Graduate Certificate in Robotics and Industrial Automation (Co-op Optional)

at Conestoga College - Cambridge Campus Canada

With the focus towards a lower-carbon future, energy professionals are in high demand. This three-year program is specifically designed to meet the high demand for engineering technologists in electrical power generation, transmission, and distribution, as well as in low-carbon energy systems, smart building systems, and energy management.Topics include conventional and renewable energy generation, including distributed energy resources for Ontario’s low-carbon energy future. Students will develop a strong electrical engineering technology foundation in electrical fundamentals, motors and control, programmable logic controllers, power system generation, transmission/distribution, protection and control, and grid transformation/smart grids. In addition, topics such as residential/commercial/industrial energy savings, building automation, analytics, energy storage, HVAC systems, and energy auditing are applied for careers in the growing specialty of conservation in private and public sector jobs. Mechanical topics include statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics as they apply directly to various energy systems.Throughout the program, students gain applied experience in AutoCAD and Revit, safety practices, safety standards and equipment, technical writing, and project management. Theory is applied practically in many laboratory settings.Strong industry support is evidenced by the program's high employment rate and successful optional co-op stream. Students benefit from the well-established, high-quality labs, relevant field trips, and active industry mentorship. Faculty have current, specialized credentials and are well-connected with industry to assist with graduate employment. Students enjoy analyzing Conestoga’s on-site 250 [ton] geothermal heat pump system and associated 500 [kW] PV solar system as they witness the journey to net-zero emissions on campus.Graduates have developed an applied theory in both mechanical and electrical systems and, as a result, are uniquely prepared to perform technological functions in various aspects of electrical, power, and energy fields for the exciting growth in Ontario’s low-carbon and smart-energy future.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.

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. 

The Packaging Engineering Technician program provides training in the structural design of packaging materials. Students will learn to design packaging utilizing different materials: metal, glass, plastic, paper, and corrugated. Critical in the design of any packaging are product protection (safety and security), durability, the ability to recycle materials, and sustainability opportunities and issues. The delivery of the program includes approximately 10% online courses. The optional co-op stream includes one 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 70% session weighted average and no failed or dropped courses in Level 1.

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 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.

• ARCHITECTURE – building planning, design, occupancy, to the adaptive re-use of buildings.
• PROJECT MANAGEMENT - based on construction management with strong links to PMI content.
• SUSTAINABILITY - from design to facility operations from core initiatives such as LEED, Green Globes, BOMA BEST, and ASHRAE to ideas of net zero buildings.
• FACILITY MANAGEMENT - the impact on a business of design, construction and operations of facilities.
• TRANSFERABLE SKILLS - APFM program of study offers a high level of highly transferable job skills.
• TRANSFERABLE SKILLS - APFM program of study offers a high level of highly transferable job skills.APFM is a dynamic four-year, paid co-op degree, delivered at the honours level. Students are able to write the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exam in year three and graduates are eligible to apply for Project Management Professional (PMP) certification after related work experience and writing the PMP exam. This program is accredited by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) and graduates are eligible to become Certified Facility Managers after three years work experience. This program is the only one of its kind in Canada, highlighting both project management and facility management. In a unique project-based learning environment, students learn and apply their knowledge to real-world projects using creativity and critical problem solving. Students will gain strong foundations in architecture, construction, basic engineering, and business management with comprehensive insight into project and facility management. Additionally, they will be exposed to liberal arts disciplines and practical applications for the business enterprise. Graduates entering the workforce will have unsurpassed highly transferable skills in leadership, teamwork, and individual initiative in addition to their discipline-specific knowledge and practical skills. The opportunity exists for students who have completed a related advanced three-year diploma program to bridge or transfer into the third year of this program.

This unique 2-year program prepares you to enter the workplace with exceptional welding skills that employers are seeking. There is an identified gap in the workforce for qualified graduates needed to operate and troubleshoot robotic welding systems while having maintenance, welding and robotic programming knowledge. This program is aimed at motivated individuals looking for a challenging and rewarding career in manufacturing automation. You will earn a Welding Engineering Technician - Robotics diploma and will acquire comprehensive welding skills through hands-on practical labs, using the latest equipment. You will create and read blueprints and gain an understanding of metals and their characteristics, complemented by solid welding automation knowledge and welding robot programming. Safe work practices and practical experience in weld inspection methods are also covered. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term. 

Program Outcomes

• Perform safe work practices in the welding trade in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and Regulations for Industrial Establishments.
• Interpret and prepare drawings and other technical documents that meet appropriate engineering standards in the manufacturing industry.
• Perform trade related mathematical calculations including volume, area, estimation, geometry, ratio, measurement, weights, loads, and centring of various lifts to complete projects safely and accurately.
• Perform practical welding operations using appropriate tools, materials and processes that are specific to automated welding production and meet industry and quality standards and appropriate codes.
• Complete projects using appropriate materials, arc welding processes, and consumables that meet industry standards and codes.
• Recommend quality improvements to correct common weld defects and faults found using destructive and non-destructive examination and testing methods.
• Troubleshoot technical problems related to welding automation processes in order to recommend solutions for repairing and maintaining equipment to industry standards.
• Use various computer software and programming applications to accurately communicate welding specifications to the automated welding and manufacturing personnel.
• Select, program and develop specifications for robotic and automated welding and joining systems that meet quality standards and applicable codes.

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 65% in Level 1 and a maximum of one dropped or failed course.
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.

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 Network Security

Information technology and network infrastructure are targets for malicious activity on a regular basis. News reports about data breaches, security violations, privacy failures and other infrastructure failures highlight a growing threat to business and personal information. This one-year, full-time, graduate certificate program is designed to address this growing threat to our network infrastructure. It will provide students with the security background in network technologies, computing hardware, operating and protocols, to harden and further secure such systems from attack. Students will learn to identify threats through audits and supporting technical methods, as well as evaluate and develop appropriate policies to support a strong organizational security posture. This program offers skills that allow graduates to evaluate risk and design infrastructure solutions that keep a business’s code, data and network systems safe.

This program is built on the newly identified Communication Infrastructure Engineering (CIE) discipline, which is defined by the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) Council at a high level as the systems-level architecture, design, and management of trusted networks for mission-critical and safety-critical applications, including those that support other critical infrastructures. If you are interested in combining elements of the more traditional disciplines of Communications Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Software Engineering to achieve Cyber-Security from an Engineering rather than an Information Technology perspective, this program is the right choice. This Bachelor of Engineering - Cyber Systems Engineering program focuses on real-time systems, communications, networks, and risk management.

This dynamic two-year graduate certificate is designed to give students specialized and thorough training in the detailing, supply, fabrication and installation of steel structures including the management and coordination of projects. The training is directly related to industry standards and working practices within North America and will enable students to develop detailed drawing, analytical and communication skills for the structural steel industry. Students will learn CAD skills, building information modelling (BIM), building code requirements, specifications and estimating to assist them with challenging projects. Faculty are highly qualified specialists with current and relevant field experience. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term which replaces the Career Management course.This program is available to be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. Courses will be scheduled in the afternoon and early evening to facilitate students who wish to take the program on a part-time basis while currently employed. Courses may also be scheduled to be delivered on Saturdays. Admission is available in January only. Bridging opportunities are available for trades. 

Graduates from the Electronics/Computer/Telecommunications Engineering Technician/Technology programs work with electronic, computer and communications equipment and systems. They are technical experts and problem solvers. Many of our graduates report that they enjoy the creative aspects of the job and seeing projects come to life. The three programs have the same first year. At the end of first year, students may switch programs if they desire. Graduates of the Electronics Engineering Technology program are able to design, build, test and repair a communications system or any part of one. Their very strong electronics knowledge and skills enable them to take on many roles in industry. They have particular strength in digital signal processing, as well as with circuits operating at microwave frequencies. Since embedded computer chips can replace electronic components, graduates are able to implement a given circuit function either in software or with physical parts. Graduates have a strong mathematical background and interpersonal communication skills. Since the program is approximately half lab work and half theory, graduates have a particular advantage in the practical implementation of systems, software and circuits. The optional co-op stream includes four consecutive four-month work terms.The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) recognizes this program as meeting all the academic requirements for certification in the Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) category.The Electronics Engineering Technology program has been recognized by the Royal Canadian Navy and now qualifies for Canadian Armed Forces skill recognition. Students who graduate from this program will receive advanced standing as a Weapons Engineering Technician in the Royal Canadian Navy (subject to successful enrolment in the Canadian Armed Forces).