Certificate in Design Foundations

at Algonquin College - Ottawa Campus Canada

The Business - Accounting Ontario College Diploma program balances accounting theory with tools used in the industry. This two-year program equips you with the essential skills for various entry-level accounting positions.

Learn how to complete accounting tasks, from conducting bookkeeping responsibilities to preparing financial statements and personal income tax returns. Expand your knowledge of various business concepts including economics and finance.

Explore accounting concepts while sharpening your communication, math and technological skills. Courses incorporate accounting software to strengthen your computer literacy and provide you with up-to-date technical skills, which are essential in this field.

In the program`s final semester, you have the opportunity to apply for a work placement to practise your skills in a real work setting. See Additional Information for eligibility requirements.

Students considering a professional accounting designation or an accounting credential are advised to make inquiries with the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA Ontario) before deciding to complete this program. See Additional Information for further details.

This program prepares you for entry-level positions in:

• Financial accounting
• Managerial accounting
• Payables and receivables
• Taxation

Graduates typically find employment in roles such as:

• Accounts payable clerk
• Accounts receivable clerk
• Bookkeeper
• Payroll clerk
• Junior staff accountant

The two-year Computer Programmer Ontario College Diploma program prepares you for a career in software development. The program also specializes in program development strategies (using object-oriented modelling), database design and database administration.

Use leading industry software products such as Oracle and CASE tools. Learn about programming languages such as Java, COBOL, SQL and PHP. Study object-oriented analysis and design, operating systems and coding in integrated environments, and learn how to debug, test, and maintain codes.

In your final semester, participate in a software development project working with external clients to gain real-world experience in the programming field.

Students also have the option to gain real-world experience through a paid co-operative education (co-op) work term (see Additional Information for more details). Please note that places in the co-op version of the program are subject to availability. Students who elect to apply to the non co-op version of the program may not have the opportunity to transfer to the co-op version at a later date.

Graduates may work in a variety of different fields, as almost all sectors of industry require programmers. You may be employed as:

• A software programmer
• A web programmer
• A business programmer
• An application programmer

This one-year Design foundation Ontario College Certificate allows you to develop fundamental design skills and to explore a range of design-related disciplines, in order to discover where your strengths and interests lie.

Throughout the program, you develop foundational knowledge and skills used in a variety of design elements such as:

• Principles of design and layout
• Typography
• Drawing and sketching
• Perspective
• Colour theory
• 3D structure
• Time management
• Web design
• Industry-standard software.

You explore your own aptitudes and interests through research and a speaker series of professionals, to help determine which area of design best suits you. Your work accumulates into a portfolio that represents your best design and artwork, which can be used to apply for future programs of study. An annual showcase provides an opportunity to exhibit your portfolio and interact with industry professionals, peers and the community.

The Personal Support Worker Ontario College Certificate program prepares you for immediate work in healthcare. This two-semester program provides you with the knowledge and practical skills to work as a care provider in a range of healthcare settings.

Develop the ability to engage with persons and families of various ages and health-related needs to promote healthy living. Learn how to assist clients with their daily personal care needs, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting. In your career, you help those who need assistance to remain as independent as possible.

Through theory, lab practice and clinical/community experiences, learn how to deliver person-centred care, encourage independence and improve the quality of life for your clients.

Participate in clinical experiences, where you focus on the various skills needed to succeed in the field. In these clinical placements, you demonstrate your knowledge and expertise and learn about applying different concepts to real-world environments. These clinical experiences provide you with the opportunity to continue learning as a student member of a healthcare team.

After graduating, you may find employment as a Personal Support Worker. In this role, you work under the supervision of Registered Nurses and/or Registered Practical Nurses in:

• retirement homes
• long-term care facilities
• home care agencies, and
• hospitals

The Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) – Network Technology degree is a joint collaboration between Algonquin College and Carleton University; graduates of the program receive a Bachelor of Information Technology degree as well as a Computer Engineering Technology – Network Technology Ontario College Advanced Diploma accreditation.

The degree is designed to offer students programming centred around both a practical experience and a theoretical background. For more information about each of these unique collaborative degrees, applicants should visit www.bitdegree.ca

The Artificial Intelligence Software Development Ontario College Graduate Certificate program is designed to prepare you to meet the increasing market demand for artificial intelligence software development expertise. Through this program, you will enhance your existing software development skills to become an AI software developer, with an in-depth understanding of the major AI technologies and how to leverage AI to solve problems.

The program explores AI using a top-down and a bottom-up approach simultaneously. You begin a deep dive into the detailed mechanisms of machine learning to acquire the skills to troubleshoot, debug and optimize machine learning and deep learning architectures. You investigate various techniques of AI and survey which types of problems are best solved using each AI technique.

Through a combination of theory-based learning and industry-based applied research AI projects, graduates possess the theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills to assess, recommend, design, implement and troubleshoot various advanced AI solutions. Graduates enter the workforce with an in-depth understanding of deep learning, reinforcement learning and knowledge representation. Together these three branches form a comprehensive view of the AI landscape, giving the AI developer the knowledge and skills required to implement solutions such as speech recognition and natural language understanding, planning, diagnosis, smart agents, machine vision, intelligent manufacturing processes and intelligent control. Students have the option to gain real-world experience through two paid co-operative education (co-op) work terms.

This one-year Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares students for a career in design research and strategy. Professionals in this field examine the intersection of research, technology, business and design to apply a human-centred approach to solving problems. These professionals work in a variety of fields, including private, public and government organizations, to provide strategic direction for system, product, policy and/or service design. The skills gained in this program complement a myriad of professional backgrounds, from designers, computer programmers and engineers looking to update their skillset to public servants and social scientists looking for new ways to draft policies and model services.

Students collaborate with industry partners in a design studio setting throughout the program to find solutions for real-world issues.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Apply a universal, interdisciplinary design approach to overcome complex problems and create intelligent solutions that address social, technological and economic challenges.
• Manage a holistic, human-centred process to deliver design strategies, products, systems and services for government, corporations and non-profit organizations.
• Design collaboratively in an interdisciplinary studio environment to produce communication, products, systems and service projects for a variety of media.
• Apply primary and secondary research methodologies to the design process using a think/make practice model to achieve project outcomes that meet user needs and adhere to industry standards.
• Adhere to the professional practices of a design studio to facilitate and manage the success of design teams in achieving project goals.
• Participate in an iterative, multi-phase design process in order to create testable prototypes and realized products.
• Liaise and negotiate project direction and process with stakeholders to produce strategies and outcomes that align with business objectives.
• Present and defend research results and design outcomes to a diverse audience using effective communication strategies.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Specialize with a challenging and rewarding career in marketing

Earn a flexible diploma that demonstrates you are skilled in all key business disciplines, with a specialization in marketing. Marketing is one of seven majors available to Business Administration students. This three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma program starts with three core semesters, where you learn essential business skills to build a strong foundation before ultimately deciding on a major.

The Business Administration - Marketing program provides in-depth knowledge of a wide range of marketing skills in both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) industries. Learn to make strategic decisions in traditional and digital business environments regarding: products, distribution, pricing, advertising and promotion, sales, web marketing and marketing research.

Apply acquired knowledge to several hands on projects, such as the creation of an advertising and promotion plan supported by primary research. Launch a new product idea and develop a professional sales presentation. In your final year, you gain industry experience through three key projects including designing a website and preparing a marketing plan for an actual business client. Culminate your learning experience by organizing a professional industry networking event.

You have the opportunity to compete against top students in the province in the prestigious Ontario Colleges` Marketing Competition (OCMC) where you enhance both your analytical and professional presentation skills.

Our industry-expert faculty prepare you with the creative, analytical and decision making skills to pursue a rewarding career in marketing or sales.

• Graduates may find employment in many sectors of the marketing profession, such as:
• Marketing/digital marketing management
• Sales professionals and sales management
• Marketing communications management
• product and brand management
• Marketing research
• Graduates may also obtain a certificate from the Canadian Professional Sales Association (CPSA).

This four-year degree program is designed for students seeking careers in the hospitality, culinary, food services and food science sectors through a unique combination of food science and culinary skills. Well suited for those with a passion for food and a love of science, this program produces skilled graduates with culinary and food science backgrounds equipped with the abilities to create innovative, high quality food products for existing and emerging markets.

Through combining the disciplines of food science and culinary arts, students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to become professionals within this innovative and emerging field. Students examine a broad range of topics including food chemistry, food microbiology, sensory evaluation, food processing, as well as culinary science and food service management, with a focus on food product development and enhancing the nutritional value of food products. These core science skills are complemented by advanced skills in food preparation, cooking, baking, safety and sanitation, management and leadership. Through applied research in product development, students have the opportunity to research, create and market their own products. In addition, students participate in two practical cooperative education learning opportunities gaining valuable applied industry experience.

Major food companies and producers seek individuals who have the ability to design, develop and process quality food choices that are healthy, affordable, desirable and safe for consumers. Graduates are well positioned to find employment opportunities with major food manufacturers or small, private label companies, in the areas of food production management, food technology, product development, quality assurance management, food services and food research and development as well as in health-related industries or entrepreneurial endeavours. Algonquin College is working closely with the Research Chefs Association (RCA) in seeking RCA`s accreditation as a Culinology(R)program. Graduates of this program are well positioned to write RCAs Certified Research Chef examination.

In the Law Clerk (Intensive) Ontario College Diploma program, you study a broad range of legal topics and processes to prepare you for a career as a legal assistant or law clerk.

This program is offered in a compressed format over 42 weeks so you can start your career as soon as possible. The program prepares you for administrative work in an office environment where you work independently under the general direction of a lawyer, or as part of a legal services team. Learn from dedicated faculty who ensure that your skills surpass industry standards.

As a student, you develop and practice the skills that are essential for a successful career, including:

• Paying attention to details and independently following instructions
• Organizing client files and managing deadlines
• Interviewing clients
• Performing general office procedures
• Working with legal software to compile information and prepare documents
• Compiling evidence and documentation
• Maintaining corporate documents and filings
• Entering data in legal forms and drafting routine correspondence
• Preparing briefs
• Learning about family, estates, civil litigation, corporate, administrative, and real estate law practices
• Engaging in civil litigation and research

Benefit from the ability to participate in an off-site field placement or in an in-class workplace simulation. These experiences give you real-world experience and an opportunity to practice your skills.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Support the needs of clients and legal professionals through the use of accurate terminology and professional communication strategies, both orally and in writing.
• Complete all work within routine and unexpected time lines and limitation periods within the legal environment.
• Use current and relevant electronic and print resources, within the legal environment, to conduct legal research, to assist with file and evidentiary management, to facilitate communication and generate legal documentation, complying with current regulations and procedures.
• Research and summarize the presenting legal issues, applying knowledge of substantive law, to support the legal team.
• Apply rules of procedure to support best legal practices.
• Conduct oneself professionally in adherence to the guidelines of the Law Society of Upper Canada.
• Carry out clerical and administrative duties for the operation of a variety of legal environments.
• Outline strategies for ongoing professional development to ensure continuing competence as a Law Clerk.
• Act equitably and justly with diverse populations.
• Provide support for legal professionals in courts and administrative tribunals within the legal system.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.