Graduate Certificate in Software Quality Assurance and Test Engineering (Optional Co-op)

at Conestoga College - Waterloo Campus Canada

Mobile Solutions Development (MSD) is a four-semester graduate certificate program, including a one-semester exploration of career management or an optional co-op in the mobile software industry. The program will offer students a strong practical background in mobile solutions design and development that encompasses different devices, operating systems, database and network infrastructures, as well as coverage of software quality and the security aspects to mobile solutions development. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term instead of the Guided Career Management course.

The Early Childhood Education Fast Track (International) program is designed for international students whose first language is not English. Students with international credentials in education or related fields will build on their existing knowledge and experience in order to develop skills and knowledge necessary to work as early childhood educators. Graduates of the Early Childhood Education Fast Track program will be eligible for registration with the provincial College of Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) which will provide employment opportunities in child development centres, kindergarten classrooms, licensed early years programs, and community agencies. This program is enhanced with specific language courses that focus on professional and practice skills for the Canadian workplace. Through interactive classroom learning and integrative field placement experiences, students will develop skills that will enable them to work in collaboration with families, colleagues and communities for the purpose of designing, implementing and evaluating inclusive play-based early learning programs. Building on a thorough understanding of child development and principles of responsive practice, students will work in partnership with college-operated child development centres, kindergarten classrooms, licensed early learning and care programs and community agencies in order to integrate classroom theory and practice in meaningful and engaging ways.

Learn how to manage and interpret data into meaningful, actionable reporting. Reporting Systems Development requires both breadth of technology awareness, as well as organizational and operational skills. This two-semester Ontario College Graduate Certificate program delivers hands-on experiential practices and techniques commonly employed in the dynamic field of data management. Become qualified for the following career opportunities: Data Systems Manager, IT Manager, Senior Data Officer, Reporting Team Lead, and many more. You will gain valuable skills and knowledge in systems (desktop and server), databases, reporting solutions, visualization, cloud technologies, and web analytics while acquiring foundational knowledge in data ethics, formal report requirements, and IT security.

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.

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 is designed for graduates of technical degrees or diplomas to explore further studies across the realm of energy management. You will gain an understanding of various technologies and means of power generation through simulated software and theoretical studies. In this program, you will have the opportunity to explore how core technologies in gas and steam are combined with renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Theoretical calculations in thermodynamic heating systems are compared with actual field measurements in heating systems to provide you with ample practice opportunities in applied utilities management strategies, where energy management and conservation strategies are assessed as part of utilities optimization. The program helps you develop leadership skills, and the ability to manage complex industrial processes and teams effectively to meet business goals. You will study quality assurance and process and project management with a focus on meeting challenges in an industrial environment from operational and strategic perspectives. During your final semester you will participate in a capstone course where you will work in teams to collaborate, plan and execute a full energy consumption analysis and develop a proposal for energy efficiency improvements for a company incorporating studies and methods you have learned over the prior three semesters.

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. 

Computer Programmer is a two-year diploma program designed for students who wish to learn the latest skills needed by business application developers in industry, but want to graduate sooner than allowed by the three-year Computer Programmer/Analyst program. The program emphasizes problem-solving skills using the latest versions of Microsoft, Java and open-source software to develop business and web applications. Object-oriented analysis, design, agile methodologies and programming techniques are mastered and applied throughout the program. 

Students learn through a combination of theory and practice, applying their knowledge to hands-on assignments and challenging projects. Complementary courses in areas such as mathematics, accounting and communications support the core IT courses. All of these skills are then applied to a capstone group project in the last year in which students build a major business application, providing them with experience of the complete application development cycle.

The Global Hospitality Management graduate certificate program is open to international students with a background in hospitality. This program will complement a diploma or degree, and enable applicants to gain a work visa in Canada to work in management jobs in the hospitality industry. Graduates of the Global Hospitality Management program will have significantly more management and finance ability specific to the hospitality industry than graduates from a diploma program in a similar field, and will be able to progress into a management position in a hospitality organization very quickly upon completion of the program.
This one-year graduate certificate program is structured to meet the growing needs of the hospitality and tourism industry. The program focuses on essential operational and management areas building on prior knowledge in finance, human resources, and sustainable hospitality operations, while introducing a strong understanding of customer service, event management and the global hospitality industry.

The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term instead of the Guided Career Management course.