Civil Engineering and Surveying Technology - Associate Degree
The Civil Engineering and Surveying Technology Program prepares students to become versatile, highly skilled technicians ready to contribute across all phases of the built environment. This program blends civil engineering fundamentals with surveying practices and environmental awareness, creating well-rounded graduates who understand the complete construction process—from initial site evaluation to final project completion. This program offers a strong foundation for both immediate employment and long-term career growth in multiple fields.
Delivery
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Program Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition: $11,932, Books: $1,197, Supplies: $350
This program is fully eligible for financial aid.
Estimates based on in-state residency. Please visit the following URL to learn more about tuition and fees for this program. https://www.nwtc.edu/admissions-and-aid/paying-for-college/tuition-and-fees?ProgramCode=106071
Requirements for Program Entry
- Apply at www.nwtc.edu/apply.
- Submit the following to transcripts@nwtc.edu: • High school transcript (or GED/HSED transcript). • College transcript.
- If your cumulative GPA is below 2.6, complete or submit a placement evaluation.
- Tip! Our admission advisors will assist you through every step. Have questions? Connect with NWTC Admissions at start@nwtc.edu or 920-498-5444.
Program Outcomes
- Utilize CAD and sketching techniques to produce engineering documents
- Perform design and routine testing procedures related to construction materials
- Utilize land surveying instruments to collect data necessary to produce topographic maps, establish horizontal and vertical control, and to layout civil engineering projects
- Operate computer software and hardware to solve technical problems
- Apply elements of design to roads, subdivision layout, storm and sanitary sewer systems
Curriculum
The students following the study plan below will complete the Civil Engineering and Surveying Technology associate degree in the number of semesters shown.
First Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Full Semester
Second Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Full Semester
Summer Before Third Semester
Third Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Fourth Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Full Semester
Students must take 3 of 6 Selective Courses:
Social Science Course Options (the Recommended Program Course is Identified with an *):
- Curriculum Note: Students must have completed or tested out of 10-804-118, Intermediate Algebra w Apps with a C or higher before taking the following 1st semester program course: 10-804-197, College Algebra & Trig w Apps.
- Students must earn a “C” or higher in 10-890-101, College 101.
- Students must earn a "C" or higher in all 10-449-XXX, 10-506-XXX, 10-607-XXX, 10-801-XXX, 10-804-XXX, and 10-806-XXX courses.
Course Descriptions
Students gain skills that lead to success in college, employment, and life. Students should take this course in their first semester. (Pre-requisite: None.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringProvides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of basic surveying principles, history of land, surveying, instruments in the field, making computations, and generating computerized maps. (Corequisites: 10-890-101, College 101; 10-804-197, College Algebra & Trig w Apps)
Course Typically Offered: FallDevelops the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of AutoCAD by working with templates; creating and manipulating layers; basic drawing, editing, and inquiry commands; and blocks, attributes, and plotting.
Course Typically Offered:Provides fundamentals of Civil Engineering from concept to completion. Civil Engineering ethics, resume and portfolio creation, and Microsoft Word and Excel will also be introduced. (Prerequisite: Acceptance in Civil Engineering Technology program)
Course Typically Offered: FallDevelops the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of working with survey data, points, alignments, surfaces, and profile in Civil 3D. (Pre-Requisite: 10-607-112, AutoCAD for Civil Engineering.)
Course Typically Offered:An introduction to the basic principles of environmental science including ecology, energy, resources, waste management, air, water, and soil pollution. (Prerequisite: If you are accepted in the Civil Engineering program your prerequisite is 10-607-103, Principles of Civil Engineering)
Course Typically Offered: FallIntroduces basic testing and quality control of construction materials using industry standards. Students perform hands-on tests on various materials, and learn to interpret results to ensure materials meet project specifications. (Corequisite: 10-506-146, Intro to Environmental Science)
Course Typically Offered: FallLearners develop knowledge/skills in planning, organizing, writing, editing. Students will also analyze audience/purpose, use elements of research, format documents using standard guidelines, and develop critical reading skills. (Prerequisite: GPA greater/equal to 2.6; OR ACT Reading score greater/equal to 15 AND English greater/equal to 18; OR Next Gen Reading score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 250; OR "preparatory course(s)", contact academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringLearn mathematical computations used in surveying. Students compute bearings, distances, elevations, coordinates, and areas. Traverse adjustment methods and data verification techniques are introduced. Emphasis is placed on accuracy, problem-solving, and use of calculators and spreadsheets. (Prerequisites: 10-607-104, Intro to Surveying/Geomatics; 10-804-197, College Algebra & Trig w Apps; 10-607-114, Civil 3D-Intro)
Course Typically Offered: SpringDevelop skills of reading plans, specifications, prints as they pertain to elements of inspection. (Prerequisite: 10-607-240, Intro to Construction Materials)
Course Typically Offered: SpringLearn the operation and application of standard surveying instruments, including levels and total stations, GNSS receivers. Perform horizontal and vertical measurements, develop field procedures. Emphasis is placed on accuracy, error minimization, and proper field documentation. (Prerequisite: 10-607-104, Intro to Surveying/Geomatics)
Course Typically Offered: SpringLearn terminology, software operation and interface, creation and analysis of digital maps, and exploring the data behind the maps in Geographic Information Systems. Use collaborative practices to manage data, share maps, and develop apps.
Course Typically Offered: SpringPrinciples of report writing and correspondence, proposals, feasibility reports, progress reports, investigation reports, evaluation reports, meeting reports, memos, and correspondence. (Prerequisite: 10-801-136, English Composition I OR 10-801-195, Written Communication with “C” or better)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringApplications/theory of basic physics principles: problem-solving, laboratory investigation, and applications including unit conversion and analysis, vectors, translational and rotational kinematics/dynamics, heat/temperature, and harmonic motion and waves. (Prereq: 2.6 GPA & Alg 2 or equiv w/C or better; OR Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 263, Arith greater/equal to 250, & QRAS greater/equal to 250; OR ACT Reading greater/equal to 18 & Math greater/equal to 24; OR Coll Tech Math 1A OR Int Alg w/C or better)
Course Typically Offered: Fall SpringThis science of psychology course is a survey of multiple aspects of behavior and mental processes. It provides an overview of topics such as research methods, theoretical perspectives, learning, cognition, memory, motivation, emotions, personality, abnormal psychology, physiological factors, social influences, and development. (Prerequisite: GPA greater/equal to 2.6; OR Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 15 AND English greater/equal to 15; OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing with a B or better)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringSurveying methods used in construction projects. Students perform layout for buildings, roads, and utilities, establish control, and calculate grades and elevations. As-built data collection and communication of layout information are emphasized. (Prerequisites: 10-607-242, Surveying Computations; 10-801-197, Technical Reporting)
Course Typically Offered: FallLearn how to develop project cost estimates, perform quantity takeoffs, and create basic schedules for civil engineering and construction projects. (Prerequisites: 10-607-241 Engineering Inspection; 10-801-197 Technical Reporting)
Course Typically Offered: FallProvides fundamentals of boundary surveying, land ownership, and legal descriptions. Students interpret metes and bounds and PLSS descriptions and explore basic legal principles affecting property boundaries. Professional responsibilities are emphasized. (Prerequisites: 10-607-242, Surveying Computations; 10-801-197, Technical Reporting)
Course Typically Offered: FallWisconsin legal survey documents based on state statutes, administrative codes and local ordinances. (Prerequisites: 10-607-242, Surveying Computations; 10-801-197, Technical Reporting)
Course Typically Offered: FallIntroduces professional standards and expectations in surveying and civil technology. Topics include ethics, liability, contracts, and workplace communication. Students develop written and oral communication skills and learn to prepare professional documentation. (Prerequisites: 10-607-241 Engineering Inspection; 10-801-197 Technical Reporting)
Course Typically Offered: FallOrigins of soil, properties/characteristics of soil, soil classification systems, subsurface exploration, foundations, moisture-density relationships, soil compaction, and groundwater. (Corequisite: 10-607-160 CET Capstone Project)
Course Typically Offered: SpringDevelops the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of Wisconsin platting laws by using drafting software to prepare drawings. (Corequisite: 10-607-160, CET Capstone Project)
Course Typically Offered:Hydrostatic pressure, continuity of flow, conservation of energy, flow in pipes under pressure, open channel flow, sewer design, rainfall, urban and agricultural runoff. (Corequisite: 10-607-128, Soil Mechanics)
Course Typically Offered: SpringFocus on the apportionment procedures for land and water boundaries, locating sequential and simultaneous conveyances, resurveys of sectionalized lands, restoration of lost corners and subdivision of sections. (Corequisite: 10-607-249, Land Subdivision Principles)
Course Typically Offered:Basic understanding of theoretical foundations of ethical thought; analyze/compare relevant issues using diverse ethical perspectives; critically evaluate individual, social/professional standards of behavior--applying a systematic decision-making process.(Prerequisite: GPA greater/equal to 2.6; OR Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 15 AND English greater/equal to 15; OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing with a B or better)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringAddresses OSHA 29CFR1926 rules and is approved by OSHA for construction workers, foremen, job supervisors, and anyone involved in construction trades. Successful participants receive 30-hour card from OSHA.
Course Typically Offered: Fall SpringFocuses on force analysis, resultants and equilibrium of coplanar force systems, centroids, center of gravity, area moment of inertia, basic relationships of stress and strain from applied forces. Properties of materials are also covered. (Prerequisites: 10-506-161 Hydraulics and Hydrology; 10-607-128, Soil Mechanics)
Course Typically Offered: SpringReview fundamental surveying concepts including field procedures, basic measurements, computations, safety practices, and professional responsibilities. Emphasis is placed on preparing for certification exams, practice problems, and test-taking strategies to support certification exam success. (Prerequisites: 10-607-249, Land Subdivision Principles; 10-607-250 Survey Legal Principles)
Course Typically Offered:Provides an opportunity for students to successfully complete a major project integrating a range of civil, geotechnical, transportation, and surveying engineering disciplines and skills. This course serves as a transition between traditional teaching and professional practice, where the instructor serves primarily as an advisor. (Prerequisites: 10-809-198, Intro to Psychology; 10-607-244, Construction Surveying and Layout; 10-607-245, Boundary Surveying Principles; 10-607-246, Survey Documentation; 10-607-247, Fundamentals of Estimating and Planning; 10-607-248, Professional Practice)
Course Typically Offered: Spring