Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Plane Surveying and GPS Lab (Face-to-Face)

CCET 2245-02

Course: CCET 2245-02
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ET
CRN: 33625

Course Description

Introduction to using chaining, stadia, leveling, transit, theodolite, electronic distance measurement, total station, and GPS equipment in plane surveying applications. Utilization of computers and software for data collection, reduction, analysis, and presentation. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): CCET 2240 Prerequisite(s): MATH 1060 or MATH 1210 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C- Can be taken concurrent with MATH 1210

Required Texts

There is no required textbook for this course.
Supplementary materials, slides, readings, and resources will be provided via Canvas and/or in class.

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
  • Students receive 5 points per class period for attending lab sessions on time.
  • Late arrivals may result in no attendance credit.
  • Attendance credit contributes 5% of the total course grade and is added to the final grade at the end of the semester.

2. Laboratory Assignments
  • Lab participation is mandatory. All students are expected to actively participate in lab exercises.
  • There will be 7 to 8 lab activities during the semester, each focusing on practical surveying skills and field techniques.
  • Students must complete each lab fully and follow all instructions and safety protocols when operating equipment.
  • Lab assignments account for 95% of the total course grade.

3. Lab Report Submissions
  • Lab reports are required for each completed lab and must be submitted via Canvas by the posted deadline.
  • Due dates are typically one week after the lab session, but students should always follow the exact date listed in Canvas.
  • Reports must be clear, well-organized, and accurately represent collected data, calculations, and conclusions.

4. Late Lab Reports
  • Late submissions are accepted after the deadline with a 25% deduction in grade.
  • Students are strongly encouraged to manage time effectively to avoid penalties.

5. Missing Lab Reports
  • Students are responsible for ensuring that all reports are submitted on time.
  • The instructor maintains a record of all submissions; therefore, claims of missing or lost reports will not be accepted.
  • A grade of zero may be assigned for any lab report not submitted by the allowed deadline.

6. Equipment Safety and Professional Behavior
  • Proper and safe use of surveying equipment is essential.
  • Students must read and follow all safety instructions provided for each instrument.
  • Unsafe or unprofessional behavior will result in dismissal from the lab area and a zero for that lab at a minimum.
  • Students unsure about how to use any equipment must ask for assistance before proceeding.

Course Outline


Lab #1: Horizontal Measurement: Practice accurate horizontal distance measurement using estimating, pacing, and taping methods.
Lab #2: Differential Leveling: Learn and apply differential leveling techniques to determine elevation differences from multiple locations.
Lab #3: Auto Leveling: Use an auto-level instrument for efficient and precise elevation measurement.
Lab #4: Angles in Closed Traverse using Theodolite: Measure angles in a closed traverse using a theodolite for survey accuracy.
Lab #5: Angles and Distance in Closed Traverse using Total Station: Utilize a total station to measure angles and distances in a closed traverse.
Lab #6: GPS: Explore the principles and applications of GPS in field surveying tasks.
Lab #7: LiDAR and Photogrammetry: Apply mobile LiDAR and photogrammetry techniques for 3D spatial data collection and modeling.
Lab #8: Digital Camera (potentially): Investigate the use of digital cameras in capturing images for photogrammetric surveys.

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

  • Lab reports must be submitted by the due date and time posted in Canvas, typically one week after the lab is assigned.
  • Late lab reports will be accepted, but will incur a 25% grade deduction.

Attendance Policy

  • Students receive 5 points of attendance credit for each class period attended on time.
  • Late arrivals may result in no attendance credit for that day.
  • Attendance credit will be added to your final course grade and may affect your overall letter 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.