Overview
The Industrial Instrumentation and Process Control Technician program stresses practical, hands-on experience to complement theory. Students will learn how to apply, install, repair, calibrate and tune those measurement and control instruments that are used in industrial manufacturing processes.
The program
Students will learn to program computerized control, programmable logic controllers, and microprocessor instrumentation and install and maintain all of the field instruments that these computerized controllers rely on. These job skills are essential for employment in instrumentation.
Half of the students’ time in the program is spent performing hands-on activities using the same equipment that is found in industry. The result is a very job-ready graduate, who can step into a position in one of many related fields.
Who it’s for
This program will appeal to learners who are interested in working hands on with mechanical and electronic equipment.
What grads can do
Graduates of the Industrial Instrumentation and Process Control Technician program can pursue employment as a technician in the instrumentation and control field across diverse industries. Graduates can also transition into an apprenticeship at an advanced level with an industry sponsor.
Practical learning activities are housed in the world-class Spartan Controls Centre for Energy Education and Research. For more information about this phenomenal learning environment, please watch the video below.
Brian Buckley, Associate Dean gives us a closer look at the Industrial Instrumentation Program at BCIT.
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Entrance requirements
Applicants must meet all entrance requirements prior to applying to this program and will be accepted on a first qualified basis as long as space remains. If you are uncertain or don’t meet the requirements we strongly recommend you complete any applicable Trades Entry Assessments before applying.
- English language proficiency: Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent
- Math: one of the following:
- Pre-Calculus 11 (60%) or
- Foundations of Math 11 (60%) or
- Workplace Math 11 (60%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- BCIT Math Trades Entry Assessment
- BCIT Mechanical Reasoning Trades Entry Assessment
Recommended for success
- Physics 11 and/or Chemistry 11
- BCIT Physics Trades Entry Assessment
- Applicants should possess good health and the physical condition necessary to meet the demands of the work: good hearing, eyesight and hand/eye coordination.
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
September each year.
*Scheduled intakes are subject to change
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
Applicants who have acquired knowledge and skills outside of programs recognized by BCIT (including ETCC graduates), may be exempt from particular courses in the program. Prior learning recognition will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by faculty members in the program area.
There is a non-refundable fee charged in advance for assessment. The fee is usually between half and full tuition, depending on the complexity of the assessment process. Not all courses have PLAR credit available, and there is a limit on how many total PLAR credits you can receive.
For further information, please see Prior Learning Assessment Recognition.
myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT e-mail addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We'll send you an e-mail when a new message is posted. It's important to watch for these e-mails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Use our tuition estimator to find tuition and fees for this program.
For more information on full-time tuition and fees, visit:
Books & supplies
- Fluke 789 Process Meter with a soft case: $1,699*
(This is a discounted price through the department) - Electronic Components Box: $250*
(This item is only available through the department) - Writing in the Technical Fields
Author: Thorsten Ewald
Third Edition
*General estimated cost, subject to change
Required textbooks can be purchased at the BCIT Bookstore.
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
Courses
The Industrial Instrumentation and Process Control Technician program contains a blend of classroom lectures and practical laboratory sessions using the latest technology. Troubleshooting exercises guide you through real-world examples and teach you how to solve problems. Students learn through hands-on work experience. Fifty percent of their learning time will be spent training in BCIT’s real-world processing plants that are central to this program.
Class hours
Term 1: 1015-1700, Monday to Friday
Term 2: 1015-1700, Monday to Friday
Term 3: 0700-1345, Monday to Friday
Term 4: 0700-1345, Monday to Friday
Program matrix
| Term 1: (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| INST 1000 | DC Electricity | 6.0 | |
| INST 1001 | Industrial Instrumentation and Process Control Technician | 4.0 | |
| INST 1103 | Instrumentation Fundamentals | 6.0 | |
| INST 2000 | AC Electricity and Transistors | 7.0 | |
| INST 2001 | Power Supplies & Operational Amplifiers | 7.0 | |
| Term 2: (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
| INST 2112 | Pressure Instruments and Measurement | 8.0 | |
| INST 2116 | Flow Instruments and Measurements | 6.0 | |
| INST 2121 | Level, Density Instruments and Measurements | 6.0 | |
| INST 2123 | Control Valves and Positioners | 8.0 | |
| INST 2125 | Hydraulic Systems | 2.0 | |
| Term 3: (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
| INST 2107 | Temperature Instruments and Measurement | 6.0 | |
| INST 3112 | Programmable Logic Controllers and Human Machine Interface (HMI) | 8.0 | |
| INST 3117 | Analog and Microprocessor-Based Controllers | 8.0 | |
| INST 3121 | Process Control and Control Systems | 8.0 | |
| Term 4: (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
| INST 3106 | Analytical Instruments and Control | 6.0 | |
| INST 3110 | Field Effect Transistors (FETs) & Thyristors, Digital Logic | 6.0 | |
| INST 3124 | Distributed Control Systems | 6.0 | |
| INST 3128 | Boiler Control and Foundation Fieldbus | 6.0 | |
| INST 3130 | Viscosity, Consistency, Pulp Blend & Batch Control | 6.0 | |
| Total Credits: | 120.0 | ||
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
Program Details
Program length
Two years, full-time.
Grading
The minimum passing grade for each course is 70%. To advance to the next level, students must successfully pass all courses in the previous level.
Program delivery
In person: This program is delivered on campus.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Industry training authority
BCIT transfers the student's name, contact information, Personal Education Number (PEN), and the name and date of the completed Foundation program to SkilledTradesBC. This information is used for the purposes of tracking successful completions in order to grant credit towards apprenticeship where applicable, and communicating with trainees to promote continuation in an apprenticeship program.
Graduating & Jobs
Graduates will receive 120 credits of technical training upon successful completion of the program. We are waiting for confirmation from ITABC regarding credits for the apprenticeship program. Graduates will ladder into the appropriate level of the Interprovincial Red Seal apprenticeship program based on the ITABC credits.
Job opportunities
Graduates of the Industrial Instrumentation and Process Control Technician program will be well positioned to gain employment as technicians in the instrumentation and control field across diverse industries such as oil and gas, pulp and paper, mining, food processing, and ship building, among others.
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2020-2022 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2019-2021 graduates and for Degree 2017-2019 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Faculty
Imelda Aguilar, RSE
Department Head of Industrial Instrumentation Programs
Tel: 604-456-1269
Email: imelda_aguilar@bcit.ca
Jim Armstrong, AScT, RSE, PID, PE
Department Head of Advanced Industrial Control Centre
Tel: 604-432-8814
Email: jim_armstrong@bcit.ca
Greg Filek, RSE
Faculty
Tel: 604-451-6778
Email: greg_filek@bcit.ca
John Powszedny, RSE
Faculty
Tel: 604-456-1134
Email: jpowszedny@bcit.ca
Travis Turner, RSE
Faculty
Tel: 604-456-8106
Email: tturner45@bcit.ca
Staff
Sanja Boskovic, PhD Mechanical Engineering, PhD Educational Technology
Associate Dean
Tel: 604-451-6964
Email: sanja_boskovic@bcit.ca
Kelsey Sem
Administrative Assistant
Tel: 604-432-8259
Email: kelsey_sem@bcit.ca
Advisory committee
Wes Babcock
AltaGas NW Processing LP
Leon Bretton
Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.
David Massullo
Fluor Canada Ltd.
Dom Sacco
Corix Control Solutions LP
Sheldon Scott
Harmac Pacific, a division of Nanaimo Forest Products Ltd
Shane Stirling
Epscan Industries Ltd.
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Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.