Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

at Red Deer Polytechnic Canada

RDC offers courses that range from Shakespeare to Indigenous literature, expository to creative writing, national literatures to popular genres, allowing you to learn practical skills while acquiring cultural knowledge.

Political Science is the study of politics and government, the location and use of power in society, and quests for human betterment.

Program Content
The below schedule is a general pattern that transfers to the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, and the University of Lethbridge. Check the Alberta Transfer Guide for transfer credit information.

The Accredited Medical Laboratory Assistant program is designed to produce health care professionals who have the basic technical and theoretical skills to work in heathcare laboratories.  Their duties consist mainly of sample collection, specimen processing and various clinical laboratory procedures.  Graduates will attain all the specified MLA competencies that are outlined by the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS).  They will be eligible to write the CSMLS MLA exam and obtain national certification.

The program is completed over 29 weeks and includes classroom and laboratory study on campus and a 7 week practicum off campus for clinical laboratory training.  Students are trained to collect, process, and prepare patient specimens, enter data, perform clerical and reception services, perform electrocardiograms and urinalysis, and carry out basic laboratory procedures. During practicum experience, students will address a selection of competencies in simulation labs.

Program outcomes are designed to enable successful transition to the role of the Medical Lab Assistant, assisting students to:

• Perform safe work practices according to established safety protocols, guidelines, and legislation
• Verify relevant data and patient information to ensure that appropriate specimens are collected and handled correctly
• Perform pre-analytical procedures and laboratory testing on a variety of specimens through the use of equipment according to established protocols
• Apply a variety of communication strategies, teamwork skills, and inter-professional collaboration to effectively and respectfully build positive relationships with patients/clients and other healthcare professionals
• Practice and promote the principles of quality management systems
• Practice in a legal, ethical and professional manner, demonstrating conduct that meets expectations of laws and regulations governing the profession
• Exhibit empathy, respect, and appreciation of diversity, while protecting the patient's right to a reasonable standard of care
• Apply critical thinking skills to constructively investigate, evaluate, and problem-solve to engage in the self-reflective practice, self-care, and lifelong learning

Instrumentation engineering and associated technologies are rapidly changing and expanding in virtually every industrial and commercial sector. Current and future demand for Instrumentation Engineering Technologists (IETs) in this multi-disciplinary field is exceptionally high. Instrumentation systems form the monitoring and control nervous system of a broad spectrum of industries and applications. Thanks to such systems, commodities like oil, gas, electric power, wood products, clean drinking water, food products, and a wide variety of consumer goods find their way to market.

Program Outcomes
Possessing a unique blend of focused theoretical and practical training, graduates of this program will be able to:

• Employ relevant industry, health and safety standards, codes, policies and procedures in accordance with current legislation, regulations and organizational policy;
• Analyze and troubleshoot instrumentation control systems, including electrical, electronic, electromechanical (pneumatic and hydraulic), analog, and digital systems;
• Design, analyze and maintain (specific configuration and modification of) computer-based systems and hardware including electronic and computer-based controllers, to optimize the performance of process control systems;
• Analyze and solve complex technical problems by applying principles of advanced mathematics and science;
• Evaluate wireless and wired control systems applying mathematical, scientific, electrical, electronic and digital principles;
• Demonstrate and apply the elements of leadership in a multidisciplinary engineering environment;
• Appraise the installation and deployment of a control system as a supervisory member of a multidisciplinary team;
• Assess the need for maintenance, reliability and life cycle management of equipment;
• Apply the principles and practices of project management;
• Research, analyze, prepare, author, and communicate in written, verbal, nonverbal, and presentation formats, technical documentation appropriate for a variety of audiences;
• Identify, develop, and demonstrate strategies for maintaining continuing competency and practice standards associated with global industry trends and practices in instrumentation.

The program persistently challenges students to critically think through planning and troubleshooting situations, apply methodologies to solve problems, and to communicate effectively (both oral and written) to any audience.

In this program, you will gain an understanding of the elements of the justice system in Canada, how those elements relate to each other, and how the system works at the local, provincial/territorial, and federal levels. You will learn about the complex origins of crime and criminal behaviour; how to work with other professionals to improve community safety; and how to apply skills in mediation and conflict resolution to communicate effectively in stressful situations. You will also learn about the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada and the connected contemporary issues within the justice system.

Completing this diploma program will allow you to liaise with working professionals in the justice system and to experience what it means to work in the field through a practicum placement.

Understanding the roles and requirements for a number of justice-related professions will prepare you for entry-level positions in the justice field, or degree completion in a Justice Studies or related undergraduate program.

Our program offers:

• Dynamic learning activities
• Blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills
• Dedicated instructors who will help you succeed
• Practicum placement that will give you experience in the justice field

Program Outcomes
Graduates of the program will develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes that enable them to:

• Employ oral, written, and non-verbal communication strategies that are appropriate for situation and context
• Analyse elements of the justice system and how they relate to one another
• Interpret federal, provincial, and municipal laws in order to apply them within different areas of the justice system
• Assess systemic issues within the justice system that impact the interactions of Indigenous and Non- Indigenous Canadians with the justice system
• Assess societal inequities for their impact on the justice system and its interactions with various populations
• Work collaboratively as a member of a team, program partnership, and/or interprofessional group
• Describe the impact of global issues on the Canadian justice system
• Assess varying sources of information for accuracy and relevance
• Assess issues in the community and work collaboratively with partners to address these issues
• Consistently and coherently apply moral principles to personal and professional practice
• Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct
• Seek new knowledge, skills, and supports to maintain and improve personal physical, spiritual, and psychological well-being holistically

The two-year University Arts Diploma offers students the opportunity to learn about the issues and people shaping their world through a holistic approach to knowledge that is interdisciplinary in emphasis and chronologically broad in its topics. Students are able to determine their futures through a focus on general University Arts, which allows students to concentrate on a particular area of interest within the Humanities (English, History/Classics, Philosophy) and Social Sciences (Anthropology, Communications, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology) or through one of three thematic specializations—Global Perspectives; Science and Society; Culture, Societies, and Gender—that centre on timely themes and subjects. With a choice of pathways, resulting in a University Arts Diploma, students are able to concentrate on what matters to them while gaining transferable knowledge and skills that will give them a leg up in an ever-uncertain future. In an age where intricate problems do not respond to traditional solutions, the ability to think beyond disciplinary boundaries, offer critical analysis, craft well-considered assessments, supported by adaptive thinking in pursuit of solutions, will be the foundation for students’ further educational goals or employment aspirations.

Please note: all students apply to the University Arts Diploma. Following Admission, students may, if they choose, declare a specialization in Year 1 or Year 2 prior to graduation. Specializations are noted on transcripts. Students who choose not to specialize, or who do not meet the requirements of a specialization, will graduate with the same University Arts Diploma (without a specialization noted on their transcripts).

Program Outcomes

• Recognize the provisional nature, inherent complexity, and ambiguity of knowledge.
• Acknowledge a variety of critical and theoretical approaches to local and global issues and identify the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches.
• Engage in scholarly inquiry, both independently and collaboratively, to identify and investigate questions of a theoretical and applied nature using appropriate disciplinary methodologies and sources.
• Integrate knowledge and perspectives across disciplinary boundaries.
• Demonstrate intellectual integrity and academic accountability.
• Recognize reasonable objections to positions one endorses and to the arguments one uses to support their own position when presenting oral and written arguments.
• Acknowledge the diverse social, cultural, and historical forces that shape identities and values and examine personal and cultural diversity.
• Analyse and interpret historical and contemporary events, texts, and data within disciplines.
• Demonstrate collaborative, independent, and inclusive attitudes and practices.

The program at RDC is one year of study toward Bachelor of Science Nutrition and Food Sciences.

Students studying Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Alberta can pursue 5 different majors upon transfer. Students starting at RDC will be best set up to transition into either the Nutrition and Food Science General program or the Dietetics Specialization program. If you are pursuing another major in Nutrition, you may experience some added time to finish your degree from the University of Alberta when you transfer. See the Bachelor of Science – Nutrition and Food Sciences Academic Planning Guide for more information