Advanced Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology in Robotics and Automation (Co-op Optional)

at Conestoga College - Cambridge Campus Canada

This full-time graduate certificate program will help prepare graduates with a previous technical degree or diploma for engineering work in the industrial automation sector. The program offers key practical courses similar to those found in our highly successful Robotics and Automation Technology program. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term instead of the Guided Career Management course.

Program Outcomes

• Control automated manufacturing components and systems though the influence of configuration, programming selection, and connectivity.
• Create new, and interpret existing two and three dimensional CAD models of parts and assemblies for automated manufacturing systems
• Produce three dimensional CAD animations to simulate machine motion and operations
• Determine safety requirements of robotics and automated systems and apply them to the design of components and systems
• Work with appropriate measuring devices, and data acquisition systems to record information and measurement for analysis and interpretation.
• Analyze and communicate technical information effectively to a variety of audiences using various media and methods.
• Apply professional conduct while engaged in academic and practical activity in the classroom and during the co-op work term.

Applying to the Co-op Stream

• All applicants apply to the non co-op program. Students will be informed of the application deadline and process to apply for the Co-op Stream. Labour market conditions determine the number of co-op seats in optional co-op programs. Every student who meets academic eligibility requirements may not be admitted to the co-op stream.
• To be considered for admission to the co-op stream, students are required to achieve a minimum 80% session weighted average with no dropped or failed courses.

Co-op Information

• Co-op programs add value to your education. Earn while you apply what you learn in a real workplace environment. See the Co-op webpages
• The College cannot guarantee co-op employment. All co-op students are required to conduct an independent co-op job search in addition to the supports and services provided by the Department of Co-op Education.
• Students are responsible for their own transportation and associated costs in order to complete work term requirements. Work locations may not always be readily accessible by public transportation.
• Students who are not eligible for co-op or do not secure a co-op work term by the start of the work term semester will be offered the option to enrol in the 15 credit Career Management in Canada GCM8000 co-op alternative. This co-op alternative involves one 3 hour on campus session per week and 12 hours per week of online and out-of-class activity.
• If GCM8000 is selected, the student must attend sessions from the first session of the term and cannot transfer back into the co-op stream.
• GCM8000 may be delivered at the Doon, Waterloo, or Cambridge campus.

Embedded Systems Development (ESD) is a four-semester graduate certificate program including a one-semester exploration of career management or an optional co-op in the embedded systems industry. The program is aimed at providing the student with a solid understanding of the embedded systems industry, gaining hands-on skills in the development (design and implementation) of both hardware and software for embedded systems.The program integrates a hands-on, practical approach to augment theoretical knowledge a student may already have coming into the program. Applied projects and lab work help prepare graduates for a career in embedded systems development. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term instead of the Guided Career Management course. 

The Power Systems Engineering (PSE) program is a four-year Bachelor's degree designed to meet the demand for engineers in the rapidly evolving electrical power sector. This program provides a study of electrical power engineering, trans-disciplinary engineering of renewable energy generation, and smart-grid and energy conservation technologies. The program provides a solid foundation in mathematics, science, and engineering theory, and gradually builds practical and engineering design skills as well as a full spectrum of employability skills through its project-based learning approach and paid co-operative education.

The Bachelor of Engineering - Electronic Systems Engineering (ESE) program, delivered at the honours level, is accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) allowing students to start on the path to becoming a professional engineer. It is a unique, project-based, paid co-op program that allows students to apply the high level of theory they learn to interesting, real-world projects. It is geared to motivated individuals looking for challenging careers in the dynamic and fast-paced world of digital and analog electronics, embedded systems, software, signal processing, and communication systems.

This unique program provides extensive hands-on work with welding automation and robotics systems including: GMAW (MIG) and spot-welding applications, CAD/CAM applications with CNC thermal cutting, and off-line robotic simulation programming applications. The curriculum builds on welding technology background with broader knowledge in manufacturing methods and industrial automation. This program has a common first two years with the Welding Engineering Technology - Inspection program. The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) conditionally recognizes this program as meeting all the academic requirements for certification in the Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) category. The optional co-op stream includes four consecutive four-month work terms.

Applying to the Co-op Stream
All applicants apply to the non co-op program. Students will be informed of the application deadline and process to apply for the Co-op Stream. Labour market conditions determine the number of co-op seats in optional co-op programs. Every student who meets academic eligibility requirements may not be admitted to the co-op stream.
To be considered for the co-op stream, students will be required to achieve an overall 60% unweighted average (with a maximum of one dropped or failed course) in all Level 1 and 2 program courses. If an applicant has a lower overall average, their application will be decided upon on a case-by-case basis, based on one or more of: course performance, a possible interview, and number of acceptances already granted. Courses in which exemptions were granted or PLARs achieved will be ignored in calculating the average (with the exception below).
Students seeking to transfer with advanced standing into the co-op option from other programs (e.g., Welding Techniques #1193 or Welding and Fabrication Technician #0046) will be considered; however, transfer credits for Technical Mathematics I and Technical Mathematics II will be weighted with a 20% penalty and all of the other requirements above will apply.

Co-op Information
Co-op programs add value to your education. Earn while you apply what you learn in a real workplace environment. See the Co-op webpages.
The College cannot guarantee co-op employment. All co-op students are required to conduct an independent co-op job search in addition to the supports and services provided by the Department of Co-op Education.
Students are responsible for their own transportation and associated costs in order to complete work term requirements. Work locations may not always be readily accessible by public transportation.

This one-year full-time Ontario College Graduate Certificate program is designed for students who have completed a degree or diploma in science or engineering, and who want to pursue for a supervisory position in the food manufacturing industry. The program offers a suite of courses designed to developskills and knowledge with direct applicability in the food manufacturing environment. You will integrate leadership concepts in communication, problem-solving and decision-making. Course materials will be applied in a food manufacturing pilot plant environment and students will be exposed to operations in local industries. You will use continuous improvement including lean six sigma, project management, equipment maintenance, food safety and quality assurance to design systems that lead to excellence in manufacturing.

Wireless Network Infrastructure

This program prepares graduates with degrees or diplomas in telecommunications, electronics, or computer engineering/technology for work in emerging fields in the wireless telecommunications industry. Students will enhance their undergraduate knowledge with practical skills that include the use of industry standard tools (drivetest tools, propagation tools, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, etc.), and the techniques required for success in the wireless industry. Students will broaden their familiarity with troubleshooting and the configuration of local area and wide area networks (LANs and WANs) and networking topics relevant to telecom carriers including virtual private networks, quality of service, and others. Cutting-edge topics which include long term evolution (LTE) and 5th generation wireless networks, high bandwidth wireless (WiGig+) and concurrent MIMO systems, will ensure that graduates will be in high demand. 

Information Technology Infrastructure

Information technology workers need a broad range of practical skills to enhance concepts and principles that are often the focus of post-secondary study. This two-semester Ontario College Graduate Certificate program concentrates on hands-on application of network and systems administration practices and techniques commonly employed in modern IT enterprise infrastructure management.Students will gain valuable skills and knowledge in the deployment and configuration of network operating systems (desktop and server), infrastructure services and network technologies. Students will also acquire foundational knowledge to work towards challenging professional certification exams from various organizations. Graduates of this program will have the skills required to move into IT administration positions or transition into more advanced graduate studies in areas such as security, networking and operations.

This program provides training for those interested in a career as a food processing technician in the food and beverage manufacturing industry. It includes courses on industrial maintenance, drawings and schematics, machine technology, pumps, valves, motor controls and PLCs, as well as an introduction to food science, food processing methods, food safety and an overview of the principles of food manufacturing. All theoretical training is supported by hands-on experience in mechanical shops and a food processing pilot plant. Students in the Food Processing Technician program will receive training in mechanical systems and industrial maintenance as they apply to a food manufacturing operation and will have intensive hands-on mechanical experience with food processing equipment.The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term instead of the Guided Career Management course.

Applying to the co-op stream

• All applicants apply to the non co-op program. Students will be informed of the application deadline and process to apply for the Co-op Stream. Labour market conditions determine the number of co-op seats in optional co-op programs. Not every student who meets academic eligibility requirements will be admitted to the co-op stream.
• To be considered for admission to the co-op stream, students are required to achieve a minimum overall 70% session weighted average in Level 1 with no dropped or failed courses.
• International students will require work permits to utilize the co-op job board for job search and to accept employment. Students are currently experiencing longer than usual wait times for work permits. Please be advised that there will be no co-op program service fee refunds after the program withdrawal for refund date. Students that have not received their work permit and choose to remain in co-op after the program withdrawal for refund date do so at their own risk and will not be refunded. If you are concerned about receiving your work permit in time to achieve co-op employment, please discuss your situation with your co-op advisor as early as possible.

The Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical Systems Engineering (MSE) program, delivered at the honours level, is accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) allowing graduates to become professional engineers after completing their mandatory work experience and writing a professional practice exam.The program integrates a rich blend of interdisciplinary topics covering mechanical, industrial and control engineering to enable graduates to design complex computer-controlled mechanical systems. Automated manufacturing systems, comprised of mechanical components, conveyors, electrical and pneumatic actuators, sensors and robots are examples of such mechanical systems.The MSE program is delivered in a unique project-based curriculum model allowing students to learn by doing while developing strong skills in business methodologies, project management, environmental protection and interpersonal and team dynamics. As they work on increasingly complex projects, students progress from the technical fundamentals to advanced leading technologies in design, manufacturing and automation. This project work, combined with twelve months of paid co-op opportunities, thoroughly prepares MSE graduates for a successful career in a variety of engineering fields.

In the Welding and Fabrication Technician diploma program, students will develop the broad base of knowledge and skills required for the layout, preparation, forming, fitting, joining, and inspection of welded fabrications.
Students will have the opportunity to study in the outstanding modern facilities at the Cambridge campus, where they will spend much of their time developing and applying their skills in a well-equipped, full-sized welding and fabrication shop. Students learn to follow metal fabrication projects from the computer-aided engineering drawing (CAD) stage, through the cutting and forming processes of piece parts, to the fitting, welding and inspection of fabrications. Students also have the opportunity to use conventional and computer numerical controlled (CNC) fabrication equipment programmed through the use of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software.

Students will also have the opportunity to develop welding skills with the common arc welding processes such as Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW or stick), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW or MIG), Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW or TIG). Opportunities to challenge welding skills qualification tests as required by the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) and or the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) will be provided. (Extra fees payable to these external weld testing authorities will apply; these tests are optional.)