Certificate in Business Fundamentals

at Durham College - Oshawa Campus Canada

Most consumer products are created in a laboratory or industrial setting where the quality of the raw materials is monitored. Chemical laboratory technicians work in a supporting role using testing methodologies to assure quality with chemical manufacturers, pharmaceutical and food ingredient companies, energy producers and the emerging green product sector. One of the few two-year science-based diploma programs at Ontario colleges, the Chemical Laboratory Technician program will provide you with foundational knowledge in many different disciplines to open the door to the career of your dreams.

Students spend almost half of their course time in the laboratories, learning to operate state-of-the-art analytical instruments such as gas chromatographs, atomic absorption spectrometers and fluorometers, while building core wet chemistry skills. Once you have successfully completed the first year, or the entire two-year diploma, there is also the opportunity to specialize towards a specific industry by completing the remaining coursework for some of our three-year advanced diplomas.

This joint Durham College (DC) and Ontario Tech University (Ontario Tech) diploma-to-degree program will enable you to earn your college diploma and university degree in only four years. Experience the best of both learning environments while on the journey to a rewarding career in business. Build a solid foundation in business theory as well as experience hands-on learning in various areas of entrepreneurship such as business plan writing, digital marketing, mentorship, and starting a new business venture on campus at DC.

Please note that while the Entrepreneurship major has been suspended at Ontario Tech University, students in this university transfer program are able to complete a Bachelor of Commerce and choose from other major options.

An education in journalism provides excellent training in critical thinking, writing and presenting ideas while preparing students for one of the most interesting careers imaginable. Armed with very transferable knowledge, skills and experience, journalism graduates go on to write and deliver stories on all written and broadcast platforms. Students also develop an array of social media skills and undergo experiential learning through the program’s ‘working newsroom’, before moving on to a seven-week field placement, applying their skills in a professional environment. Students taking the Journalism advanced diploma program will have an additional four-week field placement at the end of the sixth semester.

This program embraces the broad changes occurring in the media landscape and offers a progressive curriculum that will allow you to focus on development of journalism, social media skills and content creation on all platforms – online, print and broadcast. Students in the Journalism – Mass Media program will develop the essential skills, knowledge, and behaviours required to work in this progressive, critical profession. In their first year, students are introduced to the core journalism skills and learn how society functions both locally and globally. In their second year, students focus on creating content for all media platforms and undergoing experiential learning through our ‘working newsroom’'.

Due to the constant evolution of technology and the increasing development of new platforms of communication, traditional media professions such as journalism are facing new opportunities, as well as new challenges. Changes in the delivery methods of traditional news have forced journalists and others within the journalism industry to change how they do their jobs. For instance, journalists can now collect information with their phones and deliver stories directly to multiple platforms.

Graduates will have developed skills in: broadcasting, reporting, interviewing, editing, writing, content creation and media production, teamwork and critical thinking. You will have knowledge of applicable legislation, standards and professional ethics, and recognize the importance of continuous learning. More specifically, you will gain a clear understanding of the impact of digital technology on journalism and will be able to respond and adapt effectively and efficiently to technological changes.

Upon successful completion of this program you will have opportunities at an entry-level in a wide variety of news organizations and as content creators for a variety of private companies and public organizations, such as school boards, hospitals and governments. Graduates will have the skills to perform a range of tasks, including:
Writing local, national and international news through interviews and research

• Writing news stories for publication and/or broadcast
• Editing, analyzing and verifying information for accuracy
• Researching and conducting interviews for broadcast, online and print
• Applying production skills and using equipment to create content for a range of platforms
• Using social media platforms to engage audiences
• Planning and designing editorial content to meet a mass communications strategy for a client

Durham’s Journalism – Mass Media program has successfully covered the campus and community since 1974. It has an ongoing history of excellence, winning Ontario Community Newspaper Association honours on a regular basis. Our graduates have a track record of producing quality work across Canada – for news organizations such as CBC, CTV and TSN and in communities from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. Grads have also earned careers as content creators and social media coordinators for companies, agencies and institutions.

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop. 

Television, radio and web-based media are evolving at a rapid pace and this program provides you with the knowledge and practical skills to succeed in this constantly evolving sector. Students in this program produce and publish rich, diverse content for a wide variety of live and pre-recorded platforms while mastering the use of social media for professional broadcasting.

If you have an interest in human behaviour and a desire to help others improve their quality of life then this interdisciplinary program is for you. Develop the in-demand skills of implementing Applied Behaviour Analysis to support individuals across the lifespan with developmental issues or disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, acquired brain injury, addiction or dementia. In addition, students will learn about the applications of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, acceptance and mindfulness-based therapies and the impact these therapies can have on these populations.

Through a comprehensive mix of theoretical, research and applied courses, students will develop in-demand professional competencies that link the science, clinical, communication and ethical aspects of behavioural science.

Beginning with the development of a strong foundation in behaviour analysis, introductions to psychology and research and methods for developing therapeutic communication skills, the program progresses to the study of complex concepts in human behaviour and applications.

Professionals with knowledge in international business can help organizations understand marketing, law, trade and finance as they apply to the global village we live in. As a professional in this field you may investigate, analyze, administer and manage human, physical and operational resources, as well as complex strategic and practical management issues. In particular, you will gain skills in strategic decision-making, and conducting operational and marketing analysis for business firms on a global scale. Graduates of this program often work on cross-functional and global project teams in order to serve their clients.

Durham College is a Platinum Accredited Partner of the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT – www.FITTforTrade.com). This partnership means that Durham College offers an international business program that has been validated by FITT as meeting their high standard of industry excellence. Students registered in our FITT-accredited program have a direct link to FITT and its full range of global trade credentials.

Modern policing requires officers to possess highly developed social and communication skills, practical law enforcement knowledge, technical skills, and the ability to connect with the communities they serve and protect. In this program you will build these skill sets while gaining vital community outreach experience through a unique program that sees students work with youth from at-risk schools. Training also focuses on mental health strategies in policing related to community members and officers; students will earn their Mental Health First Aid certificate in their course of study.

This program will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue an entry-level policing position including a broad education in human relation skills and the interpretation of social interaction including the study of:

• Community policing
• Communication
• Investigation processes
• Police powers and procedures
• Professional ethics
• Race relations

You will be subject to all requirements of the Ontario constable selection process and local police requirements when applying for a position as a constable in Ontario. Please be aware that specific, minimum criteria such as vision and hearing standards will apply as will a clear Criminal Background Check (CBC).

The Computer Systems Technician program is the perfect vehicle to launch a rewarding career in computer assembly, installation, configuration and troubleshooting. You will learn from industry-connected professors in new, state-of-the-art labs. This program is built on partnerships with some of the most influential names in networking today, including Cisco, IBM and Microsoft. Graduates will be able to help support computer users throughout an entire organization by deploying desktop and laptop systems, assisting users with day-to-day tasks, supporting help desk environments, troubleshooting networking issues and rolling out emerging technologies that will give their organization a competitive advantage.

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop.

This program will provide you with the technical skills and expertise required to work in the high-demand world of personal computers, networking and application support to meet the information technology (IT) needs of modern organizations.

The program curriculum addresses the technical aspects of commonly used components and troubleshooting techniques for:

• Computer hardware
• Networking technologies
• Operating systems
• Security
• System administration

You will also learn how to develop your communication and administrative skills and be trained in critical-thinking skills designed to help you respond to many technical challenges. As a graduate, you will be able to:

• Challenge for industry-recognized certifications (e.g. Cisco CCNA, Microsoft MCP, CompTIA, A+, Net+)
• Install and configure system software and network devices
• Troubleshoot computer system and network issues.

Note: To ensure you make an informed decision about your IT career path, a common first semester is offered for the Computer Systems Technician, Computer Systems Technology, Computer Programmer and Computer Programmer Analyst programs. This approach will give you an opportunity to explore the systems/programming applications and networking/hardware applications of the IT sector.

This program will help you to develop the knowledge and skills required to effectively address two of Canada’s leading health care issues – mental health and addictive behaviours. You will gain both a theoretical understanding and the clinical skills required to help your clients successfully navigate their challenges with mental health and/or addictive behaviours as they begin their journey to wellness.

Designed for students with previous, relevant education, this highly specialized program was developed in consultation with recognized experts in the fields of addiction and mental health including Lakeridge Health Corporation.

Program highlights include the opportunity to:

• Expand the skills required to practice in addiction and mental health settings
• Gain experience with a broad spectrum of clinical settings where addiction/mental health related issues arise
• Develop an understanding of the particular needs of diverse populations
• Receive training in evidence-based approaches to counselling.

Please note: Some courses may be delivered in online or blended formats using the college's learning management system.C

If you want to create award-winning advertising and marketing campaigns, this program is for you. We live in an age of digital disruption. In order for advertisers to compete for ‘screen-time’ they must develop engaging content that harnesses the power to connect with consumers. As marketers strive to increase their share of consumer attention, they must research how people are spending time across multiple devices and platforms. When you understand consumer markets and behaviour, you can create great advertising campaigns.

The Advertising and Marketing Communications program prepares you with the knowledge, skills and experience for an exciting career in the advertising industry. You can work at an agency, research or production firm, or within a media company; we will help you choose the path that best suits your skill-set. You will gain experience as an account manager and production artist working for campus media, and have the opportunity to participate in the college advertising agency – ‘collaboragency’. Our students manage real accounts and deliver both strategic and creative recommendations to achieve client goals.