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Geoscience

Geographic Information Systems — certificate

QUICK FACTS

Credential:
Certificate

Duration:
31 credits

How to apply

Start date:
January, September 

Location:
Abbotsford campus

Cost:
(Details)

FEATURES:

  • Field trips enhance classroom learning
  • Program eligible for financial aid

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

UFV’s 31-credit Geographic Information Systems (GIS) certificate provides you with the knowledge needed to work with geospatial data and technologies.

Making data come alive on a map can reveal patterns and trends that are key to making better decisions in government, business, and industry.

Choosing a site for a new building, zoning a neighborhood, finding out why crime happens at a particular location, or mapping the risk to water resources are all problems that can be solved using GIS.

The GIS certificate program is designed to provide you with the core concepts underlying the use of location-based GIS data as well as the essential software skills necessary for employment.

You can complete a GIS certificate as part of a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts, or take the credential on its own to enhance your employment opportunities in a variety of fields.

CAREER EXPECTATIONS

The proliferation in GIS throughout government, industry, and academia has resulted in an increase in the number of employment opportunities for those who are able to use GIS.

According to Statistics Canada, the number of job openings for people who gather, analyze, interpret and use geospatial information is expected to outnumber the number of job seekers in these fields by 2024.

A wide variety of sectors are using GIS to manage geographic information and incorporate location into decision-making. Some GIS jobs are discipline-specific — for example, jobs in environmental science, municipal planning, or forestry — with GIS skills only one part of the job qualifications needed to land the position. Other jobs require GIS users who are skilled in computer programming and database management.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

View the Geographic Information Systems entrance requirements in the UFV Academic Calendar.

OTHER ADMISSION CATEGORIES

This program is open to international students

UPGRADING OPTIONS

Students who do not meet the entrance requirements can upgrade in order to meet prerequisites for university classes.

Make an appointment with an Upgrading and University Preparation advisor to discuss your upgrading needs.

QUESTIONS?

Phone: 604-854-4568
Toll free: 1-888-507-7441, ext. 4568
Email: geoscience@ufv.ca

Melissa Koyanagi2

My most valuable experience was certainly the AIG to BC's Interior that I had the pleasure of completing with my peers under the guidance of Gary Fehr and Olav Lian. This experience was in-depth, interesting and relevant to my previous studies in a wide range of subject areas, including postglacial and paraglacial processes, First Nations affairs in BC and BC's evolving economy. I sincerely enjoyed this learning experience and it was the perfect way to cap off my undergraduate studies at UFV.

  • – Melissa Koyanagi
  •    BA with double extended minors in Geography and Psychology