A LOOK AT THE EDUCATION OF SURVEYORS AT FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY

 Presented at the
MSPS 58^th Annual Meeting
Grand Rapids, MI

February 16-19, 1999

 Robert Burtch, PS
Professor Surveying Engineering Program
Ferris State University
915 Campus Drive, Swan 312
Big Rapids, MI 49307

burtchr@ferris.edu

HISTORY

            In the late 1950s, Ferris began offering Associate Degrees in Surveying and Topographic Drafting and Highway Technology. The purpose of these programs was to help meet the growing demand for surveying technicians both within the private sector and the expanding transportation industry. There was a very large demand for qualified technicians in the building of the interstate highway system in the state and many individuals were taking advantage of the co-operative education program with the highway department.

             In 1969, the faculty began working with the Surveying Technology Advisory Committee, the Michigan Society of Registered Land Surveyors (now MSPS) and the Michigan State Board of Registration for Land Surveying on a baccalaureate degree program in surveying. One of the main reasons for this new program was the requirement by the state of a bachelor’s degree for licensure which was to take effect in 1977 [Hashimi et al, 1993]. Michigan became the first state to implement such a requirement. Ferris approved the new Bachelor of Science in Surveying degree offering and the program opened its doors in 1972.

             Initially, the program was "laddered" to the Associate Degree program in Surveying and Topographic Drafting. This means that students would first complete the Associate Degree and then apply for admission to the bachelor degree program. Periodically, the program was reviewed by the surveying licensing board and modifications were made to ensure compliance with the board’s requirements. In about 1977, major changes to the curriculum were recommended to the faculty. This included a complete year of Calculus (instead of two quarters) and a year of Calculus-based Engineering Physics (previously, Introductory Physics was acceptable). Because of these requirements, the BS surveying program was revised and made a separate stand-alone program. While both programs shared similar surveying courses, the mathematics requirements for the second year are very different. The repercussion of this change was that the BS program could not be laddered to the Associate Degree program. If a student followed completely the 2-year program, an additional three years are required to complete the bachelor degree mainly due to the deficiencies in mathematics and physics.

ACCREDITATION

            Accreditation was performed by the Michigan State Board of Registration for Land Surveying during the early days of the BS program. In the 1970s, national accreditation of programs like surveying became available through the Engineer’s Council for Professional Development, which later became known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) [Walker, 1993]. The problem for surveyors was that only two accreditation commissions existed, namely the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) and the Technology Accreditation Commission (TAC). Most surveying professionals felt neither commission was an appropriate "home" for surveying. In 1976 the Related Accreditation Commission (RAC) was initiated and many surveying programs throughout the country quickly embraced it.

             The BS surveying program at Ferris received it’s first ABET accreditation under RAC in 1983. At this time, the Michigan registration board was also accrediting the program, although shortly after this they deferred to the recommendations of ABET. To ensure that Board requirements are being met, they do send an observer to campus with the ABET visitation team. In 1990 the BS program sought out and received EAC accreditation. The reasons for the change were primarily attributed to enrollment. The accreditation commission became a critical issue for some students, particularly foreign students, who used the engineering moniker as a measure of the quality of a program. Engineering accreditation was much more descriptive and intuitively understood than related accreditation. Changing the accreditation commission required renaming the program to Surveying Engineering. It did not change the focus or emphasis of the curriculum.

             Whether by design or chance, the program has grown since moving to EAC. More students are entering the program. Also important is the new equipment and software that has been loaned, purchased and donated to the program during the last 8 years. This represents over $500,000 in industry support for the program, which is critical in delivering quality training to the next generation of professional surveyors. It is also worth noting that there is a growing trend by surveying programs to seek the EAC accreditation instead of either the RAC or TAC. Currently the University of Maine, Purdue University, California State University at Fresno, California State University at Pomona, New Mexico State University and Ferris State University all have EAC accreditation. At least one more program, Ohio State University, has announced that they will be seeking EAC accreditation during their next review cycle [POB, 1999].

            What has EAC accreditation meant to the student? The most significant change has been the increased flexibility it gives the graduates in career opportunities. As a graduate from an EAC accredited program, students can pursue a path to licensure as a professional surveyor and a path to licensure as a professional engineer. Most graduates opt for the former while a smaller number is seeking jobs in engineering. There are some that may question the background of the graduates in the engineering field. When looking at the program (table 1), one can see that almost 40% of the curriculum is composed of math/science and engineering science courses. One measure of success used by traditional engineering programs is the success rate of students sitting for the fundamentals exam, or so-called EIT exam. The pass rate for Ferris graduates, although limited in number, is very good by any standard.

ENROLLMENT

            When Michigan initiated the BS requirement for licensure there was significant growth in the program’s enrollment. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, there were about 110 students with upwards of 30 graduates a year [Hashimi et al, 1993]. As the economy began to fall, so did enrollment, dipping to approximately 55 students in the late 1980s. Since that time, enrollment has risen to its current level of about 100. What is helping the program, as well as other programs throughout the country, is the robust economy. Today, students are finding good-paying jobs, very often in the geographic area where they want to relocate. This benefits enrollment because prospective students and their parents are more discriminating in selecting a course of study in universities because of the cost of education. When current graduates have 4-5 job offers to consider this shows prospective students that the profession is dynamic and growing.

             Graduates are finding good jobs throughout the state and nation. While most will remain in Michigan and become employed in traditional surveying companies, a small number are looking at different employment options. Ferris graduates are working in equipment sales, exploration surveys, photogrammetric research, and academia, to mention a few options. Currently three graduates are attending graduate school, two at the Master’s level studying GPS and GIS and the other a Ph.D. candidate in surveying engineering. The flexibility in job opportunities stems from the broadbased surveying education the students receive at Ferris.

             The level of compensation of graduates is also rising. This is due to two main reasons. First, in a robust economy, starting wages tend to be a little higher because there are more companies competing for a limited number of graduates. Second, there is a growing shortage of graduates in surveying in the state and nation. There is a definite graying of the profession. While official statistics for last year's graduates are not complete, anecdotal evidence indicates that the average starting salary should be about $35,000 and from the input we have received from this years graduates, that number should increase. The following table shows the average salary of the graduates over the last 10 years. It should be pointed out that I had no data available for 1991. In addition, this data is derived from student surveys and for many years the return rate was less than 50%. There is also a wide disparity in wages depending upon where the graduates relocate. For example, in the 1996 reporting only ranges were presented. This survey had only a 53% return rate and based on the data, we the range between $12,000 - $35,000. The 1997 survey indicates a range from $20,000 - 39,000 (65% response rate).

FACILITIES

            Maintaining up-to-date equipment and software is extremely difficult for any educational program. As was pointed out earlier, the program has been lucky in garnering support. Using grants, donations, loans and some institutional money, the facility has grown to be one of the best-equipped surveying programs in the country. A part of this is due to the mix of practical and theoretical education, which prepares our graduates to be productive, working either in the field and office environment or in graduate school.

             Currently the program has a suite of field surveying instruments for use by the students including GPS receivers, total stations, automatic and digital levels, and other miscellaneous theodolites/transits, levels and EDMs. This has been possible due to the support of companies like Trimble Navigation and Topcon. The photogrammetry laboratory has a good mixture of analog, analytical and digital stereoplotters. Again, donations from Intergraph and Leica (Wild) have been important in assembling the necessary hardware and software found in the lab. Other companies that have given their support over the years include Zeiss, DVP and KORK. The computer mapping laboratory is equipped with approximately 20 Pentium PCs with the NT operating system. In addition, a suite of software packages allows students to become exposed to field-to-finish surveying, CAD, and GIS principles.

             A sample of the current equipment available to our students is as follows:

• 10 GPS receivers, four geodetic/survey grade and 6 sub-meter receivers
• 10 total stations (Topcon and Leica)
• 20±   theodolites including Wild T-3s (5), T-2s (5), T-16 (5), and numerous other models
• 2 digital Topcon levels
• 8 automatic levels
• 7 analog stereoplotters (4 encoded for digital mapping)2 analytical plotters (Zeiss and Leica)
• 4 digital plotters (1 Intergraph ImageStation and 3 DVP’s)

 There is also a myriad of other pieces of equipment such as transits, dumpy levels, tapes, EDMs, prisms, and other supplies required to equip a field crew. Most of the total station data collection is done through Tripod Data Systems (TDS) either onboard, such as with the Leicas, or using the HP48 calculator as with the Topcon instruments.

             The program is also fortunate to have the services of a part-time technician who is responsible for dispensing and maintaining the equipment and supplies. This individual makes sure that the batteries are charged and that the equipment is properly cleaned before storing. He also keeps track of supplies such as nails, hubs, ribbon, and the other disposable supplies. In addition, he can also perform minor repair on the equipment.

THE PROGRAM

            The current Surveying Engineering program is shown in Table 1. It took form in 1993 when the university’s academic calendar changed from quarters to semesters. Simultaneously, new university general education guidelines were implemented. Due to these events, and mindful that the program needed to fulfill requirements from both ABET and the Michigan licensing board, the faculty were forced to develop a comprehensive course of study comprising of 138 semester hours. While this load is high by many standards, the faculty felt that it was necessary in order to preserve the practical aspect of the program by retaining as many field surveying courses as possible without sacrificing the theoretical concepts needed for advanced surveying courses.

            There are eight core segments to the program. General education courses include the English, Cultural Enrichment, Social Awareness and Speech courses and they constitute about 17% of the curriculum. The mathematics and science courses represent about 25% of the required courses. The engineering component of the program consumes over 13 %, which is the same weight required for the surveying sciences courses. These latter courses are characterized as lab intensive concentrating on practical field exercises, operation of CAD software, and surveying computations. The remaining 32% of the curriculum is divided about equally into four advanced paths: land or professional surveying, geodesy, photogrammetry and mapping, and geographic information systems. Because of the changing nature of the profession, overlap does exist in many areas.

             The program has also embarked on a program of continuing education. Recently, Ferris created the National Center of Excellence for Geomatics Information Science and Technology. Contributions from a Sloan Foundation grant assisted in the development. The mission of the Center is technology transfer and education. This will be accomplished through a series of workshops, seminars and other training activities for private sector professionals and staff people from local and other governmental agencies involved in mapping. In addition, the Center will perform applied research in the geomatics area and develop a resource center for professionals who are exploring the application of geomatics in the work place.

            The Center will consist of three institutes and will oversee the activities of each. To date, the Institute for Digital Mapping and the Institute for Spatial Information Science have been started and workshops/ seminars have been offered in each. The Institute for Geopositioning is also planned to complete the triumvirate.

            A big part of the activities of the Institute for Digital Mapping (IDM) involves a joint project between Ferris and the Management Association of Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (MAPPS). This relationship has existed for 6 years and consists of an intensive, seven-week long stereophotogrammetric plotter operator training program each summer. This program is the only one like it in the US. IDM has also undertaken training of foreign students through the international studies program on campus in GPS basics and airborne GPS.

            The Institute for Spatial Information Science (ISIS) is a joint program between Ferris and the Land Information Access Association (LIAA). ISIS has created a mapping laboratory in Traverse City, Michigan, and the site will be used for GIS and GPS training. Also planned are K-12 programs whereby teachers can obtain the tools necessary for using these mapping techniques in their classroom.

STUDENTS

            The students in the surveying program are different from the typical student FSU attracts. First, because of the engineering and science base, they are more serious. Second, they are generally a few years older and more focused in their studies. Most are transfer students who have some basic idea of what surveying involves. About 10% come from out-of-state.

             In 1974 the students formed the Burt and Mullett Student Chapter of ACSM, the second sanctioned chapter in the country. This group has been very active in arranging for guest speakers, assembling the annual resume booklet, manning the display booth at the Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors (MSPS) and ACSM conferences. Ferris has continuously been represented at the MSPS conferences since the 1960s and has exhibited at ever conference since 1976. The student chapter also arranges social group activities like the very popular venison dinner each fall. This year the students in are participating in a Habitat for Humanity project with a local surveyor. During the 1980s the chapter also became affiliated with MSPS. In 1995, Ferris students formed the second chapter to the Lambda Sigma surveying honors society. This group has been active in providing other students information on scholarships and helping the graduates by conducting a practice SIT exam.

            The students are, generally, amongst the best at Ferris. They are usually near or at the top of their classes in the math and science areas. In fact, many of our students have been employed as tutors in the mathematics area. A lot of the professors in these areas look forward to having our students in their class because they are more conscientious and work harder. Another measure of success lies in the results from the surveyor-in-training (SIT) examination. Ferris students have the highest or next to highest pass rate with respect to all programs in the country. This excludes programs with only one or two graduates. Many of the surveying students have begun to understand their civic responsibilities and volunteer for feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless and caring for the disadvantaged.

SCHOLARSHIPS

            The costs of education is high and, unfortunately, getting more expensive every year. Scholarships become an important vehicle to attract and retain good students to the profession. During the last year there were 13 scholarships available to the students worth a total of $9,000. These include the following:

                        V.J. Mahida Scholarship
                        Urban Land Consultants Surveying Scholarship
                        Lewis and Lewis Professional Surveying Scholarship
                        Fenn and Associates Surveying Scholarship
                        Mary C. Feindt Surveying Scholarship
                        Jack Marvel Surveying Scholarship
                        Don Saum Surveying Scholarship
                        MSPS Scholarship
                        West Central Chapter of MSPS Scholarship
                        Richard Lomax Memorial Scholarship
                        Joseph Bishop Surveying Scholarship
                        Richard Rought Surveying Scholarship
                        Rowe Inc. Surveying Scholarship
                        Khagendra Thapa Surveying Scholarship
                        Robert Burtch Geodetic Surveying Scholarship

 In addition, other scholarships are available to students through the program and university as well as through the ACSM Scholarship and Fellowship program. Last year students were awarded three different ACSM scholarships, a MSPE award and a AM/FM fellowship.

THE FACULTY

             Another important ingredient for any successful educational program is the faculty that teach in the area. Ferris has 5 full-time and one or two adjunct faculty members. The full-time faculty include Khagendra Thapa, Jens Rick, Sayed Hashimi, Carl Shangraw and Robert Burtch. The adjunct faculty are Marvin Myers and Jack Bueche. Jack is filling in because Sayed Hashimi is on sabbatical leave.

            Khagendra Thapa has his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. He is a professor and serves as the Program Coordinator. Khagendra has a international reputation in geodesy, photogrammetry and GIS research and development. He has received numerous grants covering areas such as scale comparison between GPS and total stations and for the development of a distance learning program and certificate in GIS for Local Government. He has served on numerous professional and university committees and has received numerous awards for his teaching excellence.

             Jens Rick received his Master's Degree from the University of Michigan in Civil Engineering (Geodesy). Jens is a professor and has been at Ferris State University for 28 years where he has taught courses across the curriculum. His specialties include photogrammetry and control surveying. He also teaches survey data adjustments. Prof. Rick has received the Presidential Award for Meritorious Service from ASPRS and is a Professional Surveyor in Michigan.

            Sayed Hashimi is a Professional Surveyor and professor in the Surveying Engineering Program. In the 23 years that he has been at Ferris, Sayed has served as the Program Coordinator and Program Director. He has served on numerous professional committees, particularly in education and accreditation. Moreover, Sayed is a member of the Michigan Professional Surveyor Licensing Board. Prof. Hashimi has taught numerous courses within the curriculum with his main interest in data adjustments and computer applications in surveying. Sayed holds a Master's Degree from Purdue University and also has a degree in Computer Information Systems from Ferris.

            Carl Shangraw is the newest full-time faculty member. He has his Master's Degree from Purdue University and has been at Ferris for about 4 years. Carl has an extensive practical background in surveying beginning in 1973 in Grand Rapids. For almost three years he owned his own company. Carl is licensed in both Michigan and Wisconsin and has been instrumental in the formation of the Lambda Sigma honor society on campus. His main areas of expertise lie in the legal areas of surveying and professional practice.

             Marvin Myers is a professional surveyor with a company in the Houghton Lake area. He is a Ferris graduate and has helped teach the basic surveying courses for a number of years now. Although only an adjunct, Marv is noted for his activities here at Ferris and participation in events like the annual chili cook-off. He also has brought numerous groups here on campus for recruiting purposes. Jack Bueche also has a long practical background in surveying in Grand Rapids where he was a fixture for a number of years at Williams & Works. He has been very active with MSPS, particularly in the annual meeting committee. Jack is teaching basic surveying this semester.

THE FUTURE

            By all indications, the profession is growing and surveying graduates will have more opportunities than those in the past. This is not unique to FSU but reflects the findings from many of the university programs. GPS, GIS, digital photogrammetry, and hyperspectral remote sensing are some of the tools that are making significant impacts upon society. While these tools do not change what the surveyor is doing, they are transforming how the surveyor collects the data. The profession, whatever it may be called in the future, is exciting. During the next decade we will find more innovations and increased reliance on the technological delivery of education and training. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

            This paper is a revised version of the paper "Surveying Education at Ferris State University" that was published in Surveying and Land Information Systems, 57(4):215-219, 1997.

REFERENCES

Hashimi, S., E. Krakiwsky, and E. Cannon, 1993. "Educating Surveying-Geomatics Engineers: U.S. and Canadian Perspectives", Surveying and Land Information Systems, 53(4):250-255.

POB, 1999. "1999 College and University Program Listing", POB, 24(5):42-47.

Walker, J., 1993. "RAC Degree Program at the Oregon Institute of Technology", ", Surveying and Land Information Systems, 53(4):218-220.

Table 1. Curriculum for the Surveying Engineering Program, Ferris State University.