Advanced Diploma in Business Management

at British Columbia Institute of Technology - Burnaby Campus Canada

The food we eat and water we drink, the petroleum products that fuel our cars and heat our homes, and the electricity that powers our modern society all rely on industrial control systems. The measurement and control devices that make-up an industrial control system are collectively known as operational technology. Today’s operational technology often employs embedded hardware and operating systems and Ethernet-based networking interfaces that make them susceptible to the same electronic attacks that plagues traditional information technology. This has created a significant need for, and shortage of, network security professionals that understand the unique computing and networking requirements of industrial control systems. The School of Energy and the School of Computing and Academic Studies have partnered in offering a new interdisciplinary Diploma in Industrial Network Cybersecurity that will prepare graduates for entry level positions in this emerging occupation. Students undertake a comprehensive study of industrial measurement and control technologies; computer information technologies; and networking, industrial networking and industrial network cybersecurity. A strong component of the program involves the development of relevant, practical skills by working with modern industrial equipment in well-equipped labs. Students will graduate with a solid foundation in industrial networking and industrial network cybersecurity.

Industrial, manufacturing and critical infrastructure organizations can be divided into two distinct entities – plant operations and business operations. Plant operations produces goods for consumption whereas business operations manages the financial well being of the organization. Business operations employs traditional information and networking technology to manage daily operations. Plant operations employs operational technology such as sensors, controllers, and final control elements to automate production of consumables. This program focuses on preparing graduates to provide industrial networking and industrial network security for the operational technology on the plant side of an organization. The diagram below illustrates where we intend to place graduates of the Industrial Network Cybersecurity program.

The Bachelor of Engineering in Mining and Mineral Resource Engineering program is designed to allow well qualified students who successfully complete the first year of the Mineral Exploration and Mining Technology diploma program to apply to complete an engineering degree through three additional years of full-time study.

The vision of the program is to provide students with a flexible educational path for successful careers in the mineral resource industry both in Canada and worldwide. As such the degree will have a strong practical focus built upon a broad foundation of engineering theory, analysis and design. Throughout this program, students will be challenged to develop their critical thinking skills and exercise their creative abilities.

The mineral resource industry is a cornerstone of many communities throughout BC and Canada and it is a major contributor to our economy. Canada is recognized as a world leader in mineral exploration and mining, and our expertise is exported around the world to help discover, develop, and operate mines.

As one of the largest users of high-technology equipment and applications, the mining industry requires professionals who have the skills and knowledge necessary to keep up with these advances. Virtually all technical jobs within the fields of mining and mineral exploration require a post-secondary education. If you are interested in a challenging and varied work environment, in the office, lab or field, and like solving engineering problems, this program will appeal to you. Take the Mining and Mineral Resource Engineering program, the only program of its kind in Western Canada.

The program spans over nine months and is designed for individuals who have already completed a diploma or a degree and are interested in making a career in human resource management. The students learn how to create employee retention programs, deal with workplace conflicts, employee compensation packages, and plan staffing levels, hiring selection criteria and performance management policies.

The students enrolled under this program take a ten-week Business Consulting Project in their final term, where students spend two days a week in developing a solution to real human resource issues companies’ face. They collect and analyze the data, create recommendations and then showcase their results to the senior management. 

International students should be aware that this program has a mandatory integrated work experience and you are responsible for ensuring that you hold a valid co-op work permit, which is required to complete this practicum. The co-op work permit is separate from the study permit for having authorization to work up to 20 hours per week during your studies.

The demand for qualified financial planners is high, so if you’re interested in investments and working with people, this diploma program can help you move into a successful, rewarding career.
By focusing your training at BCIT in this two-year diploma program, you’ll be 100% prepared to start work in investment and financial planning upon graduation. And with our strong mentorships, networking opportunities, and focus on practical, useable skills, many students have job offers even before graduation.

Program Highlights

• Focused on practical training for financial and investment planning and advising
• Strong industry connections and networking opportunities
• After graduation, transition to the workforce or apply to complete your Bachelor of Business Administration degree at BCIT with full-time or part-time evening courses

Find more details of how you’ll be prepared for success upon graduation in the Program Details.

Who should apply for the Financial Planning Diploma?
This program might be right for you if you:

• Are service-focused
• Enjoy interacting with people
• Have high emotional intelligence
• Have an interest in investments
• Enjoy forecasting and problem solving

The Mineral Exploration and Mining Technology program focuses on geology, mining methods, exploration technology, surveying, and computer applications for mining operations and mineral explorations. Students learn hands-on science and engineering skills, and complete an industry-standard report during the second year of the full-time program.

Mining is a cornerstone industry of many communities throughout BC and Canada and it is a major contributor to our economy. Canada is recognized as a world leader in mineral exploration and mining, and our expertise is exported around the world to help discover, develop, and operate mines.

As one of the largest users of high-technology equipment and applications, the mining industry requires practitioners who have the skills necessary to keep up with these advances. Virtually all technical jobs within mining and mineral exploration, including geology, engineering, mineral processing, environmental assessment and surveying, require post-secondary education.

If you are interested in a varied work environment, in the office, lab or field, and like solving scientific problems, this program will appeal to you. Take the Mineral Exploration and Mining Technology program, the only program of its kind in Western Canada.

With the 3D Modeling, Art and Animation diploma program, you will develop the skills necessary to enter the game, film, and television industries as a 3D Artist. You will get hands on experience with the entire 3D workflow including modeling, animating, texturing, rigging, lighting, rendering, and compositing. You will be trained by working industry professionals from the game, film, and television industries providing the most up to date methods and techniques used today. In the last term, you will apply all of these learned skills, alongside direction and feedback from your instructors, to produce a marketable and appealing demo reel to get you a job in your chosen career path.

The Diploma in Interior Design is designed for students seeking a career in residential and commercial interior design fields. The Diploma focuses on commercial design including hospitality, offices and retail environments.

Students will study advanced design theory, commercial space planning, sustainability practices, codes and barrier-free compliance, lighting, design history, advanced 2D & 3D visual communication, critical reading and writing, construction drawings, and architectural millwork. Students will gain hands-on experience in the Joinery shop to expand their understanding of millwork details and assembly. Students will achieve both a strong academic and technical foundation on completion of this program. Students learn from industry-based faculty and develop extensive practical skills for rewarding careers.

Become a part of Canada’s premier environmental and restoration related programs. BCIT invites you to join one of the most unique educational models in Canada. In the time it takes to do a typical university degree, you can get two academic credentials; a Diploma in Fish, Wildlife and Recreation (FWR) or Forest and Natural Areas Management (FNAM) and a Bachelor's Degree in Ecological Restoration.

Completion of either of these two-year diploma programs (or similar programs elsewhere) will provide you with the strong foundation needed to apply for entry into BCIT’s Degree in Ecological Restoration. This degree, the first of its kind in Canada, provides world-class applied training on restoring the numerous damaged aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems that exist across British Columbia, Canada, and around the world.

Ecological Restoration (ER) is a scientific discipline that has recently emerged due to the increasing need to restore damaged ecosystems. Restoration scientists and practitioners are ‘ecosystem physicians’ …. Doctors apply knowledge of physiology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, and parasitology to address human health issues. ER practitioners apply knowledge of: ecology, hydrology, geochemistry, geomorphology, and engineering to address ecological health issues1. Natural habitats across the province have been severely impacted due to habitat destruction, urban sprawl, invasive species expansions, and direct damage due to industrial contamination of soils and aquatic resources. These factors combined with the resulting increase in number of threatened and endangered species have resulted in the strong need for ecosystem restoration work across the province and around the world.

The Bachelor Degree in Ecological Restoration provides graduates with a strong foundation in the methods available to restore a broad range of ecosystems that have been impacted by human influences in British Columbia, across Canada and in other parts of the world. Ecological Restoration graduates will not only bring skills and expertise to current employers but will also be leaders and innovators in this rapidly-developing industry.

These programs, in partnership with the newly established BCIT Rivers Institute, are widely renowned locally and internationally for their “?eld oriented” learning and applied research. The Rivers Institute plays a leadership role in the protection and restoration of rivers and provides support and mentoring to the next generation of river stewards. Working with our many diverse partners on a wide range of applied restoration projects, students gain extensive experience tackling some of the many environmental challenges facing local, regional, provincial and international communities.

Are you passionate about working outdoors and interested in the management of trees, vegetation & forest ecosystems? The Forest and Natural Areas Management (FNAM) program is a two-year diploma program with a focus on forestry, vegetation management, arboriculture for supporting sustainable community development in both rural and urban environments.

The program gives you a strong foundation in ecology, earth sciences, mapping, surveying & measurements. You will learn skills and training in silviculture, forest inventory, forest engineering, fire & forest health management, and urban forestry. Our programs unique focus natural areas in urban & interface environments provide you with skills in the management of trees, invasive species & soil resources. The breadth of technical and field-based skills you acquire also relevant to many other natural resource sectors.

Why is forest management important?
Management of forest resources in today’s world means managing forest ecosystems. Forestry practices must integrate field skills, scientific knowledge and technology in an ecological framework, to produce various goods and services. It involves assessing the health of forests with respect to insects and disease, planning revegetation strategies, and using technology to map and track forest inventories. But it is also about considering the interests of other resource users, while ensuring future generations can equally benefit from our forests. Forest ecosystems provide major economic, social & ecological benefits to communities, businesses & First Nations throughout British Columbia. Almost 60% of the land in British Columbia is forested – stewardship of these lands is no small feat. Are you up for the challenge?

What is natural areas management?
With increasing urbanization, forests and natural areas in and around our communities are growing in importance. People value natural areas for recreation, aesthetics and psychological well-being. But natural areas also provide important ecological services, like habitat for wildlife, promotion of biodiversity, storm-water flood mitigation & heat wave moderation. Whether you’re assessing urban trees, reducing wildfire risk around communities, or managing invasive plants, the role of a natural areas manager is diverse. It also requires an integration of skills, from community planning, to vegetation management & urban forestry.

What are some key skills FNAM students learn?

• Identify, describe, measure and interpret ecosystems and associated components including landforms, vegetation, soils, geomorphology, aquatic ecosystems, forest stand attributes and wildlife habitat
• Collect field data in both urban and rural environments and create technical reports, spreadsheets and digital maps using industry standard software (such as GIS & GPS) including the use of leading technology
• Apply vegetation management techniques for application in wildland and urban silviculture areas
• Analyze vegetation symptoms that relate to insects and diseases
• Design and implement sampling plans and techniques for resource inventories
• Assist in wildland and urban interface forest fire activities including suppression and hazard assessment
• Apply forest engineering principles to meet the objectives of operational plans and forest management objectives
• Communicate effectively in all aspects of natural resource management activities
• Apply principles of ethics and professionalism to day-to-day activities

The program aims to offer the engineering and science students the additional knowledge and skills required to work in environmental assignments like life cycle assessment, contaminant hydrogeology, integrated solid waste management, contaminated sites, resource management, water treatment facilities, green energy technology projects, climate change, sustainability management, air quality and environmental impact assessment. The core topics, specialty courses, liberal studies courses, management courses and the applied research courses in the program are structured to accommodate the needs of a diverse range of applicants and to provide the correct skill sets to prepare them for a broad range of career opportunities.