Diploma in Architectural Technician (Co-op)

at Algonquin College - Ottawa Campus Canada

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.

The four-year Bachelor of Automation and Robotics (Honours) degree program prepares you for a career in the field of automation and robotics.

Autonomous and remotely operated systems are deployed the world over with ever increasing frequency. Such systems are being implemented in many instances to reduce risk to human workers, to achieve higher efficiencies in manufacturing and to improve the quality of lives through robot-assisted rehabilitation and care. Variations of these systems are often in place for reasons of feasibility, efficiency, safety or practicality. Traditionally, in order to develop such systems, collaborative expertise and knowledge in aspects of mechanical and electrical engineering as well as computer science is necessary. Through a combination of these three fields of engineering, this program helps you acquire the theoretical and applied expertise to succeed in the field of automation and robotics.

As a student in this program, you acquire knowledge and skills specific to electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science, including:

• Engineering principles, professionalism and methodologies
• Fundamentals of mathematics, technical writing, dynamics, electronics, computer programming, optical systems and materials science
• Machine design, control systems, electromechanical actuators, sensors, vision systems and the software necessary to design and simulate autonomous and remotely operated systems and components
• Project planning and management, and research and leadership skills

This co-operative education program provides you with learning opportunities through industrial and/or applied research placements. A comprehensive final year project tied to the needs of industry exists to challenge you, presenting the opportunity to test and further develop knowledge and skills. If you are interested in the potential of self-employment, you have an opportunity to foster entrepreneurial aspirations.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to

• Analyze, design, modify and support mechanical, software and electrical components, processes and systems by applying fundamentals of engineering.
• Build functional robotic components by researching and integrating knowledge from mechanical, electrical and software engineering practices.
• Customize existing non-autonomous systems into autonomous or semi-autonomous systems by designing and integrating solutions and developing autonomy algorithms and controls.
• Analyze and solve complex technical problems in the field of robotics and automation by applying the principles of engineering and mathematics.
• Develop, execute and interpret quantitative and qualitative analysis and tests for industrial mechatronic and automation systems.
• Lead and perform diagnostics on a variety of industrial automation controls, sensors, data acquisition devices and interfaces by developing and using troubleshooting skills and techniques.
• Ensure all work is performed in compliance of relevant laws, codes, regulations, policies, ethical principles, safety procedures and engineering practices and standards.
• Contribute to the on-going and upcoming innovation and research in the robotics and automation field.
• Develop entrepreneurship and effective business planning skills to innovate robotics technology targeting new and existing local and global markets.
• Develop personal and professional strategies and plans to adapt to change, maintain currency and foster interprofessionalism.
• Manage the project and communication with clients and other professionals to translate abstract ideas into tangible project requirements and products.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific factors that enable the contribution to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

The Technical Writer Ontario College Graduate Certificate program provides you with the skills and training needed for a career in technical communication. Throughout this one-year program, you create different types of workplace documents to help users enjoy all features of a product, service or information. In particular, you learn to:

• Research and analyze technical material
• Connect with an intended audience
• Use specialized tools to author documents
• Manage multiple projects to meet the goals of a group
• Create structured documents that cater to different user tasks

These skills are so highly prized in the workplace that you can choose to work in either the public or the private sector, and in a freelance, part-time or full-time capacity.

The Technical Writer program will teach you how to create different kinds of online and print documents such as instruction sets, training materials, user manuals, white papers, proposals, online help, instructional videos and podcasts.

Through a combination of real-world learning, group projects, and collaborative learning activities, you can confidently apply these skills in all areas of industry including manufacturing, health and medicine, government, high-tech and private training institutions.

Explore all aspects of the television and streaming video production process in the two-year Broadcasting – Television Ontario College Diploma program. This program prepares you with a diverse set of skills applicable to working in the creative media industries. Learn to produce television and video for news, sports, esports live events, factual entertainment and film. Focus your education on the area of production that you are passionate about through a personalized capstone project and field placement in industry.

Develop your technical, operational, and editorial skills, in the studio and field, to enhance your storytelling competencies. You gain an understanding of the technical and creative sides of television and streaming production as well as cinematography, motion graphics and post-production processes. Learn the critical skills required to produce content for television, video and streaming media platforms using the equipment used by industry professionals. In the first level of the program, you study alongside Journalism and Broadcasting – Radio students, building a strong foundation in transferable media skills while exploring these related fields. In this program, you are given the opportunity to work on interprofessional teams with other media programs. In the second year, you choose projects and elective courses that align with your interests. You also work on a personalized capstone project to develop skills for the segment of the industry you are passionate about.

There are many job opportunities in the industry after graduation. Graduates may find employment in the following:

• Television networks and stations
• Newsrooms
• Sports and esports teams and venues
• Production companies
• Film studios
• Audio/video equipment providers
• Streaming media companies
• Digital media companies
• Production units within private and public organizations

The one-year Teachers of English as a Second/Foreign Language Ontario College Graduate Certificate program is designed to give you a theoretical and hands-on foundation to help you develop proficiency in English as a Second/Foreign Language teaching methodology.

This program is officially recognized by TESL Ontario and TESL Canada and is available on campus or through synchronous online delivery.

Learn effective approaches to teaching, lesson planning, curriculum design and evaluation. Take courses such as:

• Pedagogical Grammar
• Educational Technology in Second Language Teaching
• Language Learning and Culture

Apply your theoretical knowledge to real-life teaching. Begin the program by completing an Independent Learning Project that requires you to work one-on-one with an assigned English as a Second Language (ESL) student and complete a learner profile for them. Then, gain further practical experience by taking part in two practicum placements. You even have the option to pursue an overseas teaching internship.

Upon completion of this program, you receive an official TESL certification that enables you to pursue ESL teaching opportunities in Canada and abroad.

Graduates may find employment in:

• Continuing education
• Government-funded community-based programs
• Colleges
• Universities
• Private language schools

The two-year Library and Information Technician Ontario College Diploma program provides you with a broad range of knowledge and experiences for the library and information management field. This unique program teaches skills that deal with both technical and public service considerations. Technical services involve manual and automated operations related to collecting, processing and organizing material. Public services involve assisting or teaching clients in finding or using information resources.

An emphasis on exposing students to the latest technologies, trends and developments in the library and information field enables students to graduate job-ready. Benefit from small class sizes. Learn from professors with industry experience. Test your knowledge and skills through hands-on classroom activities and work field placements.

Field placements take place in:

• Schools
• Public, government, and academic libraries, or
• Archives, records and information management organizations

Through field placements, you develop relevant industry connections, preparing you for work in the field.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Acquire, loan, borrow, and maintain book, serial and online collections, using procedures for bibliographic verification, vendor selection, order production, and fund management.
• Derive, edit and/or create catalogue records using internationally accepted cataloguing rules with MARC coding in national bibliographic utilities, and computer-based systems.
• Conduct reference interviews, analyze information requests in a variety of topic areas, provide instructional assistance, and perform searches using current, relevant and authoritative resources.
• Assess client needs and provide effective client service to distinct client groups in various library, archive or information management settings.
• Develop and prepare promotional materials, library programming, bibliographies, finding tools and reports using word processing and publishing programs.
• Design relational databases, web sites and use integrated library systems and other library related software according to current standards.
• Identify different types of libraries and topics related to library science such as the publishing industry, freedom of information, censorship and copyright.
• Recognize, identify and perform duties in an archive, records management or information management setting and apply meta data to online resources.
• Outline theories and practice of library management and apply skills in staff supervision, conducting primary research, marketing library services and budget preparation.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Build your career potential with an in-depth understanding of building and construction

Architectural Technology is the third year of an Ontario College Advanced Diploma program that prepares you for a career in the architectural profession and the construction industry. The program gives you the credentials, the knowledge and the skills necessary to further define your career. Graduates of the two-year Architectural Technician Ontario College Diploma program may consider taking the third year, Architectural Technology program to build on their previous studies.

In the Architectural Technology program, you focus on commercial construction and large buildings, as defined in the Ontario Building Code. You participate in a team project that brings together all facets of building construction, including:

• Design and technical resolution with the integration of building and material detailing
• Structural and mechanical layout design for a commercial building assembly
• Revit Architecture is used to execute the design and technical resolution for the project. 

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.

Graduates of this program may find work with:

• Architects` offices
• Contractors in multiple sectors
• Engineering offices
• Building materials sales representatives
• Municipal offices such as the City of Ottawa
• Federal and provincial agencies dealing with construction
• Drafting service offices using AutoCAD and Revit
• Real estate and facilities management companies
• Companies that provide construction, maintenance, and planning services 

International Business is one of seven majors available to Business Administration students. The three-year Business Administration Ontario College Advanced Diploma starts with three semesters where you learn essential business skills to build a strong foundation before ultimately deciding on a Major.

The Business Administration - International Business program provides you with a wide range of international business skills, to pursue a career in the growing competitive global marketplace. This comprehensive program covers all aspects of international trade, and provides you with the confidence and expertise to be successful whether you work in government or as an international entrepreneur and a business leader in the global community.

Through activities, projects and case studies, you are fully immersed in the international business environment, including:

• International marketing
• Research
• Business plan development and management
• Supply chain management
• Law
• Market-entry strategies
• Finance

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 one-year Welding and Fabrication Techniques Ontario College Certificate program provides foundation skills to gain entry-level employment in the welding industry.
Participate in a combination of theory and shop work, and learn metal fabrication techniques and welding, acquiring a solid foundation of principles for the field.

All classes are taught in Algonquin College`s state-of-the-art Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE) facility, where you have the opportunity to use up-to-date equipment and learn about advanced technology in the welding and fabrication field, including:

• Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW)
• Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)
• Gas metal arc welding (GMAW)

learn metallurgy, and joint and metal preparation. Gain the ability to take technical measurements using the right tools, set up and safely operate equipment for various processes, and read and interpret blueprints and welding specifications.

Students also have the option to gain real-world experience through a paid co-operative education (co-op) work term. Please note that places in the co-op version of the program are subject to availability.

You also have the opportunity to take additional welding qualifications throughout the program. You can complete the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) Qualification of Welding Procedures test for different forms of welding. These can include shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, and flux-cored arc. These can be used in one or more positions.

Graduates may find work in a variety of different positions in the welding field:

• Machine shops
• Fabrication facilities
• Manufacturing companies
• Ship repair
• Mining

Cooperative education (Co-op)
Cooperative education (Co-op) allows students to integrate their classroom learning with a real-world experience though paid work terms. Two academic terms prior to the cooperative education work term, students are required to actively participate in and successfully complete the self-directed co-op online readiness activities and in-person workshops.

Students must actively conduct a guided, self-directed job search and are responsible for securing approved program-related paid co-op employment. Students compete for co-op positions alongside students from Algonquin and other Canadian and international colleges and universities. Algonquin College`s Co-op Department provides assistance in developing co-op job opportunities and facilitates the overall process, but does not guarantee that a student will obtain employment in a co-op work term. Co-op students may be required to re-locate to take part in the co-op employment opportunities available in their industry and must cover all associated expenses; e.g., travel, work permits, visa applications, accommodation and all other incurred expenses.

Co-op work terms are typically 14 weeks in duration and are completed during a term when students are not taking courses.

International students enrolled in a co-op program are required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to have a valid Co-op/Internship Work Permit prior to commencing their work term. Without this document, International students are not legally eligible to engage in work in Canada that is a mandatory part of an academic program. For more information, please visit https://www.algonquincollege.com/coop.