Civil Engineering & Land Survey Technology - A.A.S. Degree - Dakota County Technical College | DCTC - a 2-Year Minnesota School Offering Associate Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs to the Twin Cities, MN

Civil Engineering & Land Survey Technology - A.A.S. Degree

All CIVL courses must be taken in the sequence below.
Please contact your program advisor with questions.

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2024-2025 Required Courses

First Year - Fall Semester

Course Title	Credits
CIVL 1131 Beginning Survey CIVL - 1131: Beginning Survey Description CIVL 1131 Introduces the three basic surveying tools - the tape, level and transit/theodolite - along with proper field procedures for basic surveying which include taking field notes, taping and EDM, leveling, bearings and azimuths, topography, and mapping. Credits: 5 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: CIVL1131 — PDF	5
CIVL 1151 Basic CAD CIVL - 1151: Basic CAD Description CIVL 1151 This is the first course in Computer Aided Design (CAD) labwork for Civil Engineering Technology Students using AutoCAD software. It will present the fundamentals of AutoCAD including but not limited to command structure, setting units and limits, drafting primitives, layering, use of editing tools, grid, snap, and axis commands. The assignments require extensive use of the Civil Engineering Technology CAD lab. Credits: 5 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: CIVL1151 — PDF	5
CIVL 1251 Soil Mechanics/Materials Testing CIVL - 1251: Soil Mechanics/Materials Testing Description CIVL 1251 Determination of soil composition and structure is the first phase of project delivery for every type of civil engineering related activity. This course covers the classification of soils through: soil exploration, basic geology, hydraulics of groundwater, weight-volume relationships, sampling procedures, stresses, strains, bearing capacity, settlement and expansion, compaction, stabilization, and an introduction to foundations and retaining walls. Soil mechanics are determined by both field and laboratory test methods. In this course, you will gain hands on experience by applying the methods that are commonly performed to determine soil mechanics. This course also familiarizes students with lab and testing procedures for testing construction materials. Topics include sieve analysis, relative density, compaction tests, Atterberg limits, and soil classification, concrete strength testing, and bituminous sampling. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: CIVL1251 — PDF	3
General Education Credits (Any MnTC Goal Area) (INDS 1020 recommended) ‡ GENE - 0000: General Education Credits (Any MnTC Goal Area) Description GENE 0000 Credits: Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: GENE0000 — PDF	2
Total Semester Credits:	15

First Year - Spring Semester

Course Title	Credits
CIVL 1222 Civil Drafting CIVL - 1222: Civil Drafting Description CIVL 1222 An introduction to large scale mapping as used in highway and site design. Laboratory exercises include preparation of site plans, boundary surveys, and road plans. Laboratory exercises make extensive use of Autodesk Civil 3D. Prerequisites: CIVL 1151 Credits: 4 Prerequisites: CIVL 1151 Basic CAD Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Course Outline: CIVL1222 — PDF	4
CIVL 1231 Intermediate Surveying and GPS CIVL - 1231: Intermediate Surveying and GPS Description CIVL 1231 This course covers the basics of horizontal and vertical curve geometry as used in highway design before undertaking the study of more advanced surveying topics including: use of mass diagrams to track earthwork on highways, control surveying mathematics, universal coordinate systems, and boundary location . Laboratory exercises will vary between CAD drawings and outdoor exercises. Credits: 5 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Course Outline: CIVL1231 — PDF	5
CIVL 1242 Construction Surveying CIVL - 1242: Construction Surveying Description CIVL 1242 A course on fundamental construction layout principles required for typical construction projects. Topics include: basic control networks, coordinate systems and coordinate geometry, alignment and grade for structures, roadway, and utilities, data collector use, and RTK GPS data acquisition, positioning, and mapping. Credits: 2 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Course Outline: CIVL1242 — PDF	2
CIVL 1256 Hydrology CIVL - 1256: Hydrology Description CIVL 1256 This course is an introduction to storm water management as it relates to the design of storm water conveyance systems, and ponds using various engineering tools. Students will learn calculating runoff, pipe design and sizing. Credits: 1 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Course Outline: CIVL1256 — PDF	1
CIVL 1257 UAV/Drone Photogrammetry CIVL - 1257: UAV/Drone Photogrammetry Description CIVL 1257 An introductory course in photogrammetry using UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) aka drones. Students will learn the correct use of drones as a survey/map making aid. Students will fly a drone and acquire data for use in making plans and maps for civil projects. Prerequisite: CIVL1151 Credits: 1 Prerequisites: CIVL 1151 Basic CAD Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Course Outline: CIVL1257 — PDF	1
MATS 1340 Math for Engineering Technology MATS - 1340: Math for Engineering Technology Description MATS 1340 A course combining elements of college algebra, college trigonometry, and statistics, with a particular focus on topics useful to future engineers or engineering techs. Manipulating literal equations; solving equations analytically and by graphing; solving systems of equations analytically and using matrix solvers; setting up and solving systems of equations for practical applications; trigonometric functions; laws of sines and cosines; vector analysis of forces in static equilibrium; basic concepts of probability; bell curve; confidence intervals and uncertainty analysis; correlation and regression. Meets MnTC Goal 4 Prerequisite: Math placement at the introductory college level. Credits: 4 Prerequisites: MATS 0310 Algebra Skills Lab MATS 0640 Mathematical Literacy MATS 0700 Algebra Emporium Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 MNTC Goals: 4 Course Outline: MATS1340 — PDF	4
Total Semester Credits:	17

Second Year - Fall Semester

Course Title	Credits
CIVL 2121 Construction Inspection and Project Management CIVL - 2121: Construction Inspection and Project Management Description CIVL 2121 Develop an understanding of the various roles that the construction inspector plays, and methods used by the construction inspector to document and enforce compliance with the specifications of a construction contact. This course also introduces the student to a key element of the Civil Engineering task: Project Management. The student will learn the elements of managing a construction project and work out project schedules by hand and with PM software programs. Credits: 4 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: CIVL2121 — PDF	4
CIVL 2132 Land Survey CIVL - 2132: Land Survey Description CIVL 2132 An advanced course on fundamental land survey principles required for typical boundary establishment. Topics include: Legal Description reading/writing, adverse possession, Junior/Senior rights, Riparian rights, Land Survey case law, and covers MN Rules on Land Surveys. Prerequisite: CIVL 1222 Credits: 3 Prerequisites: CIVL 1222 Civil Drafting Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: CIVL2132 — PDF	3
CIVL 2133 Subdivision Plat Drafting CIVL - 2133: Subdivision Plat Drafting Description CIVL 2133 An advanced drafting course for the drafting of subdivision plats under MN Statues 505 and others. Students will utilize AutoCad Civil 3D to render the plats. Students will also learn rules that apply to the drafting and recording of plats. Prerequisite: CIVL 1222 Credits: 1 Prerequisites: CIVL 1222 Civil Drafting Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: CIVL2133 — PDF	1
CIVL 2155 Eco-Sensitive Design CIVL - 2155: Eco-Sensitive Design Description CIVL 2155 This course is an introduction to the design of sites, and buildings with methods, materials, and philosophies that produce sustainability and protect the worlds ecosystems. Prerequisites: CIVL 1222 Credits: 1 Prerequisites: CIVL 1222 Civil Drafting Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: CIVL2155 — PDF	1
CIVL 2970 Internship CIVL - 2970: Internship Description CIVL 2970 This course is required for graduation and consists of a minimum of 96 hours of experience in the Civil Engineering Technology industry as an intern. Intern tasks can vary: surverying, construction inspection, CAD work, and office work of a Civil Engineering Technician. Prerequisites: First year CET classes. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: CIVL2970 — PDF	3
General Education Credits (Any MnTC Goal Area) ‡ GENE - 0000: General Education Credits (Any MnTC Goal Area) Description GENE 0000 Credits: Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: GENE0000 — PDF	3
Total Semester Credits:	15

Second Year - Spring Semester

Course Title	Credits
CIVL 2211 Project Design CIVL - 2211: Project Design Description CIVL 2211 This course is a comprehensive introduction to the estimating practices used in the construction industry. Prerequisite: CIVL 2155 Credits: 3 Prerequisites: CIVL 2155 Eco-Sensitive Design Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Course Outline: CIVL2211 — PDF	3
CIVL 2221 Properties of Construction Materials CIVL - 2221: Properties of Construction Materials Description CIVL 2221 This course is an introduction to the Properties of Construction Materials normally used in Civil Engineering applications. Prerequisites: 1251 Credits: 2 Prerequisites: CIVL 1251 Soil Mechanics/Materials Testing Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Course Outline: CIVL2221 — PDF	2
CIVL 2241 Estimating CIVL - 2241: Estimating Description CIVL 2241 This course is a comprehensive introduction to the estimating practices used in the construction industry. Prerequisite: CIVL 2121 Credits: 2 Prerequisites: CIVL 2121 Construction Inspection and Project Management Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Course Outline: CIVL2241 — PDF	2
COMS 1020 Interpersonal Communication COMS - 1020: Interpersonal Communication Description COMS 1020 This course is intended to increase student's awareness of the processes, models, and theories of interpersonal communication relative to relationships that impact people's personal and professional lives. Through self-analysis and reflection, case studies, practical application, and critical thinking, students will examine the influence of communicative behaviors on themselves, their personal relationships, groups, and society. Concepts include self-esteem, self-fulfilling prophecies, perception, ethics, emotion, conflict, cultural awareness, language, nonverbal communication, social media, and listening. Meets Goal 7. Meets MNTC Goal 1 Fall 2016 and after. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Summer 2025 MNTC Goals: 1,7 Course Outline: COMS1020 — PDF	3
ENGL 1150 Composition I ENGL - 1150: Composition I Description ENGL 1150 This course emphasizes the process of writing expository and persuasive essays using effective writing skills and a variety of research techniques. Also included in the course content are critical reading and logical reasoning. Meets MnTC Goal 1. Prerequisite: placement into writing college level. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Summer 2025 MNTC Goals: 1 Course Outline: ENGL1150 — PDF	3
Total Semester Credits:	13

Total Credits:	60

‡ Select General Education electives from specified MnTC goal area or from any MnTC goals if none specified.