Graduate Certificate in Virtualization and Cloud Computing & Information Technology Network Security (Bundle Program)

at Conestoga College - Waterloo Campus Canada

Computer Programmer is a two-year diploma program designed for students who wish to learn the latest skills needed by business application developers in industry, but want to graduate sooner than allowed by the three-year Computer Programmer/Analyst program. The program emphasizes problem-solving skills using the latest versions of Microsoft, Java and open-source software to develop business and web applications. Object-oriented analysis, design, agile methodologies and programming techniques are mastered and applied throughout the program. 

Students learn through a combination of theory and practice, applying their knowledge to hands-on assignments and challenging projects. Complementary courses in areas such as mathematics, accounting and communications support the core IT courses. All of these skills are then applied to a capstone group project in the last year in which students build a major business application, providing them with experience of the complete application development cycle.

This two-year graduate certificate is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge to effectively initiate, plan, control and commission construction projects. Students will study the investment appraisal of development projects; planning, scheduling, budgeting and control of construction project; and soft skills related to effective leadership, communication and negotiation. Students will learn to integrate construction methods, building code, and lean construction techniques into their projects. Learning will be enhanced through the use of case studies, group work and field trips. The capstone project will enable students to apply, integrate and synthesize knowledge learned into a real-world project. The co-op or guided career management term will provide students with an opportunity to apply and practice knowledge and skills in preparation for the work environment. This program will prepare students to take various professional certification exams with main focus on CAPM (Certified Associate Project Manager), PMP (Project Management Professional), PQS (Professional Quantity Surveyor designation) and Gold Seal certification. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term instead of the Guided Career Management course. A laptop is required for in-class assignments and project work.

Note: This program is designed for international students wishing to pursue studies in the field of construction management.

This two-year program focuses on the restaurant and hotel sectors and is designed to provide students with balanced training that combines theory and practical experience in the specific skills involved in people management, hands-on preparation, customer service, and financial controls needed in the hospitality industry. Optional co-op terms can be completed in a restaurant, hotel, catering or other approved food and beverage facility either locally or across Canada. In addition, courses such as communication, computer skills, marketing, and nutrition ensure graduates are well rounded to meet the demands of industry. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term.

Profound changes to the world of computer applications have created the need for a new kind of software development professional. As a result of explosive growth in the use of mobile devices, a growing appetite for consumer applications across all demographics, and emerging digital technologies, there is a need for entrepreneurial savvy within Canadian companies to effectively compete globally. This demands computer professionals with skills in graphic design, content creation, User Experience (UX), software development, marketing, and business models in order to design and market new and competitive software applications. The optional co-op stream includes four consecutive four-month work terms.

Co-op information

• Co-op programs add value to your education. Earn money while you apply what you've learned in a real workplace environment. Visit Co-operative education for more information.
• 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.

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. Not every student who meets academic eligibility requirements will be admitted to the co-op stream.
• To be considered for admission to the co-op stream, students are required to achieve a minimum overall 80% weighted average in Year 1 with a maximum one dropped or failed course during the first year.
• International students studying outside of Canada - ‘out of country’ - cannot apply to the co-op stream of their program. Students must be in Canada to apply to the co-op stream of their program. Students are currently experiencing longer than usual wait times for work permits. Work permit applications need to be completed more than 6 months in advance of a work term. International students studying in Canada will require work permits to utilize the co-op job board for job search and to accept employment. Please be advised that there will be no co-op program service fee refunds after the program withdrawal for refund date. Students that have not received their work permit and choose to remain in co-op after the program withdrawal for refund date do so at their own risk and will not be refunded. If you are concerned about receiving your work permit in time to achieve co-op employment, please discuss your situation with your co-op advisor as early as possible.

Process Quality Engineering
This advanced-level graduate certificate program provides individuals with the knowledge and techniques to improve the delivery and quality of products and services. The material that is taught in this program can be applied within any area of an organization. The focus of this program is on the achievement of performance excellence through the use of modern quality improvement methods. The program develops the skills required to perform process quality roles in a broad range of organizations and sectors.The program content aligns favourably with selected American Society of Quality's (ASQ) Bodies of Knowledge. This program is non-industry specific as it provides the proficiencies demanded by organizations in today’s market place.

Financial Technology
The field of financial technology is evolving as it responds to the challenges facing the 21st century financial sector. This means that professionals employed in the field must be equipped to support diverse client groups such as individuals and company-based financial institutions. If you have a background in the computer industry, finance or other related fields, and are ready to attain in-depth competencies to help consumers and businesses track, manage, and facilitate their finances, this Ontario College Graduate Certificate program will be of interest to you. Through a variety of projects, case studies and interactive learning opportunities, and using current and relevant resources to support the latest trends in financial technology, you will develop the skills needed to help individuals and businesses secure their finances. You will study topics such as applications, emerging market trends, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship and management. In just eight months, graduates will be job-ready to take the lead in the financial technology industry in various roles such as Business Analyst, Blockchain Business Analyst, Financial Technologist and other roles related to financial technology.

This advanced-level graduate certificate program provides individuals with the knowledge and techniques to improve the delivery and quality of products and services. The material that is taught in this program can be applied within any area of an organization. The focus of this program is on the achievement of performance excellence through the use of modern quality improvement methods. The program develops the skills required to perform process quality roles in a broad range of organizations and sectors.The program content aligns favourably with selected American Society of Quality's (ASQ) Bodies of Knowledge. This program is non-industry specific as it provides the proficiencies demanded by organizations in today’s market place.

This program will deepen students' understanding of the testing paradigms, methodologies and tools utilized throughout the software development process. Software quality assurance requires an awareness of what constitutes quality software from the point of view of an end user, a developer, and a business, and how to create a process that can lead to quality software. Software quality control requires an awareness of how to most effectively and efficiently test the results of a software development project. As a comprehensive program, this graduate certificate will cover a wide range of topics, but ready students for the in-demand field of software quality assurance and software quality control. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term.

This program prepares graduates for an exciting career in the field of Information Technology Infrastructure support and administration. Graduate employability is significantly enhanced by in- depth training in a broad range of business, computer and people skills that are in high demand across many industries. Rapid problem solving through the application of critical thinking is an emphasis throughout the program.
Program focus is on the practical application of skills and knowledge to install, configure and troubleshoot workstation and server computers, networks and cloud environments, including standard infrastructure services such as database and messaging systems. Practical work is completed on industry standard hardware and software encountered in the workplace. An optional co-op work term is included to enhance education. Through their education in this program, students will gain a solid foundation to challenge industry certification exams in the areas of operating system support, networking and virtualization should they so choose. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term. 

Mobile Solutions Development (MSD) is a four-semester graduate certificate program, including a one-semester exploration of career management or an optional co-op in the mobile software industry. The program will offer students a strong practical background in mobile solutions design and development that encompasses different devices, operating systems, database and network infrastructures, as well as coverage of software quality and the security aspects to mobile solutions development. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term instead of the Guided Career Management course.

Information Technology is an ever-changing field with two of these new areas of expertise being Virtualization and Cloud Computing. Organizations have started to replace physical computers (servers and desktops) in their organizations with ‘virtual machines’. The virtualization strategy allows companies to replace existing hardware driving cost savings and reduction of infrastructure support. Furthering this, companies are also starting to purchase or lease cloud services as a means of provisioning services without any onsite installations of hardware. In order to help organizations succeed, specialist skills in these fields are required. This two-semester Ontario College Graduate Certificate program concentrates on hands-on experiential practices and techniques commonly employed in Virtualization and Cloud Computing. You will gain valuable skills and knowledge in systems, infrastructure services, cloud technologies, as well as systems architecture methodologies. Graduates will have the skills required to move into more senior IT and Data Centre positions.