Friday, September 5, 2014

What One Needs To Understand About Alberta Geomatics

By Mattie MacDonald


Geomatics as a discipline specializes in the storage, integration, collection, processing, analysis, modeling, delivery, and representation of spatially-referenced data. All tools, products, and services used in managing geographic information fall under it. Information in this field describes natural land features and processes, and man made constructions. In Alberta Geomatics is known by many other names including geomatics engineering, geospatial technology, and geomatic engineering.

The number of years the discipline has existed are many although the term itself has not been around for so long. The term has continued to become popular after its coining in 1969 by Arun and Anand. Combing the terms geodesy and geoinformatics was the main intention it was coined. Instruments and methods used in remote sensing, global navigation, land surveying, cartography, geography, geographic information systems, photogrammetry, and satellite systems are also used in this discipline.

The term was first used in Canada after it was coined. Since then, many international organizations have adopted it as a standard term. ISO and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors are among the organizations that adopted it. However, the phrase geospatial technology is still being preferred more to geomatic engineering by some organizations especially in the United States. Departments such as surveying, survey science, and survey engineering have since been re-titled to geomatic engineering in most academic institutions.

There are many other fields that contributed to the fast growth of geomatic engineering during the 90s. Software engineering, computer hardware, remote sensing technologies, and computer science are among the disciplines that continue to contribute to its fast growth. Geomatic engineers is the name used to refer to specialists in this field. Other countries call them professional surveyors or mappers.

Designing, development, and operation of systems used in collection and analysis of spatial data concerning man-made features, oceans, natural resources, and land are part of the job description. Engineers also do tasks that closely relate to civil engineering like laying out and designing public infrastructure and urban subdivisions. They perform control surveys as well as map construction projects.

Many years of training and experience are required to become an expert engineer in this discipline. A bachelor in engineering is the first requirement. In Alberta, it typically takes four years to complete college work in this degree. One must forward most recent scores in standardized test scores and high school diplomas when applying for admission in a college.

This degree is offered by many institutions. Application forms are normally available for download on their websites. Having some background knowledge in geography and math prepares one better for college coursework. Students are equipped with knowledge of taking measurements on the surface and producing maps basing on them. Geomatics engineering requires such skills a lot. In addition, to mapping skills, mathematical formulas are applied heavily too.

Students are supposed to attend internship as part of the curriculum in some institutions while in others, it is not mandatory. To be in a safe position, one should acquire some practical knowledge because it can be important when applying for a job. A three-year degree in Geometic is needed together with the engineering degree.




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