Centre of Geographic Sciences
Encyclopedia
The Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS) is located in the village of Lawrencetown
, Nova Scotia
.
education during the 1970s and 1980s as it evolved into incorporating then-revolutionary technologies such as remote sensing
and geographic information systems (GIS). The institute moved into its current campus during this period in the 1970s.
In 1986, NSLSI was renamed the College of Geographic Sciences (COGS) as a publicly funded training college under an act of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
. The name was considered to better reflect the diversity of geographic sciences taught at the NSLSI. The COGS name became synonymous with geomatics training excellence nationally and internationally.
In 1988 the provincial government undertook a much-needed reform to its training colleges and created the Nova Scotia Community College
(NSCC) system the following year. While still a separate college, COGS was administratively placed within the NSCC umbrella.
In 1998 NSCC created the Annapolis Valley Campus by administratively combining the geographically separate campuses at Lawrencetown
and Middleton
. All geomatics advanced diploma programs were grouped under the Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS), of which the majority are delivered at the Lawrencetown site (as the former Lawrencetown campus is now called).
A proposal to add a third year to the Land Surveying Program, that would allow those who complete it to be exempt from most CBEPS (Canadian Board of Examiners for Professional Surveyors) Exams. This would allow a graduate to go straight to writing their province specific exams to obtain their Land Surveyor's License. The earliest this program could start is the Fall of 2009, as it is interest and CBEPS approval pending.
is required, although a Bachelors in geography or computer science is a common background for most students):
COGS also offers 2-year diploma programs in the following disciplines (graduation from high school is a pre-requisite):
Lawrencetown, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia
Lawrencetown is a village within Annapolis County in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada. As of 2006, the population was 668. Every year at the Lawrencetown Exhibition Grounds, the Annapolis Valley Exhibition is held, which is typically a very large gathering...
, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
.
History
COGS traces its history to 1948 when the Nova Scotia Land Survey Institute (NSLSI) was established by Major J.A.H. Church (Retired) as a training institution for survey and map production. NSLSI became a world leader in geomaticsGeomatics
Geomatics is the discipline of gathering, storing, processing, and delivering geographic information, or spatially referenced information.-Overview and etymology:...
education during the 1970s and 1980s as it evolved into incorporating then-revolutionary technologies such as remote sensing
Remote sensing
Remote sensing is the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon, without making physical contact with the object. In modern usage, the term generally refers to the use of aerial sensor technologies to detect and classify objects on Earth by means of propagated signals Remote sensing...
and geographic information systems (GIS). The institute moved into its current campus during this period in the 1970s.
In 1986, NSLSI was renamed the College of Geographic Sciences (COGS) as a publicly funded training college under an act of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
Nova Scotia House of Assembly
The Nova Scotia Legislature, consisting of Her Majesty The Queen represented by the Lieutenant Governor and the House of Assembly, is the legislative branch of the provincial government of Nova Scotia, Canada...
. The name was considered to better reflect the diversity of geographic sciences taught at the NSLSI. The COGS name became synonymous with geomatics training excellence nationally and internationally.
In 1988 the provincial government undertook a much-needed reform to its training colleges and created the Nova Scotia Community College
Nova Scotia Community College
The Nova Scotia Community College, commonly referred to as the NSCC, is a community college serving the province of Nova Scotia.The college delivers a diverse program of trades, technology, health, human services, applied arts, new media, business administration and adult education through a system...
(NSCC) system the following year. While still a separate college, COGS was administratively placed within the NSCC umbrella.
In 1998 NSCC created the Annapolis Valley Campus by administratively combining the geographically separate campuses at Lawrencetown
Lawrencetown, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia
Lawrencetown is a village within Annapolis County in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada. As of 2006, the population was 668. Every year at the Lawrencetown Exhibition Grounds, the Annapolis Valley Exhibition is held, which is typically a very large gathering...
and Middleton
Middleton, Nova Scotia
Middleton is a Canadian town in Annapolis County, Nova Scotia.It is situated on the north bank of the Annapolis River. Incorporated in 1909, it is located near the centre of the Annapolis Valley, from which it gets its nickname, "The Heart of the Valley".-Economy:Founded by New England Planters,...
. All geomatics advanced diploma programs were grouped under the Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS), of which the majority are delivered at the Lawrencetown site (as the former Lawrencetown campus is now called).
A proposal to add a third year to the Land Surveying Program, that would allow those who complete it to be exempt from most CBEPS (Canadian Board of Examiners for Professional Surveyors) Exams. This would allow a graduate to go straight to writing their province specific exams to obtain their Land Surveyor's License. The earliest this program could start is the Fall of 2009, as it is interest and CBEPS approval pending.
Organization
COGS is divided into three departments:- Geomatics
- Information Technology
- Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG)
Programs
COGS offers 1-year advanced diploma programs in the following disciplines (a Bachelors Degree or higher in any discipline from a recognized UniversityUniversity
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
is required, although a Bachelors in geography or computer science is a common background for most students):
- Applied Geomatics Research
- Geomatics Programming
- GIS for Business
- Geographic Information Systems
- Marine Geomatics
- Remote Sensing
COGS also offers 2-year diploma programs in the following disciplines (graduation from high school is a pre-requisite):
- Digital Mapping and Cartography
- Planning and Land Information Technology
- Survey & Geomatics Engineering Technology