I'm thinking of getting a Bachelors in Electrical engineering at BCIT but...

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by jeremy_, Oct 31, 2011.

Loading...
  1. jeremy_

    jeremy_ New Member

    I have been adviced several times where I live that it is a good school ( I live in BC) but when asked online I got a rather negative response about the school. Heres a link to my last post and I was wondering if anyone here that could provide another perspective of the school. Can anyone here shed some light on BCITs Engineering program? | Electronics Forum | EEWeb

    Also, would a Bachelors from BCIT allow me to get a PhD elsewhere? I am thinking of applying to SFU but the big deciding factor for me is the cost - I can't really afford to go to SFU also I have done a lot more research on BCIT than I have SFU and I don't want to just go to a school because everyone goes there.
     
  2. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    I am not an expert in Canadian higher learning academic institutions; however, British Columbia Institute of Technology is accredited and funding by the Government of Canada. Therefore, a degree from BCIT is not a misleading degree (degree mill). Therefore, it will be acceptable by Simon Fraser University (SFU); however, your admission to SFU must based on their criteria. Such as SFU might require you to have a Master degree for your Ph.D admission. Also, your BCIT's Engineering program GPA and GRE score play the important factor on acceptance decision.

    Take a look at the addmision to SFU's Ph.D in Computer Science:
    URL: http://fas.sfu.ca/fas/grad/computing/admission

    " have a master’s degree or the equivalent in Computing Science or a related field; or
    have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in Computing Science or a related field, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 (on a scale of 0.0 - 4.0) or the equivalent.
    "
    " A CV or resume
    A statement of purpose (limited to one page), outlining your research plans
    Electronic copies of your transcript(s)
    "
    "Proof of English proficiency and GRE: Applicants who do not hold a degree from an accredited university in the United States or Canada are required to submit TOEFL (or IELTS) scores. GRE scores are also recommended. Please note the minimum test scores we accept. If you are applying into the Ph.D. program, you may take either the General or the Subject GRE."

    Look at my undergraduate degree from Troy University was accepted to Southern Methodist University, Georgetown University. I plan to try for Columbia University's Doctor of Engineering Science, but will see because I don't like to take GRE (entrance exam is my weakness) and undergraduate GPA.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 31, 2011
  3. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    If you're afraid of negative for a distance learning degree. I would advise you to stay with accredited school that offers distance learning degree with B&M campus (ground campus). That means avoiding any solely distance learning schools: Capella University, Walden University, Western Governors University, Jones International University, Northcentral Universit, APU/AMU, and etc. (there is nothing wrong with these schools, except they are solely distance learning). Also, the school is closer to where you live as possible. Do not discourse any information whether your degree is earned at distance learning, unless questioning by the prospective employers. However, usually the employers don't ask you that question.
     
  4. BobbyJim

    BobbyJim New Member

    I am not that familiar with Canadian engineering programs, but would think that if BCIT’s accreditation is adequate for the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board, then it should be an acceptable degree program. You will need to try to achieve the entry criteria of the graduate school that you will eventually apply to with careful selection of coursework regardless of your undergraduate school.

    “The B.Eng Electrical is recognized as a baccalaureate degree in British Columbia by the BC Ministry of Advanced Education and is nationally accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB). The program is designed to provide a pathway to registration as a Professional Engineer in BC.”
     
  5. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    BCIT's B.Eng. Electrical program is accredited by CEAB, which is regarded as equivalent to ABET in the US. I doubt that anyone in Canada or the US is going to question the validity of a CEAB-accredited degree.

    But note that this program, unlike some BCIT programs, is not available via the "Distance & Online Learning" delivery method. The options are "full time" or "cooperative education". This is not an online or DL degree program.
     
  6. jeremy_

    jeremy_ New Member

    Thanks, I hadn't planned on taking the course online - the burnaby campus is about an hour from where I live.

    I just want to make sure that it would be credited in Canada and not disregarded by employers.

    Though, I do question this schools reputation in the US - how would this work had I gone to be employed in the USA (Not that I would, but if such a situation had arised.)
     
  7. BlueMason

    BlueMason Audaces fortuna juvat

    ..it's an accredited University in Canada - it would work the same as if you had a degree from an accredited University in the US... again, it's equivalent to the US's ABET, so it would be recognized there as well as elsewhere.
     
  8. jaer57

    jaer57 New Member

    While I can't speak for the school's reputation, I have read that engineering schools accredited by the CEAB will qualify you to sit for the US Engineer-in-Training (FE) exam and subsequently the Professional Engineering (PE) exam, and in some states they will waive the FE exam if you already have the Professional Engineering title in Canada.

    Also, thanks to the PNWER agreement of 2004, a professional engineer licensed in BC, Alberta, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington would be able to practice engineering in all of those locations without the need for re-examination. Outside of those 4 US states with a BC license, you would need to re-examine as far as I know. Good luck!
     
  9. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    The BCIT website says:

    However, the CEAB website does not list the BCIT Electrical Engineering degree as an accredited program. According to CEAB, the only accredited engineering program at BCIT is the bachelor's program in Civil Engineering, and that one only became accredited in 2010.

    My sense is that BCIT's engineering programs are relatively new and relatively small, and the EE program may not actually have CEAB accreditation yet. If these points are correct, then you shouldn't expect the EE degree to have the same weight as an EE degree from an older, well-established program, like those at SFU or UBC.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 31, 2011
  10. jeremy_

    jeremy_ New Member

    I think BCITs electrical engineering program was established in 2008 which is another reason why I am a bit scared to get into it. I am unsure if it is accredited but I will send them an email regarding this consistancy (unless someone else can explain it). AFAIK, as it is a 4 year program, there are no graduates just yet and thus they have not published the reports regarding student success once graduating.

    If it is accredited, can I expect it to be regarded as highly as say an accredited university engineering program from SFU or UBC? How much lower would I be valued contrasted to the SFU or UBC graduate? Thanks, and I will report back on the email response (which may take a day or two)
     
  11. jeremy_

    jeremy_ New Member


    I have sent an Email to BCIT regarding the CEAB issue and expect a reaply in a day or two.

    If it is CEAB accredited, do you think the engineering program will be taken seriously given its young age? The BCITs civil engineering program seems to have done quite well despite its early age - also one must consider that the civil engineering field has become more or less saturated:
    http://www.bcit.ca/files/ipao/gp/5410btech.pdf
     
  12. BlueMason

    BlueMason Audaces fortuna juvat

    Good catch!
     

Share This Page