Graduate Certificate in Technical Writer

at Algonquin College - Ottawa Campus Canada

The Environmental Management and Assessment Ontario College Graduate Certificate program adds depth to your existing expertise in the environmental management and assessment field. Highly skilled and environmentally aware professionals are constantly being sought out by employers in the field. This program enhances your knowledge of environmental sciences.

Gain essential knowledge and skills by studying a range of disciplines throughout this program, including:

• Ecological conservation
• Project management
• Environmental policy and reporting
• Contaminant control
• GIS and environmental map design

Take courses in hydrology, environmental modelling and environmental policies. Courses are offered on evenings and weekends.
Field experiences throughout the program give you integrative skills that employers of this expanding field are looking for.

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.

Graduates of this program may be employed in a number of fields including:

• Ecology research and reporting
• Water and wastewater monitoring
• Site assessments
• Cost proposals
• Pollution prevention and control
• Regulatory compliance
• Policy development

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 www.algonquincollege.com/coop.

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.

The three-year Biotechnology - Advanced Ontario College Advanced Diploma program gives you a strong overview of the science that drives biotechnology. With a mix of laboratory and theory courses, you learn about:

• Cell biology
• Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Molecular biology
• Microbiology
• Bioinformatics
• Statistics

You also gain a foundation in the social and ethical implications of this field, giving you the ability to make informed choices. As a student, you have the opportunity to carry out experiments and use state of the art laboratory instruments and tools throughout the program. Some of the topics you encounter include water analysis, soil analysis, quality and safety of food and beverages, DNA manipulation, and protein purification and analysis.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Perform laboratory duties independently and in compliance with pertinent legislation and regulations, as well as biotechnology standards and guidelines.
• Collaborate in implementing and evaluating quality control and quality assurance procedures to meet organizational standards and requirements.
• Select and implement best practices for sustainability.
• Complete complex biotechnological applications using advanced principles of chemistry, biology and biostatistics as well as basic principles of physics.
• Co-ordinate, implement and validate laboratory procedures to carry out quantitative and qualitative tests and analyses.
• Co-ordinate, implement and validate standard cell culture procedures under aseptic conditions.
• Co-ordinate, implement and validate molecular biology procedures.
• Manage biological data to support biological scientists and researchers in capturing, organizing/summarizing and storing data.
• Prepare, analyze, interpret, maintain and communicate scientific data effectively.
• Develop and present a strategic plan for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance.
• Apply basic business principles to biotechnology practices.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

You have the opportunity to work with government and industry professionals through optional industry internships or through participation in industry-aligned applied research projects.

Approved by the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario and accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Respiratory Therapy Education, Respiratory Therapy is a three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma program offered by Algonquin College. The program is well suited for all the students who have strong observational and analytical skills, possess an applied technical aptitude, are able to work effectively under stressful situations and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills while interacting with patients, their families and other members of the healthcare team. 

During the course, the students participate in multiple clinical simulations, learning to apply their theoretical knowledge to clinical practice and promoting critical thinking. Besides, the students also learn how to adapt themselves to situations and concepts to meet the needs of the patients and work in a professional tea, structure in a private or a public setting. 

The graduates of the course of the program can find jobs as staff therapists in hospitals in the pediatric and neonatal intensive care units, emergency departments and cardiopulmonary diagnostic units, etc., or in medical sales, dental offices, research, physicians’ offices and community care. The graduates may also pursue post-graduate studies in areas like cardiopulmonary perfusion, polysomnography and anesthesia assistant. 

Registered respiratory therapists and the graduates who are working in regulated provinces need to be members of their Regulatory College, the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO). The successful completion of the National Alliance of Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies credential exam, conducted by the Canadian Board of Respiratory Care (CBRC), allows the graduates to work in Canada.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Practice in a professional manner.
• Practice competently, safely and effectively in diverse practice settings.
• Communicate effectively with clients and health care team members.
• Participate as a team member to support clients` achievement of their health outcomes.
• Assess clients in a comprehensive manner.
• Collect and interpret information to plan, implement and evaluate outcomes based practice.
• Select and use a variety of respiratory modalities to support clients’ achievement of their health outcomes.
• Collaborate with clients and health care team members to develop,
• Implement and evaluate clients` learning plans.
• Integrate theory principles and concepts into respiratory practice.
• Incorporate research theory into practice.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

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 two-year Office Administration - Executive Ontario College Diploma program prepares you for a rewarding career as an administrative professional in the public or private sector.

Develop essential skills through extensive applied practice in a simulated office in the areas of human resources, social media, office management, domestic and international travel, event planning and finance. Enhance your MS Office suite abilities through document production, transcription, desktop publishing, accounting practices, and database and project management.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Conduct oneself professionally and adhere to relevant legislation, standards and codes of ethics.
• Manage the scheduling, coordination and organization of administrative tasks and workflow within specific deadlines and according to set priorities.
• Coordinate the collection, analysis, distribution and response to communications in the workplace to facilitate the flow of information.
• Operate and provide support related to the use, maintenance and procurement of office equipment and technologies.
• Evaluate, establish and administer a variety of records management systems* to ensure confidential, secure, accessible and organized electronic and paper records.
• Produce financial documents and reports by identifying and compiling relevant information and using accounting software.
• Prepare and produce a variety of business documents using available technologies and applying industry standards.
• Use interpersonal, leadership and client service skills to respond to diversity and to support the vision and mission of the organization.
• Research, analyze and summarize information on resources and services and prepare summary reports with recommendations.
• Select and use information technologies to support communication with internal and external stakeholders and to promote the organization.
• Organize and coordinate meetings, conferences, special events and make travel arrangements, including the preparation of related documentation.
• Support the implementation of projects by applying basic principles of project management.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

The two-year Cardiovascular Technology Ontario College Diploma program provides you with the essential knowledge and technical skills required to perform electrocardiograms, exercise tolerance tests and ambulatory monitoring in the role of a cardiovascular technologist. Professionals in this field work closely with patients to diagnose cardiac conditions.

Emphasizing a hands-on approach through in-class clinical simulation and clinical practice, this program is aligned with the competencies outlined by the Canadian Society of Cardiology Technologists (CSCT) National Occupational Competency Profile (NOCP). Areas of focus include performing various non-invasive cardiac testing such as:

• Electrocardiography
• Stress testing
• Ambulatory monitoring
• Pacemaker follow-up

You develop critical thinking by integrating knowledge of cardiac anatomy, pharmacology and various pathophysiology to provide accurate diagnostic information to members of the health care team.

Graduates of this program are eligible to write the CSCT national certification exam. Upon successful completion of this exam, graduates become Registered Cardiology Technologists (RCT). This provides employment opportunities across Canada in:

• Hospitals
• Private cardiac clinics
• Physicians`offices
• Cardiac rehabilitation centres
• Pacemaker clinics
• Ambulatory monitoring health services
• Medical sales or research

Graduates may pursue post-graduate studies in such areas as diagnostic cardiac sonography, pacemaker technology or cardiac electrophysiology technology.

The two-year Computer Systems Technician - Networking Ontario College Diploma program prepares you for a career in information technology with a focus on network and system administration.

You learn to set up, configure and maintain all components that constitute an effective network: computer hardware, operating systems, networking and virtualization technologies, security and task automation. In addition you develop problem solving skills and troubleshooting techniques to help support an IT infrastructure. Throughout the program, you also develop your oral and written communication skills, customer support, and ethics relevant to the information technology workplace.

As a student in this program, you have access to the latest software and equipment including Cisco and Aruba hardware labs, network-based operating systems, including Microsoft and GNU/Linux, as well as other industry-standard tools and resources.

This program offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience by taking part in back-to-back cooperative education (co-op) work terms (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.

You can work towards industry recognized certifications including Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Linux+ and Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA). Upon successful completion of this program, you may transfer credit for the first two years of the Computer Systems Technology - Security three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma, as long as you meet its admissions requirements.

Upon graduation you may find employment opportunities in a wide range of sectors including government, private and public for entry-level positions or self-employment in:

• Network and systems administration
• IT infrastructure
• Installation, migration, and support
• Technical and customer service support
• Computer training and consultation

The one-year Marketing Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate prepares you to thrive in today`s marketing industry. Analyze consumer attitudes and behaviours in regards to products and services in our rapidly changing world. Through a creative, flexible and customer-focused approach, develop an understanding of both domestic and international marketing issues.

Among other topics, you develop a critical understanding of the competitive and customer-oriented demands of a business, its product and service operations and its marketing processes and resources. Acquire creative, procedural and critical marketing expertise to generate, implement and evaluate marketing programs that satisfy customer requirements.

Act as consultants and complete an industry project where you apply your knowledge and skills to a real-world situation by developing a marketing plan and strategy for a local organization.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Develop a promotion mix for marketing a product or service based on an identified target market within conventional and digital media spaces.
• Develop domestic and global pricing strategies which take into account perceived value, competitive environment, and corporate objectives.
• Develop strategies for efficient distribution of products and services.
• Design and modify strategies for developing a new brand or product portfolio or improvise an existing brand or product in the context of marketing objectives and evolving market trends.
• Analyze the Canadian and global marketing environment, segment and target markets, position products, develop lifecycles and evaluate marketing results with respect to costs, sales and profits.
• Formulate a comprehensive marketing plan including marketing research, competitive analysis, target market, marketing objectives, marketing mix, marketing strategies and evaluation criteria in both Canadian and International markets.
• Create and convey a marketing communications plan integrating various aspects of traditional and digital communications.
• Conduct primary and secondary research using both qualitative and quantitative methods on internal and external environmental factors in order to evaluate the current situation and draw a future marketing roadmap for an organization or a particular product or service.
• Create personal professional development strategies and plans to enhance leadership knowledge, human resource management skills, and marketing expertise in order to improve individual and team performance within the marketing function of an organization.
• Employ marketing management techniques in the planning, directing, and controlling of an enterprise.
• Develop strategies to establish, enhance and maintain working relationships with clients, consumers, customers and stakeholders within conventional and online domains.
• Recognize and address ethical dilemmas and corporate citizenship, applying ethical and organizational values to marketing situations.
• Apply the key constructs in consumer behaviour to marketing a product or service in Canadian and international markets.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

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.