Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Fanshawe College
Key Information
Campus location
London, Canada
Languages
English
Study format
Distance Learning, On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
CAD 5,774 *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* total fee for Canadian students. $17,196.22 for international students
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
GIS analysts, technicians, and specialists are in demand in both the private and public sectors and require a unique skill set and knowledge of current technologies. Discover a rewarding career with Fanshawe’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program, available in class or online with courses scheduled Monday to Thursday evenings. Combine hands-on learning with in-class theory and technical training and graduate ready to hit the ground running in your career.
Your Learning Experience
The GIS program offers a project-based, software-intensive format that focuses on building a foundation in GIS, with the flexibility to focus your studies in your selected area of expertise in geographic data. You’ll have access to our cutting-edge technology that will help you develop skills in remote sensing, object-oriented programming, spatial analysis and modeling, digital photogrammetry, map projections, web map GIS, and CAD skills.
You can also apply your skills in an optional four-month summer co-op work experience with an associated GIS-based employer. GIS placements may include government agencies, GIS software employers, and other private industry companies that use GIS technology. This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in the field and connect with industry partners.
This program prepares graduates for employment in a wide range of land-based industries that utilize spatial and tabular data. The program is project-based, software-intensive, interdisciplinary, and focused on building flexible, current, high-end applied skills. Students will gain mastery of foundational GIS skills and apply leading-edge techniques in GIS Science to create spatial solutions. Remote sensing, object-oriented programming, spatial analysis and modeling, digital photogrammetry, web map/web GIS, and CAD skills will all be developed, and students will have the opportunity to apply these technical skills to their own areas of specialization (engineering, social sciences, humanities, community health or other sciences).
Students are required to have a PC laptop computer for all courses and to have internet access whether attending face-to-face classes or online sessions.
Classes are delivered as face-to-face classroom sessions. All classes will be digitally broadcast and recorded. Full-time and part-time students have the option to watch live interactive webcasts or attend classes personally for all courses. All webcasts will be archived so students can review the material.
Applicants applying to the Online version of the program should select Campus Code LCL (LCL - London-Online) and should ensure they have the appropriate technological capacity to complete the program, including access to a computer, required software, and internet access for each course in the program. A CONNECT lab fee is included in the Additional Program Fees stated in the Fee Schedule for students not studying online.
Students should not purchase a laptop computer or software until the College publishes the recommended configuration, models, software titles, and versions for that academic year.
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Admissions
Curriculum
Co-op Opportunities
The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program offers a cooperative education component, which provides students the opportunity to gain invaluable first-hand workplace experience in their chosen field. Here are some co-op jobs that have kick-started the careers of some GIS students before even graduated!
GIS Mapping Assistant
Using mobile GIS and GPS applications, collect field data of the trees, plants, and garden beds across Fanshawe's Botanical Gardens, both at the Oxford Campus and the Cuddy Garden site.
GIS Parks Student
Update information related to parks and property services using GIS software and equipment.
GIS Technologist Student
Collect and curate data in an enterprise geodatabase environment to create effective cartographic products supporting web application development and documenting GIS data and applications.
Courses
Level 1
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- METH-6001 ---- Fundamentals of GIS
- METH-6002 ---- Information Systems
- COMP-6034 ---- Programming Basics-OOP
- COMP-6035 ---- Spatial Data Acquisition
- COOP-1020 ---- Co-operative Education Employment Prep
Level 2
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- METH-6003 ---- Remote Sensing
- METH-6004 ---- Advanced Analysis in GIS
- COMP-6036 ---- Advanced Programming-OOP
- METH-6005 ---- Web GIS
Program Residency
Students Must Complete a Minimum of 11 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program
Program Outcome
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to
- Create solutions to spatial problems utilizing database systems;
- Apply spatial analysis techniques within a variety of disciplines;
- Solve problems using data that is acquired, interpreted, and integrated from various sources, and with different formats and coordinate systems;
- Generate elegant and efficient computational algorithms;
- Configure and customize GIS applications, operations, and databases to support decision-making and modeling within a range of disciplines;
- Design web-based and embedded solutions to distribute GIS data and functionality to a wide range of end-users;
- Integrate GIS component design and development into project life cycle management, systems life cycles, and workflow processes;
- Assist end-users in integrating spatial processes into primarily non-spatial software applications;
- Communicate complex technical geographic information to a wide variety of clients using texts, maps, and visual display, in order to increase understanding and enable wider use of GIS applications;
- Practice to a professional standard, through ethical behavior, continuous learning, and participation in professional organizations.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of Fanshawe’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program will enter a growing field with many career paths supporting public and private industry use of geospatial technologies, including:
- GIS specialists
- GIS applications programmers or developers
- spatial database specialists
- GIS analysts
- GIS researchers
- GIS technicians
Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program:
Geospatial Analyst
Collect and analyze geospatial data to create detailed maps and associated metadata.
GIS Technician
Use GIS applications to identify wildlife habitats, movement corridors, range occupancy, and threat locations.
GIS Specialist
Plot spatial data using GIS applications and GPS.
English Language Requirements
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