Program Overview

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Geomatics Engineering

The Geomatics Engineering program at the University of Calgary is a thesis-based Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree that offers students the opportunity to pursue a research career in academia, industry, or government. This program is designed for graduate students who want to explore the exciting and varied technology discipline of Geomatics Engineering, which requires design, computational, and measurement skills utilized through field work, lab experiments, and computer modeling.

Program Overview

Geomatics Engineers solve a wide range of problems in applications ranging from satellite positioning to environmental monitoring, with a common attribute of spatial location. The Department of Geomatics Engineering at the University of Calgary offers a research-oriented program for graduate students who want to pursue a research career in academia, industry, or government.

Completing the Program

To complete the program, students must:

• Take courses on topics such as physical geodesy, GNSS theory and applications, Earth observation for the environment, geocomputation, and more.
• Complete a Thesis Proposal and the Field of Study (FoS) written and oral Examination.
• Take a professional development course on communication styles, presentation skills, and more.
• Submit and defend original research at a high level, representing a distinct advance in knowledge on the subject.

Specializations

The program offers several specializations, including:

• Positioning, Navigation and Wireless Location
• Geodesy, Remote Sensing and Earth Observation
• Digital Imaging Systems
• GIScience and Land Tenure
• Energy and Environmental Systems (Interdisciplinary)
• Engineering, Environmental Interdisciplinary Specialization
• Wearable Technology Interdisciplinary Specialization

Outcomes

Graduates of the program can pursue careers in various sectors, including:

• Land and industrial surveying
• Mapping
• Land tenure
• Navigation
• Location services
• Aerospace
• Internet of things
• Environment and hazards
• Energy and natural resources
• Agriculture
• Biomedical
• Civil
• Mining
• Transportation
• Robotics
• Automotive
• Electronics
• Computer software

Thesis-Based Program

The program is thesis-based, and students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend it in an open oral defense.

Courses

Students must take a minimum of 3 courses, with at least one Geomatics Engineering specific graduate course and Professional Development seminars.

Time Commitment

The program typically takes three years to complete full-time, with a maximum of six years.

Supervisor

A supervisor is required, and must agree to oversee the student's research before admission will be granted.

Fees and Funding

Information on fees and fee regulations, as well as awards and financial assistance, can be found in the Graduate Calendar.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 point system
• An MSc degree or equivalent from a recognized institution
• Successfully complete a written field of study examination and an oral examination on the thesis proposal
• Submit a C.V. and a Statement of Purpose
• Provide two reference letters
• Meet the English language proficiency requirements (if applicable)

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose primary language is not English must meet the English language proficiency requirements, which can be fulfilled in one of the following ways:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) minimum score of 86
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5
• Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency minimum score of 180
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 59 or higher
• Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) overall score of 70
• Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) minimum of B+ in each course
• Duolingo English Test obtaining a minimum score of 125

Deadlines

The application deadlines are as follows:

• For admission on September 1: Canadians and permanent residents, July 1; international students, March 1
• For admission on January 1: Canadians and permanent residents, November 1; international students, July 1
• For admission on July 1: Canadians and permanent residents, May 1; international students, January 1

Supervisors

The following faculty members are available to supervise this degree:

1. Yang Gao - Accepting Inquiries - High-Precision GNSS and GNSS/INS Integration
2. Derek Lichti - Accepting Inquiries - Terrestrial laser scanning, 3D range imaging, Dual fluoroscopic imaging
3. Kyle O'Keefe - Accepting Inquiries - Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Satellite and Ground-based Wireless Location, Ultra-wideband Ranging, Estimation for Navigation and Wireless Location
4. Emmanuel Stefanakis - Accepting Inquiries
5. Xin Wang - Accepting Inquiries - GeoAI, Spatial Data Mining, Smart Cities, Location-based Social Networks
6. Linlin (Lincoln) Xu - Seeking Students - AI and Machine Learning, Earth Observation, Remote Sensing, Geospatial Data Science, Environmental Monitoring
7. Hongzhou Yang - Seeking Students - High precision navigation, High-definition mapping, Autonomous driving

Related Programs

If you're interested in this program, you may also want to explore other UCalgary programs, such as:

• Geomatics Engineering (Course-based MEng, Thesis-based MSc)
• Biomedical Engineering (Thesis-based MEng, Thesis-based MSc, PhD)
• Civil Engineering (Course-based MEng, Thesis-based MEng, Thesis-based MSc, PhD)
• Computational Media Design (Thesis-based MSc, PhD)
• Computer Science (Thesis-based MSc, PhD)
• Electrical and Computer Engineering (Course-based MEng, Course-based MEng (Software), Thesis-based MEng, Thesis-based MSc, Thesis-based PhD)
• Environmental Design (Thesis-based MEDes, PhD)
• Geography (Course-based MGIS, Thesis-based MA, Thesis-based MSc, PhD)
• Geoscience (Thesis-based MSc, Course-based MSc, PhD)
• Kinesiology (Course-based MKin, Thesis-based MSc, Thesis-based PhD)
• Sustainable Energy Development (Course-based MSc)