Diploma in Digital Media and IT - Computer Software Development Concentration (Co-op Optional)

at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Canada

NAIT's Bachelor of Technology degree is the only program of its kind in Alberta and one of just a few similar programs in Canada. If you've graduated with a recognized 2-year technology diploma, the BTech program offers the opportunity to earn a baccalaureate degree with 2 additional years of study.

The BTech degree has been developed to help you bridge the gap between the job you started as a technologist and a career in management. We've received industry demand for leading-edge technologists who have the technical theory, innovative skills, and ethical and social awareness required for sustainable industry. We have also been challenged to prepare critical-thinking practitioners who are able to address technological challenges in today's economy.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant skills
In the Bachelor of Technology (BTech) program, you'll build on your strong technical background, adding leadership and critical-thinking skills you'll need to take on management and supervisory roles. You'll gain a global perspective, focusing on social, economic and environmental issues.

You'll also develop skills in:

• Innovation, transition and change management
• Effective multi-media communications
• Planning and strategy development
• Staffing and supervision
• Critical thinking and problem-solving

Learn how to recruit new employees, manage benefits and enhance work environments – Human Resource Management is essential to every organization.

Our dynamic 2-year program combines classroom theory with hands-on case studies and mock interview scenarios. We cover a wide range of topics including organizational change, diversity in the workplace, employment law, contract negotiations and professional culture.

Join a fascinating field powered by people. HR practitioners makes significant contributions to the success of every organization.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant skills
In your first year of the program, you will take 10 common courses in order to gain foundational core business knowledge. In the second year of studies, you’ll take the required courses in Human Resource Management to get a specialized diploma upon graduation.

By the end of the program, you’ll be able to estimate, forecast and plan an organization’s human resource needs by recruiting talent, assessing risks and benefits of HR plans and setting strategic, achievable goals.

The Industrial Heavy Equipment Technology diploma program with teach you how to diagnose and repair machinery in the heavy equipment industry competently and safely. The program focuses on highway and off-highway mobile equipment, as well as engine-powered stationary equipment used in mining, logging, trucking, agriculture, gas processing, oilfield servicing and construction.

Industries including mining, logging, trucking, agriculture, transportation, gas processing, oilfield servicing and construction are all in-demand for heavy equipment service personnel with an advanced level of technical training to tackle the challenge of advancing technology.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant training
Industrial Heavy Equipment Technology is a two-year diploma program consisting of four 15-week semesters. Studies include

• Fluid mechanics
• Petroleum chemistry
• Fuel and hydraulic systems
• Electricity and electronics
• Fleet maintenance
• Communications
• Leadership

The training is divided equally into theoretical and practical learning. Local industrial field trips will be taken.

Train at NAIT
Students can expect to spend, on average

• 30 hours per week attending classes over the course of a semester
• 10 to 12 hours per week studying and completing class assignments

Training is provided at NAIT Main Campus in Edmonton. Some training is also delivered in the NAIT HET Building (11940 - 109 st NW), just north of Main Campus. Labs are fully equipped with mock-ups and training aids, which students disassemble, inspect and reassemble.

The Baking and Pastry Arts diploma program focuses on the art and science of bread, cake and pastry making, including

• Cake design and decorating
• Confectionery training (chocolate and sugar)
• Artisan-style baking
• Frozen desserts

There is also a focus on culinary fundamentals, international and specialty baking, baking for alternative diets, business, customer service and showpiece making.

Using NAIT’s fully equipped bakery and pastry arts training lab, you will learn to safely operate and maintain the kinds of equipment used in a variety of bakery, pastry arts and confectionery operations.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant skills
The 2-year Baking and Pastry Arts diploma will train you in traditional, contemporary and modern baking methods. The program provides hands-on experience in the art and science of bread, cake and pastry production, including cake design and decorating, confectionary training (chocolate and sugar), artisan-style baking and frozen desserts.

This practical knowledge is complemented by training in:

• Baking theory
• Nutrition
• Baking for alternative diets
• Showpiece making
• Trade calculations
• Sanitation
• Safety
• Business concepts
• Customer service

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are highly trained, in-demand professionals who use ultrasounds to produce and record images of important organs, masses and fetal images. This hands-on accredited program will allow you the opportunity to participate in clinical rotations in major Alberta hospitals. You’ll receive training on industry-standard equipment and get the opportunity to learn on the same technology you’ll use in your practicum placement – and career.

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.

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

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.

In the Computer Software Development emphasis, you will learn how to design and implement scalable software application solutions, including how to develop, test, document, deploy and support your software.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant skills
The Computer Software Development area of emphasis (formerly Application Development) teaches you to design and implement scalable application solutions, including developing, testing, documentation, deployment and support. You will also learn how to design, create and maintain databases for use in various applications.

The courses in this area of emphasis include instruction in various programming languages and tools to support software development, including Oracle, C#, Java, SQL, .NET, JavaScript and PHP.

These courses will show you how to:

• Write, test, debug, implement and maintain computer software programs
• Design, create, and maintain databases utilizing industry best practices, including Structured Query Language (SQL)
• Develop web applications
• Generate system deliverables using various System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodologies
• Develop native iOS applications
• Develop native Android applications

Co-op Opportunities
As a result of DMIT's close connection with industry, various co-op opportunities exist for students in the DMIT program. Many companies offer our students paid co-op positions that provide direct experience in specific areas of study. Co-op is also seen as a staffing strategy for many organizations.

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

NAIT’s Materials Engineering Technology Program prepares students for a diverse and rewarding career in their profession. Our graduates have employment opportunities in a wide variety of industrial settings including oil and gas, chemical processing, mining, construction, pulp and paper and research and development.

A Materials Engineering Technologist is an important member of the engineering team. Our curriculum has been developed in close co-operation with industry leaders ensuring our students have relevant hands on experience and theoretical instruction. They will have a working knowledge of the properties and behavior of engineering materials in a range of environments.

A Materials Engineering Technologist’s expertise is sought after by industry for their understanding of metals, polymers, ceramics and composites. Technologists give advice in material selection, asset and integrity inspections, weld inspections and fabrication. In laboratory settings they are involved in research and development, failure analysis and material testing. Many of our Alumni have gone on to start their own successful businesses and employ our graduates.