Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology at British Columbia Institute of Technology
Full-time
Diploma of Technology
As BCIT strives to keep our programs current, programs and courses are subject to change without notice.
The Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology programs share a common first year of a two-year program. Upon successful completion of the first year, students select one of the following four options to complete the diploma requirements:
Automation and Instrumentation Technology
Computer Control Technology
Electrical Power and Industrial Control Technology
Telecommunications and Networks Technology
Option selection is a competitive process, undertaken after successful completion of the first year.
Note: The Electronics industry is a fast-moving, high technology field. All courses are constantly under review with industry and advisory committees, and are subject to change on short notice.
This broad-based program provides the necessary background for entry into a variety of areas in the electronics industry. Students will learn how to write software (for a personal computer, microcontroller and PIC) and design electronic circuitry to sense and control events. In the electronics industry, the combination of good programming and electronic circuit design skills is highly desirable, especially within the large number of companies involved in the design and development of control and data acquisition products.
The Program
The program provides students with a detailed knowledge of hardware and software (assembly language, C and C++) design for PIC, microcontroller and PC-based systems, digital and analog electronics, electrical machines and devices, industrial electronics (e.g. switching power supply design), data communications, closed loop control theory and programmable logic devices. All stages of product development (design, manufacture, fault finding and testing) are emphasized throughout the program. To be eligible for graduation, each student is required to complete a technical project. Some of these projects are performed in partnership with industry.
Graduates of the Computer Control option may obtain a dual diploma in both Computer Control and Electrical Power and Industrial Control by completing Level 4 studies in the Electrical Power and Industrial Control option. Entry to this 2nd option is competitive.
Grad Employment Outcomes
The following link takes you to graduate outcome survey results containing mostly labour market results from the 2005-2007 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2004-2006 Graduates.
Note: The survey results will be displayed in a separate browser window. To view these results, you need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology (Computer Control Option)
Additional Program Options
Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology Automation and Instrumentation Option
Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology Electrical Power and Industrial Control Option
Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology Telecommunications and Networks Option
Job Opportunities
Graduates from this program find employment as engineering technologists in design, manufacturing and technical support in areas such as sawmill automation equipment, operator control equipment for heavy machinery, data communication networks, computers and peripheral devices, marine autopilot and sonar systems, traffic control systems, building control systems, switching power supply equipment, airline booking and display systems, credit card access and point of transaction systems, satellite data analysis systems, ski lift control systems and theatre lighting control systems. Typical companies that employ graduates from this program are MDA, 3M Touch Systems, Epic Data, TRIUMF, Air Canada, VTech Engineering Canada Ltd, Argus Technologies, Honeywell, IBM, Kodak, Xantrex Technology Inc, Kongsberg Mesotech.
Cooperative Education
Cooperative Education, providing paid work experience, is an optional part of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology programs. Students who successfully complete a minimum of two and a maximum of four work periods will earn an additional 19.0 credits per coop term (or 14.0 credits per coop term if taken during the spring/summer term), and will receive a Cooperative Education Endorsement on their Diploma of Technology. The paid work periods with an employer in the Electronics industry are of three to four months’ duration and must be taken after completion of level two and prior to completion of level 4 of the academic program. Work periods may be taken consecutively or they may alternate between academic terms. The industrial experience gained in the co-op component of the program gives an added advantage in securing a position after graduation.
Students are encouraged (but are not required) to participate in Cooperative Education. For more information visit www.bcit.ca/co-op/electronics/.
Entrance Requirements
High school graduation or equivalent
English 12 or English-language proficiency.
Principles of Math 12
Physics 11
The above represent minimum requirements. A composite C+ average in the required courses is desirable. Chemistry 11 is recommended. Completion of grade 12 science courses, other post-secondary education and related work experience may enhance the application. Applicants with minimum entrance requirements achieved more than five years ago will be required to upgrade in math and physics.
Check for acceptable equivalent courses taught in BC high schools.
BCIT offers upgrading courses if you are missing a required course.
Note: Many courses offered by other academic institutions will satisfy the admission requirements. Please submit complete descriptions of the courses that you have completed with your application for admission.
Advanced Placement
Students may, on an individual basis, be admitted with advanced standing in the program if, in the opinion of BCIT, they have acquired elsewhere the knowledge and skills they would have gained in some or all of the courses in Levels 1 and 2 of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology program. Applicants may be required to write Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (challenge exams) to assess their competence. The deadline for application for advanced placement is April 30 for the September intake, and Oct. 31 for the January intake.
For more information, please contact the Advanced Placement office at 604-432-8230 or check our Advanced Placement webpage.
Re-admission Requirements
Where course failures require the student to leave the program, special conditions must be met for re-admission. Please contact the Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology department at 604-451-6892 for more detailed information.
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