The Bachelor of Science Degree is a diverse programme aimed at preparing the graduate for career opportunities in Surveying and associated fields, particularly Geographic Information Sciences. Surveying encompasses land information management and the use of the latest technology, including satellites for positioning and remote sensing. This information is managed and presented using sophisticated computer systems. The programme recognizes these needs and that graduates may be called upon to act primarily as professional surveyors, geographic information scientists, consultants, managers, teachers or researchers and indeed graduates may take on several of those roles during their careers.

Programme Content

This programme includes such courses as Mathematics, Communication, Physics, Plane & Geodetic Surveying, Digital Cartography, Computer Application in Surveying, Cadastral, Topographic, Engineering & Hydrographic Surveying, Land Economics, Land Administration, Land Development, Site Planning, Land and Geographic Information Systems Management, GPS Satellite Surveying, Satellite Remote Sensing, Professional Practice, Business Management & Entrepreneurial skills, all over a four (4) year duration.

Certificate in Land Surveying (LST)


The Certificate programme in Land Surveying is designed to train skilled Land Surveying Technicians, who are specialist field survey assistants or survey draughts persons. This programme fills a critical need for technicians in land surveying services in Jamaica and in the Eastern Caribbean.

The level of the course is pitched at the skilled technician standard. Graduates are intended to be capable operatives who can join a survey field team or a draughting office and quickly become a productive member of the organization, under the direct supervision of a professional surveyor.

Programme Content

This programme is comprised of the following courses:
Communication, Mathematics, Physics, Elements of Cartography, Information Technology, Surveying Computations, Field Surveying, Surveying Practicum, Introduction to CAD, Community Service Programme, Land Law & Management, Surveying–Cadastral, Surveying-Engineering, Surveying-Topographical, Surveying-Trigonometrical, Entrepreneurial Skills

Types of Surveying

Cadastral Surveying

Cadastral surveying is concerned with the legal determination of boundaries and areas of land properties. Under Land Titles laws any conveyance or other instrument in writing effecting a division of land and delivered for registration must be accompanied by a Land Boundary plan.

Engineering Surveying

This type of surveying is an integral part of civil engineering projects. The preparation of initial survey plans for detail design, setting out of critical points for construction and the measurement & monitoring of civil structures are types of works under this category.

Geographic Information Systems

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) integrates the logic of the relationship between spatial data with sophisticated software and hardware to create realistic simulations of the real world to support a wide range of analytical applications. GIS can be found at work in many sectors including Utilities, Land Management, Physical and Economic Planning, Natural Resource Management, Public safety and Defense. Graduates will cover the Concepts, Sciences and Applications required to lead this exciting area.

Geodetic Surveying

Geodetic Surveying focuses on high precision National and International Control Networks of points marked and measured for mapping as well as for Tectonic Studies and shape of the earth determination.

GPS Satellite Surveying

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a world wide satellite based positioning system developed by the US Department of Defense (DOD) as a military system. GPS has enormous potentials for the Surveying & Mapping Industries. Now its civilian use far exceeds the military, as surveyors are among the main benefactors of the high tech approach to surveying details on the earth’s surface.

The Surveyor’s toolkit is now complemented by GPS Satellite receivers. These receivers are programmed to recognize and decode measurement signals transmitted by earth orbiting satellites. The recorded data may be processed immediately in the field to provide co-ordinates of the surveyor’s location in real time or later in the office by post-processing.

Hydrographic Surveying

Safe navigation and sub aqueous constructions require knowledge of the depth and topography of the seabed. Other applications include:-measurement of water current, location of rocks, bars, lights and buoys, determination of channel depth and preparation of charts.

Entry Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Surveying & Geographic Information Sciences (BSc. SGIS)

Five (5) CXC/GCE subjects including Mathematics, English & three others from Physics, Geography, Additional Mathematics, Technical Drawing, Elementary Surveying, Information Technology & Engineering Science (Physics is strongly recommended) and two (2) CAPE (I & II) or two (2) GCE A’level subjects from among Physics, Mathematics (Pure & Applied), Geography, Technical Drawing.

OR

Successful completion of the Division’s Pre-requisite Course of Study (PCS) with minimum GPA of 2.3. Entry to the PCS requires the five CXC/GCE subjects specified above.

Certificate in Land Surveying (LST)

Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) General Proficiency grade I-III and/or General Certificate of Education at Ordinary level in grade A-C in English and Mathematics and one other technical subject.

Job Opportunities

• Surveying and Mapping Division of the National Land Agency
• National Environment and Planning Agency
• National Works Agency
• Professional Surveying Firms
• Geographic Information Systems Firms
• Urban Development Corporation
• Jamaica Bauxite Institute
• Bauxite Mining Companies
For further general information visit the Land Surveyors Association’s website: http://www.lsaj.com