Diploma in Geomatics Engineering Technology

at British Columbia Institute of Technology - Burnaby Campus Canada

The food we eat and water we drink, the petroleum products that fuel our cars and heat our homes, and the electricity that powers our modern society all rely on industrial control systems. The measurement and control devices that make-up an industrial control system are collectively known as operational technology. Today’s operational technology often employs embedded hardware and operating systems and Ethernet-based networking interfaces that make them susceptible to the same electronic attacks that plagues traditional information technology. This has created a significant need for, and shortage of, network security professionals that understand the unique computing and networking requirements of industrial control systems. The School of Energy and the School of Computing and Academic Studies have partnered in offering a new interdisciplinary Diploma in Industrial Network Cybersecurity that will prepare graduates for entry level positions in this emerging occupation. Students undertake a comprehensive study of industrial measurement and control technologies; computer information technologies; and networking, industrial networking and industrial network cybersecurity. A strong component of the program involves the development of relevant, practical skills by working with modern industrial equipment in well-equipped labs. Students will graduate with a solid foundation in industrial networking and industrial network cybersecurity.

Industrial, manufacturing and critical infrastructure organizations can be divided into two distinct entities – plant operations and business operations. Plant operations produces goods for consumption whereas business operations manages the financial well being of the organization. Business operations employs traditional information and networking technology to manage daily operations. Plant operations employs operational technology such as sensors, controllers, and final control elements to automate production of consumables. This program focuses on preparing graduates to provide industrial networking and industrial network security for the operational technology on the plant side of an organization. The diagram below illustrates where we intend to place graduates of the Industrial Network Cybersecurity program.

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!

Data is the essence of an enterprise. Enterprise resource planning (ERP), supply chain management (SCM), and customer resource management (CRM) systems create a network of data for your customers, your suppliers, and your organization. Given the changes in industry due to technology, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, there is an increasing market demand for specialists with both business and IT skills, which is why the Business Information Technology Management (BITMAN) – Enterprise Systems Management (ESM) program will help you launch an in-demand career.

If you’re looking to gain the training necessary to start or grow your career, the BCIT Business Information Technology Management – Enterprise Systems Management diploma program gives you a broad range of skills that make you stand out in almost any industry. With cutting-edge courses that are relevant to today’s IT and business demands, BCIT gives you the leadership skills, the know-how, and the confidence for a successful career in business IT analysis and management. The BITMAN program will prepare you for success in a rapidly changing world.

The Professional Sales option is one of the most respected sales programs in Canada and our graduates are sought after by industry. Professional Sales will prepare you for a career in the dynamic field of business-to-business selling. Companies require skilled sales professionals to develop new customers and build mutually-beneficial relationships. You will learn how to apply proven sales methods, develop sales strategies, and implement marketing skills and new technologies to develop new business and retain customers.

Are you passionate about working outdoors and interested in the management of trees, vegetation & forest ecosystems? The Forest and Natural Areas Management (FNAM) program is a two-year diploma program with a focus on forestry, vegetation management, arboriculture for supporting sustainable community development in both rural and urban environments.

The program gives you a strong foundation in ecology, earth sciences, mapping, surveying & measurements. You will learn skills and training in silviculture, forest inventory, forest engineering, fire & forest health management, and urban forestry. Our programs unique focus natural areas in urban & interface environments provide you with skills in the management of trees, invasive species & soil resources. The breadth of technical and field-based skills you acquire also relevant to many other natural resource sectors.

Why is forest management important?
Management of forest resources in today’s world means managing forest ecosystems. Forestry practices must integrate field skills, scientific knowledge and technology in an ecological framework, to produce various goods and services. It involves assessing the health of forests with respect to insects and disease, planning revegetation strategies, and using technology to map and track forest inventories. But it is also about considering the interests of other resource users, while ensuring future generations can equally benefit from our forests. Forest ecosystems provide major economic, social & ecological benefits to communities, businesses & First Nations throughout British Columbia. Almost 60% of the land in British Columbia is forested – stewardship of these lands is no small feat. Are you up for the challenge?

What is natural areas management?
With increasing urbanization, forests and natural areas in and around our communities are growing in importance. People value natural areas for recreation, aesthetics and psychological well-being. But natural areas also provide important ecological services, like habitat for wildlife, promotion of biodiversity, storm-water flood mitigation & heat wave moderation. Whether you’re assessing urban trees, reducing wildfire risk around communities, or managing invasive plants, the role of a natural areas manager is diverse. It also requires an integration of skills, from community planning, to vegetation management & urban forestry.

What are some key skills FNAM students learn?

• Identify, describe, measure and interpret ecosystems and associated components including landforms, vegetation, soils, geomorphology, aquatic ecosystems, forest stand attributes and wildlife habitat
• Collect field data in both urban and rural environments and create technical reports, spreadsheets and digital maps using industry standard software (such as GIS & GPS) including the use of leading technology
• Apply vegetation management techniques for application in wildland and urban silviculture areas
• Analyze vegetation symptoms that relate to insects and diseases
• Design and implement sampling plans and techniques for resource inventories
• Assist in wildland and urban interface forest fire activities including suppression and hazard assessment
• Apply forest engineering principles to meet the objectives of operational plans and forest management objectives
• Communicate effectively in all aspects of natural resource management activities
• Apply principles of ethics and professionalism to day-to-day activities

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 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 Master of Engineering in Building Science degree is designed to provide students from various engineering disciplines with advanced knowledge and skills to achieve a holistic understanding of building performance through a core course component, which is composed of a fundamental technical cluster, and an applied technical cluster. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of a specialty area through focused elective technical courses or a supervised research project.

You are curious and creative. You know what’s going on in the world and you want to make a difference as a multi-media storyteller. Join BCIT’s Broadcast and Online Journalism program to take the first steps in your new career. Our reputation in industry means that more than 90% of our graduates are employed. From day one you’ll be working as a hands-on journalist in news, sports and current affairs. Students will be mentored by experienced faculty and connect with professionals in the field. Our emphasis on multi-platform production puts this program on the cutting edge of journalism schools across the country. Check out our student work on our BCIT News website.

The two-year, full-time Broadcast and Online Journalism program prepares students for multiple journalism and media positions, offering them hands-on and comprehensive training from day one. 

Work Integrated Learning
Every full-time diploma program has a practicum component where students spend time with an industry partner (TV and Radio stations; production, sports and entertainment companies). Practicums are typically four weeks in duration. In addition to practicum, students may have the opportunity to enter co-op in level four.

Who should apply for the Broadcast and Online Journalism Diploma?
This program was developed by industry professionals for people who have a strong curiosity about the world and want to develop critical thinking skills related to news and current affairs storytelling. You should also have strong written and oral communication skills.

BCIT’s Computer Systems Technology (CST) two-year diploma program combines computer systems theory with hands-on practical experience in software development. You’ll learn software engineering and programming from industry professionals, and gain experience working on real projects, from concept to deployment. In second year, specialty options add depth and further hone your skills.