Advanced Diploma in Geographic Information Systems

at British Columbia Institute of Technology - Burnaby Campus Canada

The world is quickly moving towards a future where many mechanical products contain computers and electronics for monitoring or control. This integration of mechanical and electronic components, or mechatronics, makes it possible to design intelligent, reliable, versatile electromechanical systems such as industrial robots, medical devices, aircraft simulators, automated assembly lines, building control systems, and autonomous vehicles. Skills in Mechatronics will be in high demand for many years to come.

Why BCIT?
The Mechatronics and Robotics program is a unique, multidisciplinary combination of courses that blends knowledge in electronics, mechanics, and computer programming to provide you with both the theory and practical skills you need to design and maintain mechatronic systems. We are proud of the Mechatronics program, and believe that its strengths are built on:

• Great Faculty - Our faculty are dedicated to teaching. Many have extensive engineering, science, and industrial experience.
• Excellent Labs - Hands-on experience with up-to-date industrial equipment helps you to understand the concepts that you learn in lectures and gives you job-ready, practical skills. Check out our labs on the Lab Tour page.
• Fantastic Career Choices - We are proud of our graduates and the many interesting jobs that they do. The multidisciplinary training and education that you'll receive prepares you for a leadership role in the design and creation of innovative mechatronics products for a variety of applications. After graduation, you might be designing and building automated equipment for the movie industry, medical devices, production equipment, or submarines.
• Degree Completion - After two years of study, you can have a great career as a technologist. If you want to earn an engineering degree, you can get advanced placement into engineering programs at BCIT, University of Victoria (through an engineering bridge program, offered by Camosun College), or other local universities. It's your choice - you'll make a fantastic technologist or engineer because of your practical training from BCIT!

The Business Fundamentals (BFUN) program provides an academic path for international and permanent resident students whose first language is not English (and do not meet the general English requirements) to enter a full-time diploma program in the School of Business at BCIT. Upon completion students can enter a number of full-time and part-time diploma programs with credits from the Business Fundamentals program or, if you already have a degree or diploma, enter with an advanced standing.

For some students who want to study a shorter program in business, the Business Fundamentals program also provides an excellent opportunity to learn basic Canadian business skills and improve their English competency.

Students undertake a comprehensive study of control strategies, measurement techniques, communications systems, and electronic and computer systems used in the automatic control of commercial and industrial equipment/machines. A strong component of the program involves the student developing relevant, practical skills by working with modern industrial equipment in well-equipped labs. Students will graduate with a solid foundation in automatic measurement and control systems.

Graduates of this option may obtain a dual diploma in another ECET option by completing all the additional required courses for that option.  Entry to this second option is competitive and priority is given to students completing their first option.

Co-operative education

• Co-operative education is an optional part of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology programs. Students who successfully complete a minimum of two co-op terms receive a co-operative education designation on their diploma.
• During a co-op term, you will have a full-time paid position with an employer in the electronics industry for a period of 15 to 20 weeks. You must complete Level 2 of the program before taking a co-op term, and co-op terms may be taken consecutively.
• The industrial experience you will gain in the co-op component of the program will give you an added advantage in securing a position after graduation. You are encouraged, but not required, to participate in co-operative education.
• For more information, please visit the Centre for Workplace Education (Co-op)

The Mineral Exploration and Mining Technology program focuses on geology, mining methods, exploration technology, surveying, and computer applications for mining operations and mineral explorations. Students learn hands-on science and engineering skills, and complete an industry-standard report during the second year of the full-time program.

Mining is a cornerstone industry of many communities throughout BC and Canada and it is a major contributor to our economy. Canada is recognized as a world leader in mineral exploration and mining, and our expertise is exported around the world to help discover, develop, and operate mines.

As one of the largest users of high-technology equipment and applications, the mining industry requires practitioners who have the skills necessary to keep up with these advances. Virtually all technical jobs within mining and mineral exploration, including geology, engineering, mineral processing, environmental assessment and surveying, require post-secondary education.

If you are interested in a varied work environment, in the office, lab or field, and like solving scientific problems, this program will appeal to you. Take the Mineral Exploration and Mining Technology program, the only program of its kind in Western Canada.

Become a part of Canada’s premier environmental and restoration related programs. BCIT invites you to join one of the most unique educational models in Canada. In the time it takes to do a typical university degree, you can get two academic credentials; a Diploma in Fish, Wildlife and Recreation (FWR) or Forest and Natural Areas Management (FNAM) and a Bachelor's Degree in Ecological Restoration.

Completion of either of these two-year diploma programs (or similar programs elsewhere) will provide you with the strong foundation needed to apply for entry into BCIT’s Degree in Ecological Restoration. This degree, the first of its kind in Canada, provides world-class applied training on restoring the numerous damaged aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems that exist across British Columbia, Canada, and around the world.

Ecological Restoration (ER) is a scientific discipline that has recently emerged due to the increasing need to restore damaged ecosystems. Restoration scientists and practitioners are ‘ecosystem physicians’ …. Doctors apply knowledge of physiology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, and parasitology to address human health issues. ER practitioners apply knowledge of: ecology, hydrology, geochemistry, geomorphology, and engineering to address ecological health issues1. Natural habitats across the province have been severely impacted due to habitat destruction, urban sprawl, invasive species expansions, and direct damage due to industrial contamination of soils and aquatic resources. These factors combined with the resulting increase in number of threatened and endangered species have resulted in the strong need for ecosystem restoration work across the province and around the world.

The Bachelor Degree in Ecological Restoration provides graduates with a strong foundation in the methods available to restore a broad range of ecosystems that have been impacted by human influences in British Columbia, across Canada and in other parts of the world. Ecological Restoration graduates will not only bring skills and expertise to current employers but will also be leaders and innovators in this rapidly-developing industry.

These programs, in partnership with the newly established BCIT Rivers Institute, are widely renowned locally and internationally for their “?eld oriented” learning and applied research. The Rivers Institute plays a leadership role in the protection and restoration of rivers and provides support and mentoring to the next generation of river stewards. Working with our many diverse partners on a wide range of applied restoration projects, students gain extensive experience tackling some of the many environmental challenges facing local, regional, provincial and international communities.

The BCIT Global Trade and Transportation Management diploma program provides the skills necessary to market products globally, import, export, transport goods, and manage an international team. You will analyze international markets, plan product entry strategies, and design optimum transportation strategies to grow global trade for Canadian and international companies. Graduates travel the world, establish trade partnerships, and improve the movement and distribution of goods and services in Canada and abroad.

BCIT Global Trade and Transportation Management students learn to:

• Determine a product’s feasibility in a new market
• Select optimal transportation options
• Manage inventory and supply chains
• Conduct effective international negotiations
• Build relationships with international partners

Consider a career in the dynamic graphic communications industry. The Graphic Communications Technology Management diploma program provides you with the knowledge and skills to manage production processes in the business of digital imaging, as well as hands-on training with the equipment and software you’ll be using in your graphics career.

• You will apply the latest graphic design software, business processes, art direction, and production management, and learn to operate high-tech imaging and finishing technologies.
• You will design and produce marketing materials such as posters, large format signage, labels, variable data documents, books, packaging and other finished products that organizations need to communicate with a connected and informed audience.
• You will manage diverse multi-media technologies for sustainable business practices.
• You will learn Customer Relationship Management software and apply it through building a professional network in the Graphic Communications industry.

BCIT developed this program with the support of leading industry professionals and graphic production companies to help you prepare for positions such as production artist, graphic designer, or print and imaging manager, With access to our on-campus print and imaging facility, you will develop real-world career skills to position you for success in the graphic communications industry.

The Telecommunications Systems Technician, Radio Systems Option program will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to work with radio frequency (RF) electronics equipment. It is the only program of its kind in British Columbia. Through theoretical and practical study, you will develop the skills needed to install, maintain and repair RF and related electronics equipment. The program emphasizes hands-on, practical training using equipment typically encountered in industry.

Skills in the wireless communications industry are in high demand. If you like working with computers and electronic equipment, if you have good analytical skills, and if you want to work in an exciting, dynamic industry, the Telecommunications Systems Technician, Radio Systems Option program can open the door to a variety of exciting careers.

A BCIT diploma shows potential employers that you are accomplished, focused, and serious about your chosen career path. Employers know that you have both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, and that you can start contributing right away. Both graduates and employers say that BCIT was extremely helpful in preparing grads for work.

Why BCIT?

• Great Faculty - You will learn from experienced instructors with a demonstrated interest in teaching. Our instructors have worked in the industry and maintain solid local connections through student practicum placements and through the program advisory committee.
• Excellent Labs - Hands-on experience with up-to-date well equipped electronics labs helps you to understand the concepts that you learn and gives you job-ready, practical skills.
• Fantastic Career Choices - You could be working for an end-user of RF equipment doing bench testing, troubleshooting and repair of critical communications equipment. For example, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the RCMP have hired our graduates to keep their communication systems running. You could be working for a manufacturer of RF-related electronics equipment in a quality assurance or service technician role. You might work for a service provider, installing, configuring and maintaining voice and data communication systems, or entertainment systems based on cable and satellite communications.
• Degree Completion - With your BCIT diploma and two years of related work experience, you can enter the Bachelor of Technology Management degree program at BCIT. The Bachelor of Technology Management degree is a part-time program, so you can continue working while you further your education.

The BCIT Building Engineering/Building Science Master of Applied Science program provides students with the capabilities to independently conduct rigorous, innovative research and publish, present, and defend those research outcomes to expert peers.

A core course component teaches advanced knowledge and skills leading to a holistic understanding of building performance. Specialized elective technical courses prepare students with in-depth knowledge to enable them to conduct research in their particular area. A well-structured research component is included in the program to enable students to develop research skills.

Students are required to complete a research methods course, conduct a literature survey, develop a research plan, write a research proposal, undertake innovative scientific research and complete a comprehensive research thesis that advances scientific knowledge. Students will conduct research independently with guidance from a thesis supervisory committee.

The Master of Applied Science program:

• Offers an interdisciplinary curriculum
• Specializes in building science
• Emphasizes an engineering approach for practical problem solving
• Focuses on applied research to provide solutions to industry problems
• Engages students in interdisciplinary research
• Is supported by a strong foundation of research infrastructure unique to western Canada
• Delivers a first-of-a-kind program in BC and western Canada

The Diploma in Interior Design is designed for students seeking a career in residential and commercial interior design fields. The Diploma focuses on commercial design including hospitality, offices and retail environments.

Students will study advanced design theory, commercial space planning, sustainability practices, codes and barrier-free compliance, lighting, design history, advanced 2D & 3D visual communication, critical reading and writing, construction drawings, and architectural millwork. Students will gain hands-on experience in the Joinery shop to expand their understanding of millwork details and assembly. Students will achieve both a strong academic and technical foundation on completion of this program. Students learn from industry-based faculty and develop extensive practical skills for rewarding careers.