Geographic Information Systems – Advanced Diploma

Program Details

Credential Received

Advanced Diploma in Geographic Information Systems

Overview

Program Summary

Geographic information systems (GIS) is a highly valued workplace asset with industries increasingly needing GIS experts. With unmatched flexibility, you can enter and exit our program at a variety of points in your academic career.

Students can enter our Advanced Diploma after completing 60 post-secondary credits from other programs. The bachelor’s degree can be completed in two years. We provide you with top-quality GIS training and education to prepare you to succeed in today's fast-changing industries that are increasingly demanding spatial skills.

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. 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, including business planning, health care, wildlife conservation, natural resource planning, water management, community development, climate change research and law enforcement.

Our GIS programs are also complemented by the Selkirk Innovates research department, giving you opportunities to use and understand GIS in current real-world situations. Our GIS classrooms and these researchers are in the Applied Research and Innovation Centre, where you’ll get essential training, individual access to an advanced workstation and exposure to projects.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, learners will be able to:

1. Engage and communicate effectively and ethically with diverse audiences in a professional context
2. Apply critical thinking and diverse problem-solving approaches to address technical issues
3. Organize project resources into a coherent framework that includes data, technologies, systems and participants
4. 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.
5. Apply processes of spatial data creation and acquisition by utilizing a range of methods
6. 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.
7. Apply data management best practices relating to data standardization, database design, ethics, workflows, interoperability and sharing
8. Utilize learning experiences that enhance self-sufficiency and future opportunities
9. Recognize the diversity of Indigenous culture and traditions as distinct knowledge systems that are valid when building respectful engagement, consultation and collaborative relationships.
10. 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 and title in the stewardship.

Program Admission Requirements

Academic 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:Academic

a) Program Chairs will determine, in consultation with Assessment Services, which components of the CRT will be required and the cut off scores for each component, in order to verify an applicant's potential for success and program admission.

• The minimum requirement for entry into the Advanced Certificate, ADGIS, or Year 3 of 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 (“C” 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

Minimum entry is also possible with equivalent education or work experience, such as a background doing research or using GIS and/or other computer software.

Letter of intent, not exceeding 500 words, stating your background and interest in the field of geographic information systems.

Demonstrated competency in computer technology, including spreadsheet use, word processing, computer graphics and presentations is required. In addition, international students will be expected to provide documentation of English proficiency (refer to the college calendar for requirements).

Applicants may be required to complete modules in mathematics, writing and computer technology skills if knowledge gaps in one or more of these areas are identified by the school chair.

General

a) Applicants must submit a completed application form and other required documents (i.e. secondary school and any post-secondary transcripts, application package) to the Registrar’s office.

b) Personal Reference (only ADGIS and BGIS)

(i) All applicants must have two academic or professional references. Students must ensure that referees complete and submit the form provided in the application package. Both references must indicate a favourable chance of applicant success in the program (i.e., must score over 3.5 in the reference answer rating system)

c) Letter of intent (all programs)

(i) Applicants should highlight experience in GIS and/or computer skills in this letter. Demonstrated competency in computer hardware and software technology, including, spreadsheet use, word processing, computer graphics and presentations is recommended.

Note: 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.

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, as outlined in 1. a. above.

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;

d) completed Letter of Intent; and

e) For ADGIS and BGIS, two personal reference forms completed by a current or previous instructor, counselor or employer, e.g., supervisor. Personal references should be submitted by the referee directly to the Admissions Office (photocopies are not acceptable).

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.

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 ("C" average) or better with no more than two grades below a "C" 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 "C" 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 "C" prior to proceeding to the next semester.

3. Students receiving a final grade of "C-" or lower in the prerequisite course will be required to withdraw from the subsequent course requiring the prerequisite. Students receiving the "C-" or lower grade must re- register in, and successfully complete the course with a "C" grade or better before going on to the subsequent course.

4. Students receiving a final grade of "C-" or lower in a course will be required to withdraw from the subsequent course requiring the course as a prerequisite. Students receiving the "C-" or lower grade must re- register in, and successfully complete the course with a "C" grade or better before going on to the subsequent course.

GRADUATION

All programs: All courses must have at least a “C” grade, except for GIS 320 which needs a “CRG” to be eligible for graduation.

BGIS: All courses from the ADGIS program as listed above, plus 60 additional credits (normally, these credits would be earned previously to meet the admission requirements for entry to the program) are required plus the following:

Note: Students completing the BGIS following the ADGIS will be deemed to have completed sufficient new work notwithstanding Policy 8617

Additional Program Policies