Diploma in Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician

at Algonquin College - Ottawa Campus Canada

Learn engineering design, and offer solutions as a mechanical engineering technologist

The three-year Mechanical Engineering Technology Ontario College Advanced Diploma program teaches you to apply scientific and engineering principles to solve mechanical engineering problems in a variety of industries.

Through a series of classroom-based courses and extensive practical labs, you acquire skills specific to mechanical engineering technologists, including:

• Modifying and improving engineering designs using conventional and computer-based methods
• Performing engineering tests
• Supporting product development
• Using engineering software and systems to conduct engineering design and analysis
• Designing specialized jogs and fixtures
• Analyzing problems involving machine design, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and heat transfer
• Understandingand applying design standards (i.e. ASHRAE and ASM International)
• Using design software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD and MasterCAM 

During your third year in the program, you complete a capstone project under the guidance of your faculty members. You work with external stakeholders in the industry during the project to analyze, plan and execute your 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. 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 find work in the research, design and testing of mechanical systems, or with:

• Manufacturing processes
• Electro-mechanical control systems
• Automation
• Green-energy and building systems 

The two-year Veterinary Technician Ontario College Diploma program prepares you to enter the profession by offering an authentic learning experience working alongside highly credentialed professionals in our on-campus veterinary medical facility and in our partnering facilities in the local community.

You benefit from learning in the 10,100 square-foot Veterinary Learning Centre and Clinic. This facility includes a reception area, exam rooms, husbandry area, surgical suite, dental suite, radiography room and more. This facility is similar to a real-life small animal clinic, enabling you to have an on-campus learning experience using the equipment you would also use in the field.

As a student, you have the unique opportunity to provide medical care to shelter animals, helping to prepare them for adoption. While in the program, you become a vital member of the veterinary health care team who develops and acquires valuable knowledge and skills that can then be applied to a variety of areas within the Veterinary Learning Centre and Clinic while working with these animals. This includes:

• Physical exams and patient care
• Preparing and administering medications
• Specimen collection and sample analysis
• Surgical assisting and anesthesia
• Producing diagnostic radiographs
• Providing nutritional support

Additional benefits of this program are its numerous accreditations. It is accredited by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians; certified by the Canadian Council of Animal Care; and registered with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Graduates are eligible for consideration for registration by the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians and by the Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science.

This challenging and rewarding program offers quality academics and practical experiences, which provide a solid foundation for graduates who are entering various career paths within the exciting profession of veterinary technician. Graduates of this program may find employment in a variety of professional settings, which include:

• Small, large, or mixed animal veterinary practices
• Animal shelters
• Veterinary pharmaceutical companies
• Medical equipment and nutritional sales
• Zoological parks and wildlife facilities
• Research facilities
• Provincial and federal government agencies
• Post-secondary institutions and regulatory bodies

The three-year Advertising and Marketing Communications Management Ontario College Advanced Diploma program prepares you to take your career into many industries. By combining business theory and creative messaging, this industry-respected program enables you to develop skills in idea conceptualizing, copywriting, layout and production design. You also develop integrated marketing communications strategies through researching what drives target audiences and planning how to reach them effectively.

Experienced, industry-connected faculty prepare you to plan, create and implement marketing communications. Key class projects work on real advertising and marketing communications issues with local companies as clients. As well, alumni and industry leaders act as guest speakers in every semester.

Put classroom theory to work through hands-on creation in one of the second-year student-run business unit teams:

• the award-winning Algonquin Times and Glue Magazine - where teams work on websites, print editions, social media channels, events and apps
• DIGG - the student-run ad agency where every client has a unique problem to be solved
• SLiDE - the in-house marketing department for Algonquin`s DARE District that works with Ottawa entrepreneurs.

The program encourages you to expand your learning and network through optional class trips in second and third year. As a second-year student, you have the unique opportunity to visit and tour select advertising and marketing agencies and visit program alumni in Toronto. As a third-year student, you have the opportunity to visit New York and attend one of the largest industry conferences in the world, Advertising Week.

At the end of the program, take your real-world experience a step further with a six-week job placement within the area of advertising and marketing communications. Upon graduating, be ready to start your career in this field.

There are many job opportunities for graduates of this program. You may find employment with an advertising or creative agencies and any organization that has a marketing, communications, media or promotions department. This includes:

• retail
• professional services firms
• technology companies
• associations
• governments

You might even launch your own marketing and communications company.

Turn your passion for sport into a rewarding business career

The Sport Business Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you for an exciting career in the ever-growing, multi-billion dollar sports industry.

The program positions you to work in the management and business aspects of the sports industry. Study in Canada`s capital, where there are professional sports franchises and more national governing sport bodies and multi-sport organizations than any city in Canada.

Receive cross-disciplinary training and sport management professional preparation. Learn:

• Event planning and management
• Sport bidding and hosting
• Sport tourism
• Sport marketing
• Sport finance and economics
• Sport sponsorship
• Ticket sales

Understand sport business in the social context, community sport issues, sport governance and the legal aspects of sport. Acquire skills in entrepreneurship, customer service, and project management.

Your program experience includes team work, case studies, role playing, and a variety of applied assignments. Connect with business management within the sport industry, with access to influential industry leaders, who share their experiences in the classroom. The program includes an intensive, hands-on work placement. For a minimum of 16 hours per week, you can apply your skills and knowledge to projects with organizations and clients in the sport industry. Network with industry professionals as you complete your work placement activities. Many students take advantage of these opportunities and receive further placement hours.

Upon graduation, students are well-prepared to begin working as a sport business professional. Your career could involve:

• Event planning
• sales
• Marketing
• Facility management
• Business administration

You could work within:

• Professional sport
• National and provincial sport governing bodies
• Public agencies
• Community recreation departments
• Sporting goods companies
• Sport marketing agencies
• Sport agent operations
• Athletic service organization

The one-year Sommelier Ontario College Certificate program gives you the skills and knowledge to enter or advance a career in the wine profession.

Wine and beverage expertise has become an essential tool in the hospitality industry, creating a high demand for qualified professionals. In our sommelier lab, you acquire the specialized skills and extensive knowledge to meet this demand.

Gain knowledge of the viticulture and viniculture of primary grape growing areas around the world. Through tastings of a variety of wines, expand your ability to recognize distinctive aromas and flavours associated with various wine regions. Learn food and wine pairing skills, cellaring tips, marketing techniques, grape varieties, wine list development and the proper service of wine, beer and whiskeys.

Take your skills into the real world with a 40-hour field placement at a restaurant, wine shop, winery, wine retail outlet or wine show. This industry experience helps you build valuable connections and become career-ready. These connections have led some of our graduates to launch successful freelance writing or teaching-careers.

This one-year Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas Ontario College Certificate program provides you with the knowledge, skills and abilities fundamental to academic success in a variety of health science programs. Develop strong study skills and earn post-secondary credits that may be transferred to other college programs.

As a student, you explore your interests in the health science field while meeting the eligibility requirements for a number of Algonquin College programs, including:

• Dental Assisting - Level I and II
• Fitness and Health Promotion
• Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant
• Paramedic
• Practical Nursing
• Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training
• Veterinary Assistant
• Veterinary Technician

The curriculum provides you with the opportunity to learn more about potential careers in health sciences as you improve your skills and knowledge in communications, mathematics, biology and chemistry.

The intention of this program is to prepare you for further study in certificates or diplomas, rather than moving directly into the chosen industry. It is important to note that completing this program doesn`t guarantee entry into a health or science program.

The one-year Victimology Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you for work in a variety of fields, providing services to victims of crime. This one-year program provides specialized knowledge and skills in victimology and in the provision of victim services. You also explore the history and theories of victimization, with applied victim-centred focus.

Combining theoretical and applied learning, it includes a field placement of more than 140 hours. It is in this setting where you learn about victims` issues and perspectives first-hand from experts in the field.

Practicum options include:

• Victim crisis units
• Police services
• Victim advocacy centres
• Indigenous healing centres
• Government agencies
• Women`s shelters
• Community action groups

Overall, you develop knowledge of crisis response, sudden and traumatic loss, and victim populations. Learn about crime and its effects on victims in the criminal justice system. In your practicum, you integrate theory with practice and contribute to victim service initiatives within your community.

The Victimology program offers you the means to pursue a unique career. This program is the first graduate certificate program offered by a Canadian college specializing in victimology. More than just theory, this program puts you in the field, allowing you to learn how to look at issues from the victim`s perspective.

You may find work in a wide variety of fields helping victims of crime. Work opportunities may exist in:

• Social services
• Child protection
• Crisis response
• The criminal justice system, and
• In other areas related to victimization

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

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.

Culinary Management is a two- year Ontario Diploma program that is curated to train the students to become professional chefs by putting a great emphasis on the advanced culinary skills, hands-on experience and managerial training. The curriculum includes courses on sanitation and safety procedures, food preparation, computer applications, the control of food costs, baking techniques, and nutrition and menu planning and the students are required to complete all the industry- related certifications to graduate. 

The students get multiple chances to participate in various activities, event s and competitions at the different hotels, restaurants and event facilities to develop their skills and knowledge. Students are required to complete a mandatory 40-hour field placement per term in order to graduate from the program.

The graduates of the program can seek employment in food preparation and service establishments like cafeterias, restaurants, senior care facilities, hotels, cruise ships or catering companies.