Diploma in Telecommunications Systems Technician (Telecommunications Networks Option)

at British Columbia Institute of Technology - Burnaby Campus Canada

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 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.

Analytical Science option
The Analytical Science option will be of interest to those students who would enjoy an increased emphasis on instrumental laboratory analysis, organic chemistry, environmental regulations, and science. The strong core courses will ensure that graduates have sufficient knowledge to compete for jobs in process areas too, if that later becomes their choice. It is anticipated that graduates who choose to continue into degree studies would be most likely to choose from BTech or BSc degrees.

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

Rapid advances in technology have increased public expectations of their communities and the buildings constructed in them. Buildings are expected to be designed and constructed to rigorous standards of workmanship and safety while at the same time incorporating all the features that contribute to speed of erection, financial efficiency and user satisfaction. High public expectations and the dynamic nature of the industry present both a challenge and an opportunity, attractive criteria for any career.

The Program
Architectural and Building Technology (ABT) is a comprehensive, two-year diploma program with a focus on applied learning. It combines sound theoretical knowledge with practical skills and technical training to provide job-ready competencies for immediate application upon entering the workforce. Students learn from industry-based faculty, develop extensive practical skills for rewarding careers, and graduate with an industry recognized credential in the design, development, construction, and building science sectors. Many employers seek out graduates from this program to join their companies.

Students follow a fixed curriculum of common courses that includes lectures and practical applications in construction drawing, materials and methods, estimating techniques, building systems, and computer applications. Organized field trips and 'hands-on' workshops form part of the curriculum and attendance is required. Students are often able to further their education through summer jobs with architects, engineers, developers, and contractors.

In the second year of the program, in addition to the common academic core, students take an Elective course (subject to departmental approval) in one of three areas of specialization. The Elective courses are:

Architectural:
Primarily intended for those students who plan to pursue careers in architectural offices, offer design services, pursue an architectural degree, or the Architectural Technologist Registration program through the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC).

Building Science:
Primarily intended for those students who plan to pursue careers in durable building construction, building problem diagnosis, testing of construction assemblies, new materials research and development, and environmental challenges in creating the built environment.

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

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).

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been called the new electricity. AI and machine learning (ML) systems are currently being utilized to organize supply chains, manage customer relationships, transfer organizational knowledge, and optimize enterprise resources. According to estimates, up to 47% of current jobs could be automated by AI, robotics, and machine learning systems in the next two decades. Firms have identified that a lack of skilled people make deployment of machine learning capabilities an ongoing challenge. Due to these factors, numerous jobs will become available for managing these systems.

The Business Information Technology Management (BITMAN) – Artificial Intelligence Management (AIM) option will train artificial intelligence/machine learning management knowledge workers for entry-level positions managing AI/ML/business intelligence solutions. This option will focus on AI business models, AI ethics, machine learning for business (supervised learning, neural networks, and deep learning), computer vision, and natural language processing (NLP).

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.

The Professional Sales option is one of the most respected sales programs in Canada and our graduates are sought after by industry. Professional Sales will prepare you for a career in the dynamic field of business-to-business selling. Companies require skilled sales professionals to develop new customers and build mutually-beneficial relationships. You will learn how to apply proven sales methods, develop sales strategies, and implement marketing skills and new technologies to develop new business and retain customers.

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.