Diploma in Community and Justice Services

at Algonquin College - Ottawa Campus Canada

The Technical Writer Ontario College Graduate Certificate program provides you with the skills and training needed for a career in technical communication. Throughout this one-year program, you create different types of workplace documents to help users enjoy all features of a product, service or information. In particular, you learn to:

• Research and analyze technical material
• Connect with an intended audience
• Use specialized tools to author documents
• Manage multiple projects to meet the goals of a group
• Create structured documents that cater to different user tasks

These skills are so highly prized in the workplace that you can choose to work in either the public or the private sector, and in a freelance, part-time or full-time capacity.

The Technical Writer program will teach you how to create different kinds of online and print documents such as instruction sets, training materials, user manuals, white papers, proposals, online help, instructional videos and podcasts.

Through a combination of real-world learning, group projects, and collaborative learning activities, you can confidently apply these skills in all areas of industry including manufacturing, health and medicine, government, high-tech and private training institutions.

The two-year Office Administration - Health Services Ontario College Diploma prepares you for a rewarding career in a variety of health services office environments.
Develop essential theoretical and applied skills for health services by engaging in extensive learning in a simulated office using an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system in a variety of specialties. Provide patient services through:

• Client file management
• Office management
• Billing
• Patient management
• Medical transcription and terminology
• Accounting practices, and
• Document production

You also have the opportunity to participate in a health services environment work placement allowing you to practice your skills.

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 to others related to the use of office equipment and technologies.
• Evaluate, establish and administer health records management systems* to ensure confidential, secure, accessible and organized electronic and paper records*.
• Produce financial and client billing records* for health services by compiling relevant information and using accounting software.
• Produce health documents and reports using available technologies and applying industry standards.
• Use interpersonal and client service skills to respond to the diverse needs of clients, their family members and the health care team.
• Identify and use non-invasive clinical tasks to support effective and efficient health service operations.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

In the one-year Marketing Research and Analysis Ontario College Graduate Certificate program you master the current and emerging techniques in marketing research. This program prepares you for a data-driven career in the marketing research discipline.

You learn to investigate how and why people purchase products and services. In this program, you develop the employable skills to conduct marketing and opinion research in the public, not-for-profit and private sectors. The curriculum emphasizes the marketing research process including:

• Research design
• Questionnaire construction
• Moderator`s guide construction
• Data collection
• Basic and intermediate statistical analysis and interpretation, and
• Report writing and presentation skills

In addition, you become familiar with the scientific method of hypotheses testing and reaching conclusions to solve business problems.

Graduates may have opportunities to work in a wide variety of research settings in government, not-for-profit organizations, research providers and private businesses that use marketing research.

The three-year Computer Engineering Technology - Computing Science Ontario College Advanced Diploma program prepares you for an information technology (IT) career in the private or public sectors. You gain the knowledge and skills to use a broad range of IT-based analytical thinking and problem-solving skills in support of the day-to-day operation of an enterprise`s software systems or in the development of new systems.

Learn a variety of programming languages (Java, C#, C++, C, and others) and operating systems (Windows, Unix/Linux, and QNX). In addition, you study the development tools and debugging techniques used to design, code and test integrated and/or embedded applications and software systems.

In your final year, you work in teams on sponsored real-world projects to develop a comprehensive application as part of the software engineering portion of the program. You also have the opportunity to select an elective course from an approved list, in areas that include graphics/multimedia, advanced database programming, android, business programming (Cobol), security and advanced web programming.

The majority of the program consists of courses in systems programming, software development, testing and maintenance. The balance of the curriculum consists of courses in technical communications skills (both oral and written), mathematics and general education electives.

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.

Graduates may find employment as systems, integration, and applications programmers and/or testers, and as customer service representatives providing training and product support to clients of high technology corporations.

• Graduates may also pursue careers in such diverse areas as:
• Game and multimedia development
• GUI (graphical user interface) development
• IT communications, IT security, real-time and database systems
• Web-based applications
• Technical roles in all levels of government (federal, provincial, and municipal)

The four-year Bachelor of Automation and Robotics (Honours) degree program prepares you for a career in the field of automation and robotics.

Autonomous and remotely operated systems are deployed the world over with ever increasing frequency. Such systems are being implemented in many instances to reduce risk to human workers, to achieve higher efficiencies in manufacturing and to improve the quality of lives through robot-assisted rehabilitation and care. Variations of these systems are often in place for reasons of feasibility, efficiency, safety or practicality. Traditionally, in order to develop such systems, collaborative expertise and knowledge in aspects of mechanical and electrical engineering as well as computer science is necessary. Through a combination of these three fields of engineering, this program helps you acquire the theoretical and applied expertise to succeed in the field of automation and robotics.

As a student in this program, you acquire knowledge and skills specific to electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science, including:

• Engineering principles, professionalism and methodologies
• Fundamentals of mathematics, technical writing, dynamics, electronics, computer programming, optical systems and materials science
• Machine design, control systems, electromechanical actuators, sensors, vision systems and the software necessary to design and simulate autonomous and remotely operated systems and components
• Project planning and management, and research and leadership skills

This co-operative education program provides you with learning opportunities through industrial and/or applied research placements. A comprehensive final year project tied to the needs of industry exists to challenge you, presenting the opportunity to test and further develop knowledge and skills. If you are interested in the potential of self-employment, you have an opportunity to foster entrepreneurial aspirations.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to

• Analyze, design, modify and support mechanical, software and electrical components, processes and systems by applying fundamentals of engineering.
• Build functional robotic components by researching and integrating knowledge from mechanical, electrical and software engineering practices.
• Customize existing non-autonomous systems into autonomous or semi-autonomous systems by designing and integrating solutions and developing autonomy algorithms and controls.
• Analyze and solve complex technical problems in the field of robotics and automation by applying the principles of engineering and mathematics.
• Develop, execute and interpret quantitative and qualitative analysis and tests for industrial mechatronic and automation systems.
• Lead and perform diagnostics on a variety of industrial automation controls, sensors, data acquisition devices and interfaces by developing and using troubleshooting skills and techniques.
• Ensure all work is performed in compliance of relevant laws, codes, regulations, policies, ethical principles, safety procedures and engineering practices and standards.
• Contribute to the on-going and upcoming innovation and research in the robotics and automation field.
• Develop entrepreneurship and effective business planning skills to innovate robotics technology targeting new and existing local and global markets.
• Develop personal and professional strategies and plans to adapt to change, maintain currency and foster interprofessionalism.
• Manage the project and communication with clients and other professionals to translate abstract ideas into tangible project requirements and products.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific factors that enable the contribution to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

In the Law Clerk (Intensive) Ontario College Diploma program, you study a broad range of legal topics and processes to prepare you for a career as a legal assistant or law clerk.

This program is offered in a compressed format over 42 weeks so you can start your career as soon as possible. The program prepares you for administrative work in an office environment where you work independently under the general direction of a lawyer, or as part of a legal services team. Learn from dedicated faculty who ensure that your skills surpass industry standards.

As a student, you develop and practice the skills that are essential for a successful career, including:

• Paying attention to details and independently following instructions
• Organizing client files and managing deadlines
• Interviewing clients
• Performing general office procedures
• Working with legal software to compile information and prepare documents
• Compiling evidence and documentation
• Maintaining corporate documents and filings
• Entering data in legal forms and drafting routine correspondence
• Preparing briefs
• Learning about family, estates, civil litigation, corporate, administrative, and real estate law practices
• Engaging in civil litigation and research

Benefit from the ability to participate in an off-site field placement or in an in-class workplace simulation. These experiences give you real-world experience and an opportunity to practice your skills.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Support the needs of clients and legal professionals through the use of accurate terminology and professional communication strategies, both orally and in writing.
• Complete all work within routine and unexpected time lines and limitation periods within the legal environment.
• Use current and relevant electronic and print resources, within the legal environment, to conduct legal research, to assist with file and evidentiary management, to facilitate communication and generate legal documentation, complying with current regulations and procedures.
• Research and summarize the presenting legal issues, applying knowledge of substantive law, to support the legal team.
• Apply rules of procedure to support best legal practices.
• Conduct oneself professionally in adherence to the guidelines of the Law Society of Upper Canada.
• Carry out clerical and administrative duties for the operation of a variety of legal environments.
• Outline strategies for ongoing professional development to ensure continuing competence as a Law Clerk.
• Act equitably and justly with diverse populations.
• Provide support for legal professionals in courts and administrative tribunals within the legal system.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Accredited by the Canadian Medical Association, the Medical Radiation Technology offered by Algonquin College is a three year Ontario College Advanced Diploma that prepares graduates with the technical skills and the theoretical knowledge required to carry out diagnostic procedures under the role of a medical radiation technologist as mentioned by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists Radiological Technology competency profile.

Problem-solving skills and critical thinking is developed in the students so that they can quickly adapt the knowledge into clinical practices to provide safe patient assessment and therapeutic and diagnostic skills in consistency with the best standards of practice for the medical radiation technology. With the simulation, extensive clinical experiences, theoretical courses and laboratory practice, the students acquire sufficient ability to produce quality images of the internal structures of the human body.

Pursue a career in the evolving world of web software application creation.

The two-year Internet Applications and Web Development Ontario College Diploma program prepares you to pursue a variety of different careers in the internet applications and web development industry.

This program is designed to teach you:

• Internet technologies
• Full stack Web development
• The analysis, design and implementation of internet applications

Use modern computing facilities with a variety of software offered to help you during the program. The department is sponsored by Microsoft Developer`s Network Academic Alliance and through other vendor agreements, which gives you access to the most up-to-date technology.

During the program, you study a number of topics relevant to the field. You learn full stack web development, database programming and internetworking in a TCP/IP environment.

Additional topics include:

• Client-side and server-side scripting
• Programming languages
• Systems and network security

In your last semester, you apply what you have learned throughout the program as a member of a team working on a multi-tiered internet application.

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.

This program is designed to help you begin your career as:

• A full stack web developer
• A web administrator
• An internet application developer
• A web application architect
• A web programmer
   

In the two-year Horticultural Industries Ontario College Diploma program you learn how to create landscapes from design to implementation. By offering a condensed format over 16 months, the Horticultural Industries program allows you to fast track your career.

Learn the key aspects of this dynamic industry, including:

• Urban and rural landscape design, installation and maintenance
• Nursery production and management
• Sustainable urban agriculture
• Green roof and living wall technology

The program offers a hands-on learning experience during the industry`s prime production period in the spring/summer/fall. Practice skills in Algonquin College`s extensive campus gardens surrounding the Horticulture Centre and within the attached greenhouse complex.

The various plant collections and the vegetable garden provide you with the perfect opportunity to study plant identification, plant selection and ideal growing conditions. You take active part in further developing and maintaining the grounds in smaller work-groups, simulating the industry.

To further your skills and make connections in the industry, you complete a 12-week co-op placement as part of the program. The landscape industry is fast-paced and constantly evolving, with a high-demand for skilled horticultural specialists and landscape designers.

Graduates may find work, either as employees or self-employed, in:

• Construction and maintenance firms
• Landscape design
• Nurseries and garden centres
• Urban food production
• Tree care industry
• Park systems
• Consulting or teaching        

Turn your interest in mobile development into a career needed across a number of different industries

The two-year Mobile Application Design and Development Ontario College Diploma program prepares you to enter the expanding and evolving fields of mobile web and application development. Design mobile website interfaces across different platforms and devices. Learn how to build native applications for mobile devices and use different technologies and programming languages. Topics covered include:

• User interface (UI) design
• User experience (UX) design
• Responsive web design
• Full-stack web development
• Hybrid mobile application development
• Native mobile application development
• Entrepreneurial business skills

Emphasis is placed on a hands-on approach to developing sites and applications.

In your final semester, prepare for industry by developing a mobile solution for a real-world client. Experience working in teams and participate in the analysis, design, implementation, testing and deployment of your mobile solution.

Upon graduation, you may find work in all levels of government, as well as with start-ups and a wide variety of market sectors including technology, healthcare, business, marketing, finance, education and communications. Some available jobs include:

• Mobile app developer
• Full-stack developer
• UX designer/developer
• Web designer
• Web developer
• Interaction designer/developer
• QA tester