Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a highly valued workplace asset with industries increasingly needing GIS experts. With our Advanced Diploma/Bachelors Degree Year One, that can continue into Bachelor's Degree Year Two, we provide you with top quality GIS training and education to prepare you with essential skills to succeed in today's ever-changing Geomatics industry. Difficult to make it to school? then sign up for our new Advanced Certificate, Geomatics in the workplace.
Our GIS courses are also complemented by our Selkirk Geospatial Research Centre (SGRC), giving you opportunities to use and understand GIS in current real-world situations. With unmatched flexibility, you can enter and exit our program at a variety of points in your academic career.
The Selkirk Geospatial Research Centre is located across the highway from the Castlegar Campus next to the West Kootenay Regional Airport. (166 Hughes Road, Castlegar, BC)
Get Professional Training
Within our state-of-the-art facilities, you'll get powerful, progressive hands-on experience and classroom instruction in subjects like:
- GIS applications and automation
- Remote sensing
- Internet mapping
- Database development and management
- Customized application programming
- Global positioning systems (GPS)
- 3D visualizations
- Data management techniques
- Open source, open data, and related software applications
- Drone data collection and utilization
You’ll get essential training, individual access to an advanced workstation, and exposure to projects in our Selkirk Geospatial Research Centre (SGRC), so you’ll excel in the classroom, labs, and wherever you go after school.
GIS Complements Any Career
Flexible and adaptable, GIS can be used in a variety of different scenarios, to make evidence-based decisions, understand trends and analyze data, effectively communicate a message and visually tell a story. You can choose to apply your knowledge to any profession or become a highly-skilled GIS professional. It can be used as a tool within almost every industry, including:
- Business
- Engineering
- Urban and Rural planning
- Climate research
- Government administration
- Health and medical research
- Law enforcement
- Wildlife conservation
- Resource development and land management
- Transportation
- News and Entertainment support
This program offers you a Co-op Education experience.
GIS Pathways
Typical applicants for the diploma, degree, or certificate enter with a minimum 60 credit pre-requisite diploma, associate degree, or degree in a related discipline such as health care, geography, business, environmental, computer, or social science. This allows direct entry into the on-line Certificate or the Advanced Diploma in GIS (ADGIS) 12 month program. The ADGIS diploma forms the basis of 300 level courses required as part of the degree
To complete the Bachelor’s degree in GIS applicants need to fulfill the following
- Pre-requisite 60 credit in a related discipline
- Minimum of 56 credits residency are required at Selkirk College in semesters 1-5. This generally includes the ADGIS 300 and 400 level courses,
- An additional 15 credits are required from relevant subject areas to complete the degree. These are selected with consultation with the School Chair.
- Completion of the thesis course GIS 492. This course outlines the pathways to completing the thesis requirements, reporting requirements, and faculty review schedules.
Applicants that have pre-requisite credentials with greater than 60 credits may apply for advanced credit to satisfy the elective stream course requirements.
Program At-A-Glance
In the News
As part of its leadership in research designed to advance the adoption of new technology in the Kootenay region forestry and natural resource sectors, Selkirk College hosted a demonstration day that put focus on the latest tools used for geospatial data collection.
Using state-of-the-art drone technology, Selkirk College alumnus Alexandre Landry has landed with a local survey company that brings a new look to a vital service for business and industry.
The future of the forest industry in British Columbia is fast changing and with a $2 million grant from the federal government, Selkirk College will now take the lead in making sure that the region's sector remains competitive and becomes a leader in the years ahead.
Selkirk College is set to celebrate Grad 2018 at the Castlegar Campus on April 27 with students, families and friends. As we prepare for the big day, meet Integrated Environmental Planning Program student Chris Black who has been chosen as the Class of 2018's valedictorian.
After landing a dream internship in the Netherlands, Geographic Information Systems Program student Karen Godbout is now using her education and skills to help the fight against the worst international crimes and help bring justice to the victims.
Selkirk College joins in the Canada-wide celebration of Co-op Education Week. Co-op Education has been an integral part of enriching students' post secondary education at Selkirk College for more than 25 years. Each year over 300 students from six programs take part in the paid work experience that has them honing their learned skills and making valuable work connections.
If you ever wanted to take a closer look at the world of Geographic Information Systems, otherwise known as GIS, there will be a great opportunity at the Selkirk College Castlegar Campus on November 17 when International GIS Day is celebrated with a free event full of student displays, information and a keynote speaker.
Three Selkirk College research and innovation projects have been chosen by the Federal Government as recipients of grant funding for work that will provide benefits to our region.
Last month, students of the School of Environment & Geomatics took part in a day-long conference held on the Castlegar Campus to present scientific findings from months of applied research. Recently, five students who excelled at their presentation were awarded for their work.
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