Certificate in General Arts and Science - Science and Engineering Preparation

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.

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.

This joint Durham College and Ontario Tech University (Ontario Tech) diploma-to-degree program will enable you to earn both credentials in only four years. Experience the best of both learning environments while on the journey to a rewarding career in the computer systems technician field.

In today’s world of personal computers, networking and applications, computer systems technicians are in high demand. After acquiring the expertise required to build, maintain and repair the latest in technology, you will test-drive new ideas and restore old favourites to working order. You will learn in state-of-the-art labs from professors who are connected to industry. This program is built on partnerships with some of the most influential names in networking today, including Cisco, IBM and Microsoft.

Are you a pro at managing money with an added interest in stocks, bonds, investing and financial planning? Have you considered getting paid to help others manage their financial portfolios? The two-year Finance – Business program provides a concrete foundation in business as well as training in various areas of financial planning, investments, and life and health insurance. During the program you’ll have the opportunity to write the Canadian Investment Funds Course (CIFC)® exam to be eligible for mutual fund licensing, as well as the Canadian Securities Course (CSC)® exams to be eligible for a securities license. The requirements for each designation/certification listed are set by the granting body, not Durham College. In order to qualify for any of these designations/certifications, students need to follow and meet the required processes.

The Finance – Business program will provide students with the skills and training required to work in a variety of areas within financial services including, firms dealing with pension plans, scholarships, educational savings plans, and investments funds. In addition to a foundation in business, learning will be focused on a range of areas including, personal financial management, tax and retirement planning, investments and estate planning, with an emphasis on training in financial services. Graduates of this program will have skills such as financial analysis, planning and control.

You will learn how to:

• Keep a simple set of books for small businesses using accounting concepts and practices
• Understand the needs of clients in order to create relevant financial goals that are specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time-sensitive
• Examine other countries, businesses and individuals to observe how they tackle the problem of scarce resources in order to satisfy needs and wants
• Efficiently use industry-standard money management software to perform transactions, keep track of sales and expenses and create financial reports.
• Efficiently use retirement planning software to forecast retirement scenarios for different situations or clients.
• Students may also be prepared to seek related licenses in finance.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Process and maintain financial records in compliance with relevant policies, procedures and regulations for individuals and/or organizations.
• Prepare and present financial information in compliance with relevant legislation and regulations for individuals and/or organizations.
• Generate financial reports for individuals and/or organizations by applying financial mathematics and statistics.
• Contribute to the development and the implementation of a financial plan to meet individuals’ and/or organizations’ needs and objectives.
• Contribute to the development and the implementation of marketing strategies to promote financial products and services and to enhance customer service.
• Develop and implement strategies to establish and maintain professional networking and business relationships in the finance sector.
• Analyse, within a Canadian context, the impact of economic variables, legislation, ethics, technology and the environment on individuals’ and/or organizations’ operations.
• Develop and implement ongoing strategies for personal and professional development, highlighting ethics, values and standards in the finance sector.

This program will provide you with the ability and confidence to seek opportunities and provide support within the dynamic world of engineering, including the automotive, energy generation, construction and manufacturing sectors. Your future role may steer you towards a career in industrial design, metal and non-metal fabrication including machining or technical support. Students train and explore in our premier advanced automation facility through an experiential learning path that engages them with real-world controllers, operator touch screens, industrial networks, robotics and more.

This program will appeal to you if you prefer hands-on experience and like technology. You will learn to create computer-aided drawing (CAD) models of machine parts and assemblies, program computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software and manufacture designs using computer numerical control (CNC) code. The program is taught in up to date laboratories, utilizing the latest design software and manufacturing and testing equipment.

From the manufacturing and production to power generation and oil and gas industries, employment opportunities exist in:

• Engineering design and drafting
• Installation
• Manufacturing
• Product/system testing
• Operating
• Quality management and evaluation
• Technical sales
• Servicing of mechanical systems

Quality early childhood education (ECE) is critical in preparing children for future learning. As an early childhood educator, you will have an integral role in promoting children’s development from birth to age 12 within the following five domains: cognitive, social, emotional, language and physical. In the ECE program, you will engage in theoretical studies along with practical applications. Moreover, professional practice and ethics will guide you in working with families, understanding pedagogy and fostering belonging and well-being in children. Upon completion of your program, you will apply to the College of Early Childhood Educators, the provincial regulatory body, to become a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) in Ontario.

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.

The majority of youth will develop naturally into law-abiding citizens. For some however, behavioural concerns may arise, which continue into adulthood. Some risk factors impact pro-social development and may result in the youth committing or repeating the commission of criminal offences. An understanding of the issues as well as prevention and intervention strategies can assist in reshaping this behaviour. Determined, passionate and patient, youth justice and interventions graduates combine their education and experience to make a positive impact on the lives of today’s youth.

For students who want the best of both worlds, this joint Durham College and Ontario Tech University (Ontario Tech) diploma-to-degree program will enable you to earn your diploma and degree in only four years. Regardless of industry, supply chain and operations management is at the heart of every business, which is why the skills developed in this program are in such high demand. Faced with an increasingly global business world, employers are actively seeking our graduates for their job-ready skills in complex problem solving, analytics, decision-making and communications. Students with an interest in business who enjoy making things better and are drawn to the idea of no two work days ever being the same will thrive in this field. Graduates enter the workforce ready to take the diverse, exciting, and rewarding career opportunities that are currently outpacing the professionals available to fill them.

In this program, you will develop knowledge of business processes and management tools to develop demand forecasts; evaluate suppliers’ capabilities to ethically source purchased goods and services; use technology, including SAP® and Microsoft Excel; and develop supply chain plans and schedules to efficiently produce goods or services that meet quality expectations and the needs of the global markets. You will also learn industry-standard practices including Six Sigma, Total Quality Management, Just-in-Time, and Lean Principles. Led by knowledgeable faculty with strong ties to industry, this program also provides many opportunities for real-world learning experiences through the design of the curriculum.  You will have the opportunity to earn additional credentials in your program to help you stand out to employers in a competitive market. You can earn the following globally recognized certificates by taking Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exams as part of your computer courses:

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Word Associate (COMP1209)
• Microsoft Office Specialist: PowerPoint Associate (COMP1209)
• Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate (COMP2209)
• Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Expert (COMP 2206)

From touchscreen applications and websites to motion design and video, interactive media designers create the User Experience (UX). In this cutting-edge program, students learn to design and produce illustrations, photography, infographics and animations for anything interactive. Graduates of this program become skilled compositors, able to create motion graphics, virtual environments and integrated media content.