The CIDCO Hydrographic Survey Training is a 40-week program with three key components: theoretical coursework, practical field exercises, and the Final Field Project (FFP).
1. Theoretical Coursework (33 weeks)
This component is delivered through online e-learning, making it accessible to participants worldwide. The coursework includes nine modules that cover essential hydrographic concepts. Throughout this period, CIDCO instructors lead weekly sessions to guide students through key concepts, assignments, tutorials and practical exercises. Knowledge is evaluated with quizzes and exams, ensuring comprehensive understanding.
2. Practical Field Exercises (2 weeks)
Participants accomplish the hands-on field exercises in Rimouski (Quebec, Canada). During these two weeks, students gain practical experience with hydrographic equipment, applying the skills and knowledge acquired in the theoretical portion.
3. Final Field Project (FFP) (5 weeks)
The program concludes with the Final Field Project, which is also completed in Rimouski (Quebec, Canada). Over five weeks, students plan and execute a full hydrographic survey, from data acquisition to processing and product generation, under CIDCO instructor supervision.
Goal:
This training aims to provide students with the theoretical and practical bases to enable them to carry out surveys as hydrographers and to control their quality. The employment profile of the graduates is as follows:
– Hydrographer on major survey vessels for marine chart update missions or off-shore surveys for industry;
– Hydrographer on small hydrographic survey units for localized survey operations (harbors, coastal dynamics studies, inland waters, support to a large scale survey operation)
The course learning outcomes are:
- Knowledge of the marine environment in the context of hydrographic surveys;
- Knowledge of the implementation of hydrographic systems (single and multibeam sonar, positioning system, inertial unit, tide gauges, submersible systems (positioning system, autonomous submersible system, remote telemetry system, acoustic imagery) and the evaluation of data quality;
- Ability to install a hydrographic system on a vessel;
- Perform a survey to a certain level of quality while respecting safety regulations;
- Perform data processing using appropriate software (digital seabed model, acoustic imaging).
Program Phases:
- Part # 1 : e-learning, for 9 months
For this type of training you will have access to:
- The online teaching platform, which includes videos, theoretical content, self-assessment quizzes, an impressive amount of data from specialized programs illustrating the main concepts of each module;
- Simulation programs;
- GNSS positioning data, acoustic INS navigation data that can be manipulated in specialized software;
- Data layers that can be manipulated in QGIS;
- Access to the CIDCO server for bathymetric data processing on professional software (Caris HISP&SIPS);
- Webinars;
- Support from CIDCO experts.
- Part # 2 : Practical Field Exercises (2 weeks) in Canada (summer)
During the practical exercises, students engage in hands-on activities under the guidance of CIDCO tutors. They also receive supplementary theoretical instruction through refresher courses and lectures delivered by CIDCO instructors, reinforcing the skills needed to perform specific hydrographic tasks.
- Part # 3 : Final Field Project (FFP) (5 weeks) in Canada (summer)
The 5-week Final Field Project (FFP) serves as the culmination of the training program. Conducted both in the classroom and in the field, students utilize a range of hydrographic equipment, specialized software, and a hydrographic vessel to plan, acquire, process, and produce hydrographic data.
Learning outcomes:
At the end of the training, students will be able to:
- Plan and organize data acquisition tasks for a hydrographic survey;
- Consider hydrographic instructions and detailed specifications for acquisition, processing and quality control;
- Produce different types of data and perform quality analysis to meet standards;
- Provide hydrographic products from acquired data;
- Write reports and survey documentation.
For more information, please contact us by email at formation@cidco.ca