Useful Information Concerning 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 field of geomatic engineering has been in existence for many years although the term is still very new. The term was first used by Arun and Anand in the year 1969 and has continued to gaining popularity in many countries. The term was coined with the intent of putting the words geoinformatics and geodesy together. All instruments and methods employed in fields like geographic information systems, cartography, remote sensing, global navigation satellite systems, land surveying, geography, and photogrammetry are encompassed in this discipline.

The coining of the term happened in Canada where it was also used first. Since that time, it has been adopted and made into a standard term by several organizations of international reputation. Among such organizations are the ISO and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, RICS. However, some organizations in USA prefer using the word geospatial technology than geomatic engineering. Most educational institutions have retitled departments of survey science, survey engineering, and surveying, to geomatic engineering or science.

1990s were the years when geomatic engineering expanded and grew fastest due to contributions from other disciplines. Those disciplines include Software Engineering, remote sensing technologies, computer science, and computer hardware. People who are qualified and licensed to work in this field are called Geomatic engineers. However, it is not uncommon to hear them being called professional mappers or surveyors.

Engineers of geomatic design, operate, and develop systems used for collecting and analyzing spatially-referenced data about man-made structures, natural resources, land, and oceans. Some tasks done by these engineers are closely related to civil engineering. Such tasks include doing control survey and mapping construction projects, and laying out public infrastructure and urban subdivisions as well as designing them.

Expert engineers in the field of geomatics engineering have years of experience and training. To become one, it is mandatory to have a bachelor in engineering as the first qualification for entry. In Alberta, one needs about 4 years to earn the degree. Gaining admission into a university to study the course requires one to forward standardized test scores and high school diplomas among other qualifications.

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.

Internship is a mandatory requirement in some institutions while others do not have it. All the same, acquiring some practical skills is important because employers consider it before employing workers. A bachelor degree in Geomatic is required after the bachelor degree in engineering. This one takes three years of training in most states.




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