizzes.
  • Quizzes will test comprehension of lecture and homework material. Partial credit may be awarded where appropriate.

4. Project
  • One group project will be assigned during the semester.
  • Students will form their own collaborative teams and are expected to:
    •  Develop a timeline and task-sharing plan. 
    • Communicate regularly and equitably divide responsibilities. 
    • Submit a final project report and deliverables by the assigned deadline.
  • The project will reinforce real-world surveying workflows and data interpretation.

5. Midterm Exam
  • The midterm exam will be held during scheduled class time and will cover the first half of the course material.
  • Formula sheets are allowed (details provided in class).
  • Students must work independently—no collaboration permitted.
  • No make-up midterm will be offered unless approved under university policy with documentation of extraordinary circumstances.
  • Only non-programmable calculators are allowed.

6. Final Exam
  • The final exam is cumulative and mandatory for all students.
  • It will assess understanding of the full course content, including theoretical concepts, field applications, and computational skills.
  • Collaboration is not allowed. All work must be your own.
  • No make-up final exam will be given unless approved under university policy with documentation of extraordinary circumstances.
  • Exam date and time will follow the official University Final Exam Schedule.

Course Outline

1.     Course Introduction and Overview: Introduction to the course structure, objectives, and expectations, providing a foundation for understanding surveying and geomatics.
2.     Math/Measurements/Taping: Covers essential mathematical concepts, measurement techniques, and taping methods for accurate fieldwork.
3.     Leveling: Focuses on leveling instruments and procedures to determine elevation differences.
4.     Total Station: Introduces the use of total stations for precise angle and distance measurements.
5.     Open and Closed Traverses: Discusses methods for conducting and analyzing open and closed traverses in surveying.
6.     Azimuths and Bearings: Explains angular measurements and their applications in navigation and mapping.
7.     Latitude, Departure, Closure Error: Teaches concepts of latitude and departure, and how to identify and correct closure errors in surveys.
8.     Adjusting Lat/Dep/Angle/Distances: Focuses on techniques for adjusting survey data to improve accuracy.
9.     Coordinates & Coordinates Adjustments: Explains coordinate systems and methods for adjusting coordinates in survey computations.
10.  Traverse Area - Coordinate Method: Demonstrates using coordinate methods to calculate areas enclosed by traverses.
11.  Contour and Sections: Covers the generation of contours and cross-sections for terrain representation.
12.  Topographic Maps: Teaches the interpretation and creation of topographic maps for various applications.
13.  Visualization: Profile, Plan, and Section View: Introduces methods for visualizing terrain and projects in profile, plan, and section views.
14.  Civil 3D for Elevation and Contour Applications: Explores Civil 3D software for modeling elevation data and generating contour maps.
15.  Geomatics: Model of Earth: Discusses Earth's shape and reference models used in geomatics.
16.  Geomatics: GPS: Covers GPS principles, technology, and its applications in surveying.
17.  Geomatics: Remote Sensing: Introduces remote sensing technologies for collecting spatial data.
18.  Geomatics: Data Processing: Focuses on processing and analyzing geomatics data for decision-making.
19.  Advanced Surveying Techniques: Explores innovative and advanced techniques in modern surveying practices.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

HW should be prepared and presented in a neat and orderly format to receive full credit. Your name, date, and assignment number should be clearly visible on the first page. Include your name or initials on all subsequent pages. For each problem, include a brief problem statement, the background information required to solve the problem, and a detailed and complete solution (show your work). In preparing your work, please consider the following aspects: (1) the overall approach was appropriate for the problem; (2) the assumptions you made for parameter values were appropriate; and (3) you accurately completed the calculations and provided answers in appropriate units. You are welcome to discuss your assignments with other students, faculty, and professionals inside and outside of class. However, actual writing and calculations submitted in the HWs should be your own, unless otherwise instructed. Many problems will benefit greatly from the use of an electronic spreadsheet (e.g., MS Excel) or coding (e.g., Python). Problems completed electronically may be printed double-sided. Do not print lengthy tables/time series of data unless specified in the homework instructions. Answers must be clearly double-underlined or boxed. 
 
Assignments are due and submitted in class, on the due date (unless otherwise stated). Any late assignments must be emailed to the professor. Late work will be penalized 10% if submitted late (unless there is a valid documented excuse*).  

Attendance Policy

Students receive 5 points of attendance credit for each class period they attend, providing they are not late. Arriving to class late can result in NO attendance credit. Attendance credit will be added to your final course grade.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.