Certificate in General Arts And Science - Design Studies (One Year)

at Algonquin College - Ottawa Campus Canada

Earn a flexible diploma that shows you are aware of all areas of business, and that you also have specialized education in accounting.

Accounting is one of seven majors available to Business Administration students. This three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma program starts with three semesters, learning a variety of essential business skills, before ultimately deciding on a major.

The program prepares you for a challenging and rewarding career in the accounting industry. Accounting is often referred to as the backbone of business - businesses need skilled accountants to monitor financial accounts in order to operate effectively and efficiently.

This program enables you to provide businesses with the complete and accurate financial picture they need to thrive.

Study all major areas of accounting including:

• Financial accounting
• Managerial accounting
• Taxation
• Financial management

Practise recording financial transactions, preparing/presenting financial statements, reports and other documents, and using current accounting software.

You may find employment in both the public and private sectors in roles such as:

• Accounting assistant
• Accounting associate
• Accounting clerk
• Junior financial analyst
• Junior staff accountant 

There are opportunities in a variety of work environments, including:

• Accounting firms
• Small and medium-sized businesses
• Service organizations
• Government departments
• Financial institutions 

Graduates from the General Arts and Science - Aboriginal Studies Ontario College Certificate program develop a better understanding and appreciation of Indigenous Peoples and the issues faced by First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples.
Within this one-year program, you explore your culture and heritage and examine Indigenous content studies in:

• Contemporary issues
• Languages
• Community development strategies
• Career planning
• Government
• Law

You also learn general skills in communications and computer applications.

The first-year program helps you to expand your knowledge and choose your career path. You receive an Ontario College Certificate in General Arts and Science with a concentration in Aboriginal Studies. You can enter the workforce and show that you have developed essential employment skills and a general understanding in a wide variety of topics. Completion of this certificate confirms to potential employers that you have the ability to learn at a post-secondary level to any potential employers.

You may also choose to continue your education in Year II of the General Arts and Science Ontario College Diploma program. After completion of Year II with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, you can apply for advanced standing at Carleton University or the University of Ottawa.

The General Arts and Science Concept Art Foundations is a one year Ontario College Certificate with the graduates receiving a certificate in general Arts and Science-One year with a concentration in Concept Art Foundations and revolves around the students exploring a blend of traditional theory and digital image creation techniques to create concepts, characters and environments for the entertainment industry. 

The course is delivered via a mix of online video tutorials and classroom training in smaller groups to allow the students a chance of receiving the required hands-on training. The curriculum of the program makes sure that the students get the necessary individualized feedback and support in the production of a professional portfolio in concept art and digital imaging.
 

The two-year Veterinary Technician Ontario College Diploma program prepares you to enter the profession by offering an authentic learning experience working alongside highly credentialed professionals in our on-campus veterinary medical facility and in our partnering facilities in the local community.

You benefit from learning in the 10,100 square-foot Veterinary Learning Centre and Clinic. This facility includes a reception area, exam rooms, husbandry area, surgical suite, dental suite, radiography room and more. This facility is similar to a real-life small animal clinic, enabling you to have an on-campus learning experience using the equipment you would also use in the field.

As a student, you have the unique opportunity to provide medical care to shelter animals, helping to prepare them for adoption. While in the program, you become a vital member of the veterinary health care team who develops and acquires valuable knowledge and skills that can then be applied to a variety of areas within the Veterinary Learning Centre and Clinic while working with these animals. This includes:

• Physical exams and patient care
• Preparing and administering medications
• Specimen collection and sample analysis
• Surgical assisting and anesthesia
• Producing diagnostic radiographs
• Providing nutritional support

Additional benefits of this program are its numerous accreditations. It is accredited by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians; certified by the Canadian Council of Animal Care; and registered with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Graduates are eligible for consideration for registration by the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians and by the Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science.

This challenging and rewarding program offers quality academics and practical experiences, which provide a solid foundation for graduates who are entering various career paths within the exciting profession of veterinary technician. Graduates of this program may find employment in a variety of professional settings, which include:

• Small, large, or mixed animal veterinary practices
• Animal shelters
• Veterinary pharmaceutical companies
• Medical equipment and nutritional sales
• Zoological parks and wildlife facilities
• Research facilities
• Provincial and federal government agencies
• Post-secondary institutions and regulatory bodies

This four-year degree program is designed for students seeking careers in the hospitality, culinary, food services and food science sectors through a unique combination of food science and culinary skills. Well suited for those with a passion for food and a love of science, this program produces skilled graduates with culinary and food science backgrounds equipped with the abilities to create innovative, high quality food products for existing and emerging markets.

Through combining the disciplines of food science and culinary arts, students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to become professionals within this innovative and emerging field. Students examine a broad range of topics including food chemistry, food microbiology, sensory evaluation, food processing, as well as culinary science and food service management, with a focus on food product development and enhancing the nutritional value of food products. These core science skills are complemented by advanced skills in food preparation, cooking, baking, safety and sanitation, management and leadership. Through applied research in product development, students have the opportunity to research, create and market their own products. In addition, students participate in two practical cooperative education learning opportunities gaining valuable applied industry experience.

Major food companies and producers seek individuals who have the ability to design, develop and process quality food choices that are healthy, affordable, desirable and safe for consumers. Graduates are well positioned to find employment opportunities with major food manufacturers or small, private label companies, in the areas of food production management, food technology, product development, quality assurance management, food services and food research and development as well as in health-related industries or entrepreneurial endeavours. Algonquin College is working closely with the Research Chefs Association (RCA) in seeking RCA`s accreditation as a Culinology(R)program. Graduates of this program are well positioned to write RCAs Certified Research Chef examination.

The three-year Advertising and Marketing Communications Management Ontario College Advanced Diploma program prepares you to take your career into many industries. By combining business theory and creative messaging, this industry-respected program enables you to develop skills in idea conceptualizing, copywriting, layout and production design. You also develop integrated marketing communications strategies through researching what drives target audiences and planning how to reach them effectively.

Experienced, industry-connected faculty prepare you to plan, create and implement marketing communications. Key class projects work on real advertising and marketing communications issues with local companies as clients. As well, alumni and industry leaders act as guest speakers in every semester.

Put classroom theory to work through hands-on creation in one of the second-year student-run business unit teams:

• the award-winning Algonquin Times and Glue Magazine - where teams work on websites, print editions, social media channels, events and apps
• DIGG - the student-run ad agency where every client has a unique problem to be solved
• SLiDE - the in-house marketing department for Algonquin`s DARE District that works with Ottawa entrepreneurs.

The program encourages you to expand your learning and network through optional class trips in second and third year. As a second-year student, you have the unique opportunity to visit and tour select advertising and marketing agencies and visit program alumni in Toronto. As a third-year student, you have the opportunity to visit New York and attend one of the largest industry conferences in the world, Advertising Week.

At the end of the program, take your real-world experience a step further with a six-week job placement within the area of advertising and marketing communications. Upon graduating, be ready to start your career in this field.

There are many job opportunities for graduates of this program. You may find employment with an advertising or creative agencies and any organization that has a marketing, communications, media or promotions department. This includes:

• retail
• professional services firms
• technology companies
• associations
• governments

You might even launch your own marketing and communications company.

Interactive Media Design is a two year Ontario College Diploma program designed to prepare you for a variety of careers in the digital media industry. Web-design and programming, as well as video and motion graphic skills, are in demand in all employment sectors. You explore the primary elements of media project planning and development with equal importance given to the creative and the technical aspects. This balanced learning experience prepares graduates to be generalists in the media industry, meaning you can jump into a wide variety of roles as you begin your careers.

Strong emphasis is placed on hands-on media production through courses in computer-based web design and programming, as well as video and motion graphics. Through a number of program-specific elective courses, you can focus your path towards specializing as a video producer or a web developer, or you can choose to remain as a generalist, depending on your interests. You plan and execute individual and team-based projects under the guidance of a faculty, industry experts in the media field. You gain practical experience working with live clients through applied projects. You navigate these learning opportunities with the operating system of your choice, such as Apple OS X, Windows or other platforms.

This industry-driven program provides you with the diverse skillset that makes you adaptable in today`s dynamic job market across all sectors. Graduates may find employment in a wide variety of fields utilizing their skills in dynamic media development, web design and programming, photography, videography, motion graphics, project management, UX design, graphic design and content management. Other opportunities involve start-up businesses and a wide variety of alternate professional fields.

Students also have the option to gain real-world experience through a paid co-operative education (co-op) work term (see Additional Information for more details). Please note that places in the co-op version of the program are subject to availability. Students who elect to apply to the non co-op version of the program may not have the opportunity to transfer to the co-op version at a later date.  

The one-year Geographic Information Systems Ontario College Graduate Certificate program provides you with knowledge and skills relating to geographic and cartographic science, with a focal point on information systems technology.

In this program, you use both hands-on and theoretical approaches to explore topics such as:

• Field data collection
• Programming
• Remote sensing
• Enterprise geo-database design and management
• Cloud-based services
• Application development
• 2D and 3D cartographic design
• Spatial analysis and project management

A key part of this program is the independent project that you begin in your first semester and complete throughout your studies. You identify an area of interest, develop a project proposal, and then implement and complete your project, all in collaboration with an industry or government sponsor.

Cooperative education (Co-op)    
Cooperative education (Co-op) allows students to integrate their classroom learning with a real-world experience though paid work terms. Two academic terms prior to the cooperative education work term, students are required to actively participate in and successfully complete the self-directed co-op online readiness activities and in-person workshops.

Students must actively conduct a guided, self-directed job search and are responsible for securing approved program-related paid co-op employment. Students compete for co-op positions alongside students from Algonquin and other Canadian and international colleges and universities. Algonquin College`s Co-op Department provides assistance in developing co-op job opportunities and facilitates the overall process, but does not guarantee that a student will obtain employment in a co-op work term. Co-op students may be required to re-locate to take part in the co-op employment opportunities available in their industry and must cover all associated expenses; e.g., travel, work permits, visa applications, accommodation and all other incurred expenses.

Co-op work terms are typically 14 weeks in duration and are completed during a term when students are not taking courses.

The two-year Office Administration - Executive Ontario College Diploma program prepares you for a rewarding career as an administrative professional in the public or private sector.

Develop essential skills through extensive applied practice in a simulated office in the areas of human resources, social media, office management, domestic and international travel, event planning and finance. Enhance your MS Office suite abilities through document production, transcription, desktop publishing, accounting practices, and database and project management.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Conduct oneself professionally and adhere to relevant legislation, standards and codes of ethics.
• Manage the scheduling, coordination and organization of administrative tasks and workflow within specific deadlines and according to set priorities.
• Coordinate the collection, analysis, distribution and response to communications in the workplace to facilitate the flow of information.
• Operate and provide support related to the use, maintenance and procurement of office equipment and technologies.
• Evaluate, establish and administer a variety of records management systems* to ensure confidential, secure, accessible and organized electronic and paper records.
• Produce financial documents and reports by identifying and compiling relevant information and using accounting software.
• Prepare and produce a variety of business documents using available technologies and applying industry standards.
• Use interpersonal, leadership and client service skills to respond to diversity and to support the vision and mission of the organization.
• Research, analyze and summarize information on resources and services and prepare summary reports with recommendations.
• Select and use information technologies to support communication with internal and external stakeholders and to promote the organization.
• Organize and coordinate meetings, conferences, special events and make travel arrangements, including the preparation of related documentation.
• Support the implementation of projects by applying basic principles of project management.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Students also have the option to gain real-world experience through a paid co-operative education (co-op) work term (See Additional Information for more details).

This one-year Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares students for a career in design research and strategy. Professionals in this field examine the intersection of research, technology, business and design to apply a human-centred approach to solving problems. These professionals work in a variety of fields, including private, public and government organizations, to provide strategic direction for system, product, policy and/or service design. The skills gained in this program complement a myriad of professional backgrounds, from designers, computer programmers and engineers looking to update their skillset to public servants and social scientists looking for new ways to draft policies and model services.

Students collaborate with industry partners in a design studio setting throughout the program to find solutions for real-world issues.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Apply a universal, interdisciplinary design approach to overcome complex problems and create intelligent solutions that address social, technological and economic challenges.
• Manage a holistic, human-centred process to deliver design strategies, products, systems and services for government, corporations and non-profit organizations.
• Design collaboratively in an interdisciplinary studio environment to produce communication, products, systems and service projects for a variety of media.
• Apply primary and secondary research methodologies to the design process using a think/make practice model to achieve project outcomes that meet user needs and adhere to industry standards.
• Adhere to the professional practices of a design studio to facilitate and manage the success of design teams in achieving project goals.
• Participate in an iterative, multi-phase design process in order to create testable prototypes and realized products.
• Liaise and negotiate project direction and process with stakeholders to produce strategies and outcomes that align with business objectives.
• Present and defend research results and design outcomes to a diverse audience using effective communication strategies.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.