Diploma in Chemical Engineering Technology

at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Canada

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.

Respiratory Therapists are dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education of patients with heart and lung disorders. As a Respiratory Therapist, you’ll work with patients of all ages, from infants and children to adults and geriatrics. The Respiratory Therapist is a crucial life-saving and life-supporting professional, and as a NAIT graduate you’ll be well equipped to work in a wide variety of hospital and health care settings.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant training
Learn to plan and implement diagnostic procedures for patients suffering from a wide range of heart and lung disorders. This 3-year diploma program will feature simulation experience, with classroom and lab instruction, combined with clinical rotations in various hospital settings. The program features hands-on training in areas such as:

• Human anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and pathophysiology
• Airway management and cardiopulmonary testing, monitoring and resuscitation
• Assessment of cardio-respiratory patient status; ventilator support; testing and evaluation of respiratory equipment

You can expect to spend, on average:

• 27 hours per week attending classes over the course of a semester.
• 10 to 15 hours per week studying and completing class assignments.
• Upon successful completion of the RET program the graduate is eligible to challenge the Canadian Board for Respiratory Care (CBRC) entry-to-practice certification examination to become a registered respiratory therapist.
• In order to practice as a Respiratory Therapist in the province of Alberta, technologists are required to be registered with the College and Association of Respiratory Therapists of Alberta to obtain a license to practice.

The Electrical Installations Technology diploma is your pathway to apprenticeship, and a unique opportunity to get the technical and career essential skills you need to succeed in the electrical industry.

The program focuses on theory and hands-on training required for the installation, repair and maintenance of electrical systems in residential, commercial and industrial environments. This program also teaches career essential skills such as communication, professionalism and collaboration, which will help you pursue a career in the Electrical Installations Technology field.

The Electrical Installations Technology diploma offers a direct pathway into trades training at NAIT without having to first be a registered apprentice.

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

• Understanding of industry standards, legislation, policies and practices
• Ability to:
  • Identify safety hazards
  • Explain, discuss and apply electrical theory and mathematics
  • Install, analyze and maintain rotating, static and solid-state electrical equipment and controls
  • Design, interpret and convert drawings and schematic diagrams for electrical installations
  • Communicate effectively using written, verbal and graphical means
  • Navigate, interpret and apply applicable sections of the Canadian Electrical Code Part 1 for electrical installations

The program content and structure aligns with Alberta Credential Framework expectations. This 2-year diploma program provides you with immediate opportunities for employment in the field of electrical installation. After completing the program, you will be eligible to enter into an apprenticeship and complete apprenticeship hours to receive a journeyperson’s certificate.

An animal health technologist (Veterinary technologist) is a valuable member of the animal health-care team who performs a large range of tasks, such as nursing care, diagnostic procedures and client interactions, to assist veterinarians in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease in animals. The program focuses on practical skills used in both small and large animal practices, including lab work, radiographs and medical and surgical nursing.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant training

You can expect to spend, on average:

•     30 hours per week attending classes over the course of a semester
•     8 to 10 hours per week studying and completing class assignments

You’ll train in NAIT’s Animal Health Clinic, which provides basic veterinary services for dogs and cats owned by NAIT staff and students. It’s here where you’ll receive hands-on experience in procedures that include spays and neuters, vaccinations and teeth cleaning.

As an Animal Health Technology student, you must handle ill or injured animals of all shapes and sizes. You’ll travel to farms and animal hospitals and treat more than just dogs and cats. To be successful in this program – and career – having a genuine interest in the treatment of all animals is a must!

Computers play role in every segment of modern society. Growing demand and advances in miniature, solid-state microprocessor technology have sparked the development of smaller, less expensive and more powerful computers, and increased the need for well-trained technical personnel.
In the 2-year Computer Engineering Technology diploma program, you'll design, build and program computers, gain skills in the hardware and software aspects of microcomputers and their applications, and receive extensive hands-on training.

Hands-on, industry-relevant skills
In Computer Engineering Technology, you'll be trained in both computer hardware and software, including concepts related to computer architecture fundamentals, industrial electronics and embedded controllers using analog and digital integration. You'll become fluent in the assembly language programming of micro-controllers, advanced programming languages such as C#, Windows application development, database concepts and dynamic web development.
Our hands-on learning environment and industry focus will provide you with the skills and knowledge you'll need to secure a rewarding career as a computer engineering technologist.

In this program, you'll learn about:

• Computer programming, including C#, SQL, HTML5+, CSS3, PHP5, ASP.NET, JavaScript, AJAX, jQuery and ladder logic on PLCs to monitor and control industrial equipment
• System analysis and design
• Electronic circuit design, implementation, debugging, simulation and measurement
• Embedded system implementation
• Interfacing sensors, actuators and other electronic device to computer platforms
• Hardware design and interfacing
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Oral and written communication skills
• Interpersonal and teamwork skills
• Time management and other professional skills

Co-op option
This program has a co-op option that will be available to you once you've completed at least 2 academic terms. This hands-on work expereince will provide career development training, enabling you to build advanced job readiness skills.

NAIT's Radio and Television programs are 2 distinct, yet interrelated full-time diploma programs. Each of these dynamic 2-year programs takes a non-traditional approach to teaching that will provide you with learning opportunities through hands-on experiences.

Undertake the typical job functions found in radio and television stations by acting as the staff for NAIT's campus radio station (NR92) and television newsroom (NAIT NewsWatch). Using industry standard digital equipment and labs, and while working in modern studios, you'll hone written, technical, communicative and production competencies.

Our instructors are highly-qualified professionals with years of industry experience and our program is well-recognized across the country. If you flip on your TV or radio at any given time, you're likely to see or hear NAIT alumni working across North America.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant skills
In this program, you can expect to receive quality instruction from broadcasting professionals and experience hands-on training in the following areas:

• News/sports writing and reporting
• On-air performance
• Interviewing techniques
• Copywriting
• Commercial production
• Videography
• Social media
• Studio production
• Online content creation

Veterinary medical assistants provide support to clients, animal health technologists and veterinarians. Duties may include administration, animal handling and support with nutritional and pharmaceutical products. They also assist with record keeping and other clinical procedures and tasks.

This 1-year certificate program will provide you the skills and confidence you’ll need to work in a front-line position as a veterinary medical assistant in private veterinary clinics, livestock centres and animal shelters. In addition to classroom instruction, you’ll get in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in animal clinics across Alberta.

Good attention to detail? Thrive on a fast pace and heavy workload? These are important traits of people interested in this program. If you are a people person and enjoy helping them with their animals, this program is a good fit for you.

What You Will LearnCareer 
Hands-on, industry-relevant training
To work as a veterinary medical assistant, you will need to have a genuine interest in animals and their welfare. It’s important to understand that you will need to be comfortable working with a variety of animals, both large and small.

After a year of classroom instruction, your clinical placement will give you hands-on experience at an animal clinic where you’ll get a taste of what your future career could look like. Travel may be necessary as some placements are outside of Edmonton.

You will also regularly support the animal health technologists at the NAIT Animal Clinic. 

As a student in the program, you can expect to spend on average:

• 26 hours per week attending classes over the course of a semester 
• 15 to 20 hours per week studying and completing class assignments

Chemical Engineering Technology is a two-year diploma program that prepares the graduate for employment in the hydrocarbon and chemical processing industry (downstream petroleum industry). The program deals with the processing of oil, natural gas and bitumen into final products such as motor gasoline, diesel or jet fuel, propane, butane, utility gas and others. The program includes the study of the production of secondary petrochemicals such as ethylene, vinyl chloride, methanol and others.

The NAIT Advanced Care Paramedic program prepares graduates for a rewarding and challenging career in providing emergency medical services to the sick and injured. Advanced Care Paramedics are members of the inter-professional health care team, working collaboratively with other emergency medical personnel, physicians, nurses, and other health professionals. They primarily provide care of patients at emergency scenes in the pre hospital care setting, but can also have roles in emergency departments and other settings within an acute care hospital setting. They are responsible for assessing a patient’s condition to determine the extent of his or her injury or illness and immediate care needs, and providing treatment that includes advanced life support procedures, airway management, medication administration, tending to traumatic injuries, intravenous catheterization, bandaging, splinting, suturing child birth, mental health crisis interventions, and more. Patient care often includes initial stabilization of the patient and transport via ambulance to health care facilities for further treatment.

Demands of the job and practicum training as a student include standing, reaching, walking, crouching, bending, and lifting of heavy equipment, as well as exposure to stressful emergency situations where patients are critically ill or injured, and quick decisions must be made in managing the patient and delegating roles to first responders. There are also risks for exposure to chemicals, bodily fluids, needle sticks, moving traffic, weather conditions.

The NAIT Advanced Care Paramedic program utilizes facilities at NAIT, active treatment hospitals, and ambulance services to train and prepare students for graduation and employment.

 What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant training

In this 2 year diploma program you will build on your prior learning as a primary care paramedic and learn about providing advanced emergency care, including assessment and treatment of patients with a variety of medical disorders and injuries. Your learning environment will consist of lectures, labs, clinical simulations and practicum. Areas of learning will be focused on but are not excluded to:

• Human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology
• Advanced life support skills including medical and trauma management
• Pharmacology
• Child birth and neonatal care
• Pediatric patient care
• Diverse patient populations
• Professionalism, inter professionalism, and medical legal aspects

You will also be trained in physical and mental health self-care, to ensure you are prepared for a demanding patient care environment.

Practicum will consist of placement with ambulance services and a variety of acute care hospitals. You will be expected to work shifts including evenings, nights and weekends, and you may be required to travel outside of Edmonton for your practicum placement.

The first year of the program consists of lectures, labs and clinical simulations. The second year of the program consists of some lectures, labs and clinical simulation in advanced courses, as well as approximately 1200 hours of practicum.

You can expect to spend, on average:

• 28 hours per week attending classes over the course of a semester
• 15 to 20 hours per week studying and completing class assignments
• 40 hours per week on practicum

Instrumentation Engineering Technology (IET) is a nationally accredited program that provides a comprehensive course of studies in industrial measurement and control.
With a provincial economy that is largely industrial-based, instrumentation has become an extremely important field. Industries are also becoming increasingly automated to improve productivity, conserve energy, and reduce pollution. This has created a strong demand for trained professionals in the instrumentation technology field across industries ranging from industrial automation and electronics to oil and gas.

In the Instrumentation Engineering Technology program, you can expect to gain the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in instrumentation technology. The program involves detailed studies of the principles and application of pneumatic, electronic, and microcomputer measurement and control systems.
Access to state-of-the-art laboratories and a hands-on approach to learning provide students with job-ready experience.

Skills you will acquire
Over the course of the program, you will learn how to:

• Apply principles of process control to analyze and optimize the performance of industrial processes.
• Install and maintain process instruments.
• Install and maintain analytical instruments and sampling systems.
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial  controllers.
• Install, program and troubleshoot industrial controllers.
• Design and specify measurement, safety and control systems for industrial applications.
• Use computer hardware and software relevant to instrumentation.
• Work in a safe and professional manner following regulatory and industry specific work practices.
• Communicate effectively through written and verbal means.
• Use tools appropriate to the instrumentation field in a safe and effective matter.
• Participate as a member of an effective team

Practicum/Co-op/Work Experience
Students may be eligible to participate in a 4 or 8 month co-op placement once they complete all level 1 courses, and before they complete all the level 2 courses. Successful co-op students work in a program-related industry position and gain advanced job-readiness skills. Acceptance into our co-op program is based on successful completion of first term coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.7.