Are you a visual learner? This program may be right for you. The Geographic Information Systems - Cartographic Specialist program focuses on the art and science of communicating geographic data and information through visualization and maps. Become a proficient GIS practitioner and visual designer - creating a variety of customized, interactive maps and other products for users of geographic information.
Please note: this program is being offered online for the 2021-22 academic year, and program delivery is synchronous.
Cartography - known as the art and science of making maps, has come a long way since the efforts of early mapmakers who worked with pen and ink. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allows today's "cartographer" to store geographic data in an organized way, to allow for quick access, correlation, and analysis. By using GIS, cartographers are able to collect, store, and combine data about a given area, subject, or region being researched. GIS helps planners working on environmental, public health, municipal planning, and natural resource projects monitor change, predict trends, and manage resources.</p>
Is This You?
Graduates of Fleming's cartographic programs have earned a reputation for excellence through their achievements in the workplace and through cartographic and GIS competitions. Over the years, they have captured 80 American Congress on Surveying and Mapping awards in annual competitions (student category), as well as numerous awards from the Canadian Cartographic Association and the Canadian Institute of Geomatics
While about 80% of the curriculum is shared with the GIS - Application Specialist program, the Cartographic-specific courses in this program include:
Visualize a wide range of data using a variety of mapping techniques (i.e. Choropleth, Dasymetric, Proportional Dot, Dot Density, Distributive and Radial Flow, Terrain Visualization)
Create infographics that effectively summarize data and communicate intuitively using a variety of mapping and graphing techniques.
Prepare data and perform advanced terrain visualization techniques using satellite imagery and SRTM data to build up terrain surfaces manually in Adobe Photoshop using Avenza Geographic Imager.
Learn the theory behind how people process information, how maps impact people cognitively, and how to use that information to make effective, accessible maps
Prepare, integrate, and render data about human and physical geography using ArcGIS, Avenza, and Adobe software.
Web Communications
Become proficient in web communications for effective design and interactive maps. Municipal GIS
Learn about the business practices that drive municipal operations and how to prepare information products to support decision making in a municipality
<li>Prepare, analyze, integrate and render data in a variety of formats, using AutoCAD and ArcGIS software, to support various departments in a municipality
Work on a real-world micro-project in collaboration with a GIS professional working at a municipality
In addition to acquiring a firm, hands-on foundation using GIS technology tools and creating effective map compositions, you will have many opportunities for team building, project management, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Since employers are seeking these broad-based transferrable skills, this experience working in technology teams will give you an edge in the workplace.
This three-semester program starts in September with a 15-week semester ending in December, continues in January with another 15-week semester ending in April, and concludes with a seven-week semester starting in May and ending in June.
Not Sure Which GIS Program is Right For You?
The common first semester in the GIS - Application Specialist and GIS - Cartographic Specialist programs gives an overview and understanding of the technologies and diverse skills particular to careers in these fields at the same time as providing a solid foundation in GIS knowledge and skills. The programs share 80% of their curriculum and, subject to enrolment capacity, you can change between Cartographic and Application Specialist programs for semester two.
Canadian Business recently published an article on "Canada's Best Jobs" ranking Mapping Technologist as number 9 on the top 100 jobs list. The article states:
The explosion of big data and the growing need for location-aware hardware and software has led to a boom in the field of mapping," and concludes that this field is "poised for growth, with the highest projected demand among the top 20 jobs-predictions suggest there will be 1.59 jobs for every qualified worker by 2022." The median salary is listed as $68,400, and salaries are anticipated to increase with the growing demand for skilled employees.
