Diploma in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology - Automation and Instrumentation Option (Co-op Optional)

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 Bachelor of Technology Construction Management (BTech CM) degree program equips students with the skills necessary to effectively manage construction projects of varying complexity and size. The program focuses on developing management, technical and interpersonal skills, while introducing practical tools and current approaches used in the industry to plan, manage and track construction projects from conception to completion.

The BTech CM program is a degree completion program – it provides years 3 and 4 of a 4-year bachelor’s degree. Students can enter the program through a few different pathways; including related or unrelated degree or diploma programs, trade certification and through demonstrated work experience in the construction industry. Students broaden their existing knowledge and skills through BCIT’s unique applied learning environment. Our approach, which includes collaboration with industry, ensures that the program is responsive and can adapt to emerging needs, trends, and industry issues.

The BTech CM program recognizes the wide range of roles available to construction managers in today’s competitive and technologically advancing construction industry. Graduates of the program are able to advance diverse career opportunities, coordinating and managing projects for general contractors, trade contractors, developers, owners, municipalities, public sector institutions and private clients, to name a few.

Mechanical design provides exciting and challenging work opportunities in the rapidly evolving Green Economy. The global restructuring of economies toward more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy and manufacturing processes will depend on the knowledge and skills of those working in Mechanical Engineering Technology.

The Mechanical Engineering program provides you with the theory and skills you need to work as a qualified engineering technologist. It prepares you for the jobs of the future by teaching you about machinery design, energy productions, thermal and fluid systems, hydraulics, pneumatics, material science, instrumentation and controls, computer-aided design (CAD), and computer-aided engineering (CAE).

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 Chemical and Environmental Technology diploma program offers the student a broad background in technology and skills that can be applied to many industries. Near the end of their first year in the program, students will choose one of two options: Analytical Science or Process Engineering. These options are not exclusive — all students will have enough exposure to both topic areas to qualify for a full spectrum of varied employment opportunities. Choosing an option allows students to pick an area of interest for increased emphasis while still keeping their future options open.

Core courses
The first-year curriculum is common to both options and emphasizes environmental science, bioprocesses, materials technology, laboratory techniques and safety along with math and science basics. The student is also introduced to environmental science, materials technology, and a wide range of industrial chemical processes. The core second-year subjects for both options include several courses in environmental sampling and analysis, chemical engineering technology, instrumental analysis, physical chemistry, and statistics that will prepare students for employment in a broad range of industries and technical occupations. Students will participate in an industry-sponsored project (practicum or directed studies) in the second year of the program. This may involve work experience activities at the industry sponsor's regular place of business.

Process Engineering option
The Process Engineering option will interest students who would enjoy an increased emphasis on chemical and biochemical processes, with a more in-depth introduction to engineering principles and design software. The strong core courses will ensure that the graduates have sufficient knowledge to compete for jobs in analytical laboratories too, if that later becomes their choice. It is anticipated that graduates who choose to continue into degree studies would be able to choose from BEng (chemical engineering) programs as well as from BTech or BSc degrees.

The BCIT Food Technology Diploma program trains students in the basics of food technology, including food processing, quality control, food testing, and analysis. Graduate with all the practical skills you need to start your career.
At BCIT, we believe in real life experience. In this program, you get to interact first-hand with industry sponsors who mentor and support students in getting relevant food technology skills.

Who it's for
This program is for individuals who:

• Enjoy working both individually and in a team environment
• Have a passion for food and the food industry
• Are interested in developing their critical thinking skills
• Have a high school diploma or higher level of education

Are you enticed by the idea of starting your own business? Do you enjoy finding unique solutions to problems? Does the idea of single-handedly guiding a business to success interest you? Then you might be an entrepreneur.
BCIT’s Entrepreneurship diploma was developed specifically to give people like you the focused, intensive training necessary for success in creating, guiding, and managing businesses. Whether you're looking to start your own business from scratch or expand on an idea you're already working on, this program will train you with hands-on, real-world skills and knowledge.

Program Highlights

• Real-world learning with professional entrepreneurs
• 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

To learn more about how the Entrepreneurship diploma can turn your idea into a successful enterprise, visit the Program Details page.

Who should apply for the Entrepreneurship Diploma?
Entrepreneurship might be right for you if you:

• Have some work experience
• Completed high school and have some post-secondary education
• Have a "big-picture" kind of outlook
• Enjoy finding creative solutions to problems
• Have an interest in developing new business ideas and services

BCIT’s Computer Systems Technology (CST) two-year diploma program combines computer systems theory with hands-on practical experience in software development. You’ll learn software engineering and programming from industry professionals, and gain experience working on real projects, from concept to deployment. In second year, specialty options add depth and further hone your skills.

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.