Geomatics Engineering

Geomatics Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis-based program

Program overview

Looking for a career in research with a great indoor/outdoor balance? Geomatics Engineering is a varied and exciting technology discipline that requires design, computational and measurement skills utilized through field work, lab experiments and computer modeling. Geomatics Engineers get to solve an engaging variety of problems in applications ranging from satellite positioning to environmental monitoring with a common attribute: spatial location. Our world-renowned Department of Geomatics Engineering offers such opportunities through the research-oriented Geomatics Engineering (PhD Thesis) program for graduate students who want to pursue a research career in academia, industry or government.

Completing this program

  • Courses: Topics may include physical geodesy, GNSS theory and applications, Earth observation for the environment, geocomputation and more.
  • Candidacy: Students will complete a Thesis Proposal, Written Exam and the Field of Study (FoS) Oral Examination.
  • Professional Development Seminar: Students take a professional development course on communication styles, presentation skills and more.
  • Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend original research at a high level and represent a distinct advance in knowledge on the subject.

Specializations

Outcomes

Industry, government agencies, space agencies, research institutions and academia related to the following sectors: 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.

A PhD in geomatics engineering is usually considered a final degree.

Thesis-based program

Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.

Courses

Three courses and a Professional Development Seminar

Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar

Classroom delivery

Time commitment

Three years full-time; six years maximum

Supervisor

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

Fees and funding

See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.

Virtual Tour

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Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.


  1. Placeholder Profile Image

    Yang Gao

    Accepting Inquiries
    High-Precision GNSS and GNSS/INS Integration
  2. Derek Lichti

    Derek Lichti

    Accepting Inquiries
    Terrestrial laser scanning, 3D range imaging, Dual fluoroscopic imaging
  3. Kyle O'Keefe

    Kyle O'Keefe

    Accepting Inquiries
    Global Navigation Satellite Systems, Wireless Location
  4. Emmanuel Stefanakis

    Emmanuel Stefanakis

    Accepting Inquiries
  5. Ruisheng Wang

    Ruisheng Wang

    Accepting Inquiries
    LiDAR, 3D
  6. Xin Wang

    Xin Wang

    Accepting Inquiries
    GeoAI, Spatial Data Mining, Smart Cities, Location-based Social Networks
  7. profile_image

    Hongzhou Yang

    Seeking Students
    High precision navigation , High-definition mapping , Autonomous driving

Admission requirements


GPA

A minimum of 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 point system

Minimum education

An MSc degree or equivalent from a recognized institution.

Work samples

Successfully complete a written field of study examination and an oral examination on the thesis proposal. See Geomatics Engineering Doctoral Candidacy Requirements for more information.

Documents

  • A C.V.
  • A Statement of Purpose

Reference letters

Two

Test scores

None


English language proficiency (ELP)

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

Deadlines

For admission on September 1:

  • Canadians and permanent residents: Jul. 1 application deadline
  • International students: Mar. 1 application deadline

For admission on January 1:

  • Canadians and permanent residents: Nov. 1 application deadline
  • International students: Jul. 1 application deadline

For admission on May 1:

  • Canadians and permanent residents: Mar. 1 application deadline
  • International students: Nov. 1 application deadline

For admission on July 1:

  • Canadians and permanent residents: May 1 application deadline
  • International students: Jan. 1 application deadline

If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements

Learn more about this program

Department of Geomatics Engineering

ENE 231, 2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, ABT2N 1N4
403.220.4979

Contact the Graduate Program Administrator

Visit the departmental website

 

Schulich School of Engineering

University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4

Visit their website

 

Learn more about UCalgary by taking a virtual tour


Highlights of the Anthropology program

These stories from those involved in the program show what it's like to be involved yourself.

You Li

A success story of international cooperation

Geomatics graduate You Li's PhD is recognized by both UCalgary and Wuhan University, China

Quazi Hassan

Using NASA satellites to predict forest fires

Quazi Hassan puts geomatics engineering to work making remote parts of Alberta safer

Trusted Positioning Inc.

Tech startup with roots in UCalgary Geomatics Department

Trusted Positioning Inc., born out of the geomatics department, sold for $36 million