Geographic Information Systems - Cartographic Specialist
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| Location: | Lindsay |
|---|---|
| Program Status: | Accepting applications |
| Program Code: | GC |
| Co-ordinator: | Noreen Goodliff |
| Credential: | Ontario College Graduate Certificate |
| Classes Start: | September 7, 2010 |
| Tuition/ Fees: |
$1,715.75 per semester *
* Tuition and fees subject to change. |
Please note: this program is 10 months duration (instead of 12 months).
Program Highlights
Cartography - known as the art and science of making maps, has come a long way since the efforts of early mapmakers who worked with pen and ink. While cartography still relies on many of the traditional principles, mapmaking now requires incorporating the best of modern research and technology. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allows today's "cartographer" to store geographic data in an organized way, to allow for quick access, correlation, and analysis. This system also facilitates the development of cartographic displays. By using GIS, cartographers are able to collect, store, and combine data about a given area, subject, or region being researched. GIS helps planners working on environmental, public health, municipal planning, and natural resource projects (to name a few uses) monitor change, predict trends and manage resources using current relevant data.
The GIS Cartographic Specialist program is an advanced post-graduate program, building on your existing, related skills.
- Fleming's leadership in this field has been recognized by industry, government and business through their support in establishing the Geomatics Institute at Fleming.
- These strong partnerships offer students access to the latest software packages and data resources as well as unprecedented learning and employment opportunities.
John Docker, National Geographic Computer Mapping Award Winner
- Most GIS programs focus on geographic analysis and application - but the Fleming Cartographic Specialist program is based on a dual approach which is truly unique.
- You will become a proficient GIS practitioner, as well as a visual designer and communicator - using GIS data and software to create a wide variety of customized maps and other products for the many users of geographic information.
Not sure which of our two GIS Ontario College Graduate Certificate programs is right for you? The common first semester in the GIS Cartographic Specialist and GIS Applications Specialist programs gives you a good overview and understanding of the technologies and diverse skills particular to careers in these fields. You will have the opportunity to explore the right fit for you, and decide which area of specialized study you will pursue in semester two. In addition to acquiring a hands-on, firm foundation using Cartography, digital mapping and GIS technology skills and tools, you will have many opportunities to build on your teamwork, team building, project management, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Since employers are seeking these broad-based transferrable skills, this experience working in technology teams will give you an edge in the workplace.
This three-semester (10-month) program starts in September with a 15-week semester ending in December, continues in January with another 15-week semester ending in April, and concludes with a seven-week semester starting in May and ending in June.
Why Choose Fleming?
Graduates of Fleming's cartographic programs have earned a reputation for excellence through their achievements in the workplace, and through cartographic and GIS competitions. Over the years, they have captured 80 American Congress on Surveying and Mapping awards in annual competitions (student category), as well as numerous awards from the Canadian Cartographic Association and the Canadian Institute of Geomatics.
Recent News: Steven DeRoy, Cartographic Technologist program graduate (1998), is now employed at the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. CIER was recently acknowledged by ESRI Canada with an Award of Excellence for a risk management application developed at the Centre:
http://www.cier.ca/new-and-noteworthy.aspx?id=1644&blogid=42
Three students of the 2010 class recently submitted presentations to the Canadian Cartographic Association 2010 Online Mapping Contest. To view the entries, go to: http://www.cca-acc.org/ and click on "2010 Awards and Entries."
Work Experience
You'll spend a significant part of your time in the program doing experiential work - putting theory into practice. A co-operative GIS project in the final semester involves cross-disciplinary teams from the GIS Cartographic Specialist and Applications Specialist programs working together on a project for a business, government, or industry client.
What it Takes to Succeed
While not prerequisites, there are a few skills and abilities that will help you to succeed in this program. These include:
- good creative thinking skills
- strong oral and written communication skills
- self-discipline
- excellent time management skills
- analytical skills
- computing skills
Career Opportunities
With your GIS-Cartographic Specialist certificate, you will be able to pursue a variety of exciting, responsible positions within GIS and digital mapping environments, such as:
- provincial and federal government mapping agencies
- municipal utility, engineering, and planning departments
- private sector mapping, planning, consulting, utility, and natural resource firms
Minimum Admission Requirements
- A university degree or college diploma, or equivalent education or work experience. On rare occasions, substantive work experience in the field of Geomatics will be considered as equivalent to a degree or diploma, and these cases will be reviewed on an individual basis.
Applicants without a degree or diploma should consider beginning their Geomatics career with the Geomatics Technician Program.
Although traditionally GIS training accompanied a degree or diploma in natural resources, with exponential growth in the field of GIS sciences, applicable backgrounds now range from forestry to marketing, from resource extraction to municipal planning, from health care to law enforcement. Previous GIS experience, while helpful, is not required for admission.
Recommended:
Since GIS is a field of study that makes extensive use of computer hardware and software technology, students entering the GIS-Cartographic Specialist program must be familiar with computers.
Related Programs
Trent University
You can obtain a Trent University Honours Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts Degree in either Geography or Environmental Science/Studies and a Geographical Information Systems Ontario College Graduate Certificate in four years, with the third year spent studying at Fleming College. In other words, get both qualifications in four years - instead of five. For details, see Trent/Fleming Joint Degree, Geographical Information Systems Special Emphasis.
School of Military Mapping, Mapping & Charting Establishment of the Canadian Armed Forces
If you are a graduate of the Geomatics Technician program from the School of Military Mapping, Mapping & Charting Establishment of the Canadian Armed Forces, at the QL5 Level, you are eligible to apply for advance standing into the second semester of the three-semester Geographic Information Systems - Applications Specialist or Geographic Information Systems - Cartographic Specialist graduate certificate programs. For complete details see Transfer Credit Articulation Agreement.
Health Requirements
If you have significant difficulty perceiving distinctions between colours you will experience greater challenges in map-making.
Additional Costs
Plan to spend about $1000 for books and supplies.
| Course | Hours |
| Semester 1 | |
| GIS Database Principles | 45.00 |
| Geodesy | 21.00 |
| Geovisualization I | 45.00 |
| Problem Solving and Programming | 60.00 |
| Remote Sensing and Image Analysis | 45.00 |
| Spatial Analysis I | 45.00 |
| Surveying and CAD Mapping | 21.00 |
| Web Design and Programming | 45.00 |
| Semester 2 | |
| Advanced Remote Sensing | 60.00 |
| Environmental Modeling | 21.00 |
| Geovisualization II | 60.00 |
| Municipal GIS | 45.00 |
| Project Planning and Management | 21.00 |
| Web Communication | 45.00 |
| Web GIS Development | 45.00 |
| Semester 3 | |
| GIS Co-operative Project | 210.00 |
| Geovisualization III | 28.00 |
Semester 1
GIS Database Principles
Course Number: GEOM065
This course presents principles and techniques of database design and processing in a GIS environment. Lab exercises and project work provide opportunities for students to develop skills in designing, implementing and managing databases using industry standard software such as Microsoft Access, Oracle and ESRI's Geodatabase. Structured Query Language will be used to build databases and manipulate data in preparation for future work in data processing, GIS analysis, and cartographic presentation.Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00
Geodesy
Course Number: GEOM104
Geodesy is the science related to the determination of the size and shape of the earth. Due to the curvature of the earth, geodetic principles must be applied to small scale maps covering large areas. Students will develop an increased awareness of this foundation science and the issues involved in measuring and mapping the earth, such as applying appropriate map projections and coordinate systems.Units: 21.00
Hours: 21.00
Geovisualization I
Course Number: GEOM102
This course will engage students in the exploration of the cartographic communication process. Effective geographical display is dependent upon the decisions involved in its design, such as colour, symbology, and typography in map making. Students will also be introduced to concepts and processes that are central to cartography, enabling the student to build a cartographic foundation for subsequent studies. Industry standard, graphic design software will be used to create various paper products and screen images.Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00
Problem Solving and Programming
Course Number: GEOM067
Geomatics software systems include programming capabilities to enable technical users to build specialised applications to process data and automate repetitive tasks. Using these facilities, a few well placed lines of code can save days of tedium or can accomplish tasks that would otherwise not be feasible. In this course students will prepare to utilise these capabilities by: (1) developing problem solving and algorithm design skills, and (2) implementing solutions in a high-level programming language (Visual Basic .NET) and (3) designing graphic user interfaces in objected-oriented, event-driven environments. This course also serves as the foundation to the other programming and technical courses in the GIS specialist programs.Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00
Remote Sensing and Image Analysis
Course Number: GEOM066
This course provides an introduction to the basic interpretation and measurement of physical, biological, and cultural features on remotely sensed imagery. Basic photogrammetry concepts will be examined and practiced in scale determination, height, and measurement. Students will acquire an understanding of basic remote sensing techniques and their application in natural resource disciplines. In lab and field work students will gather control points, register the image to the ground, and compile data from industry standard software. Lab software: PCI Geomatica.Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00
Spatial Analysis I
Course Number: GEOM103
This course will enable students to explore the principles and fundamental concepts and types of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and apply them in projects. Students will be introduced to the five main technical components of a GIS, namely, input, storage, pre-processing, analysis and output using both the raster and vector spatial data models. Hands-on experience, using current software applications is provided through a series of laboratory exercises.Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00
Surveying and CAD Mapping
Course Number: SURV021
Acquiring spatial data and attribute data, in the field, is an important part of mapping and GIS. Once back in the office, this new data must be integrated in an efficient manner. Building on the skill sets associated with measuring for maps and land-type surveys, students will develop methods of placing field data onto existing maps and plans. These collected features will be placed in a GIS/Land Information System and appended to existing digital maps and plans.Units: 21.00
Hours: 21.00
Web Design and Programming
Course Number: GEOM101
This course introduces students to the growing field of distributed geographic information. Principles of web design will be explored using industry standard software, with a focus on issues of accessibility. Various technologies for building dynamic web sites in a client-server environment will be introduced, and students will use client-side programming languages in the development of a website. This course prepares students for the use and customization of web GIS applications in the second semester.Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00
Semester 2
Advanced Remote Sensing
Course Number: GEOM075
The goals of this advanced course are three-fold. First, today's professional airborne digital mapping systems will be reviewed. In so doing, students will be able to use current imaging and GIS software to compile a 3-D map. Second, a thorough analysis of the applications of synthetic aperture radar (SAR - both airborne and from space) will be completed. In understanding that process students will be involved in measuring ground subsidence by means of GPS data densification achieved through SAR imagery and interferometry. Third, the ever increasing utility of the data from the MODIS and ASTER space-borne sensors will be reviewed, and in parallel, students will perform advanced fully-automated, (as well as semi-automated), data extraction.Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00
Environmental Modeling
Course Number: GEOM105
Environmental Modeling is the science of predicting the behaviour and occurrence of environmental processes and variables. The use of GIS in Environmental Modeling extends this science to the creation of spatial surfaces. Environmental modeling using GIS is being applied to a wide variety of environmental and natural resource applications for decision-making at all levels, and as such is an important tool for the GIS Analyst. This course will provide the fundamental knowledge required to perform environmental modeling using industry standard GIS software. Students create surfaces using a variety of interpolation techniques, will learn the appropriate algorithm to choose for a given scenario, and will create and use 3D surfaces for enhanced visualization. In addition, hydrological surfaces will be created and examined in order to better understand the physical processes which take place in our environment.Units: 21.00
Hours: 21.00
Geovisualization II
Course Number: GEOM106
The discipline of cartography has long been about the art and science of communicating geospatial information through the incorporation of graphical symbology. Over the past two decades, geographic visualization, also referred to as geovisualization, has emerged to include not only the cartographic domain but also the understanding of the human cognition of information visualization and the inclusion of technology. As within numerous other scientific fields, the use of sophisticated interactive computer technologies has enable geographers to render greater supporting geospatial data analysis through the use of interactive visualization. Collectively these factors are allowing for more advanced human-map interaction in revealing unknowns through visual communications.Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00
Municipal GIS
Course Number: GEOM108
Cites and urban environments are home to the majority of the human population. Municipalities use GIS and mapping technologies for planning efficient and cost effective enhancements to our towns and cities. Topics may include: Automated Mapping and Facilities Management, street mapping, utilities management, tax and property assessment. Students will gain expertise in the successful communication of the spatial interplay of the facilities designed, installed, and maintained by municipalities.Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00
Project Planning and Management
Course Number: GEOM068
The skills developed in this course will help students select, design, build, and implement a complex GIS application and/or a cartographic representation in response to an industry defined problem, using a business project management model. The course will assist students in negotiating the complexities of project management unique to this sector, as well as issues such as client relations, time management and scheduling, costing and budgeting, data acquisition, negotiating intellectual property rights and copyrights and managing team work and interactions. Project design principles and cartographic standards, together with guest lectures, will provide a foundation for the iterative process of planning, establishing schedules, and writing, a GIS project proposal. Project Planning and Management precedes the GIS Cooperative Project in the final semester, and develops a skill set critical to its success.Units: 21.00
Hours: 21.00
Web Communication
Course Number: GEOM107
Expanding upon the graphic design foundations built in first semester, this course focuses on the application of design principles within a web site context. Students will explore image creation and manipulation and as well as web site development using established software, with an emphasis on the coherence and effectiveness of visual communication, as opposed to the more technical elements of web-based projects.Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00
Web GIS Development
Course Number: GEOM099
Pre-requisites
Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00
Semester 3
GIS Co-operative Project
Course Number: APST062
This course provides the student with an opportunity to finalize the design, development and implementation of a GIS project initiated in the Project Planning and Management course. This team based project will address a variety of GIS issues and use mapping techniques to promote the research, development, testing, and analyzing of real world information in a 'real world' environment. Students will be challenged to assign responsibilities, create and maintain satisfactory working relationships with the client, accept feedback, meet project deadlines, manage the production of deliverables to industry standard, and formally present their findings.Units: 210.00
Hours: 210.00
Geovisualization III
Course Number: GEOM110
In this course students will examine, in-depth, the principles of how maps work. Over the past decade studies on the role of maps and communication through visualization have invoked considerable discussion and debate. Students will be introduced to scientific research models that define the complexity of geographical visualization as it takes place along a continuum within the visual communication realm. Students will engage in studying and producing map products, which will incorporate complex descriptions of analysis / visual thinking and communication / presentation components.Units: 28.00
Hours: 28.00