In the academic year 1408/1409H, the Surveying Engineering Program was started as the unique program of its kind in the GCC universities. The program includes in addition to the general courses shared with other departments, a number of special courses covers the following surveying specializations: Ground Cadastral Survey, Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Development and Production of Maps, Geographic and Land Information Systems and Geodesy. Surveying Engineering has wide practical applications particularly those concerned engineering projects in all stages. The program has a positive role in studying the sciences of agricultural and forestry, geology, desert, water resources and environment. It is obvious that urban planning, boundary location, engineering estate Records would be the most practical applications of the survey Engineer.

The surveying engineering program of the Civil Engineering Department, was established to offer an integrated and comprehensive B.Sc. (Surveying Engineering) curriculum to meet the demands of development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other states of the region. It is the only such a program in the CCGS (Cooperative Council of the Gulf States) region. The program is designed to cover first degree levels in land and cadastral surveying, geodesy, photogrammetry, remote sensing, cartography and map-making and land and geographic information systems (GIS, LIS).

Surveying engineering is the term used to describe the techniques and methodologies used to study and represent the surface and gravity of the earth, measure locations and distribution of natural and man-made phenomena, establish natural networks of horizontal and vertical control, study; monitor and inventory the environment; wildlife and natural disasters, explore natural and human resources etc. Consequently, it will be possible to establish figures, maps, charts and databases for the purposes of planning and development. Surveying engineering is therefore one of the most important development input parameters in the civil and military sectors.

Surveying engineering techniques are routinely used to provide positional and/or thematic information for almost all stages of engineering, agricultural, forestry, geology and water resources projects. Hydrographic surveying is a branch of engineering surveying which deals with studying and monitoring coastal areas and inshore and off-shore position fixing. Urban planning, real estate and ownership surveys, boundary demarcations, land law and registration, adjudications, etc. are yet other areas in which the surveying engineer is actively involved.

With the advent of satellite and computer technology, the role of the surveying engineer has expanded to encompass use of digital satellite data for a multitude of applications through digital image processing e.g. environmental monitoring, water resources surveys, population studies, image mapping, agricultural, a forestation and desertification studies, mapping vegetation cover, urban planning and development, use of artificial intelligence systems, to mention a few.

In essence therefore, surveying engineering is a backbone tool in almost all branches of national and regional development surveys. With the current rapid global changes in environment, economical trends and socio-political evolutions, surveying engineering will continue to play an important role in shaping our present and future.

Surveying Engineering Curriculum Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Surveying Engineering

Degree Requirements

Students have to study 160 credit hours distributed over 10 levels (2 levels per year).