Course Structure Overview

The Surveying program at Shivalik College of Engineering is structured over eight semesters, with a carefully balanced mix of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory sessions. The curriculum is designed to provide students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for success in the field.

Semester-wise Course Listing

Semester	Course Code	Course Title	Credits (L-T-P-C)	Prerequisites
I	MATH101	Mathematics I	3-1-0-4	None
I	PHYS101	Physics I	3-1-0-4	None
I	CHEM101	Chemistry I	3-1-0-4	None
I	ENG101	Engineering Drawing	2-0-2-3	None
I	ECE101	Basic Electrical Engineering	3-1-0-4	None
I	CS101	Introduction to Programming	2-0-2-3	None
I	SUR101	Introduction to Surveying	3-1-0-4	None
I	SUR102	Surveying Lab I	0-0-3-1	SUR101
II	MATH201	Mathematics II	3-1-0-4	MATH101
II	PHYS201	Physics II	3-1-0-4	PHYS101
II	MATH202	Probability & Statistics	3-1-0-4	MATH101
II	ECE201	Circuit Analysis	3-1-0-4	ECE101
II	CS201	Data Structures & Algorithms	3-1-0-4	CS101
II	SUR201	Plane Surveying	3-1-0-4	SUR101
II	SUR202	Plane Surveying Lab	0-0-3-1	SUR102
III	MATH301	Mathematics III	3-1-0-4	MATH201
III	PHYS301	Optics & Modern Physics	3-1-0-4	PHYS201
III	ECE301	Signals & Systems	3-1-0-4	ECE201
III	CS301	Database Management Systems	3-1-0-4	CS201
III	SUR301	Geodetic Surveying	3-1-0-4	SUR201
III	SUR302	Geodetic Surveying Lab	0-0-3-1	SUR202
IV	MATH401	Mathematics IV	3-1-0-4	MATH301
IV	ECE401	Control Systems	3-1-0-4	ECE301
IV	CS401	Computer Networks	3-1-0-4	CS301
IV	SUR401	Topographic Mapping	3-1-0-4	SUR301
IV	SUR402	Topographic Mapping Lab	0-0-3-1	SUR302
V	MATH501	Advanced Mathematics	3-1-0-4	MATH401
V	SUR501	Photogrammetry	3-1-0-4	SUR401
V	SUR502	Photogrammetry Lab	0-0-3-1	SUR402
V	SUR503	GIS & Remote Sensing	3-1-0-4	SUR401
V	SUR504	GIS & Remote Sensing Lab	0-0-3-1	SUR503
V	SUR505	GNSS Applications	3-1-0-4	SUR301
V	SUR506	GNSS Applications Lab	0-0-3-1	SUR505
V	SUR507	Hydrographic Surveying	3-1-0-4	SUR301
V	SUR508	Hydrographic Surveying Lab	0-0-3-1	SUR507
V	DEPT_ELECTIVE_1	Departmental Elective I	3-1-0-4	None
V	DEPT_ELECTIVE_2	Departmental Elective II	3-1-0-4	None
V	DEPT_ELECTIVE_3	Departmental Elective III	3-1-0-4	None
V	DEPT_ELECTIVE_4	Departmental Elective IV	3-1-0-4	None
V	DEPT_ELECTIVE_5	Departmental Elective V	3-1-0-4	None
V	SCIENCE_ELECTIVE_1	Science Elective I	3-1-0-4	None
V	SCIENCE_ELECTIVE_2	Science Elective II	3-1-0-4	None
VI	SUR601	Urban Mapping & Smart Cities	3-1-0-4	SUR501
VI	SUR602	Urban Mapping Lab	0-0-3-1	SUR502
VI	SUR603	Geodetic Surveying & Tectonics	3-1-0-4	SUR301
VI	SUR604	Geodetic Surveying Lab	0-0-3-1	SUR302
VI	SUR605	Cadastral Surveying	3-1-0-4	SUR201
VI	SUR606	Cadastral Surveying Lab	0-0-3-1	SUR202
VI	SUR607	Environmental Surveying	3-1-0-4	SUR401
VI	SUR608	Environmental Surveying Lab	0-0-3-1	SUR402
VI	MINI_PROJECT_1	Mini Project I	0-0-6-3	None
VII	SUR701	Advanced Surveying Techniques	3-1-0-4	SUR601
VII	SUR702	Advanced Surveying Lab	0-0-3-1	SUR602
VII	SUR703	Specialized Elective I	3-1-0-4	None
VII	SUR704	Specialized Elective II	3-1-0-4	None
VII	SUR705	Specialized Elective III	3-1-0-4	None
VII	SUR706	Specialized Elective IV	3-1-0-4	None
VII	SUR707	Specialized Elective V	3-1-0-4	None
VII	SUR708	Specialized Elective VI	3-1-0-4	None
VII	SUR709	Specialized Elective VII	3-1-0-4	None
VII	SUR710	Specialized Elective VIII	3-1-0-4	None
VII	MINI_PROJECT_2	Mini Project II	0-0-6-3	SUR701
VIII	FINAL_YEAR_PROJECT	Final Year Project / Thesis	0-0-9-6	SUR701

Advanced Departmental Elective Courses

Departmental electives offer students the opportunity to explore specialized areas within surveying and related fields. These courses are designed to deepen understanding and enhance career prospects in specific domains.

Photogrammetry

This course delves into the principles and applications of photogrammetry, focusing on image interpretation, stereo modeling, and 3D reconstruction from aerial or satellite imagery. Students learn to utilize software tools like Agisoft Metashape, Pix4D, and ERDAS IMAGINE for processing large-scale datasets. The curriculum covers topics such as geometric correction, ortho-rectification, digital elevation model (DEM) generation, and integration with GIS platforms.

GIS & Remote Sensing

The course introduces students to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies used in environmental monitoring, urban planning, and resource management. It includes hands-on sessions using QGIS, ArcGIS, and Google Earth Engine for spatial data analysis and visualization. Students also learn about satellite sensors, image classification techniques, and thematic mapping methods.

GNSS Applications

This elective explores the application of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) in surveying and positioning tasks. Topics include differential GNSS (D-GNSS), real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning, geodetic reference frames, and integration with other surveying tools. Students gain experience using receivers from Trimble, Leica, and u-blox for precise point positioning.

Hydrographic Surveying

The course focuses on underwater surveying techniques, including sonar systems, bathymetric mapping, and marine navigation principles. Students learn to operate hydrographic equipment, process sonar data, and generate nautical charts using industry-standard software like CARIS HIPS and SIPS.

Urban Mapping & Smart Cities

This course integrates surveying with urban planning and smart city technologies. It covers 3D city modeling, IoT integration, building information modeling (BIM), and sustainable development practices. Students work on projects involving digital twin creation for urban environments.

Geodetic Surveying & Tectonics

This elective provides an in-depth look at geodetic surveying techniques used to determine the Earth's shape, orientation, and gravitational field. It covers deformation monitoring, GPS-based crustal motion analysis, and seismic data interpretation. Students engage in research projects involving tectonic activity in the Himalayas.

Cadastral Surveying

This course addresses land ownership and boundary determination, including legal aspects of surveying, cadastre management systems, and property rights frameworks. Students learn to conduct boundary surveys, prepare legal documents, and resolve disputes using modern surveying tools and GIS.

Environmental Surveying

The course focuses on environmental impact assessment and monitoring using surveying techniques. It covers land degradation studies, climate change monitoring, biodiversity mapping, and resource extraction planning. Students gain experience in conducting field surveys and analyzing spatial data for policy-making.

Project-Based Learning Philosophy

Our department strongly believes in project-based learning as a core pedagogical approach. Projects are designed to simulate real-world scenarios and foster creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills among students.

Mini-Projects Structure

Mini-projects are undertaken in the third and sixth semesters, lasting approximately 3 months each. Each project is assigned a faculty mentor who guides students through planning, execution, and documentation phases. Projects are evaluated based on technical correctness, innovation, presentation quality, and peer feedback.

Final-Year Thesis/Capstone Project

The final-year thesis is a comprehensive research project that spans the entire eighth semester. Students choose a topic aligned with their specialization or interest, work closely with a faculty advisor, and submit a detailed report along with a presentation. The project must demonstrate originality, depth of understanding, and relevance to industry or societal challenges.

Project Selection Process

Students are encouraged to propose their own ideas or select from a list of pre-approved projects provided by faculty members. The selection process involves discussions with mentors, proposal submissions, and final approvals from the department head. Projects may also be inspired by industry challenges or collaborative initiatives.