Diploma in Computer Systems Technology (Co-op Optional)

at British Columbia Institute of Technology - Burnaby Campus Canada

The Chemical and Environmental Technology diploma program offers the student a broad background in technology and skills that can be applied to many industries. Near the end of their first year in the program, students will choose one of two options: Analytical Science or Process Engineering. These options are not exclusive — all students will have enough exposure to both topic areas to qualify for a full spectrum of varied employment opportunities. Choosing an option allows students to pick an area of interest for increased emphasis while still keeping their future options open. 

Core courses
The first-year curriculum is common to both options and emphasizes environmental science, bioprocesses, materials technology, laboratory techniques and safety along with math and science basics. The student is also introduced to environmental science, materials technology, and a wide range of industrial chemical processes. The core second-year subjects for both options include several courses in environmental sampling and analysis, chemical engineering technology, instrumental analysis, physical chemistry, and statistics that will prepare students for employment in a broad range of industries and technical occupations. Students will participate in an industry-sponsored project (practicum or directed studies) in the second year of the program. This may involve work experience activities at the industry sponsor's regular place of business.

Analytical Science option
The Analytical Science option will be of interest to those students who would enjoy an increased emphasis on instrumental laboratory analysis, organic chemistry, environmental regulations, and science. The strong core courses will ensure that graduates have sufficient knowledge to compete for jobs in process areas too, if that later becomes their choice. It is anticipated that graduates who choose to continue into degree studies would be most likely to choose from BTech or BSc degrees.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been called the new electricity. AI and machine learning (ML) systems are currently being utilized to organize supply chains, manage customer relationships, transfer organizational knowledge, and optimize enterprise resources. According to estimates, up to 47% of current jobs could be automated by AI, robotics, and machine learning systems in the next two decades. Firms have identified that a lack of skilled people make deployment of machine learning capabilities an ongoing challenge. Due to these factors, numerous jobs will become available for managing these systems.

The Business Information Technology Management (BITMAN) – Artificial Intelligence Management (AIM) option will train artificial intelligence/machine learning management knowledge workers for entry-level positions managing AI/ML/business intelligence solutions. This option will focus on AI business models, AI ethics, machine learning for business (supervised learning, neural networks, and deep learning), computer vision, and natural language processing (NLP).

Are you ready for the intensive, dynamic training you need to begin or advance your career in marketing or advertising communications? In the Communications option, you’ll be immersed in the fast-paced world of marketing, working in groups to develop online and offline marketing strategies that drive results, through in-class lectures and labs. You’ll also gain real-world experience in your 10-week internship in an organization’s internal marketing department.

Because this program works so closely with industry professionals, you’ll have access to the most current information in a rapidly changing industry, as well as networking opportunities to help accelerate or begin your career. Many marketing professionals recommend this program as the best training and, in fact, about 75% of our graduates begin work in the field immediately after graduation.

Are you enticed by the idea of starting your own business? Do you enjoy finding unique solutions to problems? Does the idea of single-handedly guiding a business to success interest you? Then you might be an entrepreneur.
BCIT’s Entrepreneurship diploma was developed specifically to give people like you the focused, intensive training necessary for success in creating, guiding, and managing businesses. Whether you're looking to start your own business from scratch or expand on an idea you're already working on, this program will train you with hands-on, real-world skills and knowledge.

Program Highlights

• Real-world learning with professional entrepreneurs
• Business consultant project and practicum provide hands-on experience
• After graduation, transition to the workforce or apply to complete your Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree at BCIT with full-time or part-time evening courses

To learn more about how the Entrepreneurship diploma can turn your idea into a successful enterprise, visit the Program Details page.

Who should apply for the Entrepreneurship Diploma?
Entrepreneurship might be right for you if you:

• Have some work experience
• Completed high school and have some post-secondary education
• Have a "big-picture" kind of outlook
• Enjoy finding creative solutions to problems
• Have an interest in developing new business ideas and services

With the 3D Modeling, Art and Animation diploma program, you will develop the skills necessary to enter the game, film, and television industries as a 3D Artist. You will get hands on experience with the entire 3D workflow including modeling, animating, texturing, rigging, lighting, rendering, and compositing. You will be trained by working industry professionals from the game, film, and television industries providing the most up to date methods and techniques used today. In the last term, you will apply all of these learned skills, alongside direction and feedback from your instructors, to produce a marketable and appealing demo reel to get you a job in your chosen career path.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology is used to manage and utilize geographic data, and is widely recognized as an essential tool in such diverse fields as forest management, urban planning, engineering, municipal management, business, and environmental studies. The potential uses of GIS technology are almost too numerous to list, and are found everywhere - from local government to the United Nations, from volunteer organizations to global corporations, in the public and private sectors.

The Advanced Diploma program in Geographic Information Systems is designed for university or college graduates with a background in a related discipline or technology.

The curriculum combines theory and practice and covers GIS principles, training in GIS software, technical issues, remote sensing, digital mapping and management issues. Students must also successfully complete a supervised work experience before graduation. This may be either an industry project or an industry practicum.

Whether you are a recent university or college graduate getting started in a career, or an experienced professional seeking new employment opportunities or career advancement, we invite you to study our web pages to learn more about the GIS program at BCIT. With over 20 years of experience in delivering advanced GIS technology programs and courses, the GIS program has established an excellent reputation for producing highly skilled and sought-after graduates.

The Computer Information Systems Administration (CISA) program is a full-time program that provides graduates with a comprehensive skill set geared towards administration of computer networks and system. The CISA program emphasizes a hands-on, technical approach to training, where experience gained in labs and classrooms can be applied directly to business and industry.

The program focuses on Information Technology (IT) infrastructure solutions rather than computer engineering or software development. Training comprises both theory and practical experience where the goal is to have the students develop a skill set to be able to install, configure, maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot systems and hardware. To support this training, students are exposed to considerable hands-on activities using well equipped labs. Applicants should have a keen interest in computers, exposure to home networking, strong communication and problem solving skills.

The first year consists of training that introduces students to computer hardware, operating systems, network infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Topics include Microsoft Active Directory services and networking, Cisco routing and switching, Linux administration as well as essentials of databases and programming. While much of the training aligns with industry certifications, students are not required to write any industry exams. Included in first year is a Business Skills for IT course that provides insight into the communication and management skills required in the IT sector.

The second year specializes in deploying and supporting the network infrastructure used in today's enterprise systems. Students leverage industry leading products from Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Fortinet, Juniper, Palo-Alto, Red Hat, SUSE, Oracle, VMWare, and others to create a secure, multiservice business solution. Students work with routing, switching, firewall, server, and client technologies to deploy reliable and redundant campus networks that support remote access and wide area interconnectivity. Topics include security, advanced routing and switching, Voice-over-IP (VoIP), and wireless access. Networked applications are explored and deployed including collaboration and messaging services. Students learn to leverage virtualization technologies, providing the responsiveness needed to support business applications. The integration of “cloud” services to an enterprise along with network management solutions provides insight into the complexities of an enterprise system. Students are encouraged to obtain more advanced industry certifications from Aruba, AWS, Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Oracle, Red Hat, Fortinet, Juniper, Palo-Alto, and VMWare.

The BCIT Business Management Advanced Placement option is a nine month full-time program designed for individuals that have completed a degree or diploma and want to quickly enter the workforce with a business specialty. Students will learn about all the functional areas of business, while developing entrepreneurial skills to successfully create and launch a product within a new market. This program will also provide students with the necessary leadership skills and motivational techniques to effectively manage an organization. Graduates of the program will be able to utilize accounting tools, analyze business problems, and discover ways to improve overall business profitability and efficiency.

BCIT Business Management students learn to:

• Apply business strategy and business direction
• Conduct a business needs analysis
• Construct effective project management plans
• Incorporate sustainability practices within organizations
• Manage change for both people and processes

Business Consulting Project
Business Management students undertake a 10 week Business Consulting Project in their final term. Students work in groups of 2-3 and spend two days a week developing a solution to a real business problem for a company. The student teams collect and analyze data to identify opportunities. Using analysis tools and methodologies, the students propose recommendations and present their findings to company management.

The BCIT Biomedical Engineering Technology program is the only one of its kind offered in BC and the only one in Canada that is specifically targeted to both hospital and medical device industries. Our students have access to BCIT's extensive array of health technology equipment, which prepares them for the workforce as soon as they graduate.

Biomedical engineering applies science and engineering to healthcare and medical device industries. Our grads help develop new medical devices and products or maintain specialized medical equipment that is used to support patient care.

Program Highlights

• Lectures, labs, research, and design projects deliver a strong foundation of knowledge
• A five-week practicum and field trips give you hands-on learning in the work environment

*Want to learn more about BCIT's Biomedical Engineering Technology program? Visit Program Details.

Who it's for
This program is for individuals who:

• Have a high school diploma or higher level of education
• Enjoy working with people and teams in the healthcare industry
• Are curious about how things work from a technological and design perspective
• Want to develop their creative thinking and problem-solving skills

The Chemical and Environmental Technology diploma program offers the student a broad background in technology and skills that can be applied to many industries. Near the end of their first year in the program, students will choose one of two options: Analytical Science or Process Engineering. These options are not exclusive — all students will have enough exposure to both topic areas to qualify for a full spectrum of varied employment opportunities. Choosing an option allows students to pick an area of interest for increased emphasis while still keeping their future options open.

Core courses
The first-year curriculum is common to both options and emphasizes environmental science, bioprocesses, materials technology, laboratory techniques and safety along with math and science basics. The student is also introduced to environmental science, materials technology, and a wide range of industrial chemical processes. The core second-year subjects for both options include several courses in environmental sampling and analysis, chemical engineering technology, instrumental analysis, physical chemistry, and statistics that will prepare students for employment in a broad range of industries and technical occupations. Students will participate in an industry-sponsored project (practicum or directed studies) in the second year of the program. This may involve work experience activities at the industry sponsor's regular place of business.

Process Engineering option
The Process Engineering option will interest students who would enjoy an increased emphasis on chemical and biochemical processes, with a more in-depth introduction to engineering principles and design software. The strong core courses will ensure that the graduates have sufficient knowledge to compete for jobs in analytical laboratories too, if that later becomes their choice. It is anticipated that graduates who choose to continue into degree studies would be able to choose from BEng (chemical engineering) programs as well as from BTech or BSc degrees.