Advanced Diploma in Environmental Technology (fast track)

at Durham College - Oshawa Campus Canada

There is growing disconnect between humans and the environment, but well-trained environmental technologists are looking for solutions as pressures from population, industry and society continue to stress our ecosystem. Equipped with knowledge rooted in an evolving priority of sustainability that is grounded in risk and analytical testing, technologists provide innovative ways to reduce human impact on the environment and work towards a more sustainable way of living.

This dynamic program focuses on the chemical and biological sciences as they relate to environmental pollution. An emphasis is placed on ground and surface water quality, soil and waste management and recycling in urban and industrial settings. You will also examine environmental regulations and review their social and economic impacts on communities.

Training and experience in the handling, analysis and monitoring of a wide variety of biological and chemical parameters linked to pollution are at the heart of this program. First-hand field work and laboratory experience is emphasized in areas such as:

• Analytical chemistry
• Environmental chemistry
• Environmental Sampling
• Environmental stewardship
• Instrumental analysis
• Microbiology

Environmental problems and concerns are constantly changing and at Durham College we aim to adapt in order to stay at the leading edge of these changes. Statistics Canada has identified environmental technology as one of the top emerging employment sectors.

Co-operative education (co-op):
The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals. Similar to an academic course, work terms are a mandatory component to this form of experiential learning.

Students in the Environmental Technology Advanced Diploma program will be invited to apply to the co-op option during their first academic semester. Entrance to the co-op option is limited and the processes for securing a work term are competitive. Students who qualify for co-op will be eligible to complete two four-month, paid work terms totalling 840 hours. Work terms are scheduled between semesters two and three and four and five of the program.

Supports are available through the Co-op office to assist students with securing their work terms. In addition, the Co-op office is in contact with co-op students and their employers during the work terms to help with any questions.

The Esthetician – Spa Management program uses a holistic approach to teach students the skills required to build a career in the growing spa industry. If you love working with people and have a desire to help individuals boost their self-esteem, this program will provide you the skills, confidence and experience to hit the ground running. By focusing on techniques in the areas of manicure and pedicure technologies, waxing, facials, body treatments, as well as makeup corrective techniques, you will benefit from a hands-on learning approach, and have the opportunity to hone your skills in the fully operational DC Spa. Open to the public, the DC Spa features state-of-the-art learning facilities and equipment to provide you with real-life work experience.

Our Esthetician - Spa Management program provides vocational hands-on skills plus business management training so you can be job-ready upon graduation. Hands-on courses focus on manicure and pedicure technologies, waxing, body treatments and facial techniques, which include medical esthetic technologies.  Business training includes: retail operations and spa management, communications, spa marketing and client-care protocols.  You will gain real-world experience during your onsite Durham College Spa work placement, where you will deliver spa services to the public while planning, organizing, controlling and leading day-to-day retail operations, spa marketing strategies and managerial duties.

In order to participate in the lab component of the program uniforms must be worn at all times.  Students must meet the pre-lab requirements in order to receive their uniform.

Regardless of industry, supply chain and operations management is at the heart of every business, which is why the skills developed in this program are in such high demand. Faced with an increasingly global business world, employers are actively seeking our Supply Chain and Operations Management graduates for their job-ready skills in complex problem solving, analytics, decision-making and communications. Students with an interest in business who enjoy making things better and are drawn to the idea of no two work days ever being the same will thrive in this field. Graduates enter the workforce ready to take the diverse, exciting, and rewarding career opportunities that are currently outpacing the professionals available to fill them.

In this program, you will develop knowledge of business processes and management tools to develop demand forecasts; evaluate suppliers’ capabilities to ethically source purchased goods and services; use technology, including SAP® and Microsoft Excel; and develop supply chain plans and schedules to efficiently produce goods or services that meet quality expectations and the needs of the global markets. You will also learn industry-standard practices including Six Sigma, Total Quality Management, Just-in-Time, and Lean Principles. Led by knowledgeable faculty with strong ties to industry, this program also provides many opportunities for real-world learning experiences through the design of the curriculum. You will have the opportunity to earn a globally recognized credential – Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Excel Certification to help you stand out to employers in a competitive market.

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop. For specific hardware and software requirements for this program click here.

Supply chain and operations management is the core functional area of any business. Supply chain and operations managers obtain, develop and manage the resources required to deliver goods and services to clients. This includes contributing to key decisions involving:

• Purchasing/Procurement
• Operations planning and scheduling
• Supply chain management
• Quality assurance
• Facilities management
• Inventory management
• Transportation, distribution and logistics

Whether you’re interested in a career in health care, rehabilitation or social services, the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant (OTPA) program will prepare you to work with clients of all ages with a variety of physical, cognitive, emotional and developmental conditions. Working under the guidance of a registered occupational therapist and/or physiotherapist, you will maximize physical function and occupational performance to promote increased daily functioning and overall well-being for your clients. Hands-on labs begin in semester one where you learn and practice therapy skills in small groups to prepare you for success in the field. This program offers close to 600 clinical hours in a range of unique and diverse placement settings. Our new onsite living lab provides realistic simulations that transform classroom knowledge into the practical skills required for the field.

In this two-year program you will learn to assist with the implementation of rehabilitation treatment plans and programs across the lifespan, from children to older adults, and throughout the continuum of care. Our faculty team brings a wide variety of clinical experiences and expertise to ensure you are well-prepared for your future career in rehabilitation.

Program highlights:

• Hands-on labs begin in semester one where you learn and practice therapy skills in small groups to prepare you for success in the field
• Close to 600 hours of fieldwork experience, offering diverse placement settings
• Theory and labs specializing in teaching the knowledge and skills necessary to treat clients with a wide variety of musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiac, respiratory and complex conditions
• Our new on-site living lab provides the opportunity to practice clinical skills and scenarios in a realistic environment
• Focus on development of professional skills throughout the program, including effective verbal and written communication strategies
• Collaborations with community partners and other disciplines allow students the opportunity to experience  interprofessional  rehabilitation and further develop team-work and communication skills

With the rate of Ontarians living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) continuing to rise, so is the need for skilled professionals who are prepared to use evidence-based interventions to support individuals, as well as their families and caregivers. In this program, which focuses on children, older youth and adults in a variety of settings, students will develop expertise in the collaborative design, implementation and evaluation of effective behavioural intervention plans, according to the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis. They will also gain valuable work experience through two supervised field placements.

With access to a national historic site and a one-of-a-kind living lab that provides students with legacy opportunities to complete campus projects, this program will help you graduate with the creative, entrepreneurial, and professional skills needed to be an industry leader. The art, science and business of horticulture are the focus of this program, ensuring students learn the skills required to create landscapes, renew historical gardens, enhance communities and express their creativity while learning the complexities involved in a broad range of professional environments. In addition, the dynamic, hands-on opportunities to experience the many aspects of the industry will make a difference as you work towards becoming a professional horticulturist. 

This pathway is designed for individuals interested in pursuing a career in the engineering technology sector. This option provides the foundation necessary for success in college engineering technology programs such as architectural, biomedical, chemical, electronics, energy systems, environmental, mechanical, and water quality. Students considering a skilled trade program would also benefit. This program offers an opportunity to develop and refine the academic skills for science, mathematics, and communication that are necessary for admission to further studies. Some General Arts and Science courses are also transferable to other post-secondary programs. This pathway has the added benefit of helping students become better acquainted with post-secondary life, workload, and expectations.

The Music Business Administration/Management programs prepare students to enter any field of the music industry equipped with a solid foundation of relevant knowledge and business practices, and plenty of hands-on experience. Students learn to manage revenue streams, book tours, draft and negotiate contracts, manage artists and venues, plan and execute events, design websites, market and promote artists and merchandise, build a network, and much more. Graduates enter the industry ready and eager to become astute music industry executives, well-informed musicians/songwriters, or both!

This unique business-based program provides plenty of experiential learning opportunities and in-depth knowledge of all areas of the music business, preparing you for a wide variety of music industry careers spanning:

• Major and independent record labels in roles including marketing, publicity, promotion, merchandising and sales, artists and repertoire, and brand partnerships
• Live music including tour management and booking, concert promotion and production, and venue management
• Music publishing and administration including positions in copyright collection societies, industry trade organizations, copyright administration, music licensing, and music supervision
• Artist management (e.g. managing a musician or managing one’s own musical career)
• Digital music management including streaming services, social networks and online music retail
• Event production including planning or managing live music events, conferences, workshops and more
• Performing/recording artist, or songwriter
• Music production including live and recording services

You will develop skills in management, marketing, promotion, and small business operations, while learning and practicing the essentials of copyright law and music publishing, event production, live sound reinforcement, and media and business communications. Challenging careers are available for skilled administrators and managers, as well as aspiring musicians and songwriters, who can market and manage entertainment events and revenues; harness social media; manage tours; work directly with performers as booking agents or managers; prepare promotional materials; plan and organize itineraries; and negotiate, interpret and enforce contracts.

Are you a pro at managing money with an added interest in stocks, bonds, investing and financial planning? Have you considered getting paid to help others manage their financial portfolios? The two-year Finance – Business program provides a concrete foundation in business as well as training in various areas of financial planning, investments, and life and health insurance. During the program you’ll have the opportunity to write the Canadian Investment Funds Course (CIFC)® exam to be eligible for mutual fund licensing, as well as the Canadian Securities Course (CSC)® exams to be eligible for a securities license. The requirements for each designation/certification listed are set by the granting body, not Durham College. In order to qualify for any of these designations/certifications, students need to follow and meet the required processes.

The Finance – Business program will provide students with the skills and training required to work in a variety of areas within financial services including, firms dealing with pension plans, scholarships, educational savings plans, and investments funds. In addition to a foundation in business, learning will be focused on a range of areas including, personal financial management, tax and retirement planning, investments and estate planning, with an emphasis on training in financial services. Graduates of this program will have skills such as financial analysis, planning and control.

You will learn how to:

• Keep a simple set of books for small businesses using accounting concepts and practices
• Understand the needs of clients in order to create relevant financial goals that are specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time-sensitive
• Examine other countries, businesses and individuals to observe how they tackle the problem of scarce resources in order to satisfy needs and wants
• Efficiently use industry-standard money management software to perform transactions, keep track of sales and expenses and create financial reports.
• Efficiently use retirement planning software to forecast retirement scenarios for different situations or clients.
• Students may also be prepared to seek related licenses in finance.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Process and maintain financial records in compliance with relevant policies, procedures and regulations for individuals and/or organizations.
• Prepare and present financial information in compliance with relevant legislation and regulations for individuals and/or organizations.
• Generate financial reports for individuals and/or organizations by applying financial mathematics and statistics.
• Contribute to the development and the implementation of a financial plan to meet individuals’ and/or organizations’ needs and objectives.
• Contribute to the development and the implementation of marketing strategies to promote financial products and services and to enhance customer service.
• Develop and implement strategies to establish and maintain professional networking and business relationships in the finance sector.
• Analyse, within a Canadian context, the impact of economic variables, legislation, ethics, technology and the environment on individuals’ and/or organizations’ operations.
• Develop and implement ongoing strategies for personal and professional development, highlighting ethics, values and standards in the finance sector.

The ability to resolve conflict is a 21st-century skill required for success in today’s workforce. Trained dispute resolution professionals are in demand across many careers. Students in this program develop a range of alternative dispute resolution, conflict analysis and conflict communication skills. Our graduates are prepared to negotiate and resolve conflict, in both formal and informal situations, within businesses, communities and families. This program has the unique advantage of providing a highly relevant experiential learning opportunity to students as they run their own conflict resolution service on campus. This hands-on practice can enhance on-the-job effectiveness and ensure our students are ready to handle diverse dispute scenarios, giving our graduates a competitive edge. This program is approved by ADRIO and OAFM, and 92 per cent of our students said the program gave them knowledge and skills that will be useful in their future career.

This program is approved by the ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO) and students in the program receive a 16-month student membership with ADRIO. This program is also approved by the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM).

This program is designed for students with previous education. Please see the entrance requirements section of this page for more detail.

If you are a university or college graduate or a  professional wishing to gain additional conflict resolution skills, as well as an Ontario college graduate certificate, this program will provide you with the tools, knowledge, and practice to effectively negotiate, analyse and resolve conflict in various settings such as:

• Workplace
• Family
• Community
• Education
• Health care
• Human resources
• Justice
• Advocacy

This program also offers an experiential learning component that enables you to participate in the operation of Campus Conflict Resolution Services.