One cannot talk of geographic information science without referring to Canada at least once. Such is its association with GIS. It has helped stretch boundaries of the field beyond the traditional barriers. It is no exaggeration to say that studying GIS in Canada will not only be enlightening but also a highly rewarding experience. There are several universities in the country that offer GIS courses. One among them is the University of Northern British Columbia. Though small in size, it is high on achievements. Widely recognised as one of the best small universities in Canada, it offers ideal surroundings for learning the nuances of geographic Information science.
Just four years after its inauguration by Queen Elizabeth II in 1994, the university made its debut at ninth place in the prestigious Maclean’s magazine ranking of leading Canadian universities. With the inspiring motto of ‘En Cha Hunà,’ (respecting all forms of life) borrowed from Carrier elders, it encapsulates the spirit of academic freedom, respect for others and willingness to recognise different perspectives.
The university offers courses through its two main colleges: The College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences and The College of Science and Management. Its Department of Geography offers both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography. The programmes place strong emphasis on the geography of the North, the Pacific Northwest and the importance of contemporary geographic technologies. The Bachelor of Science programme stresses the importance of physical geography (geomorphology and watershed processes) while the Bachelor of Arts provides exposure to a range of courses in human geography.