Geomatics in the Workplace - Advanced Certificate
*Please note, this program is not accepting applications for Fall 2025.
Overview
The School of Environment & Geomatics offers a Geomatics in the Workplace Advanced Certificate (GWAC), providing a basic level of GIS and geomatics certification for people currently employed in sectors like forestry, planning, engineering, business and more.
The program provides an accessible mix of online geomatics instruction for people who find it difficult to leave the workforce and study in a conventional full time or part time enrolment model.
This program will utilize the industry standard in GIS, GPS, satellite and LiDAR remote sensing software, and UAV drone mission planning technology to match the growing need of knowledge and experience requested by industry.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, learners will be able to:
- Leverage basic GIS and Remote Sensing capabilities to apply to real-world scenarios.
- Apply processes of spatial data creation, management and acquisition utilizing a range of GIS and remote sensing methods, including accurate use of GNSS and applications of UAVs.
- Create visual representations of spatial data through maps and 3D models, to effectively communicate with target audiences and explore a variety of data sources.
- Utilize LiDAR and other point cloud data sources to create a variety of 3D surfaces.
- Apply problem-solving approaches to address technical issues and provide decision support.
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements to Selkirk College, the applicant must meet the following program requirements to be considered fully-qualified:
Admission Requirements for Geomatics in the Workplace Advanced Certificate
- 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.
General
An applicant with reasonable potential for success on the basis of work experience or other criteria may be admitted, notwithstanding some deficiency in prior formal education. They should have demonstrated competency in the use of computer software and hardware technologies, including with spreadsheets, word processing, and computer graphics. 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.
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;
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.
4. Part time applications for the Advanced Certificate will be accepted.
PROMOTION
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 50% 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
All courses must have at least a 60% grade to be eligible for graduation.
Courses
GIS302 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
GIS 302 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems is an introduction to GIS theory and application. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how geospatial features are represented and captured as data and how these data can be managed, analyzed and presented using state-of-the-art GIS tools. Hands-on expertise will be developed with ESRI's ArcGIS for Pro software. This material is continued in GIS 303. This course or equivalent credit is required to continue in the ADGIS program.
GIS 302 online begins in mid-October
GIS305 - Introduction to Remote Sensing using QGIS
GIS 305 Introduction to Remote Sensing using QGIS will introduce the fundamentals of remote sensing and demonstrate the current applications of the technology. Students will become familiar with the basic image pre-processing techniques such as applying radiometric, geometric and atmospheric corrections. State-of-the-art digital image processing techniques - supervised and unsupervised classifications, object based image classification, change detection and biophysical modelling will be explored. The course is designed to introduce freely available remote sensing data sources (open data) and open source software (QGIS) for natural resources management applications.
GIS323 - Introduction to Global Navigation Satellite Systems and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
GIS 323 Introduction to Global Navigation Satellite Systems and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles will first introduce the fundamental concepts of Global Navigation Satellite Systems with specific emphasis on Global Positioning System (GPS) and the applied technologies for GPS data collection and GIS integration. Through interactive instruction and hands-on course exercises, students will work with a variety of GPS tools and field collection techniques to learn how to create, edit, update and manage geographic information. Emphasis areas will include familiarity with GPS receivers, GPS processing software, data collection standards and cartography. The second part of the course will introduce Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) technology. More specifically, this includes introduction to photogrammetry, characteristics of images obtained from UAV, mission planning, acquiring images using UAV and digital image processing. Students will work on series of assignments to get the hands on experience on data acquisition and image processing.
GIS 305 runs January to early March, GIS 323 runs March to end of April
GIS401 - Introduction to LiDAR Remote Sensing and Applications
GIS 401 Introduction to LiDAR Remote Sensing and Applications. The aim of this course is to combine vector and raster GIS data and new remotely sensed data source, LiDAR, with geospatial tools to make spatial decisions. Students will master basic skills of LiDAR needed to leverage the commercial LiDAR sources and information products in a broad range of applications, including vegetation characterization, 3D modeling of urban infrastructure, volumetric analysis for underground parking garage excavation and wetland boundary delineation. Further, students will be given a brief introduction to Open Source software for LiDAR data processing.
Tuition & Fees
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.
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