Certificate in Construction Techniques

at George Brown College - Casa Loma Campus Canada

Design can change the world. Architectural technologists are key members of a project team and play a vital role in turning conceptual design ideas into technical construction documents and practical, buildable solutions. This three-year program provides you with the essential knowledge base and fundamental skills required to work as an architectural technologist within the many companies and sectors of the architectural and construction industry. Performing tasks of a technical nature, you will be part of a team of professionals and tradespeople involved in the building design, construction and management process.

Today, few organizations make any significant plans without thoroughly understanding the Information Technology (IT) implications. IT professionals are a vital part of decision-making business teams. George Brown College answers this need with its three-year (six-semester) Computer Programmer Analyst program. The broad education in programming and IT analysis that it offers can provide you with a stable platform for career growth in the rapidly expanding and ever-changing world of information technology.

During the first two years of the program, you will develop the skills and techniques required for software application development and testing. The industry tells us they are looking for Computer Programmer Analysts with “the total package.” So the third year includes advanced technical skills in areas such as systems analysis and design techniques – and continues to develop communications, teamwork and other client service skills such as needs assessment, sales, and presentation methods.

George Brown offers other distinct advantages:

• Students are involved in project-based and experiential learning.
• In the third year, students are exposed to the fast-growing game development sector.
• Students are also exposed to mobile application development using the latest mobile devices.

*If you enrol in January, you must complete semester 2 in the summer, May to August, in the same year.

Note: In this rapidly changing industry, program improvements are being made on an ongoing basis, which may result in course changes. Changes are made in consultation with our Program Advisory Committee, which is composed of academic staff and industry representatives from small, medium-sized and large corporations.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Identify, analyze, design, develop, implement, verify and document the requirements for a computing environment.
  • Diagnose, troubleshoot, document and monitor technical problems using appropriate methodologies and tools.
  • Analyze, design, implement and maintain secure computing environments.
  • Analyze, develop and maintain robust computing system solutions through validation testing and industry best practices.
  • Communicate and collaborate with team members and stakeholders to ensure effective working relationships.
  • Select and apply strategies for personal and professional development to enhance work performance.
  • Apply project management principles and tools when responding to requirements and monitoring projects within a computing environment.
  • Adhere to ethical, social media, legal, regulatory and economic requirements and/or principles in the development and management of the computing solutions and systems.
  • Investigate emerging trends to respond to technical challenges.
  • Gather, analyze and define software system specifications based on functional and non-functional requirements.
  • Design, develop, document, implement, maintain and test software systems by using industry standard software development methodologies based on defined specifications and existing technologies/frameworks.
  • Select and apply object-oriented and other design concepts and principles, as well as business requirements, to the software development process.
  • Gather requirements and model, design, implement, optimize, and maintain data storage solutions.
  • Integrate network communications into software solutions by adhering to protocol standards.

The Plumbing Techniques program covers residential, commercial and industrial applications in the plumbing industry, paying particular attention to residential plumbing. It is a hands-on program that may benefit anyone seeking to enter an apprenticeship or any construction-related career path.

Through hands-on projects you will learn about:

• Tools, materials, equipment and methods used in the plumbing industry
• Estimating materials and labour costs
• Proper use of hand tools and power tools
• Safety practices and procedures associated with these tools

The program includes studying industry standards and building codes while considering health and safety issues and energy conservation.

Projects include:

• Constructing and testing both drain and water systems
• Learning how to install hot water heaters and a variety of residential plumbing fixtures.
• Research on the science of sanitation, water, and the forces acting on a sealed piping system with and without atmospheric pressure applied to it.
• Studying blueprints and learning basic drafting techniques that will enable you to design, comprehend and build plumbing systems.
• A final project will focus on how to maintain the plumbing system you install and those that you may encounter in the future.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Work according to contractual obligations; the project manual; and applicable laws, standards, bylaws, and codes.
  • Perform residential plumbing projects effectively and accurately by interpreting and producing basic data in graphic, oral and written formats.
  • Work responsibly and effectively with others and in accordance with appropriate practices, procedures and in compliance with health and safety legislation.
  • Use tools and equipment for basic installation manufacture, and repair of components to required specifications.
  • Contribute to the organizing and planning of residential plumbing installation projects.
  • Solve routine problems related to work environments using a variety of systemic approaches.

Students in this program will gain an in-depth knowledge of the construction industry including:

• Methods and materials of construction
• Construction estimating
• Construction law, contracts and bidding
• Project management and control 
• Construction graphics and detailing 

This program shares the first four semesters with the Construction Engineering Technician program. Semesters 5 & 6 prepare you for a wider range of career options in the construction sector. This three-year program equips you for positions with higher levels of responsibility and accountability in such areas as construction planning, project management, estimating, budget and bid preparation, sustainable building science and engineering studies.

The General Arts and Science two-year (four semesters) diploma is designed to develop the essential skills needed for advanced studies, including university transfer and professional specialization. The program includes a wide range of subjects within the Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Science. It emphasizes advanced skills in research and writing, oral communications and critical thinking, providing excellent preparation for work, as well as for further vocational and university studies.

Students acquire knowledge and engage with ideas in a wide range of disciplines. Interdisciplinary approaches enable students to explore and relate relevant concepts and issues to individuals, the environment, and the workplace.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Develop, through general knowledge gained in a wide range of subjects, insight into both self and society.
  • Develop flexibility and clarity of both thought and expression in order to develop communications competence to a level required by business and industry.
  • Understand and utilize critical thinking processes and problem solving techniques.
  • Examine and evaluate various aspects of our changing society to assist in developing a sense of personal and social responsibility as a citizen in society.
  • Employ basic vocational skills drawn from the areas of the Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences of Vocational Studies (Business, Technology).

In the Child and Youth Care (CYC)(Accelerated) program, you will have the opportunity to learn how to support at-risk children, youth and families by developing therapeutic skills and abilities. Over the course of 12 consecutive months (three semesters), you will learn how to build therapeutic relationships with clients and collaborate with a professional team as you develop skill sets to create a professional identity as an agent of change.

Scope of practice includes:

• Assessing risk and developmental needs of vulnerable children and families
• Designing and implementing therapeutic intervention
• Crisis intervention and safety planning with children, youth and their families
• Developing therapeutic relationships within challenging contexts
• Applying group and systems theories in milieu work
• Fostering resilience and applying a strength-based approach to assessment and intervention

This program starts in May and is delivered over 12 consecutive months (three consecutive semesters).
Students are required to successfully complete a Ministry-approved crisis intervention training certificate in their third semester.
In preparation for the field or clinical placement, students will be required to work in multiple small and large groups within classes and community settings.

Your Field Education Options
Students gain valuable hands-on experience through two supervised field placement opportunities. Each placement lasts four consecutive months and runs four days a week.
Field placement opportunities take place in agencies and institutions that offer services to the community within the Greater Toronto Area. The CYC program also offers international placement experiences when possible. 

Typical placement sites include:

• Group homes
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Youth shelters
• Community outreach programs
• Youth justice

Students are expected to work both day and evening shifts (not overnight) and may be requested to work on some weekends.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Develop and maintain relationships with children, youth and their families applying principles of relational practice and respecting their unique life space, cultural and human diversity.
  • Assess and respond to the strengths and needs of children and youth, including complex responses impacted by developmental, environmental, physical, emotional, social and mental health challenges in order to promote positive change.
  • Analyze and evaluate the impact of the inter-relationship among family, social service, justice and community systems on children, youth and their families and use this information in the planning of holistic care and in the reduction of systemic barriers.
  • Plan, implement and evaluate interventions using evidence?informed practices in the areas of therapeutic milieu and programming, and group work to promote resiliency and to enhance development in children, youth and their families.
  • Advocate for the rights of children, youth and their families and maintain an anti-oppression perspective and cultural competence in diverse cultural contexts.
  • Apply communication, teamwork and organizational skills within the interprofessional team and with community partners to enhance the quality of service in child and youth care practice.
  • Develop and implement self-care strategies using self-inquiry and reflection processes to promote self- awareness and to enhance practice as a child and youth care practitioner.
  • Use evidence-based research, professional development resources and supervision models to support professional growth and lifelong learning.

The Denturism program prepares students to provide care as independent oral health care professionals.

This program is approved by the College of Denturists of Ontario (CDO). In addition the program is currently accredited by the Commission of Accreditation for Denturism (CAD).

Utilizing the Denturism model of care, students will learn to:

• assess a patient's health history and oral health conditions
• design a treatment plan
• take impressions
• complete procedures to fabricate the construction of removable partial or full dentures

Students will also provide services related to:

• denture repairs
• relines
• removable oral devices

In addition, students will learn techniques in the fabrication of implant overdentures through simulation.

The program consists of a challenging curriculum, including academic, clinical and laboratory skills. Emphasis is placed on interprofessional education, whereby students learn to function within a collaborative oral health-care team. Students are to assume responsibility for ensuring the client base required to participate in the clinical component of the program.

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the CDO provincial licensing examination. (NOTE: Additional fees apply.) Successful completion of the examination is one of the requirements to be registered to practice as a Denturist in the province by the CDO. Visit the CDO for further information about the registration process in Ontario.

Your Field Education Options

• This three-year program offers valuable field experience that includes both onsite and offsite opportunities.

During the first year, students will spend time developing comprehensive lab skills that they will draw upon for the remainder of the program and throughout their future careers.

In the second year, students will build upon that foundation as they start working directly with patients, under the supervision of faculty, at our onsite state-of-the-art WAVE Dental Clinic.

In the final year, students will continue to develop their skills by treating a broad range of clients who have complex oral health care needs. Students can expect this work to be located at both our onsite WAVE Dental Clinic and offsite with a field partner.

PLEASE NOTE: Clinical hours include early mornings that can extend into the evening. Students are responsible for finding their own field experience opportunities and are required to get pre-approval of the placement site from program faculty.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
• Practice in a professional, competent and ethical manner within the defined scope of practice and consistent with current regulations and standards of practice.
• Assess and evaluate patients’ oral health status using determinants of health and risk analysis to identify denturism needs, support treatment decisions and provide appropriate referrals to other health care professionals as required.
• Design, implement and evaluate a range of primary, interceptive, therapeutic, preventative, and on-going oral health care services to meet the unique needs of patients.
• Design, fabricate, insert and maintain a variety of dental prostheses and oral devices.
• Identify, select, implement and evaluate quality assurance standards and protocols which contribute to a safe and effective working environment.
• Establish and maintain professional and inter-professional relationships which contribute to patient care, safety and positive health care outcomes within the scope of practice of denturists.
• Facilitate the development of specific oral health attitudes, knowledge, skills, and behaviours in patients by selecting and utilizing principles of teaching and learning.
• Develop and present a model for a denturist practice that addresses relevant business principles, current legislation and standards of practice.
• Develop ongoing reflective professional development strategies and plans related to realistic career goals in the profession.
• Integrate theory, principles, concepts and relevant research into competent denturism practice.

A solid grounding in engineering sciences and practical hands-on experience in mechanical shops and computer assisted design laboratories provide the combination of applied and theoretical knowledge that employers expect in today’s integrated work environments.

In the third year of the program, teams plan and craft their own creations that require the application of all of the knowledge accumulated throughout the program. Once built, projects such as medical devices, entertainment equipment, solar-powered products and automotive accessories are often put on display and form an important part of the student assessment. More importantly, graduates learn to work in teams while solidifying their mechanical engineering knowledge and skills.

Note: If you enrol in the program in January, you must complete semester 2 in the summer (May to August) of the same year.

Your Field Education Options
Field study in the form of applied research is provided to all students.

Some students will also have the opportunity to complete a Co-op term. Co-op participants will be selected based on their academic performance, including a minimum GPA of 3.0 and an interview component.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Communicate clearly and concisely in written, graphic and oral form using appropriate formal and informal vocabulary and formats.
  • Display appropriate responsible attitudes.
  • Carry out established design procedures, making use of handbooks, catalogues, specifications, and codes. He/she should be able to recognize problems and apply established engineering practice to arrive at practical solutions.
  • Prepare and interpret detail drawings, assembly drawings and compile technical specifications.
  • Inspect, conduct tests, and compare and compile data in accordance with standard formats and procedures.
  • Assist in the planning, operation, control, and improvement of manufacturing and production processes.
  • Participate in the installation and maintenance of equipment and systems.

This intensive 12-month Commercial Dance program provides you with the performance skills and marketability necessary to work in the vast field of commercial dance. A graduate has the ability to dance, sing and act, enabling a performance career in music videos, musical theatre, cruise ship performance and more.

Dance training is in jazz, hip hop and ballet combined with in-depth acting, vocals and chorus repertoire. Career management and personal marketing skills combined with polished performance technique will launch your professional commercial dance career.

STUDENT SELECTION
Entrance requirement is dance training at the intermediate jazz level with training in additional dance forms as a significant asset. Prospective students must pass an audition in jazz as well as an interview.

To learn more about the audition process, visit georgebrown.ca/performingarts/danceauditions.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Perform jazz and hip hop dance technique to professional standard in choreographed solo and ensemble productions.
  • Perform chorus repertoire technique, memorizing and reproducing long movement sequences integrated with vocals, to professional standard in commercial ensemble productions.
  • Sing at a professional standard using pulse, rhythm, meter, dynamics and accurate pitch in solo and ensemble presentations.
  • Create and perform artistically expressive dramatic characterizations in a dance context at a professional level for solo and ensemble productions.
  • Present self professionally at auditions and in industry environments through resumes, biographical backgrounds, and photographs during commercial and academic interviews.
  • Develop self-knowledge and reflective practice to make informed artistic, pedagogical, personal development and career choices within the performing arts industry.
  • Exercise critical thinking skills to peer evaluate performance, mentor creativity and innovate to inspire projects, peers and students.

Learning in state-of-the-art architectural studios with the most up-to-date equipment and software, you will develop a thorough knowledge of architectural drawing and technical design skills, as well as an understanding of sustainable building design and construction materials grounded in current green principles.

Courses cover 2D and 3D computer-aided drafting, design, rendering and modelling, design and development drawings, construction drawings and architectural presentation. You will also learn and apply the concepts of building science, building systems, building codes and construction law. Teamwork in a project-based learning environment is emphasized.

Note: If you enrol in the program in January, you are required to complete semester 2 in the summer (May to August) of the same year in order to continue into semester 3 in the fall.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Communicate with clients, contractors, other building professionals, and approval authorities.
  • Assist in the preparation, reading, and interpretation of drawings, and other graphical representations used in building projects.
  • Read and assist in the preparation of specifications and other project documents used in design and construction.
  • Assist in the preparation of estimates of time, costs, and quantity.
  • Assist in solving technical problems related to building projects through the application of principles of building science and mathematics.
  • Collaborate with members of the building team.
  • Assist in the development of architectural designs.
  • Review and assist in the preparation of site planning documents.
  • Comply with the legal and ethical requirements of an architectural technician in the practice of building design and construction.
  • Assist in the assessment of buildings related to repurposing and renovation projects.
  • Ensure personal safety in the workplace.
  • Identify sustainable design and building practices.
  • Use current and emerging technology to support building projects.
  • Assist in the administration of the construction phase of building projects.