Diploma in Dance

at Vancouver Community College - Downtown Campus Canada

Get expert industry training in facial treatments, manicure, pedicure, gel application, hair removal, makeup, and body massage while serving real clients at VCC's state-of-the-art salon and spa.

What you will learn
Upon successful completion of the Esthetics & Spa Therapy Certificate Program students will be able to:

• Practice skin and body therapies in accordance with safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards and regulations.
• Describe human anatomy, physiology and chemical composition specific to concerns relating to nail, skin, body, and hair removal treatments.
• Perform spa treatments based on client consultation, skin analysis and nutritional needs.
• Apply the principles of colour and design to lash, brow and specialized makeup techniques.
• Perform in an ethical and professional manner conducive to spa environments.
• Apply retail business administration practices and marketing techniques for operating a spa.

What to expect

• The Esthetics & Spa Therapy Certificate Program provides a wide range of student learning opportunities in the classroom, spa and workplace settings. Students will gain hands-on practical experience working with clients in the VCC Salon and Spa. Industry work experience provides students with additional opportunities to apply their knowledge and technical skills in a workplace setting. Classroom instruction is designed for students to develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills which will be applied for success in the VCC Salon and Spa.
• Participation is integral to the development of practical skills in this program; therefore, students assume the role of client, therapist and spa coordinator.
• Work practicum offers students spa industry work experience, opportunities to practice knowledge and skills learned at the college and potential for employment.

Advance your Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) skills for work in engineering firms, architecture firms, development companies, government, or private industry.

What you will learn
To obtain the CAD and BIM Technician diploma, students must complete Terms 2 and 3 (8 months) of a drafting specialty other than their original certificate. For program information, see:

• Architectural Technician Certificate
• Civil/Structural Technician Certificate
• Mechanical Engineering
• Steel Detailing Technician Certificate

CAD and BIM Technician diploma students also learn:

• Advanced methods in technical drafting software: AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit Structure, Autodesk Civil 3D, Autodesk Navisworks, and Tekla Structures
• Integrated Design Process (IDP)
• Waste reduction and efficiency
• Design team workflow and operations
• Design team collaboration and communication
• Integration of CAD models
• Communication and collaboration
• Personal reflection and critical thinking
• Portfolio development

The Culinary Arts Diploma is designed to prepare international students for employment as line cooks of third cooks in hotel kitchens, restaurants, catering companies, airport flight kitchens, trains, cruise ships, camps, and institutional kitchens.

What you will learn

• Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
  • Apply cookery skills and theoretical knowledge to the preparation, presentation and service of a range of dishes and beverages for a commercial hospitality environment.
  • Evaluate product for consistency and accuracy in yield, flavour, texture and overall appearance according to product specifications and standards.
  • Plan, design and write menus for a culinary establishment that reflects nutritional and specific dietary needs.
  • Adhere to industry health, safety and employment standards in preparation, handling and storage of food and equipment.
  • Adapt the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for success and sustainable professional practice in the culinary arts.
  • Reflect on performance and practice to identify and develop advanced professional skills needed to further advance in the culinary industry.

What to expect

• The Culinary Arts Diploma focuses on practical skill development and is delivered primarily in VCC kitchens and food service outlets. Students spend a minimum of one month in each of the teaching kitchens and service outlets where instructional activities include demonstration, hands-on practice, and group discussion. Culinary theory is taught in a classroom setting and uses a combination of lecture, class discussion, and independent study to promote the development of professional practice in the food industry.
• A major emphasis of the diploma program is active student participation. Students are encouraged to become self-directed and responsible for their own learning and to come to class well prepared for active participation in classroom and kitchen activities.

Gain the skills to professionally transcribe and edit medical reports from audio recordings.

What you will learn

• Medical terminology
• Efficient transcription of medical reports including diagnostic imaging reports, discharge summaries, oncology reports, pathology reports, and surgery reports
• Effective use of hard and electronic resources
• Proofreading and editing skills
• Oral and written English communication
• Spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Transcription equipment and software
• Computer and keyboarding skills
• Confidence, initiative, and critical thinking
• Integrity and confidentiality

What to expect

• Two terms of integrated training
• Lectures, labs, seminars, and demonstrations
• Group work and student presentations
• Case simulations, exercises, role practice
• Written exams
• Quizzes, assignments, exams
• Three-week practicum experience

Advance your Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) skills for work in engineering firms, architecture firms, development companies, government, or private industry.

What you will learn
To obtain the CAD and BIM Technician diploma, students must complete Terms 2 and 3 (8 months) of a drafting specialty other than their original certificate. For program information, see:

• Architectural Technician Certificate
• Civil/Structural Technician Certificate
• Mechanical Engineering
• Steel Detailing Technician Certificate

CAD and BIM Technician diploma students also learn:

• Advanced methods in technical drafting software: AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit Structure, Autodesk Civil 3D, Autodesk Navisworks, and Tekla Structures
• Integrated Design Process (IDP)
• Waste reduction and efficiency
• Design team workflow and operations
• Design team collaboration and communication
• Integration of CAD models
• Communication and collaboration
• Personal reflection and critical thinking
• Portfolio development

This program provides students with a solid foundation in business management in the first year of the program and an opportunity for more advanced, specialized study in marketing technology in the second year. Students will learn to use the latest marketing software to analyse data and configure applications used in digital marketing and customer relationship management. Students will have hands-on training on customer relationship management (CRM) software platforms, and develop a set of job-ready skills in the CRM courses and be prepared to write CRM administrator certification exams upon graduation.

Start your career as a professional dancer by learning a full repertoire including ballet, modern, jazz, and flamenco in addition to arts entrepreneurship and administration.

What you will learn

• Professional, entry-level dance technique in ballet, modern, jazz, and flamenco
• Artistic dance movement language and repertoire
• Elite-level rehearsal skills and performance readiness
• Coordination and skeletal alignment
• Anatomical efficiency and movement quality
• Physical virtuosity, balance, and control
• Classical line
• Pointe work (women)
• Muscular and cardiovascular strength
• Spinal articulation
• Coordination and isolations
• Pas de deux and ensemble work
• Floor work and jump sequences
• Time-keeping and rhythmical sense
• Theatricality and musicality
• Structured and contact improvisation
• Use of props, set pieces, voice, and text
• Western European, African, Latin American, and Indian rhythm traditions
• Anatomy, injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation
• Emotional health and self-awareness
• Nutrition and body conditioning
• Thematic exploration
• Journaling and composition
• Information literacy and research skills
• Critical thinking and creative input
• Peer evaluation
• Dance industry knowledge
• Mentorship and professional dance goal-setting
• Arts administration and entrepreneurship
• Ballet and modern dance teaching
• History of twentieth century Western visual and performing arts

What to expect

• Studio classes
• Lectures and presentations
• Group work
• Performances
• Guest choreographers
• Arts management sessions
• Performance technology workshops
• Instructional media
• Skills demonstrations
• Practical and theoretical assignments
• Written examinations

Expand your creative and technical skills for the fashion and apparel industry by gaining hands-on experience in conception, design, production, and sales through a self-directed garment project.

What you will learn

• Fashion production
• Technical illustration (Illustrator, Photoshop)
• Pattern drafting
• Computer aided drafting (CAD) and digitization with Gerber
• Draping
• Knit garments
• Lined dresses
• Office attire
• Pattern grading and size ranges
• Niche body types
• Fabric properties, testing, and sourcing
• Textile industry ethics
• Fashion industry issues and trends
• Fashion history and culture
• Precision drawing
• Professional hand and machine sewing
• Textile print and dye techniques
• Garment construction
• Creative vision
• Branding and marketing
• Final runway collection or product line
• Manufacturing specifications
• Business skills
• Overseas production
• Website design and e-commerce
• Professional communication

What to expect

• Mandatory attendance
• Practical labs and demonstrations
• Team activities
• Computer work
• Field trips
• Independent learning
• Student presentations
• Individual and group projects
• Written exams
• Research assignments
• Self-assessments
• Portfolio creation
• Lectures, seminars, videos
• 120-hour industry practicum

Get hands-on experience in the design and fabrication of jewellery through drawing, art history, gemmology, and business management.

What you will learn

• Jewellery fabrication (piercing, soldering, doming, texturing, finishing, riveting)
• Traditional goldsmithing techniques
• Lost wax casting
• Stone setting
• Metal forging
• Jewellery repair
• Machinery, tools, safety
• Metallurgy and alloys
• Lapidary techniques (cutting, polishing)
• Enamelling
• Gemstone identification and testing
• Gemstone cuts, care, and cleaning
• Gemstone marketing, buying, and pricing
• Diamond identification and grading
• International diamond market
• Visual awareness
• Conceptual design
• Illustration and visual representation
• Technical drawing
• Perspective drawing
• 3D design software
• History of art, ornament, and costume
• Art in contemporary society
• Individuality and artistic expression
• Meanings of jewellery
• Business management and entrepreneurship
• Jewellery-related laws and regulations
• Promotion, advertising, ethics
• Production methods and time management

What to expect

• Two years of full-time study
• 70 per cent of time dedicated to hands-on, technical training
• Industry-experienced instructors
• Cohort-style classes with personalized learning
• Technical assignments
• Creative projects
• Critiques
• Lectures
• Technical assignments
• Exams
• Demonstrations
• Group projects
• Research projects
• Guest presentations
• Public showcases and exhibitions
• Field trips
• Fully equipped workshops
• Use of hand tools and torches
• Networking with industry professionals
• Award and scholarship opportunities
• Opportunity to transfer to jewellery degree programs at AUA (Calgary), or NSCAD University (Halifax)
• Opportunity to transfer to second-year Gemmology certificate and degree programs at Birmingham University, UK

Learn professional techniques for artisanal bread and fine pastry production from Canada’s top bakers in a fully equipped industrial kitchen.

What you will learn

• Health, sanitation, and safety
• Use of bakery equipment including scales, mixers, proofers, and ovens
• Knife skills
• Theoretical baking principles and processes
• Ingredients and methodology
• Biscuits and muffins
• Pie dough and straight dough
• Aeration and emulsification
• Cookies, pies, tarts
• Croissant, Danish, and puff dough lamination
• Cakes, cookies, sponges
• Buttercreams, glazes, ganaches
• Dessert plating and presentation
• Composition, use of colours and textures
• Pastries, slices, and squares
• Quickbreads and loaf cakes
• Deep-fat frying
• Yeast doughnuts, cake doughnuts, French crullers
• Fermentation, leavening, gluten development
• Wild yeast, sourdough starters, biga, poolish
• Hearth baking
• Grains and flours
• Shaping and molding
• Mixing and portioning
• Gluten-free baking and ingredients
• Meat and vegetable pies
• Sausage rolls, Cornish pasties, calzones
• Asian buns and tarts
• Pita breads and flatbreads
• Sandwiches
• Consistency and accuracy
• Environmental conditions
• Daily production planning
• Standard math functions
• Retail bakeshop management
• Professional etiquette and personal hygiene
• Troubleshooting and problem solving
• Ingredient and equipment suppliers
• Merchandising, inventory, and cost control
• Waste management
• Catering
• Effective communication

What to expect

• Eleven months of full-time study over four terms:    
  • Introduction to Baking
  • Applied Baking
  • Artisan Baking
  • Capstone
• Classes Monday to Friday 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (subject to change)
• Purchase of textbooks and baking tools (available at the VCC Bookstore)
• Purchase of closed-top, non-slip footwear
• A fully operational kitchen and bakeshop environment
• Direct instruction
• Interactive instruction
• Demonstrations
• Problem-solving
• Cooperative learning
• Active participation
• Self-directed learning
• Three weeks of industry work experience
• Capstone project
• Opportunity to take exams for ITA Level 1 certification