Certificate in Computer-Aided Drafting and Design

at Conestoga College - Waterloo Campus Canada

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. Students benefit from specialized courses taught by highly qualified industry experts and as a result, should expect to have classes scheduled up until 8:00 p.m.

Virtualization and Cloud Computing

Information Technology is an ever-changing field with two of these new areas of expertise being Virtualization and Cloud Computing. Organizations have started to replace physical computers (servers and desktops) in their organizations with ‘virtual machines’. The virtualization strategy allows companies to replace existing hardware driving cost savings and reduction of infrastructure support. Furthering this, companies are also starting to purchase or lease cloud services as a means of provisioning services without any onsite installations of hardware. In order to help organizations succeed, specialist skills in these fields are required. This two-semester Ontario College Graduate Certificate program concentrates on hands-on experiential practices and techniques commonly employed in Virtualization and Cloud Computing. You will gain valuable skills and knowledge in systems, infrastructure services, cloud technologies, as well as systems architecture methodologies. Graduates will have the skills required to move into more senior IT and Data Centre positions.

Profound changes to the world of computer applications have created the need for a new kind of software development professional. As a result of explosive growth in the use of mobile devices, a growing appetite for consumer applications across all demographics, and emerging digital technologies, there is a need for entrepreneurial savvy within Canadian companies to effectively compete globally. This demands computer professionals with skills in graphic design, content creation, User Experience (UX), software development, marketing, and business models in order to design and market new and competitive software applications. The optional co-op stream includes four consecutive four-month work terms.

Co-op information

• Co-op programs add value to your education. Earn money while you apply what you've learned in a real workplace environment. Visit Co-operative education for more information.
• 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.

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 80% weighted average in Year 1 with a maximum one dropped or failed course during the first year.
• International students studying outside of Canada - ‘out of country’ - cannot apply to the co-op stream of their program. Students must be in Canada to apply to the co-op stream of their program. Students are currently experiencing longer than usual wait times for work permits. Work permit applications need to be completed more than 6 months in advance of a work term. International students studying in Canada will require work permits to utilize the co-op job board for job search and to accept employment. 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.

Software Engineering Technician is a two-year program that teaches the skills required to write computer software while developing problem-solving skills using a variety of computer languages in a technical programming environment. Software Engineering Technician Program Highlights:· Broad base of languages and technologies, including web development, databases, and cyber security· Focused, hands-on approach· One of the strongest programs of its type in Ontario The Software Engineering Technician program at Conestoga is most suitable for students who have significant exposure to the software industry but do not have the relevant academic credentials. This program is also suitable for students who are time limited to two-year diplomas. All other students interested in careers in software should instead consider the three-year Software Engineering Technology program.

This program prepares graduates for an exciting career in the field of Information Technology Infrastructure support and administration. Graduate employability is significantly enhanced by in- depth training in a broad range of business, computer and people skills that are in high demand across many industries. Rapid problem solving through the application of critical thinking is an emphasis throughout the program.
Program focus is on the practical application of skills and knowledge to install, configure and troubleshoot workstation and server computers, networks and cloud environments, including standard infrastructure services such as database and messaging systems. Practical work is completed on industry standard hardware and software encountered in the workplace. An optional co-op work term is included to enhance education. Through their education in this program, students will gain a solid foundation to challenge industry certification exams in the areas of operating system support, networking and virtualization should they so choose. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term. 

This program is designed to help students start a career as a baker or pastry chef. It will include practical, theoretical and hands-on training in areas of baking, baking equipment usage, baking and pastry fundamentals, food costing, cake decorating, sanitation and safety and pastry management. Under faculty guidance, working individually and as part of a team, students will develop core skills in specialized areas, including: chocolate and confections, wedding and specialty cakes, tarts and pastries, plated desserts, artisan breads and breakfast pastries, petits fours, laminated dough and viennoiseries, ice cream and sorbets.

Do you have a passion for programming? Do you want to work with cutting edge technologies? Would you like a career in Mobile Applications? Embedded Systems? Game Development? Big Data? If so, Software Engineering Technology at Conestoga is the ideal program for you.Software Engineering Technology program highlights:· Optional sixteen-month co-op (apply after Year 1)· Broad base of languages and technologies, including web development, databases, and cyber security· Optional game development stream· Flexible third year to enhance your skills· Focused, hands-on approach· One of the strongest programs of its type in OntarioSoftware Engineering Technology at Conestoga extends beyond programming to prepare you for a successful career. Course areas include software quality, project management, computer security and business intelligence. The optional co-op stream includes four consecutive four-month co-op work terms.

This program will teach the practical and scientific knowledge needed to understand small-scale artisanal cheese production as well as larger scale manufacturing. It offers a whole system perspective on cheese making, from animal husbandry and welfare, forage and feed, dairy production, and milk quality. The program covers both the science and art of cheese making by exploring raw and pasteurized milk theory, cheese microbiology, coagulants, curdling mechanisms, and starters. In-classroom theory sessions as well as hands-on and observational cheese making, will focus on the production of lactic, hard, soft, and traditional cheeses. After learning to make cheeses, focus shifts to affinage, with attention to ripening cultures, climate control, rind treatment, and handling throughout the aging process.

Technical communicators are vital to companies that employ exceptional writers, editors, researchers, and information designers to make technical information accessible. This Ontario College Graduate Certificate will provide you with the skills to design, create, illustrate, and produce content while using authoring tools to manage technical documents on multiple platforms. You will have access to cutting-edge software, and you will study at Conestoga’s newly renovated Waterloo campus in the heart of what CBRE (Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis) research has identified as Canada’s fastest-growing tech sector. 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. 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 80% session weighted average 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.

Information Technology is an ever-changing field with two of these new areas of expertise being Virtualization and Cloud Computing. Organizations have started to replace physical computers (servers and desktops) in their organizations with ‘virtual machines’. The virtualization strategy allows companies to replace existing hardware driving cost savings and reduction of infrastructure support. Furthering this, companies are also starting to purchase or lease cloud services as a means of provisioning services without any onsite installations of hardware. In order to help organizations succeed, specialist skills in these fields are required. This two-semester Ontario College Graduate Certificate program concentrates on hands-on experiential practices and techniques commonly employed in Virtualization and Cloud Computing. You will gain valuable skills and knowledge in systems, infrastructure services, cloud technologies, as well as systems architecture methodologies. Graduates will have the skills required to move into more senior IT and Data Centre positions.

Software Quality Assurance and Test Engineering (Optional Co-op)
This program will deepen students' understanding of the testing paradigms, methodologies and tools utilized throughout the software development process. Software quality assurance requires an awareness of what constitutes quality software from the point of view of an end user, a developer, and a business, and how to create a process that can lead to quality software. Software quality control requires an awareness of how to most effectively and efficiently test the results of a software development project. As a comprehensive program, this graduate certificate will cover a wide range of topics, but ready students for the in-demand field of software quality assurance and software quality control. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term.

Big Data Solution Architecture (Optional Co-op)
Companies that embrace modern information technology must deal with very large amounts of data. This "Big Data" often shows patterns and trends on which to make good business decisions. To support Business Analysts, students in this program focus on the collection, processing and presentation of these large data sets. Developing skills in solution development, database design (both SQL and NoSQL), data processing, data warehousing and data visualization help build a solid foundation in this important support role. Through applied learning techniques such as problem-based learning, students will be able to apply their learning to real world problems. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term.