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Metrology, the Science of Measurement

Measurement is the heart of all science and technology

Obvious examples of measurement would be length measurement in carpentry or voltage measurement in the electrical trades. However there are so many more occupations that involve measurement, be it nursing (blood pressure, body temperature), food science (calorie content, viscosity), power engineering (pressure, flow rates), or sonography (where measurements of size, density, and velocity are made within the body).

A measurement is a comparison of an unknown quantity with some well-defined standard quantity, called a unit. This course lays the foundations of Metrology for those beginning their education, those enhancing their careers, or for those just interested in the science of measurement.

 

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“Now I get it. I thought I understood measurement because I use it in my work, but BCIT’s Metrology course has helped me understand measurement better and I now understand how little I knew.”

William Shepherd

Course details

Course number: MOOC-0371
Course title: Metrology, the Science of Measurement
Prerequisites: None
Completion criteria: Completion of 6 Module Self-assessments
Completion award: Digital Badge
Registration fee: None

Audience

This course was developed for anyone wanting or needing to learn the foundations of the science of measurement, either for their learning, their work or for general interest.

Delivery details

The online course consists of 6 independent study modules that enables you to proceed through the material at your own pace. Although it is recommended that you follow the lessons in consecutive order to maximize the learning, it is not a requirement.

This is no instructional or tutorial support available in this course. If you are struggling with any of the concepts, additional resources have been provided that may assist you with different perspectives on the course material. You are encouraged to investigate any of the topics in more detail.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to:

  1. Explain basic metrology terminology.
  2. Analyze different measurement instruments and determine their limitations.
  3. Describe how to correctly report a measurement.
  4. Understand the two commonly used unit systems, and apply the rules of the SI system.
  5. Apply conversion factors to use dimensional analysis to check the validity of given or calculated values.
  6. Use estimating techniques to validate results and determine order-of-magnitude results for “Fermi-type” problems.

Time commitment

Depending on the approach you take to work though this content, completion could range anywhere from 8 to 12 hours.

Completion award

  • Statement of Completion
  • Digital Badge

To Register

Once registered

Note: If you are creating an account for the first time, it may take up to 24 hours before you are able to log in to BCIT to access your course.

  1. Access your online course at learn.bcit.ca.
  2. Login with your my.bcit.ca email address and your password.
  3. Scroll down to your My Courses listing and click on the course link.