Diploma in Dental Technology

at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Canada

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

Chemical Engineering Technology is a two-year diploma program that prepares the graduate for employment in the hydrocarbon and chemical processing industry (downstream petroleum industry). The program deals with the processing of oil, natural gas and bitumen into final products such as motor gasoline, diesel or jet fuel, propane, butane, utility gas and others. The program includes the study of the production of secondary petrochemicals such as ethylene, vinyl chloride, methanol and others.

A comprehensive study of electrical principles and practices, this nationally accredited program deals with the operation of electrical and electronic equipment, specialized testing equipment and computer software. NAIT's Electrical Engineering Technology is a nationally accredited and internationally recognized program that provides a comprehensive study of electrical principles and practices. The program will provide graduates with the skills to perform entry-level roles in several industry disciplines, including power systems operation and protection, maintenance and commissioning, electrical machines, industrial and commercial design, power electronics, and programmable logic controllers (PLCs).

Technologists will also learn critical skills and experience in:

• The structure, operation, protection and control of electrical power generation, transmission and distribution systems and electrical motors
• The planning, design and specification of power, lighting, control and communication systems in buildings and industrial plants
• Control of plant systems and motors through the use and application of PLCs and variable-frequency drives (VFDs) and the application of communications technology linking these various plant systems
• Researching, writing and presenting technical reports

An electrical engineering technologist should possess an aptitude toward math and physics applications. In addition to electrical and technical abilities, the technologist relies upon good written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work within a team environment in a dynamic workplace.

To be successful, electrical engineering technologists need:

• Analytical skills
• Experience using recent technology
• Oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work in teams
• Basic electrical design
• Basic maintenance knowledge

Upon completion of the program, Electrical Engineering Technology graduates will have the ability to:

• Communicate and conduct themselves professionally in a workplace environment
• Identify safety hazards and implement safe work practices
• Create and interpret engineering design packages
• Analyze and troubleshoot electrical circuits and systems
• Perform entry-level field service activities
• Configure and test protection, control and communication devices and systems.

NAIT's Bachelor of Technology degree is the only program of its kind in Alberta and one of just a few similar programs in Canada. If you've graduated with a recognized 2-year technology diploma, the BTech program offers the opportunity to earn a baccalaureate degree with 2 additional years of study.

The BTech degree has been developed to help you bridge the gap between the job you started as a technologist and a career in management. We've received industry demand for leading-edge technologists who have the technical theory, innovative skills, and ethical and social awareness required for sustainable industry. We have also been challenged to prepare critical-thinking practitioners who are able to address technological challenges in today's economy.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant skills
In the Bachelor of Technology (BTech) program, you'll build on your strong technical background, adding leadership and critical-thinking skills you'll need to take on management and supervisory roles. You'll gain a global perspective, focusing on social, economic and environmental issues.

You'll also develop skills in:

• Innovation, transition and change management
• Effective multi-media communications
• Planning and strategy development
• Staffing and supervision
• Critical thinking and problem-solving

The Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technology program is unique in that students are trained in both the medical laboratory and x-ray disciplines, practicing predominantly in rural communities. On completion of their training, graduates are able to perform general medical laboratory procedures, general diagnostic radiographic procedures, and electrocardiograms. Students also receive training on information systems and technology in the medical laboratory and diagnostic imaging departments.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant training
Students attend classes full-time at NAIT for a total of 2 years where they will learn and practice the skills required to be a registered CLXT.

Year 1 of the Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technology program begins every September and consists of 38 weeks of lectures and hands-on labs that align with current industry standards. This includes two 15-week semesters, and one 8-week intersession located at the NAIT Main Campus.

Upon completion of year 1, the student progresses to an affiliated rural clinical site to complete 40 weeks of Work Integrated Learning (WIL). Students will train alongside technologists where they will apply the knowledge learned in year one and continue to develop their critical thinking and professionalism skills while providing high quality patient care. Scheduled shifts during clinical training will include evenings, nights and weekend days.

Individuals will work alone or alongside physicians, other technologists, nurses and non-medical personnel. The ability to work independently and/or closely with others are important requirements for an effective Combined Lab and X-Ray technologist.

NAIT’s Geoscience Technology program provides students with a diverse education and hands on training in the field of earth sciences. From resource exploration to environmental remediation, graduates use their knowledge of geology, hydrogeology, geophysics, geochemistry and other geosciences to inform major decisions across broad spectrum of industries.

As a graduate of the Geoscience Technology program, you will be trained to make professional contributions to the environmental, energy and mining sectors.

Hands-on, industry-relevant skills
In addition to lectures and labs, the program has a two one-week Field Schools. One is located in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies mapping geological outcrops and the other is on campus using a suite of groundwater monitoring wells, where students are trained in groundwater monitoring and sample collection. These activities allow students to better understand the how and why of classroom theory, as well as collect field data for classroom analysis.

You’ll participate in a wide range of activities, including:

• Researching, interpreting and mapping geology of a given area
• Identifying common rocks, minerals, glacial deposits
• Using software applications used in the field
• Performing basic topographic, geophysical, geochemical, and geological surveys
• Conducting environmental site assessments
• Creating conceptual site models for remediating contaminated sites
• Evaluating natural resources for production and extraction

On average you can expect to spend:

• 28 hours per week attending classes and labs over the course of a semester
• 10 to 20 hours per week studying and completing class assignments

Chemical Engineering Technology is a two-year diploma program that prepares the graduate for employment in the hydrocarbon and chemical processing industry (downstream petroleum industry). The program deals with the processing of oil, natural gas and bitumen into final products such as motor gasoline, diesel or jet fuel, propane, butane, utility gas and others. The program includes the study of the production of secondary petrochemicals such as ethylene, vinyl chloride, methanol and others.

The Industrial Heavy Equipment Technology diploma program with teach you how to diagnose and repair machinery in the heavy equipment industry competently and safely. The program focuses on highway and off-highway mobile equipment, as well as engine-powered stationary equipment used in mining, logging, trucking, agriculture, gas processing, oilfield servicing and construction.

Industries including mining, logging, trucking, agriculture, transportation, gas processing, oilfield servicing and construction are all in-demand for heavy equipment service personnel with an advanced level of technical training to tackle the challenge of advancing technology.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant training
Industrial Heavy Equipment Technology is a two-year diploma program consisting of four 15-week semesters. Studies include

• Fluid mechanics
• Petroleum chemistry
• Fuel and hydraulic systems
• Electricity and electronics
• Fleet maintenance
• Communications
• Leadership

The training is divided equally into theoretical and practical learning. Local industrial field trips will be taken.

Train at NAIT
Students can expect to spend, on average

• 30 hours per week attending classes over the course of a semester
• 10 to 12 hours per week studying and completing class assignments

Training is provided at NAIT Main Campus in Edmonton. Some training is also delivered in the NAIT HET Building (11940 - 109 st NW), just north of Main Campus. Labs are fully equipped with mock-ups and training aids, which students disassemble, inspect and reassemble.

Graduates from this program will satisfy the academic requirements and be eligible for membership with The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals (ASET) and other ASET affiliated associates. With emphasis on engineering fundamentals combined with high-tech equipment and analysis techniques, the program provides the flexibility and portability of skills required by mechanical engineering technologists. Design concepts, process planning and analysis techniques are studied and students receive sound supporting theory from courses such as Dynamics, Design of Machine Elements, Drafting and CAD, Plant Engineering and others.

Prospective students usually have an appreciation for engineering principles with a strong leaning toward creativity and practicality. To be successful, graduates must possess:

• Sound people and personal skills, including working as a team player
• Effective listening and written communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Personal initiative
• Professionalism with colleagues and customers
• A commitment to lifelong learning
• A mechanical aptitude to assist in problem-solving and design

This program is designed to prepare graduates for rewarding careers in a wide range of industrial and government positions. Our students are employed in all aspects of Alberta industry that use or sell machinery. The majority of graduates get jobs in industries related to oil and gas, agriculture and wood products. Students with a journeyman background are particularly employable.

NAIT's Radio and Television programs are 2 distinct, yet interrelated full-time diploma programs. Each of these dynamic 2-year programs takes a non-traditional approach to teaching that will provide you with learning opportunities through hands-on experiences.

Undertake the typical job functions found in radio and television stations by acting as the staff for NAIT's campus radio station (NR92) and television newsroom (NAIT NewsWatch). Using industry standard digital equipment and labs, and while working in modern studios, you'll hone written, technical, communicative and production competencies.

Our instructors are highly-qualified professionals with years of industry experience and our program is well-recognized across the country. If you flip on your TV or radio at any given time, you're likely to see or hear NAIT alumni working across North America.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant skills
In this program, you can expect to receive quality instruction from broadcasting professionals and experience hands-on training in the following areas:

• News/sports writing and reporting
• On-air performance
• Interviewing techniques
• Copywriting
• Commercial production
• Videography
• Social media
• Studio production
• Online content creation