Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology

at Okanagan College - Kelowna Campus Canada

The program consists of 37 weeks (1110 hours) of full-time studies. Approximately 50 percent of the day is spent on theory discussions in a classroom setting, followed by hands-on practical training in the shops located in OC’s Aerospace Campus at Kelowna International Airport. The program follows a national set of standards and is approved by Transport Canada.  Upon successful completion, the graduate will receive an Okanagan College certificate. Transport Canada also grants graduates of this program ten months experience credit towards the 36 month experience requirement.  Upon completion of the required total work experience and successful completion of a regulatory exam you will qualify for a Transport Canada AME "S" Licence.

The two-year Animation diploma program focuses on drawing, design and the principles and techniques of traditional and digital character animation. There is an optional Co-op work term offered between year 1 and year 2 of the program.

Features include a state of the art classroom in the new Innovation Centre in downtown Kelowna, the latest technology in the field of digital animation, and comprehensive drawing classes taught by industry professionals to develop artistic skills, technical dexterity and creative thinking. Industry standard production scenarios and professional practices mimic the production pipeline. Core courses include 2D, digital 2D and 3D animation, life drawing, character design, storyboard and layout design. Animation history, communications and an introduction to business functions are also studied.

The Diploma in Environmental Studies offers an interdisciplinary opportunity to understand the physical principles governing the environment and the social and cultural aspects that influence human behaviour towards the environment. Students will gain a holistic knowledge of the environment through courses from the sciences, social sciences and humanities. The interdisciplinary model will equip students with the critical and analytical skills to think through the many complex factors that influence our understanding of the environment.

The diploma has four options: interdisciplinary environmental arts, environmental management, environmental science and geographic information science. Courses have university transfer credit providing students with the option of further study in either environmental studies or other disciplines. Students can also move directly into the workplace for there is a growing demand for labour in the environmental sector.

This two-year post-baccalaureate diploma (60 credit/20 course) is aimed at students with a bachelor degree in any nursing, science, engineering, psychology business or management program who wish to pursue a career in Health Analytics. Students will receive thorough training in statistics and data science. Term one of this program sets the mathematical and statistical foundation for higher level learning in the health and data science areas. In subsequent terms, students build on, and apply, these foundational skills to a diverse set of areas. While many of the applications have a health focus, the mathematical, statistical, and data science concepts learned are universally applicable to a wide range of disciplines.

At the end of this program students will:

1. Apply mathematical, statistical and machine learning techniques to support organizational decisions as well as to identify new data driven opportunities.
2. Manage and manipulate data and create data visualizations using a variety of mathematical and statistical software.
3. Participate in the planning and execution of a data science project culminating in recommendations based on the results of the analysis.
4. Evaluate, define and explain data-analytic problems that offer the greatest opportunities for organizational benefits.
5. Understand healthcare systems in a variety of countries including how their history, geography, government and economy and privacy laws impact the healthcare system.
6. Understand the relevant laws, regulations and standards involved with health data.

The Business Studies Certificate allows students to focus on a specific discipline. This program may be of interest to those who are already employed. Some courses are also available by distance education. All Business Studies Certificates require the use of Microsoft Office software. Computer experience is recommended.

Co-operative Education: Entry into the co-operative education option is a student's choice, and subject to completion of all first-year courses and an overall grade average of 65%.

The Administrative Assistant Certificate program is a 1,110 hour (37 week) certificate program which includes word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, computerized accounting, and presentation software. Students also learn business communications, business math, office procedures, effective job search techniques, accounting, and self-management skills. There is a three-week practicum component to this certificate.
The Administrative Assistant Certificate program is offered on campus as well as online. On-site students are normally enrolled full time; students wishing to take courses on campus on a part-time basis should consult with the department chair. Online students may complete the program part time.  Graduates may be employed as receptionists, general clerks, administrative or executive assistants, and other similar careers.

Graduates may also continue their education as the Administrative Assistant Certificate program is recognized by other programs such as the Okanagan College Legal Administrative and Medical Administrative Assistant Certificate programs. As well, select courses transfer to the Okanagan College Business Administration, Canadian Institute of Bookkeeping (CIB), and the Canadian Payroll Association programs.

The diploma program provides students with a broad understanding of business practices. With the experience and skills learned in the classroom, students will be able to progress to more responsible roles in accounting, marketing, operations, personnel or general administration. Year one of the program provides a solid foundation in general business. Options are available in Accounting, Financial Services, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Human Resources Management, Management and Marketing. A General Studies option is also available to those who want to take elective courses from a variety of options.

The Studio Woodworking Certificate Program is a 38-week (1140 hours) full-time study of woodworking from the craftsperson's perspective. With a primary focus on furniture, the program will offer a range of woodworking skill sets that can be adapted to any of the many disciplines within the Cabinetmaker/Joiner trade. Inasmuch as this program's focus is 'Art' as well as 'Industry', the range of knowledge covered within this program will enable the successful student to acquire meaningful employment in a range of 'studio' or 'custom' environments with confidence, whether self-employed or working for others. Those successful students who wish to continue in a traditional apprenticeship will be granted level one apprenticeship technical training credit and 450 work-based hours in the Cabinetmaker/Joiner trade by the Industry Training Authority in B.C.

The range of topics taught includes a history of the trade, design basics, an understanding of the materials, safe work practices, hand and machine skills, and joinery techniques. They also include more advanced techniques such as design and creating curved parts, veneer, inlay, marquetry and banding. Basic Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machining will be explored. Wood finishing from simple hand rubbed to advanced spray booth techniques will be practiced. Students will also be introduced to portfolio and promotion concepts, including photography of product, and how to interact with clients. Students will design and build a final project from concept to promotion. A public exhibit at the conclusion of the program will spotlight the students' achievements and provide a showcase for their work.

This two-year diploma program is designed for students who wish to obtain employment in the automotive industry as an Automotive Collision Repair Technician, Refinishing Preparation Technician or Auto Glass Technician. The program begins by providing the student with the first year of apprenticeship training followed by second-year courses that focus on industry required skills in estimating, office skills and entrepreneurship.

This unique program provides training in four technical areas that include automotive refinishing preparation, automotive refinishing, automotive collision repair and auto glass repair and replacement. Each of these areas will be covered providing the graduate with completion of four modules of level one technical training. Upon successful completion of the technical training, students will be eligible to write the provincial Industry Training Authority standardized examinations.

The Computer Information Systems diploma is a two-year program which includes a broad selection of computing, mathematics, business, and communications courses so graduates can function successfully in a variety of roles in a business organization, high-technology company, or government department. These roles include entry-level positions as computer programmer, programmer/analyst, business systems designer/developer/analyst, web designer/developer and database architect/administrator.

The courses in the diploma are grouped into required courses and elective courses.The program is available as a co-op program. The department recommends participating in co-op between the third and fourth academic semesters if possible. Taking co-op work terms will lengthen the program to approximately three years.
Graduates of this program may proceed directly to the Bachelor of Computer Information Systems degree or, after completing some extra courses, to a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.