ObjectivesThis two-year diploma program prepares graduates for career paths in the electrical, communications, manufacturing and protection fields. Students acquire basic fundamentals during the first two levels. During the third and fourth levels, students develop the skills required by many of the more sophisticated areas of these industries. The program includes core courses in electrical principles, codes, circuitry, control systems and machinery. Students also study telecommunications, electronics, instrumentation, and robotics and are required to take general education courses in the first, second and third levels. This program appeals to students whose interests extend beyond the operation of devices and equipment in their environment to the challenges of understanding and analyzing the action and interaction of internal components. Students enjoy applying physical and chemical laws and practising logic to find solutions to physical problems. The program also includes a strong practical component. Lectures typically introduce a new area of study and are immediately followed by practical experiments to further strengthen the knowledge base. Students who complete this program can go into Level 05 of the Technology program if they complete an additional mathematics course.
Academic titleDiploma (2 year)
Course description
Level 1
DAT8942 Computer Applications – Electrical
Computer Applications- Electrical provides an orientation to the College computer network, spreadsheet applications and AutoCAD. AutoCAD with electrical applications is emphasized.
ELE8909 Fundamental Electrical Principles
This course introduces the student to the fundamentals of direct current circuit analysis. The standards for electrical measurement are studied and practised. Electrical circuit design, construction and documentation are practised. The first module of this course is a compulsory orientation to safe electrical work practices.
ELE8913 Codes and Regulations
This course ensures that the student is capable of locating and interpreting the Canadian Electrical Code rules that ensure that electrical systems and equipment do not create hazardous conditions to person or property. In addition, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS) are examined.
ELE8919 Achieving Success in the 21st Century
Over the last 100 years changes in technology have had a major impact on our way of life. This has led to new and changing employment and business opportunities. The 21st century challenges all of us to find our place in the new economy and to recognize the opportunities, the dangers and the responsibilities we have as employees, professionals and citizens. Students will be encouraged to evaluate their aptitudes and attitudes to deal with these challenges in their roles as students, employees and citizens.
ENL1813T Communications I
Communication remains an essential skill sought by employers, regardless of discipline or field of study. Using a practical, vocation-oriented approach, students focus on meeting the requirements of effective communication. Through a combination of lectures, exercises, and independent learning, students practise writing, speaking, reading, listening, locating and documenting information, and using technology to communicate professionally. Students develop and strengthen communication skills that contribute to success in both educational and workplace environments.
MAT8100 Essential Mathematics
This course covers the following topics: plane analytic geometry; systems of linear equations; general quadratic equations; radian measure; trigonometry; solving right and oblique triangles; vectors; complex numbers; quadratic, trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic functions; solving equations of all types; polynomial equations of higher degree; and applications of the above topics.
Level 2
DAT8921 Introduction to Programming
This is an introductory course in programming. This course will emphasize problem-solving strategies, debugging methods and program documentation. Students learn to create structured C language programs to solve engineering problems. Features of the C language such as functions, arrays, loops and control structures are covered.
ELE8921 Electromagnetic Control
This course covers the design, installation and troubleshooting of relay logic, electronic logic (Pico relay) and electromagnetic controls. This includes AC and DC motor control methods using full voltage and reduced voltage starters. The design of motor power circuits using the Canadian Electrical Code is practised.
ELE8923 Electrical Machinery
Transformer characteristics, sizing and installations in accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code are studied. Three phase circuits are analyzed. The construction, selection and operational characteristics of motors and generators are studied. The operation of variable frequency drives is introduced. The operational characteristics and sizing of overcurrent protection are presented.
ELE8924 Ac Circuits
AC Circuits provide the student with the tools to analyze circuits with more than one power source and AC circuits that include resistive, inductive and capacitive components.
ELE8929 Electronics – I
This is an introductory electronics course, which covers basic electronic component operation and diagnostic procedures. Students learn to design, construct, analyze and test electronic circuitry at the "breadboard" level.
PHY8201 Physics of the Environment
Every day newspaper headlines, movies and television have warnings of the dire consequences of some environmental issues such as, global warming, acid rain, climate change, and a host of other problems. This course will give students some of the science behind the headlines so they can make informed decisions as citizens, consumers and professionals.
Level 3
ELE8930 Electronics – II
This course examines the operation of transistors, timers and operational amplifiers. Students are introduced to Karnaugh mapping, Boolean algebra and design and analysis logic circuits.
ELE8932 Programmable Controllers
This Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) course extends the principles learned in the first year and applies them to programmable logic controllers. The emphasis is on programming and installation of the current generation of this technology. The student will use industrial ladder diagram software and hardware to implement these programs as well as practise utilizing a simulator based RS Logix software. The student will use both analog and digital inputs. Programs will be developed to solve typical industrial applications using relay logic, counters, timers, sequencers, mathematics functions and move commands.
ELE8944 Building Electrical Systems with AutoCAD
This course covers AutoCAD skills including the use of layers, blocks, PaperSpace, ModelSpace, block attributes, templates (DWT), drawing standards, and DWF (Drawing Web Format). The course includes the application of standards, particularly the Canadian Electrical Code, specifications, and manufacturers' data to the design of both residential and commercial building electrical systems.
MAT8101 Differential Calculus
This course covers the following topics: algebraic and geometric concepts and definitions of the limit and continuity of a function; one-sided limits; infinite limits; slope of the tangent and normal to a curve; delta definition of the derivative of a function; instantaneous rate of change; derivatives of polynomials; product rule; quotient rule; chain rule; differentiation of implicit functions; calculation of higher derivatives; derivatives of the trigonometric functions; application of derivatives to related rate and min/max problems; and curve sketching using the first and second derivative tests.
Choose one from equivalencies:
GED0317 General Education Elective
For this course, you will have the opportunity to choose one from a group of general electives. Your options will includes courses which cover the following broad topic areas: Arts in Society, Civic Life, Social and Cultural Understanding, Personal Understanding, and Science and Technology.
Level 4
ELE8931 Instrumentation
This course covers the procedures for the selection, connection and reading of instruments for quantities such as pressure, fluid flow, viscosity, level, temperature, speed, and humidity. Students learn standard testing and calibration procedures of instrumentation meters and sensing devices. In addition, students are introduced to process control systems and to the design of instrumentation systems.
ELE8940 Industrial Telecommunications
This course will expose the participant to current standards, installation practices and diagnostic procedures of the telecommunications industry. The participants will have the opportunity to work with and analyze various premises cabling methods including coaxial, twin axial, shielded twisted pair, unshielded twisted pair, and fibre optics. The applications of radio frequency (RF) transmission and local area networks (LAN'S) for programmable logic controllers (PLC's) will be covered
ELE8941 Robotics and Controls
Robotics is approached as a special case within the larger area of interactive, software-driven devices. This course introduces students to the basics of robotics and feedback control. The student will utilize this knowledge in designing and programming actuation and sensing devices associated with a robot. The laboratory component of this course concentrates on analogue and digital control, servomechanisms, the use of sensors and robot programming. Each student will build a fully autonomous robot which will be used to develop and practise skills. These will be demonstrated in lab activities and robotics based contests and challenges.
ENL1819T Reporting Technical Information
In this technical communication course, students draw upon knowledge acquired through their studies and through research to improve their skills in communication, critical thinking, and the documentation and evaluation of both primary and secondary sources. These combined skills are demonstrated in the production of workplace-oriented, vocationally related documents and presentations. Emphasis is placed on technical communication goals students are required to achieve for graduation.
Elective: choose 1
ELE8945 Distributed Electrical Systems
Students will examine the basis for power generation, transmission and distribution with particular emphasis on the province of Ontario. This will include an understanding of standard voltage levels, energy sources and the operation of the grid.
ELE8946 Fire Alarm Systems
This course will begin with the factors that determine the type of detectors required, work through to the wiring for installations, start-up procedures, verification, and annual testing of fire alarm systems. Included will be detector and speaker layout, wiring procedures, EVAC systems and control panels. Automatic extinguishing systems will be covered, as will the requirements for fire pumps and intrusion alarm systems. This course culminates in the design of a complete building fire alarm system.