Diploma in Civil Engineering Technology

at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Canada

Are you interested in outdoor spaces? Do you have an eye for detail, a flair for design or an interest in emerging technologies? If so, we have a program for you!

In this program, you will explore the practice of landscape architecture and technologies used to produce designs and construction drawings for a variety of outdoor environments including:

• Streetscapes
• Plazas
• Parks, and recreation areas
• Trails
• Entry features
• Wayfinding signage

You will have the opportunity to visit many of the places we design, and to also participate in a construction experience, an industry work week placement, and many other program field trips.

NAIT’s 1-year Dental Assisting certificate program will give you the knowledge and skills necessary for direct entry to dental practice. From infection prevention and control to all chairside restorative and specialty procedures, as well as direct patient care and dental practice administration, our program will prepare you to be an integral member of the dental health care team.

Hands-on, industry-relevant training
Our training approach emphasizes practical experience backed by strong theoretical knowledge in the skills and technology necessary to be a successful Dental Assistant. Our program features the following:

•  38-week full-time program: two 15-week semesters and an 8-week intersession.
•  Small group learning, which allows for the optimum student-to-instructor ratio
•  Practical, hands-on approach to learning in labs, as well as through clinical placements within the dental community
•  Providing treatment to both peers and the general public in our fully equipped onsite dental clinic

NAIT's Alternative Energy Technology diploma explores non-traditional energy sources, providing students with both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for careers in a growing sector of the economy. Consumer demand for alternative energy sources in new and retrofitting projects is growing rapidly. This diploma will prepare you for a career in a diverse field, with the knowledge and skills needed to support and promote the growing sustainable energy industry throughout Western Canada.

The program focuses on the major alternative energy sources, including: Solar, Geothermal, Wind, Biofuels, Hydro, Fuel Cell, and Co-Generation. Advanced courses examine system design, integration of multiple energy sources, and life cycle analysis. Students will enhance their understanding of the industry through studies in project management, economics and business, and energy management.

What You Will Learn
Through a combination of classroom education and hands-on learning in our state-of-the-art Alternative Energy Centre, you can expect to become familiar with system design, how to integrate multiple energy sources and system life cycle analyses.

The Digital Media and IT (DMIT) program is multi-disciplinary in its approach. Spanning a range of career opportunities from business analyst to visual designer, this innovative program allows you the ability to meet industry demand while developing skills aligned with your individual talents and inclinations.

As an Information Technology (IT) System Administrator, you could be responsible for implementing and maintaining data infrastructure and providing IT solutions that deliver value to an organization.

This program will show you what you need to know in order to get started in this highly sought after profession.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant skills
In the IT System Administrator area of emphasis, you will learn how to plan, install, upgrade and configure computer operating systems along with essential software applications and services, including:

• Vital data network services (DHCP, DNS and Active Directory Services)
• Virus and patch-management services
• Web, SharePoint, deployment and remote desktop servers

These courses will teach you how to identify requirements for data network infrastructure services based on functionality, resource utilization, capacity and growth, security, ease of use and maintenance activities. You will also learn how to specify, order, install and connect hardware based on those requirements.

You will leave this program with the skills necessary to determine and document software, roles, features, settings and parameters required to maintain a reliable and manageable IT environment.

Co-op Opportunities
As a result of DMIT's close connection with industry, various co-op opportunities exist for students in the DMIT program. Many companies offer our students paid co-op positions that provide direct experience in specific areas of study. Co-op is also seen as a staffing strategy for many organizations.

You want to learn the skills and knowledge of conventional machining operations to utilize drill presses, lathes, milling machines and various grinding machines, including using Computer Numerical Control (CNC) programming, set up and operation. You will also receive introductory CAD/CAM training, as well as inspection and quality control training.
Successful completion of this 1-year certificate can allow you to challenge the first year apprenticeship exam for the Machinist program.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant training

• Graduates of the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machinist certificate are responsible for manufacturing components for the oil and gas, mining, forestry, construction and transportation industries. A CNC machinist will demonstrate trade specific skills in programming, setup and operation of computer controlled tools. Graduates will also perform competently when working with manual machine tools.
• Machinists are able to work efficiently on their own and/or in team environments where problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills and current knowledge of technological trends and quality practices are essential to daily work. A graduate with a CNC Machinist certificate may be given the opportunity to apprentice in the machinist trade. This program has both fall and winter intakes.

Is this program for you?
To be successful as a machinist, you must have:

• Good hand-working skills
• Good problem-solving capabilities
• Mechanical inclination
• An ability to work well with others
• Competence in math
• Mature attitudes towards learning and work
• During the first semester of the CNC Machinist certificate, you will receive training on manual machines such as engine lathes, milling machines, drill presses and grinders.
• In the second semester, you will receive training on the operation, set up and programming of CNC (computer numerical control) turning and milling centres.
• The final component is an 8-week  work placement, which gives you an opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge in an industrial setting by working in a machine shop.

All students in the Biological Sciences Technology program take a common first semester before entering into their specialization - Lab and Research, Renewable Resources or Environmental Sciences. The common first semester provides students with strong fundamentals in Biological Sciences while semesters two, three, and four build on these fundamentals with additional specialization-specific education and training. 

Graduates of Biological Sciences Laboratory and Research program are highly skilled, hands-on technologists with the ability to use and apply current technologies and research methods in animal physiology, molecular biology, cell culture, immunology, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and microbiology. Graduates are valued for their professionalism, effective communication, lab competency, and work safely and efficiently in a team environment. They are aware of the changing industry, and are committed to lifelong learning.

NAIT's Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Refrigeration (HVACR) Technician certificate offers training for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industries. Students will learn how to commission, design, install, maintain, service and trouble shoot HVACR systems.

The goals of the certificate are to provide familiarity with the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industry and understanding of the operating principles of industry-specific equipment, systems and procedures. Students will work with hand tools and power tools, as well as computer programs and computer simulators. Instructional class time consists of 50% theory classes and 50% practical classes (computer lab/shop).

Graduates with this certificate will receive recognition for periods 1 and 2 of technical training towards the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (RACM) apprenticeship program. Graduates will receive full credit towards the 1st and 2nd periods of RACM once they successfully challenge 1st and 2nd period technical exams and obtain their on the job training hours.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant training
The Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Refrigeration Technician certificate provides an intensive technical introduction to the applied sector of the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industries. The concentrated one-year training package prepares students for entry-level employment in this very diverse job market.

Classroom & Study Hours
Students can expect to spend, on average

• 33 hours per week attending classes over the course of a semester
• 15 to 30 hours per week studying and completing class assignments

Is This Program For You?
This program will appeal to those with a general mechanical background looking for focused, job-ready training, or to individuals with a related trades certification, such as sheet metal, electrical, plumbing or instrumentation, who desire fast re-training

If you are interested in a fast-paced, ever-changing, exciting career with enormous growth potential, then the Wireless Systems Engineering Technology program is a great program to consider.
Students learn introductory and advanced wireless communications theories; communications infrastructure and transport media concepts; enterprise, industrial, residential and personal wireless communications systems and device concepts; and systems and business management principles.

The Advanced Plumbing Technology diploma is a unique opportunity to get the technical and career essential skills you need to succeed in the plumbing industry. The diploma program offers a direct pathway into trades training at NAIT without having to first be a registered apprentice and can also serve as a pathway to apprenticeship.

The program focuses on theory and hands-on training required to master installation, repair, perform mechanical system maintenance and more. You will learn specific technical knowledge and get hands-on skills and experience. You will also get to explore new technologies and systems such as water recycling and re-use, solar and geothermal heating systems and water conservation.

Industry-approved training
A career in plumbing calls for an understanding of both technical knowledge and career essential skills. Learning outcomes for this program include:

• Industry standards, legislation and workplace expectations
• Design, installation and maintenance of all relevant systems, including:
  • Gas systems
  • Hydronic heating systems and gas appliances
  • Potable and non-potable water systems
  • Service drainage, waste and vent (DWV) systems
• Design, interpretation and conversion of drawings for plumbing installations
• Mathematical concepts for plumbing installations, and
• Effective written and verbal communication tools

The program content and structure aligns with Alberta Credential Framework expectations. After completing the program, you will have the technical training comparable to a journeyperson plumber.
After completing the program, you will be eligible to enter into an apprenticeship and complete apprenticeship hours to receive a journeyperson’s certificate.

The Nanosystems Engineering Technology program is the only program of its kind in Canada. In it, you will be exposed to face-to-face, hands-on learning in our labs including in our specialized cleanroom facility.

In the program, you will learn about the fabrication and evaluation of micro- and nanomaterials and devices commonly used in a wide range of industries, such as health care, smart devices, and energy production and storage. You’ll learn how to operate systems and equipment used by nanotech researchers and manufacturing companies, such as the scanning electron microscope (SEM), which is used to obtain images of objects at the nanometre scale.

If you are seeking a multidisciplinary career in science and technology, this program will appeal to you. Nanosystems offers a growing number of high-tech and non-traditional career paths that will constantly challenge you with new and complex problems to solve.