Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems

at Algonquin College - Ottawa Campus Canada

The two-year Computer Programmer Ontario College Diploma program prepares you for a career in software development. The program also specializes in program development strategies (using object-oriented modelling), database design and database administration.

Use leading industry software products such as Oracle and CASE tools. Learn about programming languages such as Java, COBOL, SQL and PHP. Study object-oriented analysis and design, operating systems and coding in integrated environments, and learn how to debug, test, and maintain codes.

In your final semester, participate in a software development project working with external clients to gain real-world experience in the programming field.

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 work in a variety of different fields, as almost all sectors of industry require programmers. You may be employed as:

• A software programmer
• A web programmer
• A business programmer
• An application programmer

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 one-year Human Resources Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you to be a human resources practitioner. This program offers you applied and theoretical lessons focusing on building human resources management graduate-level knowledge and skills needed to attract, select and retain the best organizational talent.

In addition, you learn the foundational knowledge required to act as a strategic partner in an organization. Faculty includes credentialed academics and practitioners from across the spectrum of human resources practice who are dedicated to preparing you for career success.

Acquire essential knowledge and skills related to finance and accounting, organizational behaviour, project management and employment law. Explore the psychology of the workplace, the legal environment, accounting, and economics.

Adopt an applied approach, exploring:

• Recruitment and selection
• Compensation
• Employee and labour
• Industry relations

In your second semester, you may qualify to complete an unpaid work placement. This gives you the opportunity to practice your skills and integrate your knowledge in a real-world organization.

Work toward your Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) accreditation from the Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA). The nine certified human resources professional coursework requirements from the HRPA are within this certificate and approved by HRPA.

Upon graduation, you are ready for a rewarding career in human resources management. You could find employment in many for-profit and non-profit organizations, such as hi-tech, manufacturing or retail. You could assume the role of:

• Human resources generalist
• Human resources coordinator
• Human resources business partner
• Occupational health and safety specialist
• Recruiter
• Training and development specialist
• Labour relations specialist
• Compensation analyst

Endorsed and accredited by the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies, Tourism- Travel Services is a two-year Ontario Diploma program blending on the job training and classroom theory and providing students with opportunities to develop employability skills for a fruitful career in the ever growing travel and tourism industry. Subjects in the curriculum include customized vacation planning, niche and group travel, world tourism geography, sustainability in tourism, social media, marketing, sales, entrepreneurship and customer service excellence. 

The students of the program write the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) exam to gain the mandatory license. The graduates are also encouraged to apply to the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) to write the national certification examination to be accredited as a Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC). 

The graduates of the program can seek jobs in the transportation service providers (airlines, rail companies, automobile rental firms, bus operators and cruise lines), travel service providers (agencies-retail and wholesale), government tourist offices, accommodations sector, attractions and tour operators. 

This one-year General Arts and Science - Environmental Studies Ontario College Certificate program allows you to research and debate environmental issues on the global, national and local level. Topics include environmental citizenship, environmental ethics, sustainable development and ecology. Expand your knowledge about the environment and the impacts made by humans.

This program prepares you for further study, rather than moving directly into the chosen industry. You receive an Ontario College Certificate in General Arts and Science - One Year, with a concentration in Environmental Studies.

Upon completion, you are eligible to apply to other specific Algonquin College programs if you desire. These programs include:

• Forestry Technician
• Environmental Technician
• Water and Waste Water Technician
• Biotechnology - Advanced
• Outdoor Adventure Naturalist

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.

This program helps you expand your knowledge and choose your career path. You can enter the workforce and show that you have well-developed skills and a general understanding in a variety of topics. Completion of this certificate confirms to potential employers that you have the ability to learn at a post-secondary level.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Develop, through general knowledge gained in a wide range of subjects, insight into both self and society.
• Develop flexibility and clarity of both thought and expression in order to develop communications competence to a level required by business
• and industry.
• Understand and utilize critical thinking processes and problem-solving techniques.
• Examine and evaluate various aspects of our changing society to assist in developing a sense of personal and social responsibility as a citizen in society.
• Employ basic vocational skills drawn from the areas of the Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences of Vocational Studies (Business, Technology).

The two-year Computer Systems Technician - Networking Ontario College Diploma program prepares you for a career in information technology with a focus on network and system administration.

You learn to set up, configure and maintain all components that constitute an effective network: computer hardware, operating systems, networking and virtualization technologies, security and task automation. In addition you develop problem solving skills and troubleshooting techniques to help support an IT infrastructure. Throughout the program, you also develop your oral and written communication skills, customer support, and ethics relevant to the information technology workplace.

As a student in this program, you have access to the latest software and equipment including Cisco and Aruba hardware labs, network-based operating systems, including Microsoft and GNU/Linux, as well as other industry-standard tools and resources.

This program offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience by taking part in back-to-back cooperative education (co-op) work terms (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.

You can work towards industry recognized certifications including Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Linux+ and Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA). Upon successful completion of this program, you may transfer credit for the first two years of the Computer Systems Technology - Security three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma, as long as you meet its admissions requirements.

Upon graduation you may find employment opportunities in a wide range of sectors including government, private and public for entry-level positions or self-employment in:

• Network and systems administration
• IT infrastructure
• Installation, migration, and support
• Technical and customer service support
• Computer training and consultation

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 Bachelor of Interior Design (Honours) degree program prepares you to pursue a professional career related to the design of the built environment. The curriculum integrates professional and general studies with an emphasis on critical thinking and applied research.

Enriched with a focus on environmental and global perspectives in interior design, you learn to consider ecological, economic and social aspects to analyze and design healthy living environments.

The program contains a strong experiential component that includes design studio experiences and an active engagement with the professional design community. In the fourth year, you have the opportunity to specialize in an area of interest specific to the profession and are required to complete an applied research paper.

To complete your degree, you must complete one mandatory paid co-op work term where you gain valuable work experience and network within the industry.
You also earn a Building Biology Advocate (BBA) Certification upon successful completion of the seven required Construction courses.

The integration of theory, analysis and practice prepare you to assume a leadership role within the profession. As a graduate, you are able to apply strategic thinking and a research orientation to your responsibilities as a professional interior designer and can contribute to the development and evolution of the field of design.

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.

Medical Device Reprocessing is a unique Ontario College Certificate program that combines theory, lab practice, simulation and hands-on experience. This one-year program prepares you to apply principles of infection prevention and proper handling of reusable patient care equipment in healthcare settings.

As a student, you explore various areas including:

• Human anatomy
• Medical terminology
• Patient interventions
• Employee and patient safety

Gain manual dexterity by practising with equipment and surgical instrumentation in simulation labs as well as operating equipment in clinical healthcare settings. Collectively, these practices will prepare you for work in the healthcare field. Benefit from more than 130 hours of clinical practice, which provides the opportunity for integrating theory and principles into hands-on practice.

Upon graduating, you may find work in healthcare facilities, which may include:

• Hospital medical device reprocessing departments
• Public and private clinics
• Dental clinics
• Surgical centres