College of Engineering Education

BCE 211/F – COURSE SYLLABUS

1. Course Number: BCE 211/F

2. Course Name: Fundamentals of Surveying
3. Course Description: This course deals with the use of principle surveying instruments, surveying
measurements and error theory, basic plane surveying operations and
computational method of positions, horizontal and vertical distance
measurements, traverse and areas, horizontal and vertical curves,
earthworks, and global positioning system. The overall course is designed to
make the students able to learn and understand the theory and practice of
basic survey measurements and to impact awareness on the various fields of
surveying and types of instruments.
4. Pre-requisite: DRAW 101/D
5. Co-requisite: None
6. Credit: 3.0 units lecture, 2.0 unit lab
7. Class Schedule: 3 lecture hours and 12 hours laboratory (per week)

8. Program Educational Objectives (PEO) of BS Civil Engineering (BSCE) Program:

Three to five years after graduation, the BSCE graduates are expected to:
1. Pursue to be globally competitive through engineering professional’s engagement,
completion of an advanced degree, and/or participating in professional development
programs or trainings.
2. Demonstrate professional success through collaborations and innovations in the field;
addressing technical, environmental, economic, social, political, and/or business
challenges.
3. Exhibit professional behavior and attitude in engineering practice.
9. Student Outcomes (SO) of BSCE and their links to PEO
PEO
By the time of graduation, the students of the BSCE program shall have the ability to:
1 2 3
SO a apply knowledge of mathematics and science to solve complex civil engineering problems;   
SO b * design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;   
design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints,
SO c   
in accordance with standards;
SO d * function in multidisciplinary and multi-cultural teams;   
SO e * identify, formulate, and solve complex civil engineering problems;   
SO f understand professional and ethical responsibility;   
communicate effectively civil engineering activities with the engineering community and
SO g *   
with society at large;
understand the impact of civil engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental,
SO h   
and societal context;
SO i recognize the need for, and engage in life-long learning;   
SO j know contemporary issues;   
use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for civil engineering
SO k *   
practice;
know and understand engineering and management principles as a member and leader of
SO l   
a team in a multidisciplinary environment;
SO m understand at least one specialized field of civil engineering practice.   
Note: * SO being addressed in this course

BCE 211/F – Fundamentals of Surveying Date Revised: Revision no.: Date Effective: Page 1 of 11
April 24, 2020 1 June 1, 2020
College of Engineering Education
BCE 211/F – COURSE SYLLABUS

PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

VISION: By 2022, a globally recognized institution providing
(PEOs) OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
quality, affordable and open education.
PROGRAM (CE)
MISSION: To provide a dynamic and supportive academic
1. Pursue to be globally competitive
environment through the highest standards of instruction,
through engineering professional’s
research and extension in a non-sectarian institution engagement, completion of an
committed to democratizing access to education. advanced degree, and/or participating
in professional development programs
VALUES: Excellence, Honesty and Integrity, Innovation and or trainings.
Teamwork
2. Demonstrate professional success
CORE COMPETENCY: “Quality affordable open education” through collaborations and
innovations in the field; addressing
technical, environmental, economic,
social, political, and/or business
challenges.

3. Exhibit professional behavior and

STUDENT OUTCOMES (SOs) OF CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAM attitude in engineering practice.
(CE)

a. apply knowledge of mathematics and science to solve

complex civil engineering problems
b. design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze
COURSE OUTCOMES (COs) of BCE 211/F
and interpret data
– Fundamentals of Surveying
c. design a system, component, or process to meet desired
needs within realistic constraints, in accordance with CO 1. Apply surveying concepts, principles
standards and theories on distance and angular
d. function in multidisciplinary and multi-cultural teams measurements as well as area
e. identify, formulate, and solve complex civil engineering computation.
problems
f. understand professional and ethical responsibility CO 2. Apply surveying concepts, principles
g. communicate effectively civil engineering activities with and theories on determining horizontal and
the engineering community and with society at large vertical distances using stadia.
h. understand the impact of civil engineering solutions in a
CO 3. Acquire a working knowledge in
global, economic, environmental, and societal context
design and lay-out of horizontal or vertical
i. recognize the need for, and engage in life-long learning
curves in highway or railway.
j. know contemporary issues
k. use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools CO 4. Determine the appropriate
necessary for civil engineering practice methodology in calculating earthworks in
l. know and understand engineering and management various civil engineering constructions.
principles as a member and leader of a team in a
multidisciplinary environment
m. understand at least one specialized field of civil
engineering practice

BCE 211/F – Fundamentals of Surveying Date Revised: Revision no.: Date Effective: Page 2 of 11
April 24, 2020 1 June 1, 2020
College of Engineering Education
BCE 211/F – COURSE SYLLABUS

10. Course Outcomes (CO) of BCE 211/F and their links to SO

Upon completion of the course, the BSCE students are SO
expected to: a b c d E f g h i j k l m
CO 1. Apply surveying concepts, principles and theories on
distance and angular measurements as well as area D E I E E
computation.
CO 2. Apply surveying concepts, principles and theories on
determining horizontal and vertical distances using D E I E E
stadia.
CO 3. Acquire a working knowledge in design and lay-out of
D E I E E
horizontal or vertical curves in highway or railway.
CO 4. Determine the appropriate methodology in calculating
D E I E E
earthworks in various civil engineering constructions.
Legend: I = Upon attainment of this CO, students will have been introduced to the SO.
E = Upon attainment of this CO, students will have enabled themselves to attain the SO.
D = Upon attainment of this CO, students will have demonstrated partly or fully the SO.

CO and Assessment Task Alignment

Assessment Task
CO Theory-based Practice-based Assessment Coverage
Schedule
Problem Set Fieldwork First Exam ➢ Introduction to Surveying
➢ Types of Surveying
➢ Introduction of the Survey Lab
➢ Measurement of horizontal distances
Problem Set - Final Exam ➢ Measurement of vertical distances
1. Apply surveying
concepts, principles
➢ Tachymetry Surveys
and theories on
➢ Measurement of Directions and
distance and
Angles
angular
➢ Traversing and traverse computations
measurements as Problem Set - Second Exam
➢ Balancing the Traverse
well as area
➢ Area Computation
computation.
➢ Missing Data

2. Apply surveying ➢ Stadia Theory

concepts, principles Problem Set Fieldwork Second Exam ➢ Measurement by Stadia for Horizontal
and theories on Distance
determining ➢ Measurement by Stadia for Inclined
horizontal and Distance
vertical distances ➢ Sources of Error in stadia work
Problem Set - Final Exam
using stadia. ➢ Stadia Interval Factor

3. Acquire a working ➢ Topographic Surveying

knowledge in design Problem Set Fieldwork Third Exam ➢ Horizontal Curves
and lay-out of ➢ Simple Curve
➢ Compound Curve

BCE 211/F – Fundamentals of Surveying Date Revised: Revision no.: Date Effective: Page 3 of 11
April 24, 2020 1 June 1, 2020
College of Engineering Education
BCE 211/F – COURSE SYLLABUS

horizontal or ➢ Reversed Curve

vertical curves in Problem Set Project Final Exam ➢ Vertical Curves
highway or railway. Proposal ➢ Parabolic Curves

4. Determine the ➢ Earthwork Operations

appropriate ➢ Volume of Earthworks
methodology in Fieldwork ➢ Mass Diagramming
calculating ➢ Global Positioning System
Problem Set Final Exam
earthworks in ➢ Locating lots using GPS
➢ Boundary mapping using GPS
various civil Project
engineering proposal
constructions.

Assessment Task Details (Theory-based)

Assessment Coverage Assessment Task Details

Schedule
First Exam Topics from 1st Problem Set You are expected to demonstrate knowledge and
to 6th Week understanding on surveying terminologies, introduction
to surveying, introduction to survey laboratory,
measurement of horizontal distance, measurement of
vertical distance.

You are also expected differentiate surveying types and

be able to explain each type thoroughly. Calculate
distances using surveying principles.

Furthermore, you are expected to solve problems

knowledge pertaining to error theory.

Scoring System:
Each problem has corresponding points and your solution
will be graded according to the following criteria: (see
attached rubrics)
1. Identify an engineering problem -20%
2. Formulate engineering solutions to a given
problem-40%
3. Apply the best solution to an engineering
problem- 40%
Second Topics from 7th Problem Set You are expected to demonstrate knowledge and
to 10th Week understanding on surveying terminologies and concepts
of tachymetry surveys.

You will also learn to solve areas using different methods

including parcel with missing data. In line with this, you
expected to master the use of stadia principles in solving
vertical distance using different methods of determining
elevations, be able to solve even inclined distance.
In addition, you will be tasked to solve problems involving
angular measurements, bearings, and azimuths.

Scoring System:
BCE 211/F – Fundamentals of Surveying Date Revised: Revision no.: Date Effective: Page 4 of 11
April 24, 2020 1 June 1, 2020
College of Engineering Education
BCE 211/F – COURSE SYLLABUS

Each problem has corresponding points and your solution

will be graded according to the following criteria: (see
attached rubrics)
➢ Identify an engineering problem -20%
➢ Formulate engineering solutions to a given
problem-40%
➢ Apply the best solution to an engineering
problem- 40%
Third Exam Topics from Problem Set You are expected to sketch and solve different types of
11th to 14th curves used in road construction. You will be able to
Week decide on what type of horizontal curve must be used in a
certain area, it could be simple, compound or reversed.
You will also learn to relate the slope of an existing road
to design the appropriate vertical curve to be used.

You are also expected to showcase your knowledge in

topographic surveying by producing a contour map that
can be used as a basis for your road design.

Scoring System:
Each problem has corresponding points and your solution
will be graded according to the following criteria: (see
attached rubrics)
1. Identify an engineering problem -20%
2. Formulate engineering solutions to a given
problem-40%
3. Apply the best solution to an engineering
problem- 40%
Final Exam All topics Problem Set You are expected to interpret contour maps for you to
calculate the earthwork operations needed. Earthwork
operation includes volume of earthworks from different
stations and mass diagramming.

You are likewise expected to locate lots using Global

Positioning System and map it accordingly.

Scoring System:
Each problem has corresponding points and your solution
will be graded according to the following criteria: (see
attached rubrics)
1. Identify an engineering problem -20%
2. Formulate engineering solutions to a given
problem-40%
3. Apply the best solution to an engineering
problem- 40%

BCE 211/F – Fundamentals of Surveying Date Revised: Revision no.: Date Effective: Page 5 of 11
April 24, 2020 1 June 1, 2020
College of Engineering Education
BCE 211/F – COURSE SYLLABUS

Assessment Task Details (Practice/Performance-based)

Assessment Coverage Assessment Details

Schedule Task

First Exam Topics from 1st Fieldwork • In this task, you are required to set-up different types of
to 6th Week surveying instrument. The goal of this task is for you to
apply the knowledge you acquire and set-up instrument
appropriately and get data accurately.

• You will presume the role of a surveyor starting to gather

data by setting up a transit or theodolite.

• You are tasked to set-up tripod and an assigned

instrument for you. After you finish the set-up, you will
gather data using the instrument.

• You will be graded according to the following criteria (see

rubric attached)
1. Centeredness of the Bubble – 20%
2. Placement of the transit/theodolite – 20%
3. Position of the tripod – 20%
4. Accuracy of the data – 20%
5. Time and Adequacy – 20%
Second Exam Topics from 7th Fieldwork • In this task, you will be divided in groups of five. The goal
to 10th Week of this task for you to calculate the area of a certain land
with different geometric conditions.

• You will presume the role of a survey party composing

instrument man, computer, recorder, assistant chief of
party and chief of party.

• You will be given a piece of land and tasked to calculate

its area under different geometric conditions.

• You will be graded according to the following criteria (see

rubric attached)
1. Field Observation – 40%
2. Planning and Organization – 30%
3. Technical Skill / Professionalism – 30%

Third Exam Topics from Fieldwork • In this task, you will be divided in groups of at least seven
11th to 14th members each. The goal of this task for you to layout the
Week geometric design of road namely horizontal curve.

• You will presume the role of a survey party composing

tapeman (2), instrumentman, rodman, computer,
recorder, assistant chief of party, and chief of party.

• You will be given a piece of land and tasked to layout a

BCE 211/F – Fundamentals of Surveying Date Revised: Revision no.: Date Effective: Page 6 of 11
April 24, 2020 1 June 1, 2020
College of Engineering Education
BCE 211/F – COURSE SYLLABUS

route, you are required to layout at least one simple

curve, one compound curve, and one reversed curve. This
task will help you to prepare for your project proposal.

• You will be graded according to the following criteria (see

rubric attached)
1. Field Observation – 40%
2. Planning and Organization – 30%
3. Technical Skill / Professionalism – 30%

Final Exam Topics from Fieldwork • In this task, you will be divided in groups of ten. The goal
15th to 18th of this task for you to calculate the volume of earthwork
Week required for a given route for a given time.

• You will presume the role of a survey party composing

tapeman (2), rodman (2), flagman, computer, recorder,
assistant chief of party and chief of party.

• You will be given one hour to complete the task. The

instructor will give you the route that you will work on
and further instructions to be followed.

• In line with this, since this is the last fieldwork

examination, you need to submit your completed
Laboratory Manual with the data and solutions of all the
performed laboratory exercises. This will serve as your
final permit for the said fieldwork.

• You will be graded according to the following criteria (see

rubric attached)
1. Field Observation – 40%
2. Planning and Organization – 30%
3. Technical Skill / Professionalism – 30%

Final Exam All topics Project Proposal • In this task, you are required to submit a complete design
of a road network.

• You will presume the role of a civil engineer designing a

highway from conducting topographic survey from the
traversed being laid out.

• As civil engineer, you must able to design at least one

simple curve, compound curve, reversed curve and
vertical curve.

• You need to develop and provide appropriate

construction drawings printed in a 20 x 30 tracing paper
that would satisfy the following requirements:
1. Cross-sections and slopes as per DPWH standards
2. Minimum of at least one simple, compound, reversed
and vertical curves. Show all computations in an A4

BCE 211/F – Fundamentals of Surveying Date Revised: Revision no.: Date Effective: Page 7 of 11
April 24, 2020 1 June 1, 2020
College of Engineering Education
BCE 211/F – COURSE SYLLABUS

size book paper(Font type: Cambria, Font size: 12, 1.5

spacing)

3. Draw to scale the following:

a. Road Plan 1:1000
b. Profile and centerline of ground surface and the
road 1:1000
c. Relative profiles of the pavement edges with
respect to centerline, Horizontal 1:1000, vertical
as desired
d. Cross sections at stations 1:200
e. Mass diagram; horizontal 1:1000, vertical as
desired

• You will be graded according to the following criteria (see

rubric attached):
1. Project on Time and Adequacy – 10%
2. Project Presentation – 30%
3. Project Output – 30%
4. Design Computation – 30%

11. COURSE OUTLINE AND TIME FRAME

TIME FRAME TOPICS TLA REQUIRED READINGS

Week 1 • Orientation (UM VMG, CEE PEO, Grading
System) • Discussion La Putt, J.P. (2010) Elementary
• Lecture
➢ Policies & Guidelines Surveying (3rd ed.): Baguio Research and
➢ Introduction to Surveying Publishing Center
❖ Types of Surveying
➢ Introduction of the Survey Lab

Week 2 ➢ Measurement of horizontal distances

To ❖ Measurement of Distance, • Lecture La Putt, J.P. (2010) Elementary
Week 3 Errors in measurement • Solving additional
problems from Surveying (3rd ed.): Baguio Research and
❖ Pacing
textbook
❖ Taping Publishing Center
• Laboratory Exercise and
field works
Week 4 ➢ Measurement of vertical
To distances/elevation • Lecture La Putt, J.P. (2010) Elementary
Week 6 ❖ Two-Peg Test • Solving additional
problems from Surveying (3rd ed.): Baguio Research and
❖ Differential Leveling
textbook
❖ Profile Leveling Publishing Center
• Laboratory Exercise and
❖ Curvature and Refraction field works
❖ Elevation Determination

FIRST EXAMINATION
Week 7 ➢ Tachymetry Surveys
to ❖ The Stadia Theory La Putt, J.P. (2010) Elementary
Week 8 ❖ Measurement by Stadia for • Lecture
Horizontal Distance • Solving additional Surveying (3rd ed.): Baguio Research and
❖ Measurement by Stadia for problems from
Inclined Distance
Publishing Center
textbook
❖ Sources of Error in stadia • Laboratory Exercise and

BCE 211/F – Fundamentals of Surveying Date Revised: Revision no.: Date Effective: Page 8 of 11
April 24, 2020 1 June 1, 2020
College of Engineering Education
BCE 211/F – COURSE SYLLABUS

work field works

❖ Stadia Interval Factor
❖ Triangulation and
Trilateralization

Week 9 ➢ Measurement of Directions and Angles

to ❖ Bearing and Azimuth • Lecture
Week 10 • Solving additional La Putt, J.P. (2010) Elementary
❖ Magnetic Declination
➢ Traversing and traverse computations problems from Surveying (3rd ed.): Baguio Research and
textbook
❖ Balancing the Traverse
• Laboratory Exercise and Publishing Center
❖ Area Computation field works
❖ Missing Data
SECOND EXAMINATION
Week 11 ➢ Topographic Surveying La Putt, J.P. (2010) Elementary
to ❖ General Characteristics of • Lecture
Week 12 Contours • Solving additional Surveying (3rd ed.): Baguio Research and
problems from Publishing Center
textbook
• Laboratory Exercise and Nathanson, J.A. (2011). Surveying
field works Fundamentals and Practices: Boston:
Prentice Hall

Week 13 ➢ Horizontal Curves Garber, Nicholas A. (2015). Traffic and

To ❖ Simple Curves by Chord- • Lecture highway engineering. 5th Ed., Cengage
Week 14 Deflection Method; Tangent • Solving additional
Learning. Chapter 1
Offset Method; Sub-Chord- problems from
textbook
Deflection Method; Moving-
• Laboratory Exercise and Ghilani, Charles D. (2016). Elementary
Up on the Curve; When the field works surveying: an introduction to
Point of Intersection is
geomatics. Boston: Pearson/Prentice
Inaccessible; Using Two Total
Hall
Stations; and When an
Obstacle Intervenes on the
Nathanson, Jerry A. (2011). Surveying
Curve
fundamentals and practices. Boston:
❖ Compound Curves
❖ Reversed Curves Prentice Hall
➢ Vertical Curves
THIRD EXAMINATION

Week 15 ➢ Earthwork Operations Garber, Nicholas A. (2015). Traffic and

to ❖ Volume of Earthworks highway engineering. 5th Ed., Cengage
Week 16 ❖ Mass Diagramming • Lecture
• Solving additional
Learning. Chapter 1
problems from
textbook Ghilani, Charles D. (2016). Elementary
• Laboratory Exercise and surveying: an introduction to
field works geomatics. Boston: Pearson/Prentice
Hall

Nathanson, Jerry A. (2011). Surveying

fundamentals and practices. Boston:
Prentice Hall
Week 17 ➢ Global Positioning System • Lecture Ghilani, Charles D. (2016). Elementary
To ❖ Locating lots using GPS • Solving additional surveying: an introduction to
Week 18 ❖ Boundary mapping using GPS problems from geomatics. Boston: Pearson/Prentice
textbook Hall
• Laboratory Exercise and
field works
BCE 211/F – Fundamentals of Surveying Date Revised: Revision no.: Date Effective: Page 9 of 11
April 24, 2020 1 June 1, 2020
College of Engineering Education
BCE 211/F – COURSE SYLLABUS

FOURTH EXAMINATION

12. TEXTBOOK: Ghilani, C.D. (2016). Elementary Surveying: An Introduction to Geomatics. Boston: Pearson/Prentice
Hall

REFERENCES
a. Ogundare, John Olusegun (2016). Precision surveying : the principles and geomatics practice. Hoboken,
New Jersey : Wiley
b. Leick, Alfred (2015). GPS satellite surveying (4th Ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley and Sons
c. Lee, S.J. (2014). Willis's Elements of Quantity Surveying (12th ed.): Chichester, West Sussex, United
Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
d. Nathanson, Jerry A. (2011). Surveying f(undamentals and practices. Boston: Prentice Hall
e. Ghosh, JK (2010). Elementary Engineering Surveying. Nel Delhi (India): Studium Press Pvt. Ltd.
f. Garber, Nicholas A.(2015). Traffic and highway engineering. 5th Ed., Cengage Learning
g. Surveying.(2015). UAE : 3G eLearning
.

13. COURSE EVALUATION

Assessment methods Weights
I. LECTURE 50%
A. Exam 1 10%
B. Exam 2 10%
C. Exam 3 10%
D. Exam 4 30%
E. Quizzes 10%
F. Assignments/Plates 10%
G. Oral Recitation/Board Work/Seat Work 10%
H. Group Work/Group Plates 10%
LECTURE GRADE 100%
II. LABORATORY 50%
I. Field Exercises / Performance 30%
J. Field manual/ Plates 40%
K. Practical Exam 30%
LABORATORY GRADE 100%
FINAL GRADE 100%

14. POLICIES AND GUIDELINES.

a. Attendance is counted from the first regular class meeting.
b. A validated student identification card must always be worn by all students while attending classes.
c. Cheating is strictly prohibited. Any form of dishonesty shall be dealt with accordingly. Honesty is called
for at all times.
d. Valid examination permits are necessary in taking the examinations as scheduled. CELLULAR PHONES
or any ELECTRONIC GADGETS and PRESCRIBED PRC CALCULATORS are NOT allowed during
EXAMINATIONS.
e. Base-15 grading policy should be observed. Students who obtained failing scores in major exams are
recommended to attend the tutorial class.
f. The policies and guidelines from existing relevant operational procedures manual (OPM) instituted by
the university shall always be adhered.

BCE 211/F – Fundamentals of Surveying Date Revised: Revision no.: Date Effective: Page 10 of 11
April 24, 2020 1 June 1, 2020
College of Engineering Education
BCE 211/F – COURSE SYLLABUS

Prepared by: Reviewed by:

NORODDIN V. MELOG, RCE
MARIA CYNTHIA DONITA M. VILLASENCIO, RCE SHOWNA LEE T. SALES, RCE, RMP, ME1
EMMANUEL S. GALLORA SR., RCE, RMP BSCE, Program Head
JOSE S. CONDONAR JR., MAEE-CE
Faculty

References reviewed by:

BRIGIDA E. BACANI, MAEd-LS

Head-LIC

Recommending approval:

CHARLITO L. CAÑESARES, DEng-ME

Dean, College of Engineering Education

Approved by:

PEDRITO M. CASTILLO II, Ed. D

AVP-Learning Innovation and Design

BCE 211/F – Fundamentals of Surveying Date Revised: Revision no.: Date Effective: Page 11 of 11
April 24, 2020 1 June 1, 2020