I can't find the "Surface" option I need some help finding a function within blender 2.74 which is "Surface", since in a tutorial I'm using the advanced cartoon eye rig, unitedfilmdom clicks on the world option within the right hand menu and then changes some aspects to it.

Here is the tutorial in question: https://cgcookie.com/blender/lessons/4-materials2

Is this simply not an option for me because I'm using amd and not nvidia or is it something else?

Its supposed to be in here:
You are using default Blender Render engine instead of Cycles Render engine.

To get the Surface option in the World tab you need to switch from Blender Render to Cycles Render on the top of the Blender screen.