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Undergraduate Certificate in Geomatics for Environmental Management (GEM)

This program is pending approval by the UBC Board of Governors.

The Undergraduate Certificate in Geomatics for Environmental Management provides an opportunity for students to integrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing and state-of-the art geospatial credentials into their undergraduate degree within the realm of environmental management, conservation and sustainability issues. 

Lower-level courses will introduce students to basic geospatial concepts and the breadth of applications in environmental management and conservation that geomatics has to offer. Upper-level courses will dive deeper into more complex geospatial topics, and provide students with hands-on experience managing and analyzing geospatial datasets. A suite of elective courses provides flexibility to tailor the certificate to students’ particular interests.  

Admission

Degree-seeking students currently enrolled in any UBC undergraduate program are eligible to apply. Students are encouraged to apply at the end of their first year. To apply, complete the form on the certificate website.

Program Requirements

To complete the certificate, students must complete 15 credits of courses, including:

Core courses (9 credits):

  • NRES_V 241* (3) Introduction to Geomatics for Natural Resource Management
  • NRES_V 341* (3) Intermediate Geomatics for Natural Resource Management
  • NRES_V 441 (3) Advanced Geomatics for Natural Resource Management

Elective courses:

  • 6 credits chosen from the list of approved elective courses maintained at the GEM Certificate Website

* Students from outside the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship may substitute the pair of courses GEOS_V 270 and GEOS_V 373 in place of the pair of courses NRES_V 241 and NRES_V 341.

Credits earned in the Undergraduate Certificate in Geomatics for Environmental Management may be applied towards other degree programs at UBC.


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