Does anyone out there have any experience with the Auburn University surveying classes?
http://www.eng.auburn.edu/distance-learning/ce/distance/courses/surveying.html
I don't need the continuing education credits, just want the knowledge. Are these classes worth the price?
It depends of what are you looking for (long term). Based on the course descriptions, the courses cover a lot of ground. Now, I graduated with a B.S. in Geomatics from the College of Engineering at the University of Florida. I had to work two unrelated jobs and take 2-3 courses per semester to stay out of debt. It was only during my last semester that I got a student loan. Problem is, there is material that one usually forgets over the time. For example, from the time I took Route Geometrics to the time my first employee asked me a question about spiral curves, 3 years had passed and I couldn't remember the specifics! If I had to do it all over again, I would take 5 courses per semester and as many scholarships, grants and student loans as I can. Having say that, if you are working as a surveyor then take these courses! But do not take them for a certification or as a non-degree seeking student. It will be more valuable to be fully engaged on your education. Find out also if your current employee would be willing to help you with some sort of education assistance program.
Having say that, if you are working as a surveyor then take these courses! But do not take them for a certification or as a non-degree seeking student. It will be more valuable to be fully engaged on your education.
Very important point and remember...knowledge is never wasted.
Eugenio
What year did you graduate from Florida? I graduated in 99.
I haven't taken any courses through Auburn, but if you want to pursue the geomatics degree, and take all the classes online, then I would recommend Great Basin College in Elko, NV. I am enrolled there myself pursuing a degree. All of the classes are available online.
Auburn etc.
I'm not licensed and not hoping to be; so that's the background to what I say here. I've taken three Auburn "courses," and have a fourth waiting for the Christmas break. They're pretty lightweight, in my opinion, but for the price and the time investment, and for my level of ignorance when I took them, they had their value. I also took several "courses" from Red Vector, and had a hard time finding anybody there who could answer any questions about content. I'm in the Wyoming program now, and finding it vastly superior to either of those other two, but it costs more, I think, than the Great Basin courses.
Hey Adrien, I graduated Fall 2005. Go Gators!
Go Gators indeed!