Based on Unified Canadian GIS Core Curriculum synthesized from 5 Programs:
| → BCIT — Geographic Information Systems Program A full GIS program overview including curriculum structure, applications, and career pathways. Source: https://www.bcit.ca/programs/geographic-information-systems/ |
| → Mount Allison University — Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Minor Describes GIS curriculum fundamentals, program highlights, and course structure. Source: https://mta.ca/academics/programs-and-degrees/geographic-information-systems-gis |
| → Trent University — Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Outlines introductory GIS coursework, lab components, and required skills. Source: https://www.trentu.ca/geography/program/geographical-information-systems-gis |
| → University of Calgary — MGIS (Master of Geographic Information Systems) Graduate‑level GIS curriculum including core courses in remote sensing, spatial analysis, and GIS theory. Source: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/geography-mgis-course |
| → Fanshawe College — Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Graduate Certificate (Co‑op) Program details, course list, and curriculum structure for a Canadian GIS graduate certificate. Source: https://www.fanshawec.ca/programs/gis1-geographic-information-systems-gis-co-op/next |
1. GIS Foundations & Cartography
1.1 What is GIS, GIS concepts, spatial thinking
1.2 Vector vs raster
1.3 Coordinate systems, projections, datums
1.4 Map design, symbology, classification
1.5 Layouts, typography, cartographic standards
2. Spatial Data Management
2.1 Geodatabases (file, enterprise)
2.2 Data models, schemas, domains, subtypes
2.3 Metadata standards
2.4 Data quality, accuracy, error handling
2.5 Spatial data acquisition and cleaning
3. Spatial Analysis & Geoprocessing
3.1 Overlay analysis (clip, intersect, union, dissolve)
3.2 Proximity analysis (buffer, near, distance)
3.3 Spatial joins, selections
3.4 Terrain analysis (DEM, slope, aspect)
3.5 Suitability analysis
3.6 Topology
4. Remote Sensing & Image Analysis
4.1 Remote sensing fundamentals
4.2 Spectral bands, indices (NDVI, NBR, etc.)
4.3 Landsat/Sentinel workflows
4.4 Image classification (supervised/unsupervised)
4.5 Change detection
5. Programming & Automation
5.1 Python basics
5.2 arcpy or QGIS Python
5.3 Batch processing
5.4 ModelBuilder workflows
5.5 Basic spatial SQL
6. GNSS / GPS & Geomatics
6.1 GNSS fundamentals
6.2 Field data collection
6.3 Coordinate reference frameworks
6.4 Accuracy and error sources
7. Web GIS & Geovisualization
7.1 ArcGIS Online
7.2 Web maps and feature services
7.3 Dashboards, Experience Builder
7.4 Publishing and sharing data
8. Applied Project / Capstone
8.1 Problem definition
8.2 Data acquisition
8.3 Analysis
8.4 Visualization
8.5 Report + presentation