Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences

at Medicine Hat College Canada

A first of its kind in Canada, MHC's Sustainable Innovation diploma, with majors in Business or Science, provides students with the ability to develop, implement and lead sustainable innovation strategies in diverse industries. Students will acquire just-in-time experience learning to develop the skills and competencies needed to analyze and evaluate the detailed ecosystems that reinforce and support our built environment.

Offered in-person and HyFlex, this two-year program of five semesters includes an integrated workplace learning experience and is designed for change makers who are excited about challenging existing standards and propelling their ideas forward to positively impact our communities and society. This program trains the next generations of leaders to initiate effective, innovative and sustainable approaches to solving challenges that impact people, places and profits by looking at new and strategic ways of doing business.

The Sustainable Innovation diploma challenges learners to broaden their perspective and create new products, services, systems, and processes that develop long-term solutions and address the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The term sustainability focuses not only on climate change but recognizes that ending poverty and other hardships naturally coincides with strategies to improve health, education, social equality, and economic growth.

If you have an affinity towards science and would like to pursue a degree in one of its many areas, you can begin your university studies at Medicine Hat College. We offer a wide variety of courses that you can take here that count as credit at other institutions throughout Canada.
Our program is designed to prepare you to transfer to another institution after you have completed two years with us. Years three and four of your Bachelor of Science may be in a range of disciplines such as physics, cell biology, physiology or zoology. Alternatively, you may pursue a professional program such as medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry or pharmacy. The possibilities are endless when you follow your scientific inspiration.
Our faculty has proven to be our best asset. They are well-educated, approachable, available and supportive. Feedback from our students has indicated that they value the direct and guided contact with our instructors. First and second year science courses at many universities accommodate 250-400 students. Our first year class sizes are typically less than 80 and second year class sizes are less than 25!
Since we strive to make the transition to university as smooth as possible, this is very important. You will receive ample one-on-one time with your instructors, and you will be prepared for your third and fourth years at university. Completing the first two years of your science education at MHC will also help you better develop skills through direct lab and field experiences, including real-world applications. You can also take advantage of lower tuition costs for your first two years by starting at MHC. You may even be able to save money by either delaying a move away from home, or benefitting from the lower cost of living in Medicine Hat versus larger cities.

This two-year program provides learners with the ability to pursue flexible degree options and develop a variety of transferrable skills to support diverse career paths, while empowering them to think creatively and with an inquisitive mind.

Few people in our society are entrusted with the responsibility of enforcing laws and maintaining order. Professionals in this field must be equipped with technical knowledge and skills, and offer the strong character and personal discipline required to succeed in a demanding environment. The Criminal Justice program will help you prepare to take on this challenge.

Throughout the program, you will gain an understanding of the criminal justice system through studies in:

• Human relations,
• Psychology,
• Sociology,
• Investigations,
• Policing,
• Security,
• Criminology, and
• Law.

Exposure to an array of investigative techniques and practices including forensics, crime scene investigations, and threat and risk assessments will further prepare you for employment in the field of your choice.

Police services, industry trainers and educators have identified the key competencies required in the criminal justice community including leadership skills, ethics, analytical thinking, self-confidence, communication skills, flexibility, diligence, patience, self-control, problem solving, and physical skills. During the program, you are encouraged to attain the necessary skills and fitness level to pass the testing requirements demanded by law enforcement organizations, as well as volunteer for various groups and agencies to demonstrate community involvement.

The Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) certificate program is a multi-disciplinary program focusing on the core disciplines of the built environment:

• Mechanical engineering technology,
• Civil engineering technology and
• Building design technology.

In your introduction to the concepts of drafting, you will learn the basics of AutoCAD, mathematics, topography, architecture, physical sciences, and other related topics. This program concentrates on the foundational theories and concepts in while learning and applying current technology, including developing technical and artistic skills to become a drafting technician or technologist with strong knowledge of industry standard software.

This program will be challenging yet flexible by offering you the opportunity to focus on the areas that interest you most. Having a strong background in computers, mathematics, and physics is an asset to anyone entering the program. Time management skills are also necessary as the program has an especially heavy course load.

Environmental reclamation is the returning of lands disturbed from mining, oil and gas activities, transportation, or logging back into either economically productive or natural habitats. As an environmental reclamation technician, you will provide the expertise and support to carry out the reclamation and re-vegetation of these disturbed lands.

Our two-year diploma program was designed by employers to include specific training essential for this career while focusing on the unique environmental conditions of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. You will develop your skills and knowledge in

• Surveying and mapping,
• Water and soil studies,
• Botany and plant taxonomy,
• Agronomy,
• Weed control,
• Environmental assessment and monitoring,
• Environmental law,
• Legislation and
• Reclamation technologies.

Course-related field trips and fieldwork may take place on weekends or may require overnight travel. Participation in all activities related to field trips and fieldwork is mandatory.

On-the-job duties may include coordination of field activities for monitoring and sample collection, data analysis, development of reclamation plans, carrying out environmental assessments, researching the history of well-sites, completion of documents and reports, supervision or implementation of weed management measures, or providing technical support for erosion and sediment control.

At the conclusion of the program, you will undergo a 220-hour work experience practicum where you will put your learning into practice and build essential industry contacts. The environmental field is rapidly expanding and the demand for individuals with the required knowledge, skills and practical experience is increasing. Even during slowdowns in the oil and gas industry, the employment outlook for reclamation professionals remains strong.

MHC's new agroecology program provides you with the competencies required for producing food, forage, fiber, and fuel using sustainable methods. Courses within the program will prepare you with a range of knowledge in the three E’s:

• Environment,
• Economics, and
• Energy using systems theory.

Cultivating food for future generations, this program provides you the scientific knowledge to optimize interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment to grow food with minimal impact to our world.

Whether you are a small-scale farmer, urban grower or entrepreneur, the agroecology diploma gives you exposure to a variety of topics preparing you to diversify your current operations or start a venture. Expand your knowledge in areas, such as:

• Holistic (Grazing) Management: A value-based decision-making framework that integrates all aspects of planning for social, economic, and environmental considerations.
• Mycoculture: Mushroom cultivation for food production, medicine, or other ecological applications.
• Permaculture: Principals which allow us to create a culture that can sustain and prosper for generations to come. It considers care for the planet, care for people and fair share.
• Rangelands: Ecosystems comprised of grasslands, shrublands, woodlands, wetlands, and deserts that are typically grazed by domestic livestock or wild animals.
• Vermiculture: The process of using worms to decompose organic food waste, turning the waste into a nutrient-rich material.
• Eco-system: A geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and landscape, work together to form a bubble of life.
• Systems thinking: A process of understanding how elements like air, water, energy, plants and animals influence one another to thrive.

This program meets the knowledge, technical skills, and performance competencies required for certification with the Alberta Institute of Agrologists as a registered Technologist in Agrology (RTAg). This program also maximizes transfer opportunities to universities offering sustainable agriculture programs.

Gain the knowledge and abilities need to manage information, organize and maintain files, coordinate projects and learn bookkeeping and computer skills. This certificate program takes just eight months to complete and includes the full range of courses you need to succeed as an entry-level administrative professional in many different office environments.

As a student, you’ll form strong connections with faculty and classmates to support your college experience and build your network. You’ll also gain on-the-job experience through a work placement in both the fall and spring semesters. The ability to use your?Administrative Office Professional?certificate as a starting point for a business diploma or degree is one of the strengths of this program. You can focus on building the skills you need for work right away, but also think of a long-term career at the same time.

Managing information has never been more important and information technology professionals are in demand,

• Installing applications,
• Designing complex computer networks,
• Developing information databases, and
• Managing systems.

Strong problem-solving and analytical skills are a must, as troubleshooting and helping others are vital aspects of the job. Additionally, since there is constant interaction with other computer personnel, customers, and employees on the job, IT specialists must be able to communicate effectively on paper, through email, and in person.

Complete the certificate in one year, or pursue the diploma, which has two majors:

• Software and Internet Development (two years)
• Technology Support (two years)

Our program is designed to be flexible. Students will select a major when they apply; however the first semester of the program is common to all so students have the opportunity to change their major at a later date.

A Co-op Program option enables highly motivated students to integrate their academic program with paid, relevant work experience in their chosen field. MHC’s IT programs incorporate all or part of the curriculum requirements for a number of industry certifications including

• A+,
• i-Net+,
• Network+, and
• various Microsoft Certifications.

The examinations for the respective certifications must still be written independently.

The Aviation Management certificate program prepares students for a successful career in the aviation industry by offering courses in communication in the workplace, management, and geography.

This program complements Super T Aviation’s Integrated Flight Training program*, where students establish a thorough understanding of the aviation industry in Canada and around the world, as well as aviation safety, regulations and procedures.