Course Overview
Students are introduced to concepts of land use and land ownership under common law and are practically engaged in researching and interpreting legislation and case law. This course looks at the role of the land surveyor and the contribution of the surveying profession to land development. This course explores the legal and institutional frameworks which govern the work of cadastral surveyors. It begins with a treatment of fundamental concepts of property and ownership and the historical underpinnings, then introduces statute law and case law. Next, a focus on professional issues gives context to the studies, followed by an introduction to land tenure systems and international initiatives - the aim being; to broadly define the field of surveying and cadastral studies. Concepts of real property law are discussed before a thorough treatment of survey systems and standards, land registration and land description. The course concludes by drawing further connections, this time with related studies in boundary law and land use planning. This course will provide students with a base of knowledge in land use and ownership so that they will understand professional issues such as ethics, negligence, duty of care and role of surveying association and professional bodies. They will also recognize the connection between “professions of the land" and the incumbent responsibilities..
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
- Retired
- This course has been retired and is no longer offered. Find other Flexible Learning courses that may interest you.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful compleltion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Research and interpret legislation and case law and be able to apply the principles to land issues.
- Have an understanding of boundaries (artificial, natural, and descriptive) and the land surveyor’s role in the creation and interpretation of them.
- Understand the processes when boundaries may be altered through adverse possession, estoppel, conventional boundaries, accretion, reliction, and erosion.
- Understand property rights, land tenure, survey systems and land registration in Canada including the processes of subdivision, land transfer, and boundary resolution (including bornage) and the land surveyor’s role.
- Understand the basics of the Canadian legal system, hierarchy of various government organizations and entities, the process of creating laws, case law, courts, etc.
- Be familiar with the surveying and engineering professions including regulation, ethics, disciplinary powers and procedures. Have a working knowledge of the institutional framework land professionals work within. Exemplify professional ethics and duty of care and recognize negligent survey practice.
- Property law. Explain the various interest in land (e.g. covenants, easements, joint tenancy & tenancy in common, profits-à-prendre, right-of-way, etc.).
- Explain the types of mineral tenure in British Columbia, including mineral, placer, oil & gas, coal, etc.
- Explain the various land survey systems and settlement patterns across Canada and the US (seigneurial, townships, DLS, survey systems in BC, PLSS, etc.).
- Understand the evolution of aboriginal rights & title in Canada.
Effective as of Fall 2017
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.