Surveying Principles and Practices – Part 1

This online engineering CPD course serves as a comprehensive guide to the science of plane surveying, focusing on the measurement of lines, distances, and elevations within a flat-earth reference frame.
This course examines the methodologies for gathering field data, distinguishing between geodetic and plane surveying while addressing the various types of errors, random, systematic, and blunders, that impact measurement validity. Also, it explains the rigorous standards for First- through Fourth-order accuracy.
Furthermore, this course investigates the specific requirements for specialized projects, ranging from cadastral and topographic surveys to hydrographic and route planning, ensuring that practitioners can select the appropriate level of survey intensity for their objectives.
In addition, this course prescribes protocols for maintaining precise field notes and utilizing efficient communication systems, including standardized hand signals and two-way radios.
It illustrates the mechanical operation and field adjustment of essential surveying equipment, such as dumpy and self-leveling levels, staff compasses, and total stations. This course includes technical instructions to calculate horizontal and vertical positions using different techniques, based on experience and commonly accepted practices in the land surveying profession.
This 6 CPD online course is applicable to civil engineers, surveyors, as well as other technical professionals who are interested in learning more about surveying principles and field practices.
This PE continuing education course is intended to provide you with the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Differentiating among random errors, systematic errors, and blunders to apply appropriate field checks and maintain data integrity
- Understanding the five primary features of professional field notes accuracy, integrity, legibility, arrangement, and clarity to ensure permanent survey records are interpretable by others
- Applying basic surveying mathematics, including trigonometric functions and the Pythagorean Theorem, to determine horizontal latitudes, departures, and coordinate positions
- Recognizing specialized equipment such as electronic distance measurement (EDM) devices, self-leveling levels, and total stations based on project-specific accuracy standards
- Understanding differential leveling procedures and bench level circuits to establish vertical control and determine orthometric elevations relative to datum
- Implementing field techniques for profile leveling, cross-sections, and the placement of slope stakes to guide earthwork and construction layouts
Upon successful completion of the quiz, print your Certificate of Completion instantly. (Note: if you are paying by check or money order, you will be able to print it after we receive your payment.) For your convenience, we will also email it to you. Please note that you can log in to your account at any time to access and print your Certificate of Completion.