Geographic Information Systems - Bachelor's Degree
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.
Program at a Glance
Length
2 years
Credential
Bachelor's Degree
Delivery Method
On Campus
Campus
Castlegar
Intake Dates
Fall
Contacts
Rena Vandenbos
School Chair, Researcher, Instructor, Geographic Information Systems
GIS allows experts to map any type of spatial data so that it is interactive, complex and layered with valuable information. Be a specialist in demand in this field that touches a variety of industries from business to health care and environmental sciences. It can be used as a tool within almost every industry, including:
Businesses like market-driven banking, ultimate client service and asset management
Engineering like transportation planning, disaster management, use of historical data and terrain analysis
Urban, rural and community planning
Climate research, flood damage estimation
Wildlife conservation, natural resource planning, water management
Resource development and land management
News and entertainment support, telecom and network services
Our GIS courses are also complemented by applied research and innovation taking place on campus at Selkirk Innovates, giving you opportunities to use and understand GIS in current real-world situations. You’ll get essential training, individual access to an advanced workstation, and exposure to projects.
Professional Training & Hands-on Experience
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
Upon successful completion of this program, learners will be able to:
Engage and communicate effectively and ethically with diverse audiences in a professional context.
Apply critical thinking and diverse problem-solving approaches to address technical issues.
Organize project resources into a coherent framework that includes data, technologies, systems and participants.
Apply automation and data analysis processes, and leverage GIS and Remote Sensing capabilities to address diverse challenges and provide decision support, including real world scenarios related to sustainable development.
Apply processes of spatial data creation and acquisition by utilizing a range of methods Create visually appealing, accurate, and intuitive representations of spatial data through maps, 3D models, apps and various types of portals to effectively communicate with specific audiences.
Apply data management best practices relating to data standardization, database design, ethics, workflows, interoperability and sharing.
Utilize learning experiences that enhance self-sufficiency and future opportunities.
Conduct original research on a problem or question using appropriate GIS methods and data sources.
Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate the quality, reliability, and validity of spatial data and analysis results.
Plan, execute, prioritize and manage a GIS project from inception to completion, following ethical and professional standards.
Perform spatial data analysis using various GIS tools and techniques, including statistical modeling techniques.
Identify and explore emerging trends and issues in GIS and related fields.
Demonstrate personal and professional growth by selecting and completing electives that align with one’s interests, goals, and values.
Recognize the diversity of Indigenous cultures and traditions as distinct knowledge systems that are valid when building respectful engagement, consultation and collaborative relationships.
Acknowledge the Calls to Truth and Reconciliation and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as inclusive and informed constructs for Indigenous rights.
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements to Selkirk College, the applicant must meet the following program requirements to be considered fully-qualified:
The minimum requirement for entry into the BGIS program is successful completion of 60 credits from a diploma/associate degree or applied/academic degree from an accredited post-secondary institution with an average GPA of at least 2.33.
Successful completion (60% grade) of a 100 or 200 level introductory statistics course is required for students planning to complete the BGIS.
International students will be expected to provide documentation of English proficiency as per Policy 8611.
Additional Requirements
General
Applicants with no accredited post-secondary credential may require academic upgrading prior to starting the program. They are urged to apply for the program at least one year in advance. All applicants wishing to enroll in the BGIS must have completed 60 post-secondary credits.
APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Before an applicant's file is considered to be complete, the following must have been received by the Admissions office:
a) completed application form;
b) official transcripts of all relevant post-secondary education; and
c) official transcripts of high school grades will be required for applicants entering without a credential from an accredited post-secondary institution.
2. Deadline for completing the application file is normally one month prior to the commencement of the program.
3. Late applications will be accepted if space is available.
Graduation and Promotion
In order to receive your credential in your program, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00.
PROMOTION
1. Each semester must be completed with a Grade Point Average of 2.00 (60% average) or better with no more than two grades below a 60% to continue into the next semester. GPA will be based on all grades for courses scheduled for a given year and semester as per the course calendar. All grades below a 60% grade must be raised to a satisfactory level in order to graduate (see below).
2. Students not eligible to continue to the next semester will not be permitted to upgrade any marks but must repeat all courses with grades below a 60% prior to proceeding to the next semester.
3. Students receiving a final grade of 59% or lower in the prerequisite course will be required to withdraw from the subsequent course requiring the prerequisite. Students receiving the 59% or lower grade must re-register in and successfully complete the course with a 60% grade or better before going on to the subsequent course.
GRADUATION
In order to receive your credential in your program, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00. All courses, including electives must be successfully completed with 60% or higher, plus 60 additional credits (normally, these credits would be earned previously to meet the admission requirements for entry to the program).
GIS 427 Project Management will focus on skills pertaining to issues surrounding the management of GIS projects from start to finish. Emphasis areas will include description of the project work environment, organizational skills and tools, deliverable oriented performance appraisals, leadership and team orientation. In addition to these emphasis areas, supporting information covering costing, budgeting, meeting preparation, time management and communication skills will be addressed.
GIS 492 Bachelor of Geographic Information Systems Thesis involves the design and planning of an independent research project. Tasks include a literature review of the background information, experimental design, data acquisition and management, analysis, and technical reporting (written, visual, and oral). Students will have the opportunity to apply geospatial technology theory and skills to a real world project with an experienced supervisor. Course deliverables will include a project proposal, a proposal poster presentation, four progress reports, a completed geospatial product, a final thesis document, and a thesis defense seminar. This course is normally started in the fall with approval of the School Chair.
Prerequisites
GIS 390 and Co-op 301 (or 491 as an alternate to Co-op 301) with a minimum of 60% or credit granted.
Corequisites
None
Credits
6.00
Elective Courses
You must take:
three (3) General electives (these could be UAS electives or GIS electives)
These electives must be approved by the School Chair prior to registration.
GIS 435 Statistics and Spatial Data Management is a two part course that starts with a review of essential statistical techniques and secondly focuses on statistical approaches used in spatial analyses. Emphasis will be placed on integrating practical examples into course exercises and projects. Basic statistical concepts of exploring data, probability distributions, hypothesis testing, one sample, two sample tests, regression, ANOVA, and model building will be addressed using real data and a variety of computer software. Students will explore geostatistical functions such as interpolation, point pattern analysis, kernel density estimation, kriging and trend surface analysis in the second part of the course.
GIS 437 Emerging Trends in GIS. As the vast field of Geomatics and specifically GIS changes and evolves on the technical level, new ways to do things are continually being introduced. To stay abreast of these important changes, Emerging Trends in GIS will focus on exposing learners to practice a variety of current, high-level and technical topics with a focus on the following main areas: Open Source GIS, GIS in the Cloud, mobile applications, ArcGIS Pro and Augmented Reality. In addition, learners may be exposed to integrating ArcGIS functionality within Microsoft Office products, gaming, the incorporation of time (4D) and a general reliance on Location Based Services. Topics may change as industry demands.
Geographic Information Systems – Bachelor's Degree, Year 3
Tuition
$6,001
Mandatory Fees
$616
Student Union Fees
$455
Total
$7,072
Geographic Information Systems – Bachelor's Degree, Year 4
Tuition
$3,848
Mandatory Fees
$462
Student Union Fees
$455
Total
$4,764
2025/26
Geographic Information Systems – Bachelor's Degree, Year 3
Tuition
$6,121
Mandatory Fees
$628
Student Union Fees
$455
Total
$7,204
Geographic Information Systems – Bachelor's Degree, Year 4
Tuition
$3,925
Mandatory Fees
$471
Student Union Fees
$455
Total
$4,851
International
2024/25
Geographic Information Systems – Bachelor's Degree, Year 3
Tuition
$13,641
Mandatory Fees
$633
Student Union Fees
$455
Total
$14,729
Geographic Information Systems – Bachelor's Degree, Year 4
Tuition
$13,300
Mandatory Fees
$633
Student Union Fees
$455
Total
$14,388
2025/26
Geographic Information Systems – Bachelor's Degree, Year 3
Tuition
$14,988
Mandatory Fees
$930
Student Union Fees
$543
Total
$16,461
Geographic Information Systems – Bachelor's Degree, Year 4
Tuition
$14,640
Mandatory Fees
$844
Student Union Fees
$455
Total
$15,939
All amounts are estimates and are subject to change. Tuition amounts are based on a full-time course load. Please note that many programs have additional costs beyond those listed here. For more information, please visit Tuition & Fees.