Bachelor of Design (Honours)- User Experience

at Humber College North Campus Canada

Insurance has become an integral part of virtually everything we do in life and business. Roles within the insurance industry are many and varied. Whether you enjoy working with numbers, doing research, solving problems or working with people, you can find your specialty in insurance.

Humber’s Insurance Management – Property and Casualty graduate certificate program prepares you for a variety of entry level management career paths in the large and growing property and casualty insurance industry. Learn the fundamentals of the industry and its three main functional areas – underwriting, loss adjusting and agency/brokerage – and gain transferable skills in business communications, computer applications, insurance accounting and metrics, marketing, sales and customer service, project management and leadership. Employment-focused experiential learning helps you consider a variety of options, as you launch your career. 

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

• Differentiate the functions of and the relationships between various elements within the structure of the insurance industry in Canadian and global contexts in order to identify business opportunities, challenges and solutions.
• Use current and relevant insurance industry-specific terminology when communicating with stakeholders.
• Assess and manage the four major categories of risk (hazard, operational, financial and strategic) to determine insurance needs associated with specific cases.
• Apply best practices for risk management to finance the negative consequences of risk events in multifaceted situations.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations for management of hazards and risks faced by an organization.
• Evaluate the clauses, terms and conditions of various insurance policy wordings in order to determine the appropriate coverage according to defined risk tolerance levels.
• Adjust, negotiate and settle insurance claims to satisfy needs of claimants and providers.
• Provide rationale for the acceptance or rejection of an application for insurance to uphold efficacy of decision-making.
• Evaluate the needs of a commercial and/or personal client in order to plan and recommend an insurance program that provides protection from identified exposures.
• Select leadership and communication strategies necessary to manage others and accomplish organizational goals.
• Prepare and deliver effective integrated marketing, customer service and sales plans to further organizational objectives.
• Develop, interpret and present common property and casualty insurance industry metrics and financial statistics and data to support organizational decision-making.
• Apply project management methodologies to identify, plan, and execute various property and casualty insurance managerial projects.
• Develop strategic business plans in order to respond o changing opportunities and challenges within the property and casualty insurance business.

Work Placement
Get hands-on experience in the industry with a 160-hour (minimum) work placement that will give you the opportunity to apply what you have learned in the classroom. Students initiate the placement with the aid of faculty, targeting companies in the Greater Toronto Area. Placements can be completed on a part-time basis throughout the academic year, or full time during the term immediately at the end of the program.

Humber’s Biotechnology diploma program prepares graduates with the transferable skills needed to build successful careers in a variety of biotechnology and research sectors. The program balances theoretical understanding with experiential practices in specific laboratory skills needed by employers. These practical components are the focus of the program and are developed and reinforced through an integration of practical laboratory experiences. Integrative laboratory projects are designed to simulate a real life experience through translation of theory to practice. The program provides a valuable specialization to students interested in life sciences programs without having to go elsewhere for practical laboratory skills training.

Students will benefit from:

• Laboratory skills development linked to industry demands
• Extensive applied/hands-on laboratory experience
• Simulated learning environments
• Integrative project work that links applied and academic fields (simulating real work experiences)
• Acquiring a recognized skill set applicable to a wide variety of employment opportunities
• A unique integrated approach
• Learning to operate laboratory equipment stable in the field of science and biotechnology
• Learning to adapt to the changing field and stay current

Humber’s Business Administration advanced diploma program allows you to develop extensive knowledge on how businesses work and teaches you to become competent in the full range of skills needed to facilitate business operations.

Courses in operations management, accounting, human resources management, marketing research and much more will give you the opportunity to cultivate key business skills such as communication, teamwork, project management and strategic business analysis. This program is built on a common platform of a solid business education – principles of management, marketing, business law, finance mathematics and microeconomics. This common platform is shared with other business diploma programs in year one and is expanded on in year two.

Work Placement
You’ll be assisted in finding a paid or unpaid business work placement where you’ll practise your skills during an 84-hour assignment. This adds valuable hands-on experience to your resumé. Close relationships with the business professionals who constantly update the curriculum will give you valuable networking contacts.

Humber’s Journalism graduate certificate program will immerse you in advanced research, writing and interview practices, data mining techniques, and a range of storytelling approaches for work within a multiplatform journalistic or information-gathering environment. You will also have the opportunity to pursue discipline-specific reporting in areas such as science, business, sports and the arts.

Using the latest technologies, the program will focus on training graduates for the field of journalism with an emphasis on digital journalism. Graduates will be able to function in a digital/online environment including social media and data-based journalism. An emphasis will be placed on providing you with opportunities to practise and develop your journalism skills through coverage of live field events.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

• Select relevant content and credible sources to create complex news reports.
• Assess socio-political and historical context, platform requirements, and audience needs when producing news reports.
• Use data gathering, mining and visualization and presentation tools to identify and report stories hidden in big data.
• Assess industry trends to inform professional journalism decisions and develop implementation strategies.
• Conceptualize, produce and manage the implementation of multi-platform digital content using a variety of content management systems and industry-related technologies.
• Manage a project in collaboration with other media professionals as part of a news production process in an integrated, multi-platform digital environment.
• Comply with and support others to work in accordance with industry, professional, legal and ethical standards of practice.
• Develop, implement and evaluate strategies for personal, career and professional development to enhance work performance and maintain currency with industry.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with a diversity of stakeholders to achieve business goals and strategic objectives.

Work Placement
You'll gain valuable first-hand experience through a mandatory work placement, usually unpaid, in the final semester of your studies.
Industry partners include but are not limited to CBC (TV News, Radio News, Talk Radio, Online and Podcasts), CTV (News Channel, Toronto Bureau, Ottawa Bureau, CTVNews.ca), CP24, Global TV News, TV Ontario, CityNews, 680 News, Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, Postmedia, The Canadian Press, local and regional newspapers, The Hockey News, TSN, Sportsnet, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Rogers M-School, Toronto Life Magazine, Entertainment One, Cineflix, ET Canada, etalk, The Social, CityLine and The Marilyn Dennis Show.

Humber’s Media Communications diploma program is designed to meet industry demands within multi-faceted areas of the communications industry. Students graduate with a diverse range of marketable skills in photography, graphic design, web design and writing, social media, and videography.

In the program, you will learn how to:

• Be effective transmedia storytellers across multiple platforms
• Produce corporate video and audio for the web and other applications
• Design, write for and edit effective websites
• Shoot professional photographic images in both the studio and on location environments
• Create and edit content using current software applications such as Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and Premiere Pro
• Learn how to establish, operate and market your business through a course in freelance and project management
• Research, write and design communications such as media kits, blogs and brochures

Courses are designed with industry input, ensuring you are learning current and relevant information in state-of-the-art labs from industry experts – people who know the trends and effective methods of communications.

The first semester of this program is shared with the two-year Advertising and Graphic Design diploma, the three-year Journalism advanced diploma, the two-year Advertising and Marketing Communications diploma, and the three-year Public Relations advanced diploma programs, allowing the flexibility to continue in any of these five programs in second semester.

Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
  • Perform the duties, tasks and activities required of a media communications specialist in business, government and the not-for-profit sectors.
  • Research and gather information in print, audio and visual formats for communications’ products and strategies.
  • Analyze clients’ communications needs and implement solutions for business, government and the not-for-profit sectors.
  • Create audio, visual and print communications according to the client’s purpose and audience.
  • Design and create content for websites, using current software applications.
  • Capture, scan, download, save, store, and manipulate digital images using current software applications.
  • Produce corporate video and audio using current software applications.
  • Create and manage content for presentations at in-house meetings and media conferences.
  • Adhere to ethical and legal guidelines in communications practice.
  • Maintain professional relationships with business associates and clients.
  • Develop a portfolio of communications’ products and strategies for a variety of projects and audiences.

Work Placement
Students will participate in a mandatory work placement which takes place in the last semester of study. During that time, students hone their skills in professional environments, developing digital communication solutions. They build complete portfolios which, when they graduate, have them standing out from their competitors as corporate communications professionals.

Humber’s Architectural Technology advanced diploma program will train you to use your logical and critical thinking skills as you apply architectural technology to construction and building design. You’ll learn from full-time, award-winning professors and licensed architects who bring real-life perspective and valuable industry contacts to you. The curriculum is designed with industry collaboration, ensuring you are learning current and relevant material. In the program, you will learn:

• Computer-aided drawing, building methods and project management using the most current computer programs such as AutoCAD and Revit (Building Information Modelling)
• Construction technologies for materials such as wood frame, steel, masonry and precast concrete, and project management skills
• Hands-on skills including building code, building specifications, estimating, and structural and mechanical knowledge
• Sustainable design skills needed in today’s eco-friendly architectural technology field

Courses include instruction in freehand sketching, history of architecture, renovation and restoration, site planning, and technical communications. Architectural Technology electives include bath and kitchen, interior detailing, building code (legal), small building residential design and more.

Get hands-on experience in the architectural technology industry during an optional architectural field placement. The placement normally takes place from May through August following semester four (minimum 400 hours). Humber provides a range of services to support students including working with business, industry and government to identify work placement opportunities.

Build a strong future for yourself with a career in architectural technology. Building construction continues to grow, and contractors expect the number of skilled laborers to decline, providing a need for new graduates to enter the architectural technology field. Our graduates work:

• In producing design and construction documents for architectural offices
• As project co-ordinators, estimators and project inspectors for contracting firms
• As housing specialists for design firms
• As sales representatives for construction equipment manufacturers
• As building inspectors and plan examiners for municipalities

The rapid growth in construction and building in Toronto and southern Ontario, combined with Humber’s strong reputation in the industry, provides graduates with strong employment opportunities.

Humber’s Cabinet Making certificate program, located at the Humber Centre for Trades & Technology, provides you with the knowledge and skills to construct and install basic cabinets, as well as build traditional furniture using recognized trade practices. By completing a series of woodworking projects, you will explore various types of joinery and construction techniques using hand tools, portable power tools, stationary machines, as well as computer-based technologies. Time management skills and the ability to work to a deadline are developed and stressed throughout the program.

Graduates of the program will be able to produce shop drawings, calculate a list of materials, cut out and assemble basic cabinetry or furniture and also apply a finish. Graduates are able to safely operate most common stationary woodworking machinery, as well as run a number of CNC machines in a limited capacity.

Motivated. Creative. Innovative. If these words describe you, then our intensive Graphic Design for Print and Web certificate program is for you. You will learn industry-best practices and how to communicate effective design solutions using composition, typography, illustration, interactive media and web design. Throughout our program, you will work towards developing a cutting-edge portfolio filled with real-world projects that will help you stand out in the creative field of graphic and web design.

In order to achieve the best, you will learn from the best. This program offers you access to the latest industry standards in hardware, design applications and instruction. Our labs are equipped with the latest Apple workstations, up-to-date Adobe Creative Cloud software and our course instruction is facilitated by industry-leading working professionals in their field of practice and study. Over the course of the program, you will build connections with industry professionals, alumni and community partners to help prepare you for future career opportunities, through supportive mentorship and coaching.

SKILLS YOU'LL DEVELOP

• Learn design theory concepts
• Learn how to communicate design-thinking strategies
• Web Design
• Illustration
• Functional Composition
• Typography

Humber’s Millwright Techniques certificate program is designed to help introduce prospective millwrights to the trade. The program aims to facilitate employment or provide the required components to enter into a millwright apprenticeship program, giving practical experience with trade regulations and practices. You will gain a solid understanding of the various technical theory and elements of the millwright trade. There will be a significant practical component to the program, and you will learn valuable skills by using the latest industry software programs and working in fully equipped up-to-date labs and shops. At Humber, skilled instructors highlight current trends within the industry and strive to duplicate situations that apprentices and skilled tradespeople will see in their everyday working life.
Canada currently faces a critical shortage of skilled workers. Skilled tradespeople will be increasingly in demand because of the rapid pace of technological changes and as current workers in the field begin to retire. According to the Working in Canada Report (Government of Canada), employment opportunities for licensed millwrights will be steady. Graduates of this program will find a range of employment opportunities through millwright apprenticeship programs, as well as positions associated with construction and industry work, metal fabrication, and green energy. There are many opportunities for advancement within this career path from supervisory to management positions.

Humber’s Law Clerk diploma program provides in-depth training delivered by experienced professionals. Learn from practising lawyers and law clerks who will give you the inside scoop on the current trends and opportunities in the field. As a law clerk, working under the direct supervision of a lawyer, you will be an important part of the team that allows the lawyer to succeed. 

Your law clerk education includes courses on contract, tort, real estate, corporate and family law, as well as in litigation, legal research, wills and estates, and more. Your solid knowledge on diverse areas of law, competence in a range of legal and court procedures, and strong written and oral communication skills will make you a valuable team player in the profession.

Work Placement
Students must complete a 120 hour work placement. The unpaid placement is completed during Semester 4.  All courses from Semesters 1 to 3 must be completed before enrolling in the field placement in Semester 4. Working with the field placement advisor, students are actively involved in pursuing placement opportunities. In addition, students are expected to market themselves to prospective employers and are free to initiate their own placements.