COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Technology in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at BCIT is a comprehensive program totaling 82.0 credits, designed to provide students with both technical proficiency and applied management skills in geospatial technologies. The program includes 45.0 credits of technical courses covering a wide range of core GIS topics such as programming (GIST 7010, 8010), spatial analysis (GIST 8106), database systems (GIST 7132, 8132), digital mapping (GIST 8107), remote sensing (GIST 8118), and the full ArcGIS suite (GIST 7128, 8128, 8138), along with courses in fundamentals, CAD, and computing for GIS. In addition to technical coursework, students must complete 9.0 credits in applied management, beginning with the mandatory BUSA 7250 Management Skills and Applications (3.0 credits), followed by electives from a diverse list including courses in law, economics, leadership, innovation, IT management, and geospatial systems management. A significant component of the program is the 16.0-credit industry project, which includes GIST 7120 GIS Project/Practicum Planning and Proposal and GIST 8125 GIS Project, where students apply their knowledge to real-world problems in collaboration with an industry sponsor and academic mentor. The project emphasizes innovation and applied research. The program also includes a liberal studies component of 12.0 credits, with two mandatory courses—LIBS 7001 Critical Reading and Writing and LIBS 7002 Applied Ethics—and an additional 6.0 credits of electives in accordance with BCIT’s policy. This well-rounded curriculum ensures graduates have the technical, managerial, and communication skills necessary for success in a wide range of GIS-related careers across industries such as environmental science, land use planning, engineering, public health, and business.