Diploma in Biological Sciences Technology in Laboratory and Research

at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Canada

The Digital Media and IT (DMIT) program is multi-disciplinary in its approach. Spanning a range of career opportunities from business analyst to visual designer, this innovative program allows you the ability to meet industry demand while developing skills aligned with your individual talents and inclinations.

The Game Design area of emphasis teaches you how to plan and create video games from concept through to creation.

Hands-on, industry-relevant skills:-
In the DMIT - Game Design program, you will get first-hand experience designing, building and assembling a working prototype of a game level. You will learn the art and technical aspects involved in creating and implementing visual game assets, such as environments, characters, vehicles, cameras and special effects. Courses will also focus on developing story and audio.

Some of the specific tools you will learn to use include 3D Studio Max, Unity 3D and Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

You will leave this program prepared to enter the industry, armed with practical experience and a well-crafted portfolio that highlights your talent.

NAIT’s Geoscience Technology program provides students with a diverse education and hands on training in the field of earth sciences. From resource exploration to environmental remediation, graduates use their knowledge of geology, hydrogeology, geophysics, geochemistry and other geosciences to inform major decisions across broad spectrum of industries.

As a graduate of the Geoscience Technology program, you will be trained to make professional contributions to the environmental, energy and mining sectors.

Hands-on, industry-relevant skills
In addition to lectures and labs, the program has a two one-week Field Schools. One is located in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies mapping geological outcrops and the other is on campus using a suite of groundwater monitoring wells, where students are trained in groundwater monitoring and sample collection. These activities allow students to better understand the how and why of classroom theory, as well as collect field data for classroom analysis.

You’ll participate in a wide range of activities, including:

• Researching, interpreting and mapping geology of a given area
• Identifying common rocks, minerals, glacial deposits
• Using software applications used in the field
• Performing basic topographic, geophysical, geochemical, and geological surveys
• Conducting environmental site assessments
• Creating conceptual site models for remediating contaminated sites
• Evaluating natural resources for production and extraction

On average you can expect to spend:

• 28 hours per week attending classes and labs over the course of a semester
• 10 to 20 hours per week studying and completing class assignments

The Nanosystems Engineering Technology program is the only program of its kind in Canada. In it, you will be exposed to face-to-face, hands-on learning in our labs including in our specialized cleanroom facility.

In the program, you will learn about the fabrication and evaluation of micro- and nanomaterials and devices commonly used in a wide range of industries, such as health care, smart devices, and energy production and storage. You’ll learn how to operate systems and equipment used by nanotech researchers and manufacturing companies, such as the scanning electron microscope (SEM), which is used to obtain images of objects at the nanometre scale.

If you are seeking a multidisciplinary career in science and technology, this program will appeal to you. Nanosystems offers a growing number of high-tech and non-traditional career paths that will constantly challenge you with new and complex problems to solve.

Businesses and organizations are finding ways to become smarter, more efficient and make better decisions. Data has become a key aspect in finding a competitive advantage and predicting the future.

Data analytics is a field that combines data, technology, processes and analysis to enhance business decisions and drive success. The Data Analytics post-diploma certificate program provides you with the skills needed to inform real-world business decision-making and planning through data insights, analysis, visualizations and predictions.

Play a key role in an organization by mastering the art of converting data into information and turning information into action

What You Will 
Data-driven, industry-relevant skills
This post-diploma certificate builds on foundational knowledge and skills acquired in related diploma programs and prepares graduates for employment in the field of data analytics.

This 10-course program, which may be completed full- or part-time, will prepare you for Data Analyst roles in a wide variety of industries. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be able to:

• Design and assemble data sets for further manipulation and analysis
• Interpret data sets and communicate findings to make data-driven decisions and support organizational goals
• Use data analytics to provide business insights and organizational opportunities.
• Apply security, privacy, ethics, regulations and information and data management principles throughout the data lifecycle
• Use industry leading artificial intelligence, machine learning and analytics tools to analyze, interpret and present data

Collect, distribute, treat and manage our most valuable resource
Freshwater is the planet's most important resource. It's necessary to sustain life, cultivate food and generate power. Although 70% of the Earth's surface is covered by water, less than 1% of it is freshwater. This natural scarcity, coupled with an increasingly environmentally-conscious society, has created a strong demand for highly skilled, well-trained professionals in the field of water management.
The NAIT Water and Wastewater Technician program – the only such program in Alberta – is designed to provide you with the important skills necessary for a rewarding career in this growing industry.

Hands-on, industry-relevant skills
In this program, you'll be instructed in the fields of water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection and wastewater treatment. You'll experience a combination of traditional classroom delivery, self-study and tutor-supported activities.
Hands-on training in labs will help you develop the skills to maintain and operate mechanical equipment, treat water and enter the workforce prepared and ready to go.

By the time you graduate, you'll have a better understanding of:

• Basic chemistry, math and electricity
• Water and wastewater treatment processes
• The operation and maintenance of water distribution and wastewater collection systems
• Hydraulics
• Blueprint reading

The Court Transcription certificate provides students with the knowledge and skills to produce accurate transcripts by applying rules of grammar and punctuation to the spoken word of pre-recorded proceedings using machine shorthand and computer-aided transcription software. In addition to court transcript production, graduates may be hired as scopists and proofreaders to aid in court transcript production. Graduates will also have opportunities to produce transcripts and verbatim captions in support of disciplinary proceedings, arbitration hearings, 9-1-1 calls, interviews, investigations, shareholders’ and other meetings, and prerecorded television and Internet videos.

Because Court Transcriptionists work with recordings, their hours and location are often very flexible. Court Transcriptionists are often able to work from a home office and can accept work from across the province and country.

Do you want to create change within your organization? Have you dreamt of becoming your own boss?

The Business Administration – Entrepreneurship and Innovation diploma program fosters an entrepreneurial mindset and will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to become an innovator. 

Our courses have been designed to help you pursue a career path that is right for you. You will be equipped for your chosen venture, whether a for-profit business, social enterprise, or as an entrepreneur within an innovative organization.

The Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technology program is unique in that students are trained in both the medical laboratory and x-ray disciplines, practicing predominantly in rural communities. On completion of their training, graduates are able to perform general medical laboratory procedures, general diagnostic radiographic procedures, and electrocardiograms. Students also receive training on information systems and technology in the medical laboratory and diagnostic imaging departments.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant training
Students attend classes full-time at NAIT for a total of 2 years where they will learn and practice the skills required to be a registered CLXT.

Year 1 of the Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technology program begins every September and consists of 38 weeks of lectures and hands-on labs that align with current industry standards. This includes two 15-week semesters, and one 8-week intersession located at the NAIT Main Campus.

Upon completion of year 1, the student progresses to an affiliated rural clinical site to complete 40 weeks of Work Integrated Learning (WIL). Students will train alongside technologists where they will apply the knowledge learned in year one and continue to develop their critical thinking and professionalism skills while providing high quality patient care. Scheduled shifts during clinical training will include evenings, nights and weekend days.

Individuals will work alone or alongside physicians, other technologists, nurses and non-medical personnel. The ability to work independently and/or closely with others are important requirements for an effective Combined Lab and X-Ray technologist.

The Advanced Plumbing Technology diploma is a unique opportunity to get the technical and career essential skills you need to succeed in the plumbing industry. The diploma program offers a direct pathway into trades training at NAIT without having to first be a registered apprentice and can also serve as a pathway to apprenticeship.

The program focuses on theory and hands-on training required to master installation, repair, perform mechanical system maintenance and more. You will learn specific technical knowledge and get hands-on skills and experience. You will also get to explore new technologies and systems such as water recycling and re-use, solar and geothermal heating systems and water conservation.

Industry-approved training
A career in plumbing calls for an understanding of both technical knowledge and career essential skills. Learning outcomes for this program include:

• Industry standards, legislation and workplace expectations
• Design, installation and maintenance of all relevant systems, including:
  • Gas systems
  • Hydronic heating systems and gas appliances
  • Potable and non-potable water systems
  • Service drainage, waste and vent (DWV) systems
• Design, interpretation and conversion of drawings for plumbing installations
• Mathematical concepts for plumbing installations, and
• Effective written and verbal communication tools

The program content and structure aligns with Alberta Credential Framework expectations. After completing the program, you will have the technical training comparable to a journeyperson plumber.
After completing the program, you will be eligible to enter into an apprenticeship and complete apprenticeship hours to receive a journeyperson’s certificate.

You are curious about technology and its endless possibilities. You like to challenge yourself to find a solution to a problem. You want to be the go-to desktop or server support guru for technical advice. You are fascinated by cloud computing and how it works. This is a great way to jump into the field of technology because you’ll learn how to support secure servers and network infrastructures using on premise and cloud technologies. Come and join the dynamic and exciting field of technology! CNA – Supporting IT!

Hands-on, industry-relevant skills:

The Computer Network Administrator (CNA) program provides students with the fundamental knowledge and hands-on technical skills required to be successful in today’s information technology world. The CNA program teaches students foundational technology skills, core knowledge areas, and strategies for being successful. Students get specialized training with up-to-date applied technology.  

Through the course of the program, you can expect to learn:

• PC fundamentals
• Microsoft Windows server and client operations
• Linux server and client operations
• Virtualization
• Cloud computing
• Scripting and automation
• Network infrastructure
• Troubleshooting
• Assessing and supporting end user needs
• Supporting basic security policies and practices
• Working effectively and ethically as an individual or member of a team