Chartered Surveyor

Chartered Surveyor
Faculty of Engineering and Science | Aalborg University 2004

Contents
Page 3 | Professional Proﬁ les &
A broad and Interdisciplinary Programme

Job Opportunities
The chartered surveying programme is a broad based com-
prehensive course where professional traditions from engi-
Page 4 | The Structure of the
neering, architectural and law education are synthesised.
Study Programme
The programme combines mathematics and technology

with law and design. The programme also combines theory
Page 5 | Study Environment and
and practice and the students will be engaged both in in-
door and outdoor activities.
Educational Model

During the programme students will learn about surveying
and mapping, geographical information systems, property
Page 6 | The Bachelor’s
law and planning, as well as the management of land and
Programme
natural resources.

Students have the opportunity to specialise within professio-
Page 8 | Master’s Programme
nal areas, however through the bachelor’s programme they
in Measurement
will also be provided with a broad interdisciplinary know-
ledge that combines the different professional areas.
Science

Students will become both specialists and generalists at the
Page 10 | Master’s Programme in
same time!
Spatial Information
Management

Page 12 | Master’s Programme in
Land Management

Page 14 | Practical Information
© The L Study Board, Department of Development
and Planning, Aalborg University 2004.
Photos have been supplied by students and em-
ployees at Aalborg University, BlomInfo A/S, COWI
A/S, Kort & Matrikelstyrelsen – KMS, Nellemann &
Bjørnkjær I/S, Centre for 3d GeoInformation, VR
Media Lab.
Editors: Stig Enemark and Esben Munk Sørensen
Layout: Esben Clemens
Print: Kommunik A/S
ISBN: 87-90893-79-4
2

Professional Proﬁ les &
Job Opportunities
The chartered surveyor works with property, environmental issues and changes in our
physical surroundings. Surveyors focus on surveying and mapping at various levels and
also on the planning and management of development in urban and rural areas.

This programme is designed for those who wish to participate in the creation of our
future society.
The chartered surveying programme offers
ment of nature and environmental interests in
great future career prospects. Good job op-
rural areas, property management, expropriati-
portunities and a high rate of employment is
on for new road facilities and the development
available, all because of an education which
and management of geographical information
provides students with many options to
systems.
choose from.
GIS expert in private companies, utilities
Chartered surveying in private practice is
etc., where the expert may develop and
a liberal profession (such as lawyers, vete-
maintain geographical information systems in a
rinarians etc.). Licensed surveyors in private
more IT-based environment.
practice hold the monopoly to perform what
is called cadastral work – meaning property
Project manager/consultant in mapping
development (subdivisions) or change of bo-
companies, who develop and produce different
undaries etc. The tasks also include surveying
mapping and digital solutions for the presenta-
and mapping in connection with buildings
tion of geo-referenced information.
and large construction works as well as
consultancy on the development and use of
Project manager/consultant in engineering
property.
companies, provides you with the opportu-
nities to work with property development,
Departmental manager in state agen-
surveying and mapping, virtual systems and
cies such as the Ministry of the Environment
projects regarding the urban environment,
(including the National Survey and Cadastre),
urban renewal and implementation of new
where the work areas include mapping, pro-
infrastructures.
perty law, land and environmental manage-
ment, and spatial planning.
International expert on development pro-

jects in developing countries, having a great
Planner/departmental manager in re-
demand for the design and construction of
gional and local authorities, working with
systems to ensure land and property rights and
planning of the urban environment, manage-
to plan and manage the use of land.
3

Study
Programme
The duration of the programme is ﬁ ve
• Measurement Science
years. It is organised with a 3-year
• Spatial Information Systems
Bachelor’s programme followed by a
• Land Management,
2-year Master’s programme.
In the 9th semester the focus is on pro-
Bachelor’s Programme
fessional development where a speciﬁ c
During the bachelor’s programme, the
individual learning process is possible.
ﬁ rst year is meant as a basic year within
For example, students can choose to
the Faculty of Engineering and Science.
have an internship in a company or a
More information about the ﬁ rst year
public institution; to study abroad at a
can be found on page 6. The last two
foreign university, or to stay at Aalborg
years are common for all students in
University to continue their studies.
the programme and are concerned with
the basic tasks within the professional
During this semester all students are
areas of surveying.
connected to a virtual network, which
means that they stay in contact with
Master’s Programme
their fellow students and the lectu-
In the ﬁ rst year of the master’s pro-
rers from Aalborg University. The ﬁ nal
gramme the students can choose from
semester of the master’s programme is
three different specialisations within:
dedicated to the production of the ma-
ster’s thesis, which may also encompass
the entire ﬁ nal year of studies.
Final Thesis
10th semester
Internship - International Exchange - project work at AAU
9th semester
amme
ogr
8th semester
Measurement
Spatial Information
Land Management
t
er’s Pr
Science
Management
as
7th semester
M
Cadastral Management
6th semester
Land Surveying
5th semester
Large Scale Mapping
4th semester
amme
Spatial Planning & Land-Use Management
3rd semester
ogr
2nd semester
Basic Studies
achelor’s Pr
B
1st semester
4

Study
Environment
Aalborg University is well known for its
During the ﬁ rst year of the study program-
innovative way of studying. Throughout
me students form project groups of around
the entire programme, the focus is set on
six to seven students, while the second
problem based learning and project work.
and third years are characterised by project
groups with between two to ﬁ ve students.
In the chartered surveying programme,
approx. 40 students are enrolled each year,
On the fourth and ﬁ fth years of the ma-
and of these almost one third are female.
ster’s programme the students usually form
groups of two or three together, all depen-
During the bachelor’s programme, project
ding on the topics that they wish to focus on
work covers approx. half of the study activi-
in their projects.
ties. The other half of the study time is di-
vided between lecture courses and practical
Throughout the entire study programme,
activities. A signiﬁ cant part of the exercises
teaching is research based. This means that
is ﬁ eldwork including outdoor activities.
researchers will participate as project su-
pervisors. Furthermore, the master’s thesis
In relation to the master’s programme, the
will be conducted by using actual research
project work is predominant and the related
methods.
lecture courses are oriented towards a theo-
retical and scientiﬁ c content.
The coherence and interaction between

research and teaching creates a very intere-
sting and dynamic learning environment.
5

Bachelor’s Programme
The bachelor’s programme includes the ﬁ rst
Common course
three years of studies including 6th semester.
After the ﬁ rst year, all surveying students
participate in the common courses through
The Basic Study Year
3rd to 6th semester. During this period, the
The ﬁ rst year of the study programme is the
focus is both on the basic surveying professi-
basic study year of the Faculty of Engine-
ons and also on ‘learning by doing’ through
ering and Science.
the solving of problems, which are similar to
the problems and tasks managed by charte-
This ﬁ rst year of studies will provide the
red surveyors in practice.
students with basic skills within project
work and problem solving. The basic year
The common course is important because it
is divided into an introductory mini project,
provides all surveyors with a common pro-
two larger projects and a number of lecture
fessionalism and methodical basis necessary
courses to support the project work.
to understand and handle the core activities
within the surveying areas.
During the ﬁ rst year studies, the students
will learn to work with the tools and me-
3rd semester
thods relevant for the speciﬁ c professional
The theme of the 3rd semester is “Spatial
areas of the chartered surveyor.
Planning and Land-Use Management”.
Each group conducts a project that includes
The theme of the 1st semester project will
the design of an overall planning strategy
usually be “mapping and spatial data”
for a chosen area followed by a more de-
which will concern collection and presenta-
tailed planning strategy focused on e.g. the
tion of spatial data by way of maps. On the
living environment within a certain neigh-
2nd semester the students will work with
bourhood. Finally, a local plan is completed,
problems regarding the use of maps and
providing the regulations for how to imple-
spatial information in connection with land
ment the project.
and natural resource management.
At the same time, lecture courses in law and
planning are given in order to support the
During this period of studies, students will
project work.
get an overview of the many different
professional areas and functions that consti-
4th semester
tute the proﬁ le of the chartered surveying
The theme “Spatial Planning and Land-Use
programme.
Management” is scheduled until mid spring
and is concluded with a project exam.
The basic study year also includes a number
During the last months of the 4th semester,
of lecture courses, which provide the stu-
the focus is on Large Scale Mapping. The
dents with preconditions in relation to their
students work together in pairs in order to
further studies. Examples are lecture courses
survey a small urban area and the work is
in mathematics, cartography, Geographic
documented by way of a digital map.
Information Systems and social science. Both
Shortly before the summer holiday, the pro-
1st and 2nd semester are concluded with
ject is evaluated through a project exam.
exams.
6

5th semester
On this semester, courses within surveying and map-
ping take place, supported by exercises in the ﬁ eld.
Different methods are focused on for solving several
types of assignments and the students will become
familiar with the use of modern tools, such as Global
Positioning System (GPS).
The project work provides the students with a pro-
per understanding of how tasks are handled within
surveying practice. A project exam will conclude the
semester shortly before Christmas.
6th semester
The theme “Cadastral Management” concerns the pro-
cesses and the problems of property rights, which are
connected to the determination of property boundaries
and the development of new properties.
The project work has been planned in a way so stu-
dents experience the same processes, as is the case
at a private surveying ﬁ rm. Also, the technology and
methodical tools are the same.
Finally, a small project is completed based on an indi-
vidually chosen topic within property law and cadastral
management.
At the same time, lecture courses are given within
property law and property economics, data systems,
digital management and e-government.
The project work will be evaluated through a project
exam shortly before the summer holiday.
The basis of the second and third years of the bache-
lor’s programme is professional and methodical know-
ledge within the surveying subjects. When students
continue on one of the three master’s programmes,
the focus on theories and complex problem solving is
even more signiﬁ cant. The students hereby establish
a professional and methodical toolbox, which will be
useful when employed as a surveyor.
7

Master’s Programme within
Measurement Science
Specialisation in Surveying and Mapping
The Master’s Programme in Measurement
Infrastructure projects such as bridges
Science relates to those who would prefer
and roads have similar high demands
to work professionally with advanced sur-
in surveying. Related Danish projects are
veying and modern digital measurement
the surveying of the two bridge and tun-
methods.
nel projects of the Great Belt linking the
eastern and western parts of Denmark and
This specialisation particularly enables
at the Öresound Bridge linking Denmark
students well for job opportunities within
to Sweden. Prior to the detailed design of
areas of advanced measurement and mo-
these projects, both sides were surveyed in
dern digital mapping methods.
order to determine the exact distances and
heights of the construction project. The high
GPS, Global Positioning System is related
accuracy of surveying results is closely con-
to surveying based on signals from satel-
nected to the modern computer systems for
lites. This technology is considered revo-
design, construction and placement of each
lutionary to large areas of traditional land
unit within the bridge and tunnel projects.
surveying. The opportunities are many. GPS
In the same way, exact surveying forms the
is used for exact surveying and marking,
basis of the planning and construction of
for instance in connection with construc-
road systems.
tion works. GPS is also used for continuous
local positioning, for example by instal-
Tunnel constructions such as the railway
lation in cars, including route-maps and
tunnel underneath the Great Belt also
navigation systems.
demand a high level of accuracy. Obviously,
the drilling machines from both sides are to
The offshore industry demands large
reach each other very precisely underneath
production plants, such as offshore oilrigs,
the Great Belt, when drilling for the tun-
pipe systems and industrial infrastructures.
nel pipes. In fact, the drilling machines did
This demands extremely precise surveying,
reach each other with only a few millime-
in order to fulﬁ l the quality requirements
tres of deviation.
for all the units, which are included in
construction works. The assignments may
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
take place both on land and at sea. With
includes exact surveying and object iden-
regards to the placement of large offshore
tiﬁ cation by means of air photography and
oilrigs there is a signiﬁ cant demand for
readings from satellites, and is becoming an
high accuracy positioning and for surveil-
increasing market for surveyors. Additional-
lance to ensure that the oilrigs are stable.
ly, digital photogrammetry plays a signiﬁ -
8

cant role in surveying. New techniques are
implemented within remote sensing in order
to improve collection of surveying information
from satellites; another term for this is ground
observations. In this relation, the surveying
areas beneﬁ t from the research and develop-
ment, which occur in connection with modern
space travel. Techniques for ongoing data
collecting and new equipment such as sensors
are continuously developed and improved.
Some of the brand new techniques include
radar surveying and laser scanning.

Lecture courses and project work
The lecture courses at the 7th and 8th seme-
ster in Measurement Science put the empha-
sis on theories and methods in relation to the
development and use of new technologies
for positioning, high precision measurement,
scanning, and the related IT-tools. The project
work will be based on relevant and current
problems or development assignments in
cooperation with private companies. The 7th
and 8th semesters will be completed with an
examination in January and June, respectively.
The 9th semester offers an opportunity to
follow a semester at a university abroad, or
to undertake a so-called “project internship”
in a relevant private company or a public
authority. Another possibility is to undertake
an ordinary project under the supervision
of Aalborg University researchers. The 10th
semester is devoted to the preparation of the
master’s thesis.
9

Master’s Programme within
Spatial Information Management
Specialisation in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and
Media Technology
During this specialisation, students will work
world has similarities. Three-dimensional
professionally with spatial information, di-
spatial visualisation is used increasingly in
gital management and e-government, and
planning of large building projects, design
geo communication and visualisation.
of environmentally sound solutions and
planning of large trafﬁ c systems. Virtual and
The area concerns the use of new techno-
Artiﬁ cial Reality and Argumented Reality are
logies within spatial analysis and model-
all examples of methods, which will become
ling, in order to solve projects of planning,
used for more and more projects. In the
environmental management and property.
future, the development of new summer-
Focus is on spatial information infrastructu-
house areas, alterations in urban environ-
res, organisation, implementation, modern
ments or placement of new rural buildings
digital communication and problem solving.
will be prepared by means of three-dimen-
sional tools.
Digital management
Digital management refers to problem
Historic environments
solving, and in this connection, experts in
Historic environments can be rebuilt digi-
Spatial Information Management are very
tally and virtually through the content of
important. In current years, planning and
historical maps and drawings. Such digital
management are completed increasingly by
environments are easy to present and are
means of digital tools. Digital mapping and
often used to explain changes over time
spatial information are used with regards to
(4-D mapping) and to illustrate the con-
topographical relations, people, companies
nection with the physical environments of
and properties. Regardless of whether the
the past. Digitalisations are used in relation
project concerns surveillance of infectious
to both modern preservation planning and
outbreaks or the process of building per-
traditional historical presentations in media
mits, the projects are very similar, when it
and museums. On the Internet, new virtual
comes to methods for collecting, saving and
environments are being created in order for
presenting digital information. The develop-
visitors to experience historical information
ment and implementation of these procedu-
in a totally new dimension.
res demand great competency within spatial
information management.
Location Based Service
This term represents the use and presen-
Virtual three-dimensional environments
tation of spatial information with regards
Most students are familiar with this dimen-
to changing locations. The presentation
sion from computer games, but also the real
may take place on a mobile phone or PDA´s
10

Spatial Information Management
(Personal Digital Assistants); the amount of
information that is presented depends on
the location, and it changes when the user
moves along through urban or rural areas.
Lecture courses and project work
The lecture courses on the 7th and 8th seme-
sters in Spatial Information Management are
concerned with theories and methods within
development and use of new technologies
for the handling, analysing and modelling of
spatial information and its related IT-tools.
The project work will be based on problems
regarding technology development and IT
implementation both within the private and
the public sectors. In addition, the problems
may be related to national or international
policies and systems. The 7th and 8th seme-
sters will be completed with an examination
in January and June, respectively.
The 9th semester offers an opportunity to
follow a semester at a university abroad, or
to undertake a so-called “project internship”
in a relevant private company or a public
agency. Another possibility is to undertake
an ordinary project work under the supervi-
sion of Aalborg University researchers. The
10th semester is devoted to the preparation
of a master thesis.
11

Master’s Programme within
Land Management
Specialisation in Real Property, Land Management and
Planning
Students who complete the M.Sc. in Land
that you hold the necessary professional and
Management will gain professional know-
social skills in order to manage such proce-
ledge about property development, proper-
dures.
ty law, planning, and the management of
land-use and natural resources in both urban
Public planning and land management
and rural areas.
ﬁ rst of all includes insight into planning,
nature and environmental legislation, and
A key professional area is about consultancy
property law. Here, the chartered surveyor
for landowners, who want to change the
participates as specialists and problem
use of their property or to implement new
solvers in order to engender compromises
developments. Another and opposite focus
between different parties and interests
is on the public planning and land-use regu-
when negotiating. Some of the questions
lations that aim to inﬂ uence future land-use
to solve include where to locate industrial
through comprehensive considerations and
plants or summer housing and also, what
concerns about the natural and built env-
is an environmentally sound solution in
ironment.
relation to a speciﬁ c area? Legislation may
seem rather complex and it requires a broad
Licensed Surveyors in private business
insight in various areas to offer consultancy
are responsible for cadastral works such as
for both politicians and private persons, to
subdivisions, boundary determinations, and
enable them to make the right decision in
for any change of the boundary between
a certain case. Some of the cases could be:
existing properties. In other words, the tasks
the urban environment and the rebuilding
are related to the development of properties
of declined harbour and industrial areas or
based on the requests of private and public
the conﬂ ict of nature protection in relation
clients. Such professional work also includes
to agricultural needs.
consultancy and investigation of alternative
possibilities within a legal framework.
Expropriation of entire or parts of proper-
In relation to the cadastral work, the neces-
ties are sometimes necessary in order to
sary documents must be completed. These
implement public works such as roads and
documents form the basis of approval and
other infrastructure projects. In this situati-
registration of the prepared property chan-
on, the consideration for the interests of the
ges in the Cadastre and the Land Book, and
landowner is extremely important. When
the related digital mapping.
calculating compensation it is necessary to
determine which areas are included in the
When working as a licensed surveyor, it is
expropriation and also whether any other
important that you are able to communicate
inconvenience has been caused.
well with people and it is also signiﬁ cant
12

International assignments for chartered
surveyors are increasing. International organi-
sations and companies are getting involved in
many developing projects in Eastern Europe
and in third world countries. In these areas
professional consultancy and knowledge are
required to develop sustainable mapping and
land registration systems with the purpose of
securing land rights and managing the use of
land and connected environmental issues. On
top of that, it is also a question of developing
the necessary knowledge and competences
in each country for them to independently
manage and maintain such functions in the
future.
Lecture courses and project work
The lecture courses on the 7th and 8th se-
mesters in Land Management emphasise
theories and methods within property law,
planning and management of land-use and
development, urban management, and
nature and environmental protection. The
project work is often based on relevant and
current problems within land laws and land
management procedures. The 7th and 8th se-
mesters are completed with an examination
in January and June, respectively.
The 9th semester offers an opportunity to fol-
low a semester at a university abroad, or the
student may choose to have a so-called “pro-
ject internship” in a relevant private company
or public authority. Another possibility is to
undertake an ordinary project work under the
supervision of Aalborg University researchers.
The 10th semester is devoted to the prepara-
tion of a master thesis.
13

Practical Information
Study environment
of the agency. Furthermore, a one-week trip
The chartered surveying programme is only
abroad will usually be organised in either
available at Aalborg University and therefore
the 7th or 8th semester with the purpose of
students come from all over Denmark. Ap-
gaining professional knowledge and inspira-
proximately 40 students are enrolled each
tion from studying the professional areas in
year.
an international context.
Due to the way of studying and the com-
Internationalisation
prehensive study environment that includes
Aalborg University cooperates with many si-
many social activities, students easily get to
milar educational institutions throughout the
know each other. By way of other activi-
world. Therefore it provides an opportunity
ties organised by the surveying students’
for students to complete a semester (nor-
organisation, students also get acquainted
mally 9th semester) at a foreign university.
with students from other semesters. The
The international agreements also mean
programme also contains many professional
that foreign students coming to Aalborg Uni-
and social traditions.
versity may get enrolled onto the master’s
programme (7th to 10th semester); hence,
In total Aalborg University has more than
part of the lecture courses will be presented
13,000 students. Therefore, many opportu-
in English.
nities exist for students wishing to get invol-
ved in activities on campus or at the student
Admission
house, or in the city of Aalborg.
Special entry requirements apply for Danish
students. They must hold an upper se-
The Municipality of Aalborg guaranties that
condary school certiﬁcate with an A level
all Danish students are allocated a place
equivalent in mathematics. All students that
to stay during the ﬁrst couple of months of
comply with these requirements are enrol-
study until they ﬁnd their own accommoda-
led.
tion. International students are assisted by
the International Ofﬁce in all kinds of practi-
It is considered, within a few years, to
calities including ﬁnding accommodation.
provide the master’s programme in English.
Foreign students may then apply to the sur-
Study tours
veying study board for admission onto the
On the 6th semester, the students have a
master’s programme. Students must hold a
study trip to Copenhagen, for instance to
relevant bachelor’s degree from their home
visit the National Survey and Cadastre to
university.
get to know about the functions and tasks
14

Contact address for foreign students
The following links are recommended:
International Ofﬁce
www.lsn.aau.dk
Aalborg University
This home site of the surveying study board
P. O. Box 159
presents the key information on the con-
9100 Aalborg Oest
tents of the programme. The function of
Denmark
the site is as a working tool for running the
Phone: +45 9635 8080
individual semesters.
Fax: +45 9815 4522
www.ddl.org/thedanishway
Direct contact:
The home site of the Danish Association
The L-Study Bord
of Chartered Surveyors presents a general
Phone: +45 9635 8341
overview of the professional areas related to
E-mail: joj@land.aau.dk
the surveying profession in Denmark.
This includes topics such as cadastre, land
Or visit the homepage for international
management, spatial planning, land valua-
students:
tion, topographic mapping and spatial infor-
mation management. Furthermore there is
www.aau.dk/international
information about the surveying profession
This site includes the relevant informa-
and how surveying practice is regulated.
tion for international students considering
applying for the programmes at Aalborg
www.ﬁg.net
University.
This is the well-known web site for the
International Federation of Surveyors (FIG),
Links
where the administrative ofﬁce is located
A number of relevant links explain about
at the Surveyors House in Copenhagen.
the surveying programme as well as the
The web site includes information on the
professional areas related to the surveying
international surveying network as well as
profession.
documentation and proceedings from confe-
rences and the work of the ten professional
commissions.
15