GIS for Environmental Management – U of T
Added by CanadianGIS
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Listed in Education, Online Education, Online Tools & Aps, University
- 33 Willcocks Street, Suite 1016V Toronto ON M5S 3E8
- 416-978-7077
- learn.environment.utoronto.ca/home/distance-education/programs/geographical-information-systems-(gis)-for-environmental-management.aspx
Duration: 1 year (4 courses)
Location: (Anywhere in Canada – Online Program)
GIS has become a well known method for communicating spatial information and these days we tend to see more and more geomatics based applications pop up as GIS continues to spread out into more industries. A relative new term to geomatics would be ‘Environmental GIS’; one that is often used to describe using geo-spatial methods and tools to help develop and manage environmental strategies. The University of Toronto offers a Certificate in GIS for Environmental Management program that helps students build a solid foundation of GIS and Remote Sensing concepts and theory while developing skills related to environmental management.
The one year certificate programs is comprised of two required core GIS courses and two other geomatics related courses, all offered through distance education online over the internet.
“The School of the Environment at the University of Toronto specializes in innovative, completely on-line, distance education courses and certificate programs for working professionals. Our applied and professional programs are developed in collaboration with industry experts and taught by leading industry practitioners ensuring current and leading edge knowledge and skills. Courses are developed for mid-career professionals and entrepreneurs who need to enhance their expertise, internationally educated professionals augmenting credentials for the Canadian context and recent college and university graduates seeking to advance their careers, enabling all to excel. Make informed decisions: impact your profession. “
3D view in a case study from one of the courses of the Certificate in GIS for Environmental Management Program showing a 100 m raster buffer around streams.
Graduates of the Certificate in GIS for Environmental Management Program may also become eligible for the Environmental Professional in Training designation under the national certification program for Canadian environmental professionals. Certification is a highly discussed topic these days in many geomatics networks and can help establishes your professional credibility at a national level demonstrating to potential clients and employers that you have a unique combination of skills, practical knowledge, education and experience.
“Certification is crucial in the environmental sector where green-washing makes it difficult to separate the self-proclaimed experts from the real ones. It demonstrates an individual’s professionalism, commitment to the field, and desire to remain on top of current practices. It is also a measure of a professional’s competencies against verified standards, which set them apart from others in the industry.”
The program is designed for those that are new to GIS with no background knowledge of geomatics (although it never hurts to have some knowledge) so there are no prerequisites except a basic understanding of computers and Windows operating systems. In the first course students receive an introduction to digital mapping and spatial analysis techniques through GIS and then the other courses build upon that knowledge. Esri ArcGIS 10 software running on the Centre for Environment’s GIS server is provided to students so that they can access their course-work from virtually any computer with an internet connection and not need to worry about any troubles involved with installing GIS software on their own computer. The popular Esri ‘Virtual Campus’ online courses are also provided to students to use in the program.
All courses are self paced within a defined schedule led by an instructor that provides lectures and guides students through the material, assignments and training. Online courses offer flexibility and convenience for people who have started careers and families and do not have the luxury of being able to go back to school full time. This way they can study at their own pace and cut travel or relocation costs while adding geomatics skills and knowledge to their existing portfolio.
Contact Info
Donna Workman – d.workman@utoronto.ca (416)978-7077
Web Site: http://learn.environment.utoronto.ca/home/distance-education/programs/geographical-information-systems-(gis)-for-environmental-management.aspx or see the University of Toronto See the Course Web Site for more details.
[source: email & utoronto.ca]
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Tags: Canadian, certificate program, environment, esri, geomatics, GIS, online, Ontario, Toronto, University of Toronto, virtual
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