Course Descriptions Home

This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the types and uses of maps for use by marine environmental technologists.

It also introduces students to calculations from maps and provides them with an introduction to digital mapping techniques, namely Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing.

Introduction to Map Use; Projections and Coordinates; Map Scale and Calculations; Spatial Analysis and GIS; Remote Sensing and Aerial Photography.

Prerequisite - None

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 3 hours /week

Laboratories - 1 hour/week

This course introduces students to the theoretical and practical elements associated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Students will have the opportunity to develop and demonstrate the comprehensive application of GIS technology through the performance of fundamental mapping and visualization tasks, GIS workflow editing, analytical processes and methods as well as basic geodata management best practices.

Digital Mapping and GIS Fundamentals; Geospatial Data Management; Geospatial Data Creation, Visualization and Sharing; Geospatial Data Editing and Manipulation; Geoprocessing, Automation and Data Analysis.

Prerequisites - None

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 3 hours per week = 39 total hours

Laboratories - 2 hours once per week = 26 total hours

This course introduces students to the science of geodesy - the theoretical foundation of surveying and mapping.

Students will study the dynamic behaviour of the Earth, precise positioning in a well-defined coordinate system, and the Earth’s gravity.

History of Geodesy; Math for Geodesy; Earth and its Motions; Earth’s Gravity; Earth’s Size and Shape; Datum; Coordinate Systems; Map Projections

Prerequisite - None

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 3 hours per week = 39 total hours

This course exposes the student to geodesy and map projection concepts and techniques as they are used in hydrographic surveying.

The student will also gain practical experience in computing coordinates and calculating transformations between coordinate systems using proprietary software.

Positioning Measurements and Errors; Techniques in Surveying; Positioning with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)

Prerequisite - OMAP 1302 (Field Camp 1); STAT 2108 (Applied Statistics)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 3 hours per week = 39 total hours

Laboratories - 2 hours once per week = 26 total hours

This course provides the student with a background in ocean remote sensing practices and applications.

The course will be taught using modern equipment and methodologies, allowing the student to better understand the uses of remote sensing in the extraction of marine/oceanic parameters.

It will combine both theoretical and practical methods to reach the major objectives of both the course and program.

Multispectral Remote Sensing; Bathymetric Remote Sensing; Photogrammetry; Ocean Surface Phenomena; Atmospheric Properties and Radiative Transfer; The Atmosphere/Ocean Interface; Ocean Colour; Sea Surface Temperature (SST); Microwave Remote Sensing

Prerequisite - GEOG 2103 (Introduction to GIS)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 3 hours per week = 39 total hours

Laboratories - 2 hours once per week = 26 total hours

This course provides the student with an introduction to the theoretical, technical, and practical applications of advanced geographic database design, implementation, dissemination and management techniques and best practices.

Taught using modern software and methods, it will enable the student to better understand the architecture of a geodatabase, the complex workflows associated with multi-user geodatabases within an enterprise environment as well as the spatial database administration from an installation, configuration, versioning, performance and replication perspective.

Introduction to Databases; Introduction to Geodatabases; Database Management System Environments; RDBMS Installation and Configuration; Geodatabase Design; Data Storage and Architecture; Data Loading, Transferring, Sharing and Editing; Geodatabase Maintenance, Performance and Troubleshooting

Prerequisites - CPSK 1200 (Introduction to Applied Programming); and GEOG 2103 (Introduction to Geographic Information Systems)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 3 hours per week = 39 hours

Laboratories - 2 hours once per week = 26 hours

This course will introduce the student to advanced survey methods and specialized hydrographic techniques.

Building on knowledge of standard survey practices the student will learn the principles and practical applications of advanced GPS techniques, acoustic and alternative positioning methods, laser scanning and optical laser hydrographic surveys.

Review of Positioning Concepts; Advanced GPS Positioning Techniques; Review of Acoustic Principles; Acoustic Positioning Applications; Least Squares Adjustments; Alternative Positioning Methods; Future Positioning Methods.

Prerequisite - GEOG 2201 (Intermediate Surveying Practices); OMAP 2000 (Underwater Acoustic Applications) or equivalent; and MATH 1213 (Math for Math Makers); MATH 2205 (Applications of Derivatives and Integration)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 3 hours per week = 39 total hours

Laboratories - 2 hours once per week = 26 total hours

This course provides the student with an opportunity to apply and develop web-based mapping and application development techniques through the design, implementation and dissemination of geospatial data through the World Wide Web.

Taught using modern software and methods, this course enables the student to effectively configure and deploy desktop applications, build web applications with object-oriented programming, and perform application documentation as well as conduct maintenance and implementation of client-side and server-side security from an enterprise administration perspective.

Introduction to Web-based Mapping; Web-based Mapping Development Environments; Web Programming; Application Development; System Design; System Administration.

Prerequisite - GEOG 3105 (Advanced Geospatial Data Management)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 3 hours per week = 39 total hours

Laboratories - 2 hours once per week = 26 total hours

This course provides the student with an introduction to the theoretical, technical, and practical application, production, and management of nautical charts from a hydrographic perspective. These practices will focus on nautical applications associated with hydrographic data management and nautical chart creation utilized in the formal production of a marine product.

Employing a variety of modern software and development methods, this course enables the student to develop a better understanding of this process through the implementation of the complete workflow as it relates to source data compilation, Electronic Navigational Chart Production, Paper Chart Production as well as the related ancillary data that complements nautical chart production within an ocean mapping environment.

Nautical Chart Fundamentals; Nautical Chart Ancillary Data and Nautical Publications; Nautical Chart Compilation and Composition; Electronic Navigational Chart Production; Paper Chart Production

Prerequisite - GEOG 2103 (Introduction to Geographic Information Systems)

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 1 hour per week = 13 total hours

Laboratories - 4 hours once per week = 52 total hours

This course will provide an introduction to remote sensing technologies, examining data collection and processing methodologies.

It will review the principles of data processing and the use of remote sensing in water resources.

Introduction to Remote Sensing (RS); Multispectral Remote Sensing; Image Classification and Error Assessment; Airborne Systems: Water Remote Sensing

Prerequisite - None

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 3 hours/week

Laboratories - 3 hours/week

This course is an introductory course covering the fundamentals of hydrology, oceanography and limnology and will provide the student with an understanding of the processes and applications of each discipline.

Introduction to Water Resources; Runoff; Groundwater; Evaporation and Transpiration; Streamflow; Anthropogenic Case Studies.

Lectures - 39 hours (3 hours per week)

Laboratories - 26 hours (2 hour lab per week)

This course is designed to provide the participants with an introduction to general map use and application as well as outline of the opportunities and limitations of the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the field of Water Resources.

Introduction to GIS; Digital Mapping Data Models; Functions of GIS; Data Quality Evaluation; Recent Trends in GIS.

Prerequisite - None

Duration - 13 weeks

Lectures - 3 hours/week = 39 hours

Practical Exercises/Laboratories - 3 hours/week = 39 hours