Certificate of Technology Foundations

at Conestoga College - Cambridge Campus Canada

The Bachelor of Engineering - Building Systems Engineering (BSE) program is one of the newest engineering degrees offered in the School of Engineering delivered at the honours level. Unique in Canada, this paid co-op program explores the present and future of modern buildings and their increasingly complex operational systems. The BSE program targets motivated individuals looking for challenging careers in design and integration of building systems, energy and utilities management, building operations and facilities management. Delivered using a project-based learning environment, the BSE program allows students to solve real-world problems by integrating mechanical, electrical and control engineering knowledge with environmental, business, project management concepts and team dynamics skills. The twelve months of paid co-op opportunities, strategically integrated with academic semesters, enhance students’ skills and job readiness. Graduates will be able to pursue a professional engineering career through licensing with Professional Engineers Ontario.

The Environmental Building Sciences program is a one-year graduate certificate designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge to effectively manage indoor environmental conditions throughout the building life cycle encompassing the identification, testing and remediation of problems in the building environment. Students will study building sciences, sustainability and energy management for building design and control, environmental legislation, air and water quality, assessment for communication of risk, hazardous materials assessment and abatement, sampling and testing methodologies, and project management and technical report writing. The program is experiential in nature with the incorporation of exercises, case studies, and practical laboratories in building sciences. In the final term, students will participate in a major project to address a present-day building environmental issue. It was developed in consultation with representatives from the environmental industry. For more information, contact the Program Coordinator at [email protected]. This program is available to be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. Courses will be scheduled in the afternoon and early evening to facilitate students who wish to take the program on a part-time basis while currently employed.

This unique program provides extensive hands-on work with welding automation and robotics systems including: GMAW (MIG) and spot-welding applications, CAD/CAM applications with CNC thermal cutting, and off-line robotic simulation programming applications. The curriculum builds on welding technology background with broader knowledge in manufacturing methods and industrial automation. This program has a common first two years with the Welding Engineering Technology - Inspection program. The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) conditionally recognizes this program as meeting all the academic requirements for certification in the Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) category. The optional co-op stream includes four consecutive four-month work terms.

Applying to the Co-op Stream
All applicants apply to the non co-op program. Students will be informed of the application deadline and process to apply for the Co-op Stream. Labour market conditions determine the number of co-op seats in optional co-op programs. Every student who meets academic eligibility requirements may not be admitted to the co-op stream.
To be considered for the co-op stream, students will be required to achieve an overall 60% unweighted average (with a maximum of one dropped or failed course) in all Level 1 and 2 program courses. If an applicant has a lower overall average, their application will be decided upon on a case-by-case basis, based on one or more of: course performance, a possible interview, and number of acceptances already granted. Courses in which exemptions were granted or PLARs achieved will be ignored in calculating the average (with the exception below).
Students seeking to transfer with advanced standing into the co-op option from other programs (e.g., Welding Techniques #1193 or Welding and Fabrication Technician #0046) will be considered; however, transfer credits for Technical Mathematics I and Technical Mathematics II will be weighted with a 20% penalty and all of the other requirements above will apply.

Co-op Information
Co-op programs add value to your education. Earn while you apply what you learn in a real workplace environment. See the Co-op webpages.
The College cannot guarantee co-op employment. All co-op students are required to conduct an independent co-op job search in addition to the supports and services provided by the Department of Co-op Education.
Students are responsible for their own transportation and associated costs in order to complete work term requirements. Work locations may not always be readily accessible by public transportation.

This dynamic two-year graduate certificate is designed to give students specialized and thorough training in the detailing, supply, fabrication and installation of steel structures including the management and coordination of projects. The training is directly related to industry standards and working practices within North America and will enable students to develop detailed drawing, analytical and communication skills for the structural steel industry. Students will learn CAD skills, building information modelling (BIM), building code requirements, specifications and estimating to assist them with challenging projects. Faculty are highly qualified specialists with current and relevant field experience. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term which replaces the Career Management course.This program is available to be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. Courses will be scheduled in the afternoon and early evening to facilitate students who wish to take the program on a part-time basis while currently employed. Courses may also be scheduled to be delivered on Saturdays. Admission is available in January only. Bridging opportunities are available for trades. 

Students of the Electrical Engineering Technician program learn a full range of electrical skills enabling them to work in a wide variety of electrical engineering areas including power systems and automation control systems. As well as acquiring a solid foundation of knowledge, students gain maximum career flexibility and the opportunity to explore several avenues in the electrical field. Students gain experience with electric motors, controls, PLCs, transformers and their industrial applications. Knowledge of electrical theory is supplemented by practical applications in power systems, industrial solid state controls, instrumentation, programmable logic controllers and motor control systems. Students work with heavy electrical motors, generators and transformers, learning a variety of industrial applications.Special emphasis is placed on writing, implementing and troubleshooting PLC programs, and communicating technical information effectively.Graduating students perform technological functions in various aspects of the energy field, primarily in support of research, development and design at a recognized technologist level.The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) conditionally recognizes this program as meeting all the academic requirements for certification in the Certified Technician (C.Tech.) category. 

Wireless Network Infrastructure

This program prepares graduates with degrees or diplomas in telecommunications, electronics, or computer engineering/technology for work in emerging fields in the wireless telecommunications industry. Students will enhance their undergraduate knowledge with practical skills that include the use of industry standard tools (drivetest tools, propagation tools, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, etc.), and the techniques required for success in the wireless industry. Students will broaden their familiarity with troubleshooting and the configuration of local area and wide area networks (LANs and WANs) and networking topics relevant to telecom carriers including virtual private networks, quality of service, and others. Cutting-edge topics which include long term evolution (LTE) and 5th generation wireless networks, high bandwidth wireless (WiGig+) and concurrent MIMO systems, will ensure that graduates will be in high demand. 

Information Technology Infrastructure

Information technology workers need a broad range of practical skills to enhance concepts and principles that are often the focus of post-secondary study. This two-semester Ontario College Graduate Certificate program concentrates on hands-on application of network and systems administration practices and techniques commonly employed in modern IT enterprise infrastructure management.Students will gain valuable skills and knowledge in the deployment and configuration of network operating systems (desktop and server), infrastructure services and network technologies. Students will also acquire foundational knowledge to work towards challenging professional certification exams from various organizations. Graduates of this program will have the skills required to move into IT administration positions or transition into more advanced graduate studies in areas such as security, networking and operations.

Civil engineering involves all aspects of designing, constructing, and maintaining our cities to serve the needs of growing communities. As a technologist in this field, you will aid in the design and construction of subdivisions, highways, stormwater management, drinking water systems, waste-water systems, landfills, and structures. The Civil Engineering Technology program at Conestoga College is a three-year advanced diploma program (with optional co-op) where students gain a balanced education in civil engineering, combined with hands-on skills in labs and in the field. Students will:design clean water distribution, waste-water purification, and stormwater management systems;conduct designs of wood, steel, masonry, and concrete structures;test soils, road, and construction materials in the lab and in the field;learn how to use modern survey technology (including GPS) and apply these techniques to land development projects;create engineering drawings using AutoCAD and Civil 3D for civil projects;study the design of roads, highways, and transportation construction management; anddemonstrate their knowledge of civil engineering through a final capstone project working directly with industry experts. In this program, you will be under the guidance of faculty who are passionate about their field, have strong ties to industry, and are vested in helping you to achieve your career goals. Graduates can become Certified Engineering Technologists (CET) through the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT).

With the focus towards a lower-carbon future, energy professionals are in high demand. This three-year program is specifically designed to meet the high demand for engineering technologists in electrical power generation, transmission, and distribution, as well as in low-carbon energy systems, smart building systems, and energy management.Topics include conventional and renewable energy generation, including distributed energy resources for Ontario’s low-carbon energy future. Students will develop a strong electrical engineering technology foundation in electrical fundamentals, motors and control, programmable logic controllers, power system generation, transmission/distribution, protection and control, and grid transformation/smart grids. In addition, topics such as residential/commercial/industrial energy savings, building automation, analytics, energy storage, HVAC systems, and energy auditing are applied for careers in the growing specialty of conservation in private and public sector jobs. Mechanical topics include statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics as they apply directly to various energy systems.Throughout the program, students gain applied experience in AutoCAD and Revit, safety practices, safety standards and equipment, technical writing, and project management. Theory is applied practically in many laboratory settings.Strong industry support is evidenced by the program's high employment rate and successful optional co-op stream. Students benefit from the well-established, high-quality labs, relevant field trips, and active industry mentorship. Faculty have current, specialized credentials and are well-connected with industry to assist with graduate employment. Students enjoy analyzing Conestoga’s on-site 250 [ton] geothermal heat pump system and associated 500 [kW] PV solar system as they witness the journey to net-zero emissions on campus.Graduates have developed an applied theory in both mechanical and electrical systems and, as a result, are uniquely prepared to perform technological functions in various aspects of electrical, power, and energy fields for the exciting growth in Ontario’s low-carbon and smart-energy future.The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) conditionally recognizes this program as meeting all the academic requirements for certification in the Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) category.The optional co-op stream includes four consecutive four-month work terms.

In this diploma program, students gain skills for a career in today's automated manufacturing setting. In addition to developing a thorough knowledge of numerically controlled manufacturing systems, students will acquire a comprehensive background in general manufacturing and design fundamentals. This broad?based curriculum includes: learning and applying numerical control (NC) programming concepts; utilizing CAD/CAM techniques to integrate design and manufacturing; an introduction to the world of robotics; an introduction to designing power-transmitting devices and developing and applying quality assurance process planning and production control techniques to the solution of practical manufacturing problems. Today's effective technician is also a skilled communicator, and students will learn to communicate technical information at all levels through the use of linguistic, graphic and computerized methods. There is a common first two years with the Mechanical Engineering Technology (Automated Manufacturing) program. The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) conditionally recognizes this program as meeting all the academic requirements for certification in the Certified Technician (C.Tech.) category.The optional co-op stream includes two co-op work terms.

This diploma program features co-operative education with six academic terms at the College and three work terms in industry. Studies combine theoretical knowledge with applied skills in the control of robotic and automated equipment using electronics, programmable automation controllers, computers, hydraulics and pneumatics.

In addition, the program focuses on the development of skills in computer-aided design, mechanical technology, electric motors, servo-mechanisms, robotics, industrial automation, and safety standards.
Emphasis is placed on effective techniques for designing, modifying, installing, testing, maintaining, repairing and troubleshooting equipment and systems. Effective communication is also stressed.

The Robotics and Automation program culminates in a third-year capstone project in which all the skills learned at school and on work terms are integrated into the proposal, design and construction of a fully functioning manufacturing work cell. The optional co-op stream includes three co-op work terms.

The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) conditionally recognizes this program as meeting all the academic requirements for certification in the Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) category.

Applying to the Co-op Stream
All applicants apply to the non co-op program. Students will be informed of the application deadline and process to apply for the Co-op Stream. Labour market conditions determine the number of co-op seats in optional co-op programs. Every student who meets academic eligibility requirements may not be admitted to the co-op stream.
To be considered for admission to the co-op stream, students are required to achieve a minimum 65% in Level 1 with a maximum of one dropped or failed courses and must pass MECH1050.

Co-op Information
Co-op programs add value to your education. Earn while you apply what you learn in a real workplace environment. See the Co-op webpages.
The College cannot guarantee co-op employment. All co-op students are required to conduct an independent co-op job search in addition to the supports and services provided by the Department of Co-op Education.
Students are responsible for their own transportation and associated costs in order to complete work term requirements. Work locations may not always be readily accessible by public transportation.