Associate Certificate in Business Fundamentals

at British Columbia Institute of Technology - Burnaby Campus Canada

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 Bachelor of Technology in Computer Systems (CST BTech) is an applied career-enhancement degree, designed to increase the breadth and depth of knowledge and practical skills of computer professionals; assisting them in widening their career opportunities and advancing along their career paths. Graduates are awarded a credential that is highly valued by the industry.

The CST BTech full-time program is a two-year degree completion program for students who have graduated from a two-year diploma in computing, such as the BCIT Computer Systems Technology (CST) program. Students who have completed other computing diploma or degree programs at an accredited college or university, whether locally or internationally, may be admitted into the program by completing pre-entry assessment and a few bridging courses.

The Games Development Option is a multi-disciplinary program that combines creativity with advanced knowledge in a range of computer programming areas. It is designed to equip students with critical skills required to succeed in a fast-paced and rapidly growing industry. Students will learn advanced programming techniques, game design (including visuals and audio), higher level mathematics (3D graphics, calculus, analytical geometry, linear algebra), physics and artificial intelligence concepts. The program includes a variety of tools and frameworks used in industry such as Unity3D, and OpenGL. These tools and frameworks are put to practical use in the development, testing and management of game applications, ultimately culminating in a major project showcasing students’ skills.

Upon graduation, students will have developed skills that are highly marketable and transferable, giving them the flexibility to pursue careers in game development, as well as in other areas of software development such as a computer programmer or software engineer.

The Electrical Power and Industrial Control option of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology (ECET) program offers students a foundation in the technology used in utility, industrial, commercial and residential applications. Graduates will have strong theoretical and practical, hands-on knowledge in many areas, including:

• Power generation including renewable and conventional energy resources
• Electric machines (motors and generators) and their controls
• Power distribution design for utilities
• Industrial electrical systems and lighting design according to the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC)
• Measurement of power quality issues and how to solve them
• Troubleshooting and operation of electrical power equipment including transformers and switchgear
• Power systems protection including both legacy and modern protection system
• Field measurement and design for grounding and bonding systems
• Industrial data communications including traditional SCADA systems and new smart grid technologies
• Industrial power electronics including variable frequency drives, inverters and rectifiers
• Power conversion systems for renewable energy resources such as wind and solar
• Programmable logic controller (PLC) system design and programming
• Managing and completing student-initiated or industry-sponsored projects in small groups

Co-operative education:
Co-operative education is an optional part of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology programs. Students who successfully complete a minimum of two co-op terms receive a co-operative education designation on their diploma.
During a co-op term, you will have a full-time paid position with an employer in the electronics industry for a period of 15 to 20 weeks. You must complete Level 2 of the program before taking a co-op term, and co-op terms may be taken consecutively.
The industrial experience you will gain in the co-op component of the program will give you an added advantage in securing a position after graduation. You are encouraged, but not required, to participate in co-operative education.

Forget what you think a career in insurance is like — today's insurance and risk management industry is a challenging and vibrant place that is crucial to almost every aspect of our modern world.
The two-year General Insurance and Risk management diploma program at BCIT gives you specialized training to investigate insurance claims, market and sell insurance products, manage risk in securities, banks, insurance underwriting, and more. This program has been developed by industry professionals specifically to prepare you for a successful, exciting career in your field.

Through out the program there will be many opportunities to interact with industry professionals with networking and industry events. Along with a 40 hour work placement which helps students get direct industry work experience.
In fact, our program boasts a 100% job placement rate and our students have gone on to work insuring a variety of clients such as construction, marine risks, commercial underwriting, personal lines underwriting, claims adjusting and risk management.

Program Highlights

• 100% job placement within four months of graduating
• 40 hour work placement
• Write your CIP national exams before graduating to be ready to work the day you graduate
• Many opportunities to network with industry events and networking
• First year students qualify to be level 1 licensed brokers upon passing the 2 CIP Courses
• Graduating students qualify for a level 2 brokers license and independent adjusters license

Who should apply for the General Insurance and Risk Management Diploma?
A career in insurance and risk management might be right for you if:

• You already have some work experience and/or a degree
• You enjoy problem solving
• You’re compassionate
• You’re interested in a career with multiple opportunities and challenges
• Learn more about the benefits of this program with and in-depth look at Program Details.

Civil engineering is a diverse, rewarding and challenging profession. Civil engineers and technologists team together to plan, design, construct and maintain road and rail transportation systems, port and airport facilities, bridges, tunnels, dams, and buildings of all types; water, gas and oil pipelines; energy-generating facilities, water, air and waste treatment plants, to name but a few of their activities in an ever-expanding field of endeavour. Civil engineers are, to a great extent, the designers, builders and custodians of society's built environment as well as stewards of the natural environment.

The primary aim of BCIT's Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Civil Engineering degree is to academically prepare engineering students for professional practice. The curriculum focuses on developing strong skills in engineering science and design, communications, and management and presents many opportunities to develop your critical thinking, problem solving and creative abilities. A Diploma in Civil Engineering credential is conferred after the first two years of academic study and, if you meet the continuation requirements, a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering is conferred upon successful completion of academic year four.

The Program
The BEng in Civil Engineering is composed of four years of full-time academic study.
The first two years of the degree program present a broad, practical overview of the field of civil engineering, with engineering fundamentals stressed and reinforced across the curriculum. You will receive an abundance of learning opportunities to apply these fundamentals to the solution of real-world design scenarios that would be encountered by both technologists and engineers. Throughout the program, we will present opportunities to strengthen your graphical, written, and oral communication skills. You will spend a significant amount of time on hands-on training in material testing, surveying, manual and computer-aided drafting, and receive instruction in the use of engineering software tools. You will receive a Diploma in Civil Engineering credential upon successful completion of the first two years of academic study within this degree program.

If you meet the continuation requirements, you may continue into the final two years of the degree program which are academically rigorous. We will thoroughly investigate the theoretical foundations of civil engineering science and design topics. At the same time, you will apply the practical civil engineering knowledge you have gained in course assignments and project work. You will also be challenged to view the engineer's role from an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary perspective. You will learn about the role of the engineer in project and construction management and enrich your educational experience with complementary studies courses relating to social sciences and the humanities. To further develop your engineering skills for professional practice, you will work with classmates to complete a team-based capstone design project

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

Consider a career in the dynamic graphic communications industry. The Graphic Communications Technology Management diploma program provides you with the knowledge and skills to manage production processes in the business of digital imaging, as well as hands-on training with the equipment and software you’ll be using in your graphics career.

• You will apply the latest graphic design software, business processes, art direction, and production management, and learn to operate high-tech imaging and finishing technologies.
• You will design and produce marketing materials such as posters, large format signage, labels, variable data documents, books, packaging and other finished products that organizations need to communicate with a connected and informed audience.
• You will manage diverse multi-media technologies for sustainable business practices.
• You will learn Customer Relationship Management software and apply it through building a professional network in the Graphic Communications industry.

BCIT developed this program with the support of leading industry professionals and graphic production companies to help you prepare for positions such as production artist, graphic designer, or print and imaging manager, With access to our on-campus print and imaging facility, you will develop real-world career skills to position you for success in the graphic communications industry.

The Telecommunications Systems Technician, Radio Systems Option program will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to work with radio frequency (RF) electronics equipment. It is the only program of its kind in British Columbia. Through theoretical and practical study, you will develop the skills needed to install, maintain and repair RF and related electronics equipment. The program emphasizes hands-on, practical training using equipment typically encountered in industry.

Skills in the wireless communications industry are in high demand. If you like working with computers and electronic equipment, if you have good analytical skills, and if you want to work in an exciting, dynamic industry, the Telecommunications Systems Technician, Radio Systems Option program can open the door to a variety of exciting careers.

A BCIT diploma shows potential employers that you are accomplished, focused, and serious about your chosen career path. Employers know that you have both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, and that you can start contributing right away. Both graduates and employers say that BCIT was extremely helpful in preparing grads for work.

Why BCIT?

• Great Faculty - You will learn from experienced instructors with a demonstrated interest in teaching. Our instructors have worked in the industry and maintain solid local connections through student practicum placements and through the program advisory committee.
• Excellent Labs - Hands-on experience with up-to-date well equipped electronics labs helps you to understand the concepts that you learn and gives you job-ready, practical skills.
• Fantastic Career Choices - You could be working for an end-user of RF equipment doing bench testing, troubleshooting and repair of critical communications equipment. For example, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the RCMP have hired our graduates to keep their communication systems running. You could be working for a manufacturer of RF-related electronics equipment in a quality assurance or service technician role. You might work for a service provider, installing, configuring and maintaining voice and data communication systems, or entertainment systems based on cable and satellite communications.
• Degree Completion - With your BCIT diploma and two years of related work experience, you can enter the Bachelor of Technology Management degree program at BCIT. The Bachelor of Technology Management degree is a part-time program, so you can continue working while you further your education.

With BCIT’s Advanced Diploma in Technical Arts, you will develop the skills to become a creative problem solver, who can visualize and deliver solutions that bridge the technical and content side of visual effects, game, and animation projects. Technical Artists are in high demand in the digital entertainment and interactive media industry for their ability to integrate and synthesize the artistic vision and technical aspects of projects. They collaborate with artists and programmers to set up and maintain the art production workflow, and identify and develop tools to improve, troubleshoot and streamline the production process.

The BCIT Business Management diploma program prepares students to make strategic business decisions and manage the direction and operation of a company. You will gain a clear grasp of all business functions including: accounting, marketing, human resources, operations, and computer applications. Graduates analyze business problems, lead effective teams, and discover ways to improve overall business profitability and efficiency.

Looking at business through the lens of an entrepreneur, the Business Management program is your springboard into an inspiring career. You’ll learn to solve real business problems, analyze business operations, and develop the skills you need to be a successful leader in just two years.

Program Highlights

• High exposure to industry offers exceptional networking opportunities 
• Business consulting projects provide hands-on experiences looking at real-life, industry problems in all fields of business including finance, social media, and property development

Who should apply for the Business Management Diploma?
The Business Management diploma program is right for you if:

• You want to be a manager, but aren’t sure where to start
• You want to turn an entrepreneurial idea into a business start-up
• You have a combination of academics, business, or volunteer experience
• You have a unique idea you want to develop within your company 
• You are a team player interested in big picture thinking and strategy
• Eligible to enter the following professional designation program