Bachelor of Technology in Computer Systems (Games Development Option)

at British Columbia Institute of Technology - Burnaby Campus Canada

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.

Industrial Instrumentation and Process Control Technicians apply, install, repair, calibrate and tune those measurement and control instruments that are used in industrial manufacturing processes. Students will learn to program computerized control, programmable logic controllers, and microprocessor instrumentation and install and maintain all of the field instruments that these computerized controllers rely on. These job skills are essential for employment in instrumentation.

The Program
The Industrial Instrumentation and Process Control Technician program stresses practical, hands-on experience to complement theory. This program will appeal to learners who are interested in working with mechanical and electronic equipment.

Half of the students' time is spent performing hands-on activities using the same equipment that is found in industry. The result is a very job-ready graduate, who can step into a position in one of many related fields, or transition into an apprenticeship at an advanced level with an industry sponsor.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology is used to manage and utilize geographic data, and is widely recognized as an essential tool in such diverse fields as forest management, urban planning, engineering, municipal management, business, and environmental studies. The potential uses of GIS technology are almost too numerous to list, and are found everywhere - from local government to the United Nations, from volunteer organizations to global corporations, in the public and private sectors.

The Advanced Diploma program in Geographic Information Systems is designed for university or college graduates with a background in a related discipline or technology.

The curriculum combines theory and practice and covers GIS principles, training in GIS software, technical issues, remote sensing, digital mapping and management issues. Students must also successfully complete a supervised work experience before graduation. This may be either an industry project or an industry practicum.

Whether you are a recent university or college graduate getting started in a career, or an experienced professional seeking new employment opportunities or career advancement, we invite you to study our web pages to learn more about the GIS program at BCIT. With over 20 years of experience in delivering advanced GIS technology programs and courses, the GIS program has established an excellent reputation for producing highly skilled and sought-after graduates.

Are you interested and excited about the field of marketing, but not sure in which option to specialize?
The first year undeclared option in Marketing Management allows students to explore a variety of marketing topics, gain a general business education, and attend industry events in Year 1 before deciding on a marketing concentration.

A very limited number of seats will be available for undecided students who will like to explore their first year in the marketing program prior to selecting one of four specializations: Entrepreneurship, Marketing Communications, Professional Sales, and Tourism Management.

Program Highlights

• One year option that leads directly into a Year 2 specialization: Marketing Communications, Tourism Management, Professional Sales, or Entrepreneurship
• Real-world learning with professional instructors
• Business consultant project and practicum provide hands-on experience
• After graduation, transition to the workforce or apply to complete your Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree at BCIT with full-time or part-time evening courses

Visit the Program Matrix to learn about the courses and the Program Entry page to start your marketing career today.

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

The Mechanical Systems option concentrates on providing comprehensive engineering skills that can be applied in:

• Energy conversion
• Heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC)
• Building environmental controls and energy management
• Plumbing and fire protection systems

These systems provide comfortable, healthy, safe environments for buildings that are energy-efficient and cost-effective.

The Mechanical Systems option prepares you for the jobs of the future by teaching you about designing and installing environmental systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Graduates will be equipped with skills to work in the rapidly evolving green economy.

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

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 thinking of an accounting career but are also interested in finance and investments?
BCIT's Finance Diploma Program offers you unique, practical training for a solid foundation in accounting, economics, finance, and investing principles. All the courses in this program are designed to teach you to the necessary skills and confidence to help you pursue a career in finance while preparing you for accelerated study to become an accountant.

See more about how the Finance Diploma gives you the necessary skills for a successful career at the Program Details.

Who should apply for the Finance Diploma?
This program is designed to give you strong technical skills in accounting plus a broad understanding of finance and economics, providing a wider range of employment opportunities.
This program might be right for you if you:

• Want accounting training that is supplemented by investment skills and knowledge
• Aren’t an accountant, but need some accounting knowledge for your current job
• Want to know more about financial services, capital markets and securities
• Have an interest in investments and financial markets
• Work well with numbers and big-picture planning

Students undertake a comprehensive study of control strategies, measurement techniques, communications systems, and electronic and computer systems used in the automatic control of commercial and industrial equipment/machines. A strong component of the program involves the student developing relevant, practical skills by working with modern industrial equipment in well-equipped labs. Students will graduate with a solid foundation in automatic measurement and control systems.

Graduates of this option may obtain a dual diploma in another ECET option by completing all the additional required courses for that option.  Entry to this second option is competitive and priority is given to students completing their first option.

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.
• For more information, please visit the Centre for Workplace Education (Co-op)