WELCOME TO THE

BCIT GEOMATICS
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Geomatics Program and General

Information for Students

SEPTEMBER, 2013
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INDEX

Introduction 3
Keys to Success 3-4
Student Resources, Policies 4–6
Course Withdrawals, Exemptions 6
BCIT ID card, Parking, Lockers 7
Calculators, Textbooks, Bookstore 8
TNT Store, Student Tutors, Designated classrooms 9
Student Association (class representatives) 9
Scholarships 9
Employment, Photos 10
Events, Safety & Security, 10 - 11
Harassment 11
Student Course Scheduling Responsibility 11
Staff Contacts 12 - 13
Important Dates 14 - 15
Survey Stores Procedure 16
Field Survey Equipment 17 - 18
Campus Map 19
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BCIT GEOMATICS

INTRODUCTION

The BCIT Geomatics Engineering Technology Diploma

program, formerly known as the Surveying and Mapping
Program, has been providing technical education for almost
50 years. Our graduates have successfully pursued careers in
the Geomatics industry both nationally and internationally.
BCIT’s reputation has attracted students from across Canada
and other countries. The employment demand for BCIT
Geomatics Diploma graduate students has been excellent even during the recent
economic downturn. Over the past few years nearly all of the first year students looking
for summer employment in the Geomatics industry have been successful.

KEYS TO SUCCESS

One of the goals of the Geomatics program at BCIT is to ensure that students succeed
while maintaining the standards that have become accepted within industry and the
department.

The two year program is demanding, starting at the beginning of September and
continuing to the end of May. Each week contains approximately 30 scheduled
lecture/lab hours with up to 9 separate courses. Each course may have lab reports,
assignments, midterms and a final exam,

The following are important:-

Time management – use your time wisely, for example utilize course lab time to
work on homework with help at hand.

Organization – over each semester each student will accumulate hundreds of

documents including assignments, labs, midterms and course handouts. If this
material is well organized then it can be used for studying over the two year
program and significant time can be saved by not searching for every item. This
applies to computer files as well.

Set Priorities – all courses are important, do not overemphasize certain courses
based on personal interests. Do not spend hours trying to solve a single problem
when there are many more to be dealt with.
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KEYS TO SUCCESS (continued)

Choose your associates wisely – every year we see

students with the ability to succeed become
sidetracked by someone else here to ‘pass the time’.

Seek help when necessary – do not wait until the

material in a course has become totally ‘beyond
comprehension’.

Understand the material – many courses build on

previous courses, if you do not understand the
material then there may be problems later on in
other courses.

STUDENT RESOURCES

my.bcit.ca

One of the most useful resources that BCIT has is the

‘https://my.bcit.ca/cp/home/displaylogin’ website.

By logging on to this site students have access to the following:-

- an email account
- class information with the ability to email
others in the class including the
instructor/assistant instructors and
notifications about cancellations or other
changes
- ‘chat’ with others in the class
- links to BCIT services including Financial Aid, the Disability Resource
Center, Counseling and the Library.

Log on to ‘mybcit’ with your student ID number A00______ followed by a password,

initially by default your date of birth as YYMMDD, i.e. 860213 for February 13, 1986.
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The tab at the top labeled ‘Student Resources’ will lead to links to other services including:

STUDENT COUNSELLING www.bcit.ca/counselling

Students may make an appointment at the Counselling and Student Development offices
in SE16-127, or by calling 604-432-8608. Counselling for BCIT students is free and
confidential. No information is released unless authorized by the student or required by
law. When appropriate, counselling can also refer students to other BCIT or community
services. The Geomatics students normally deal with Ray deVreis at 604-432-8436.
Counselling can cover a range of topics including stress management, career choices,
personal problems, etc.

MEDICAL SERVICES

A medical clinic exists in the SE16 building (in the corridor leading east from the
GYM/training room). The clinic operates during normal school hours and is staffed with
several doctors, room number SE16–127 phone number 604-432-8608. A physiotherapist
operates a service in the office next to the medical services waiting room. If unable to
attend class for any reason the student must communicate with the instructor by email,
phone or by way of a message delivered by another means.

BCIT DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER www.bcit.ca/drc/

The DRC is the designated office that maintains disability-related documents, determines
eligibility for academic accommodation, determines reasonable accommodation, and
develops specific plans so that academic accommodation of each eligible student is
provided through well-coordinated services. Eligibility is determined and plans drawn up
by means of:

 relevant professional documentation

 information gathered from the student, and/or
 evaluation undertaken by SSD staff and faculty.

Once the appropriate means of academic accommodation have been determined, DRC
staff advises students to communicate with their instructors to explain their disability and
the strategies they use to accommodate it. The DRC is located on the second floor of the
Gateway building.

‘Student Resources’ in my.bcit.ca contains further information on other services at BCIT.

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STUDENT POLICIES

BCIT has very well documented student policies for dealing with many situations including
mark reviews and any problems dealing with copying or cheating. Your course outlines
contain some of these policies, for others refer to BCIT Policy Number 5002. These can be
accessed through my.bcit.ca by Student Resources.

In recent years plagiarism (copying) has

become a problem throughout the BCIT
student population. Administration is taking a
more interactive and aggressive approach to
stop it. Copying is unacceptable and may
result in serious repercussions up to and
including expulsion from the program. Policy
Number 5002 outlines the process in detail.

Although we encourage students to work

together to solve problems and help each
other understand the material this does not
mean one person simply copies someone
else’s work and presents it as their own.

PROGRAM or COURSE CHANGES (Withdrawal, exemptions, etc)

If you have taken a course that may be equivalent to one of those in the program you
must submit a course exemption form (available from Student Records on the first floor of
the Gateway building) and, as a minimum, a course outline with your transcript to the
instructor responsible for the course. If the course outline does not have a great deal of
detail then more information may be required.

To withdraw from a course or the program then see Bob Harrower in SW2-313. Course
withdrawal can be made by Bob directly through Student Records without any additional
paperwork. Program withdrawal requires a form available at student records and needs a
signature form the Program Head, Associate Dean or counsellor. Refer to pages 14 and
15 of this handout for the date deadlines for any of these changes.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

BCIT OneCard

Each student should get a BCIT ID card, if not done during the registration process then
they can be obtained in the Library foyer. The ID card may be used for accessing printing
services, gymnasium facilities (training room), library withdrawals and other purposes.

PARKING

Parking space is at a premium during the academic year,

BCIT has a contract with IMPARK to patrol, issue tickets
and, if necessary, tow vehicles. They are ‘ruthless’ and
extremely diligent, expect a ticket even if you have only
parked ‘illegally’ for a few minutes.

From http://www.bcit.ca/parking

‘BCIT provides pay parking facilities for employees, students and visitors at the Burnaby
and satellite campuses. Paid parking is in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All vehicles
parked on campus must display a valid BCIT parking permit, a valid ticket purchased from
a parking ticket dispenser, be registered with E-Permits, or for daily parking have
purchased a parking space through the Pay by Phone Service. Employees and students are
assigned separate parking lots Monday to Friday from 6:00 am to 4:30 pm. Signage is
provided in all parking lots. To maintain orderly parking year round, and ensure that
permit holders can park in designated areas, it is essential that vehicles park at all times
only in the lot/area to which their vehicle is designated. ‘

LOCKERS

BCIT does not assign or charge any fee for lockers. Students are allowed to find and claim
lockers for the most part on a ‘first come / first serve’ basis. Find a locker somewhere that
is convenient for your schedule and starting location each day and put a lock on it. At
the end of the academic year (June) all lockers must by vacated, those that have not
been vacated are forced open by BCIT security and the contents removed. As there is no
official control over the lockers students may claim more than one.
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CALCULATOR
The Hewlett Packard HP50g (price range from $100 to
$200) will be the primary calculator for Geomatics
students; courses will cover the basic use of the
calculator and introduce programming. The price for
the calculator varies significantly from one source to
another, search the Internet for the best deal but make
sure the seller is both reputable and has them in stock.
Below are a couple of Internet sites with the lowest
prices for HP50gs. You may also want to try
‘shopbot.ca’ and investigate Canadian companies.

Amazon.com (US) – Various options available from around $90

http://www.amazon.com/HP-HP50G-50g-Graphing-Calculator/dp/B000GTPRPS

eBay (US) – $105 US plus shipping from a direct HP dealer

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/HP-50g-Graphing-Calculator-New-in-Box-
/370814806342?pt=Calculators&hash=item565648e946

Past students have needed to wait for a considerable amount of time if the seller does not
have the calculator in stock. Some courses may also require or recommend an
inexpensive secondary calculator such as a CASIO FX-260 – make sure the calculator can
convert Degrees Minutes Seconds to Decimal Degrees.

TEXTBOOKS
In the course outlines which are usually handed out in the first lecture there is a list of
textbooks and other required course material. Some of the books may be the same as last
year and they may be available to be bought used. In the past we have had second year
students give their unwanted books to Brad Crocker, survey stores manager in SE04-118,
with their asking price. This has not been arranged yet but you will be notified if it is an
option.

BOOKSTORE

The BCIT bookstore is located on the south side of Goard Way underneath the SE02
building. The Geomatics books are located near the far corner (the southeast corner)
from the entrance door. A recent price comparison between the book store and
Chapters/Amazon online showed only a few dollars difference between them. The
bookstore also stocks many of the small pencil/pen/field note requirements.
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TNT STORE

The student association operates a couple stores on campus the largest being located on
the ground floor of the SE2 building immediately south of the Pub. Locks, pencils, pens,
field note paper and binders are available and the prices are usually less than the
Bookstore.

STUDENT ASSOCIATION

The Student Association requires one representative

from each year of a program. Carolyn Dyczko was the
Geomatics first year rep from 2012 - 2013. In addition
there should be one class rep selected for each set, in
the Diploma program there are 2 sets of 25 students
each in first year and 3 sets of 20 students each in second year, the BTech has one set of
20 students in each of the two years. Duties for the student reps include attending
Student Association Meetings and Program Advisory Committee meetings. The
representative acts as the spokesperson for the students and is responsible for informing
the rest of the class of any important items from the meetings. The class usually votes for
a representative after a few weeks of classes.

STUDENT PEER TUTORS

Free student peer tutors are available for those needing

assistance. Normally their schedule starts in late
September or early October. This will depend on funding
and the information will be posted throughout the
campus. Normally at least one of the tutors will be a
second year Geomatics students familiar with the material
being covered in first year.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Several scholarships are available to Geomatics students including the Hans Klinkenberg
Awards. The applications are usually submitted in March and for the First Year students
are awarded based on first term marks. A good start at the beginning of First Year may
result in some early benefits. We will keep you informed about any scholarships that we
are contacted about. We also receive funds from various companies and endowments for
approximately a dozen other scholarships, these are generally awarded based on marks
and do not require a student application.
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EMPLOYMENT

Although the department does not ‘officially’ find

employment for our students many employers contact us
looking for employees. Both full time jobs for the
graduating students and summer employment
opportunities are sent to the department. The employer
usually sends a job posting which is placed in a computer
folder that can be accessed by all the Geomatics students.
Over the past several years many companies visit the campus to recruit students. You will
be kept up-to-date with the time and location of these visits.

STUDENT PHOTOS

In order to put ‘a name to a face’ we will be asking each student to have a photograph
taken. These will be put together as class sets in order for instructors to be able to
identify each student. These photos are ‘voluntary’, we will ask you to sign a consent
form before they are taken.

‘MEET and GREET’

The British Columbia Professional Land Surveyors host an

informal evening for the Geomatics Students. This is normally
scheduled in the last week of January and the details will be
announced well in advance. The event is catered (free food and
beverages) and allows the students to meet a group of people in
the industry.

CIG / BCIT Speakers

A guest speaker presenting topics of interest within Geomatics will be scheduled on the
third Wednesday of each month. Details for each month will be circulated to the
students.

CAREER FAIR

Usually scheduled in March or April, employers from a variety of companies and

organizations recruit students on campus. Last year several surveying companies
participated and some students made contacts leading to employment.
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OPEN HOUSE

Generally every two years BCIT offers an Open House for the
general public to tour the campus and learn about the
programs and students. The next one is scheduled in 2015
and information will be circulated at the beginning of the
Winter session. Generally everyone (student and staff) participates in some way from
helping set up or take down the displays to acting as representatives during the actual
Open House.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

The Burnaby Campus is patrolled 24 hours/day by safety and security patrols. If you
witness an accident, an apparent crime or feel somehow in danger then do not hesitate to
contact them. There are emergency beacons located throughout the parking lots on
campus or they can be reached by phone at 604-451-6856 or 6856 from a BCIT hall /office
connection.

HARASSMENT

BCIT encourages an environment of mutual respect and integrity. If students or

employees become involved in conflicts where they are feeling seriously abused,
intimidated or offended by another, they may be able to use the BCIT Policy on
Harassment and Discrimination to help them resolve their conflict. Refer to BCIT Policy
7507. Contact is Monica Kay (email Monica_Kay@bcit.ca, phone 604-451-6721).

STUDENT COURSE SELECTION RESPONSIBILITY

The Geomatics Diploma Program is designed for students to complete all the course
requirements in two academic years. Most of the students (approx. 85%) taking the
program are successful in completing the program on the two year schedule. However
other students, due to a variety of reasons (financial problems, workload issues,
unsuccessful completion of a course or courses) enter a modified program and continue
on a ‘course by course’ schedule as a daytime student. BCIT policy allows a total of seven
years to earn a diploma from a student entering a program. As a course by course student
in a modified program each student is individually responsible for keeping track of the
courses they need for graduation. The Geomatics Department does not monitor the
courses each student takes but Student Records audits each student as they near
completing a program to ensure that they have met the overall Diploma requirements.
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GEOMATICS DEPARTMENT CONTACTS

Geomatics Staff and Role

Dave Rutherford SW02-311 604-432-8627 David_Rutherford@bcit.ca

Program Head, CAD, Cadastral, Land Use Planning, general
questions about professional land surveying

Bob Harrower SW02-313 604-431-4943 Robert_Harrower@bcit.ca

Chief Instructor, First Year Field Surveying, student course changes,
withdrawals and course related problems

Alan Weston SW02-315 604-454-2240 Alan_Weston@bcit.ca

Part Time Studies Coordinator, Cadastral Studies, Mining and
Survey Law

Chris Thornton SW02-313 604-456-8164 Chris_Thornton@bcit.ca

Digital Media Coordinator, Computer Applications, Survey
Computations, Technical Reports

Donna Conroy SW02-316 604-431-4960 Donna_Conroy@bcit.ca

First year Survey Computations and Field

Peter Rontu SW02-318 604-432-8706 Peter_Rontu@bcit.ca

CAD courses, Hydrography (50% leave in Fall followed by 100% leave
in Winter)

Eric Saczuk SW02-315 604-451-7197 Eric_Saczuk@bcit.ca

Remote Sensing, Photogrammetry, Computer Applications

Ken Schuurman SW02-317 604-431-4960 Ken_Schuurman@bcit.ca

Geodesy

Dave Martens SW02-316 604-431-4950 dsmartens@gmail.com

Second Year Field

John Ogundare SW02-317 604-431-4944 John_Ogundare@bcit.ca

(On leave) Mathematical Cartography, Least Squares, Engineering Surveying

Mark Hird-Rutter SW02-318 604-453-4051 Mark_Hird-Rutter@bcit.ca

CAD courses, Photogrammetry, Digital Mapping

Joan Yau SW02-314 604-432-8283 Joan_Yau@bcit.ca

GPS, Survey Computations
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Geomatics Staff and Role (continued)

Kresho Frankich SW02-317 604-431-4944 Kresho_Frankich@bcit.ca

Mathematical Cartography, Least Squares, Engineering Surveys

James Cowan SW02-314 604-432-8992 James_Cowan@bcit.ca

Assistant Instructor

Brad Crocker SE04-118 604-434-5734 local 5284

Survey Stores Manager Bradley_Crocker@bcit.ca

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Hao Wang SW02-215 604-454-7001 Hao_Wang@bcit.ca

Administrative assistant for part time studies Geomatics / GIS

INSTRUCTORS IN SUPPORT COURSES

Mark Jackson SW02-216 604-451-7182 Mark_Jackson@bcit.ca

Mathematics for first and second year

Pamela Borman SW03-4085 604-412-7447 Pamela_Borman@bcit.ca

Physics

Lorraine Robson SW03-4795 604-451-7125 Lorraine_Robson@bcit.ca

Communications

Carmen Heaver SW03-2079 604-412-7421 Carmen_Heaver@bcit.ca

GIS Bachelor of Technology

Rob Hewlett SW03-2079 604-432-8746 Robert_Hewlett@bcit.ca

GIS Bachelor of Technology

Karl Kliparchuk SW03-2079 604-451-6897 Karl_Kliparchuk@bcit.ca

GIS Bachelor of Technology

Sanja Garic-Komnenic SW02-259 604-456-1180 Sanja_Garic-Komnenic@bcit.ca

Liberal Studies Bachelor of Technology

Christine Liotta SW02-259 604-412-7490 Christine_Liotta@bcit.ca

Liberal Studies Bachelor of Technology

John Stroud-Drinkwater SE06-309 604-432-8221 John_Stroud-Drinkwater@bcit.ca

Business Administration Bachelor of Technology

All instructors have five scheduled office hours each week, which are posted on the
instructor’s office door. Many instructors have an ‘open door’ policy and are available
outside of the scheduled office hours.
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IMPORTANT DATES

SEPTEMBER, 2013
3 Full Time program registration
4 Classes start
17 Fee deadline for returning students
17 Last day to withdraw
17 Last day to apply for course credit or change status to ‘audit’
OCTOBER, 2013
14 Thanksgiving Day – BCIT closed
16 Entrance Awards Ceremony

NOVEMBER, 2013
8 Last day to withdraw and receive a ‘W’ for Fall term classes
11 Remembrance Day – BCIT Closed
13 Fall Awards Ceremony

DECEMBER, 2013

6 Last day of classes

9 –13 Final exam week for most technologies

21 Fall term grades available on BCIT website

December 14, 2013 to January 5, 2014 Winter Break

JANUARY, 2014

6 Classes begin for Full-time programs

17 Fee deadline

17 Last day to withdraw

17 Last day to apply for course credit (exemption) or change to ‘audit’ status
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FEBRUARY, 2014

17 Last day to withdraw from Term ‘A’ classes and receive a ‘W’

MARCH, 2014

7 Term A classes end

10-14 Spring Break

17 Term ‘B’ classes begin

APRIL, 2014

14 Last day to withdraw and receive a “W” for full term courses

18 Good Friday – BCIT Closed

21 Easter Monday – BCIT Closed

30 Last day to withdraw from Term ‘B’ and receive a ‘W’

MAY, 2014

4 Last day to withdraw from Term ‘B’ and receive a ‘W’

16 Last day of classes

19 Victoria Day – BCIT Closed

20-23 Final exam week for most technologies

31 Winter term grades available on the BCIT Web site

JUNE, 2014

18 - 20 Convocation Ceremonies
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SURVEY STORES PROCEDURE

On a busy day more than 100 students will take

out equipment from the survey stores. Class
schedules often result in 20 or more students
trying to sign out equipment at the same time.
There is a limited amount of equipment and it
must be available for scheduled field labs. The
space in survey stores is limited and certain
procedures should be followed to reduce
potential problems and ensure the equipment is
available for field labs.

 Survey stores is located in the northwest corner of the SE4 building.

 The entrance to the survey stores is from WEST door near the northwest corner of
the SE4 building, the exit is through the north door facing Goard Way. People
entering through the exit are liable to collide with those trying to leave with
equipment.
 Be prepared with a written list of required equipment before making a request to sign
out items. This will avoid delays and reduce congestion.
 Packs and classroom materials are not to be left in ‘stores’ – there is limited space
and no security
 Instruments are not to be set up in stores – leave the stores with the instrument in
the case and set it up in the field lab project area.
 Instrument cases are not to be left inside the survey stores due to limited space. Each
instrument has its own specific case, please take them to the project area.
 If the weather is wet then the instrument cases should be kept closed while outside
so they will not fill up with rainwater during the lab session.
 If the instrument is wet then it should be carefully wiped off and the case not closed,
condensation inside the instrument may fog the inside of the lenses or damage
electronic components.
 If the tripod feet are muddy then they must be washed off in the boot wash area, this
is on the west side of the SE4 building near the entrance.
 All equipment must be returned at the end of the scheduled lab, unless prior
arrangements have been made.
 Instruments must be returned on schedule, if taken out overnight/weekend then they
must be returned between 8:15 and 8:30 AM on the next regular class day.
 Damaged or malfunctioning equipment must be reported to survey stores in order for
repairs to be made and to avoid sending faulty equipment out with another student.
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All Geomatics students are required to take field surveying. This will involve working
outside in all types of weather and requires the purchase of some field equipment.
Students may purchase the equipment from any supplier.

The list of required field supplies includes:

 A high visibility field vest – one with pockets for field book, pencils, flagging,
etc. is recommended
 A ring binder style field book
 Plumb bob (sheath and gammon reel recommended)
 5 metre pocket tape
 Water proof ‘level style’ field note paper
 A mechanical pencil (0.5mm recommended)
 Rain gear
 Substantial footwear – ankle support is recommended, steel toes are not
required
 A basic calculator with trig functions (HP50g is fine but many students
prefer to use a less expensive one in the field)

A list of some local suppliers is as follows:

Butler Survey Supplies, #105-14271 Knox, Way, Richmond 604-278-1719

CANSEL Survey Equipment, 3771 Napier Street, Burnaby 604-299-5794

Deakin Equipment, 1361 Powell Street, Vancouver 604-253-2685

DW Technologies, #132 – 2323 Boundary Road, Vancouver 604-205-6928

Spatial Technologies, #10 – 3671 Viking Way, Richmond 604-214-9453

Commercial Solutions (CFE), 1250 Cliveden Avenue, Delta (Annacis Island) 604-522-8086

NOTE: Mentioning that you are a Geomatics student at BCIT may earn you some sort of
discount at some of these stores, so remember to take your BCIT ID Card if shopping.

Trinitec (CANSEL) will be on campus on either Sept 5th or 6th selling supplies. They will be
located in the room behind survey stores. The exact date time will be announced in the
orientation session. Their prices seem reasonable and the types are consistent with the
course requirements.
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