Diploma in Occupational and Physical Therapist Assistant

at Red Deer Polytechnic Canada

Are you interested in a career in a health or wellness related field, but not sure which program you would like to study? Or perhaps you are interested in one of the Certificate or Diploma programs in Health Sciences, but do  not meet the admission requirements. The Pre-Health Sciences Certificate program is a pathway designed to give students who are interested in a health career the opportunity to explore basic concepts related to health and health care. Students may do this while taking courses in Mathematics and Biology for Health Professions that can be used for admission. The relatively low credit load of the program (22 credits) allows students the opportunity to upgrade other high school courses required for admission while they are in the Certificate program.

Students who complete this one year Certificate program will have the opportunity to explore a variety of health related careers that require either a Certificate or Diploma. They will also develop strong study skills, and, upon completion of the program and fulfilment of additional admission requirements, will be eligible to apply to the following RDC School of Health Sciences programs:

• Kinesiology Diploma
• Medical Lab Assistant Certificate
• Occupational and Physical Therapist Assistant Diploma
• Pharmacy Technician Diploma
• Practical Nurse Diploma

The Bachelor of Commerce program will provide you with background skills and knowledge in the various specialized areas of business, as well as in the humanities and social sciences. Emphasis is on developing the ability to analyze various organizational problems of a human and/or technical nature.

At RDC, students may complete Year 1 and Year 2 of the undergraduate business degree programs offered at Mount Royal University, the University of Alberta, the University of Lethbridge, Athabasca University or other Canadian universities. At RDC, students may complete Year 1 of the program offered at the University of Calgary.

When the student transfers to the University of his/her choice, a specialized area of study (a major) may be selected. These specializations include:

• Accounting
• Computer Science
• Economics
• E-Commerce
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• First Nations' Governance
• Human Resource Management & Labour Relations
• Finance
• International Business
• Marketing
• Political Science
• Supply Chain Management
• Others as offered by the University you choose      

The Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) diploma program is designed to prepare students for high-demand careers in the rapidly growing manufacturing, petroleum, and infrastructure design industries in Central Alberta. Students will use both hands-on and theoretical approaches to learn mechanical engineering fundamentals including mathematics, solid mechanics, thermal-fluid sciences, and kinematics, blended with industry-focused topics such as automation, control, lean and computer integrated manufacturing, and reliability. Based on National Technology Benchmarks for Mechanical Engineering Technology, this program, coupled with industry experience, will lead to the Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) and Professional Technologist (PTech) designations.

Graduates will develop knowledge and skills enabling the learner to:-

• Employ relevant industry health and safety standards, codes, policies and procedures in accordance with current legislation, regulations and organizational policy.
• Prepare, analyze, evaluate and modify mechanical engineering drawings and other related technical documents.
• Analyze and specify the requirements for product and manufacturing operations to optimize manufacturability.
• Apply and demonstrate knowledge of material and engineering principles to manufacturing operations and processes to produce components according to required specifications.
• Analyze and solve complex technical problems by applying principles of advanced mathematics and science.
• Design, analyze, specify, interface, program, and maintain computer integrated manufacturing systems.
• Apply the principles and practices of project management.
• Research, analyze, prepare, author, and communicate in written, verbal, nonverbal, and presentation formats, technical documentation appropriate for a variety of audiences.
• Identify, develop, and demonstrate strategies for maintaining continuing competency and practice standards associated with global industry trends and practices.
• Design, specify, and analyze mechanical components and equipment by applying the fundamentals of mechanical engineering.
• Design, specify, deploy, and maintain mechanical systems; and apply principles of facilities management.

The RDC program is a modified first year of study that provides credit for the first year of Bachelor of Science Agriculture. It is strongly recommended that students complete all junior requirements before taking senior courses.

University Transfer Program
Students in BSc Agriculture will choose a major from Agricultural and Resource Economics, Animal Science, Crop Science, or Sustainable Agricultural Systems.

Transfer Features
The courses in this program can be transferred in full to BSc Agriculture at the University of Alberta. Refer to the University of Alberta calendar for the complete listing of courses under the Faculty of Agricultural, Life, and Environmental Sciences. Please note that these credits are U of A credits.

This program is designed for students who work full-time and study part-time. The Certificate permits part-time students to earn a college credential. Students can also be admitted to the Management Certificate on a full-time basis. You must complete eight business courses as outlined below to be awarded the certificate. To meet graduation requirements, students must complete all courses with a minimum grade of "D" and a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 (62%).

Program Content

• One Accounting Course (except ACCT 075) ACCT 102 Recommended
• One Computing Course (3 or 4 credits) BADM 207 or BADM 210 Recommended
• BUS 303 - Organizational Behaviour
• One Economics Course ECON 101 Recommended
• Four Business Options

Courses are to be selected from those listed under "Business Options" under "Program Content" for the Business Administration Diploma.

RDC Continuing Education course work may be used for up to two-course equivalents. Generally, forty-five hours of approved Continuing Education courses will be considered equivalent to one three credit Business Option course. For students planning to ladder into the Business Administration Diploma, Continuing Education courses will not be accepted for credit. Exceptions to the above are to be approved by the Department.

The RDC program is a pre-professional year that prepares the student for admission to the degree program. Normally, three additional years of study are required.

Transfer Features
The courses in this program can be transferred in full to BSc Agricultural/Food Business Management at the University of Alberta. Refer to the University of Alberta calendar for the complete listing of courses under the Faculty of Agricultural, Life, and Environmental Sciences.

Kinesiology is the study of the science of movement. The program is designed so that students can complete 2 years of studies in order to transfer to a university and then enter the work force or transfer to a university and complete a Bachelor's degree. The program is designed for students wishing to transfer to the University of Alberta. Transfer to other universities is possible with proper program consultation and careful course selection. For university transfer, the courses you select must meet the program requirements of the specific university chosen.

Admission to a university program may be limited by quota. Entry is based on your academic record. You should expect heavy course and program demands and the need for a competitive GPA if you wish to transfer to a university program.

The objective of the program is to educate and prepare qualified leaders in the field of Kinesiology and Sport Studies who:

• are prepared for employment in related fields and agencies in the private and public sectors
• upon completion of a Bachelor's degree may choose to continue their education at the graduate level

The Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at Red Deer College is a four-year degree program.  The program emphasizes contemporary concepts in biology and practical scientific skills applicable to both field and laboratory settings.  Students registered in this program will explore topics ranging from the level of molecules and cells to that of organisms, communities, and populations.  The Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences is intended to prepare graduates for employment in biology-related fields or for continued education within graduate programs or at professional schools.

Program Outcomes
At the end of this program, graduating students will be able to:

• Demonstrate competency in analytical methods.
• Assess critically one's own strengths and weaknesses in relation to areas of study and future growth.
• Develop and conduct a scientific research project using appropriate management tools, research tools, and methods.
• Communicate scientific knowledge and results clearly and succinctly through oral, visual, and written formats to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrate collaborative, independent, and inclusive attitudes and practices integrating multidisciplinary perspectives and approaches.
• Demonstrate professional conduct in all aspects of individual and team-based work.
• Construct and implement creative solutions to problems that impact society by drawing from scientific and multidisciplinary theories, principles, and methods.
• Evaluate scientific questions using the knowledge and skills from the biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences.
• Integrate Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into scientific study with the recognition of indigenous histories, practices, and relationships.

The one-year business certificate is designed for individuals looking to acquire introductory business skills to increase their employability or augment existing work experience. It also allows for budding entrepreneurs to gain a credential quickly while learning the key functional areas of business.

Students participate in our signature course, Business Topics and Skills. This course connects students to themselves, to learning, to the diverse Central Alberta community, and to career opportunities. Students are provided with networking opportunities in various courses.

Program Learning Outcome

• Collaboration: Practice collaborating in and with diverse teams.
• Communication: Communicate effectively utilizing oral, written, nonverbal, and media communication skills.
• Critical Thinking and Creative Problem Solving: Practice using critical and reflective skills and practices to analyze organizational challenges.
• Globalization: Recognize the impact of globalization across cultures and markets.
• Social and Cross Cultural Awareness: Recognize the value of diverse ideas, perspectives, and worldviews in a business environment.
• Information, Communication, Technology, and Financial Fluency: Apply information literacy, technology, research skills, and numerical and financial fluency to solve problems.
• Ethics: Employ ethical decision making and demonstrate professionalism.
• Business Acumen - Tools: Apply qualitative and quantitative methods to business scenarios.
• Business Acumen - Holistic: Explain holistic and entrepreneurial approaches for working in, and managing, socially responsible organizations.
• Lifelong Learning: Recognize the value of lifelong-learning and community engagement.
• Indigenous: Contribute to the advancement of reconciliation and apply principles of Indigenous knowledge including identifying and describing Indigenous cultural protocols, worldviews, and learning approaches in both a business and societal context.