Electronics Engineering Technician - Communications

Program Description

Gain a solid background in the fundamentals of modern electronics, with particular emphasis on communications systems and circuits. The ELCM program provides you with a high proportion of relevant hands-on laboratory work to build your knowledge of and experience in practical aspects of the global telecommunications system, and of electronic communications in general.

Program Learning Outcomes

This Seneca College program meets the system-wide standards for all Ontario College Credential programs as set by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the following:

• analyze, interpret, modify and prepare electrical and electronics drawings, layouts and reports, with guidance as required.
• analyze and solve routine technical problems related to electronics engineering by applying fundamental concepts of mathematics and science.
• apply appropriate troubleshooting techniques to electronic circuits or systems and perform test procedures.
• assemble, modify, test and troubleshoot electronic circuits, equipment and systems in accordance with job requirements, functional specifications and relevant standards, with guidance as required.
• maintain and repair electronic equipment and systems in accordance with relevant operational guidelines.
• provide justification for the purchase of electronic equipment, components and systems in accordance with code, standards and job requirements, and functional specifications.
• analyze and troubleshoot logic and digital circuits, as well as embedded microprocessor-based and microcontroller-based systems, including assembly and high-level language programs.
• analyze and troubleshoot circuits consisting of passive components by applying appropriate measurement techniques.
• analyze and troubleshoot circuits consisting of low power, high power, active and electromechanical components, and analog integrated circuits.
• analyze and troubleshoot control systems.
• troubleshoot, maintain and repair analog and digital communication systems.
• apply relevant shop practices in compliance with safety policies and current regulations for electronics engineering workplaces.
• assist in implementing and conducting quality control and quality assurance programs and procedures.
• complete work in compliance with relevant legislation, established standards, policies, procedures and regulations, and ethical principles.

Essential Employability Skills

• Essential Employability Skills (link to information on Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities website)

Admission Requirements

Program Eligibility:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma with a majority of senior credits at the College Preparation(C), University Preparation(U) or University/College Preparation (M) level or Mature Student Status (age 19 or older)
• Grade 12 English: ENG4(C) or ENG4(U)
• Grade 12 Mathematics*: MCT4(C) Mathematics for College Technology (recommended grade 60% or over) or Grade 12 (U) Mathematics, MHF4(U) (Advanced Functions) or MCV4(U) (Calculus and Vectors)

* Seneca may also consider applicants with good grades in MAP4(C) (80% or over recommended) or MCR3(U) (70% or over). Students with grades lower than these recommended benchmarks and who test below the appropriate level in the skills assessment can expect to be placed into a preparatory mathematics course or will be counseled to enroll in the Applied Science and Technology Fundamentals Certificate Program.

Note: All applicants who are offered admission to programs in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering Technology will have an English and Mathematics skills assessment. The assessments are used for academic placement in English and Mathematics courses that are appropriate to the student’s skill level. In the event a preparatory course is required before enrolling in the standard semester one English or Mathematics, students will automatically be timetabled into the appropriate preparatory course.

Applicant Selection:

• Applicant grades in pre-requisite subjects (or their equivalents) may be used as a basis for the selection of candidates.

The Importance of Learning Skills:

Student success in college requires well developed learning skills (such as being able to work independently, participate in a team, be well-organized, develop good work habits, and show initiative). These skills are as important as prior academic achievement. While it is expected that applicants would have developed these skills through previous education and life experiences, Seneca offers support to assist students with further development of these important skills.

Your Career

Start your career as an Electronics Technician and work in the growing field of electronics. Your employment opportunities could include a wide range of fields involving the sale, maintenance, servicing, testing or installation of electronic equipment. Our graduates from the Electronics Engineering Technician – Communications diploma program expand their career options to areas such as telephone, internet, and cable service providers, wireless and satellite communication companies, as well as the associated communications service support companies.

Areas of Study

You’ll study such areas as electronic devices and circuitry, microcontroller-based circuits, diagnostic techniques, mathematics, and computer programming. During the final year of the program, you’ll focus on applying the learned principles to electronic communications. This includes such topics as digital, analog, and data communications, signal and transmission media characteristics, digital modulation and wireless systems.

Co-operative Education Option

Meet the requirements and you may be eligible for the co-operative education work term after semester four. Co-op provides you with valuable on-the-job work experience, an opportunity to apply the skills learned in your courses and exposure to employers in the industry. Our employers are committed to providing all co-op students with meaningful work assignments. To be eligible for and progress in co-op, you must achieve and maintain above-average academic standards.

Students in the co-op option will also take CPP100 (Co-op Professional Practice) in the semester preceding their first co-op work term. Students must successfully complete CPP100 and one co-op work term to graduate from the co-op option. For more information, please visit the Co-op page at  www.senecac.on.ca/co-op.

FAST TRACK into Semester Three

With your existing diploma or degree in Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or directly related technology disciplines, you may qualify to FAST TRACK your studies and be given direct entry into the second year of the ELCM program. The granting of credits beyond semester two is possible in exceptional cases. FAST TRACK entry may, at the discretion of the department, be offered to partially qualified candidates, in conjunction with requirements to complete additional subjects from semesters one or two.

Common First Year

In the School of Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology, the programs have a common first year, i.e. semester one and semester two.

Technology Program

Graduates may be able, with additional subjects, to proceed into Electronics Engineering Technology.

Affiliations and Associations

• Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
• Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT)
• York Technology Association (YTA)
• Association Connecting Electronics Industries (IPC)
• Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA)

CTAB Nationally Accredited Program

The Electronics Engineering Technician - Communications program has met national technology accreditation requirements as mandated by the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT) and has received national accreditation status by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB) and the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT).

• www.cctt.ca
• www.oacett.org

Recognition as a Certified Engineering Technician

OACETT (The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists) recognizes the Electronics Engineering Technician - Communications program as meeting all the academic requirements for certification in the Technician category. Application and additional requirements (i.e. work experience and qualifying professional practice exam, etc.) to become certified are available from OACETT.

Canadian Forces Accreditation

This program has been accredited by the Canadian Forces – eligible students may receive full tuition and living expense support, as well as a salary while attending school. Work commitment to the Canadian Forces following graduation will vary. Please refer to the website at http://www.forces.ca/en/page/paideducation-96#paidcollege-2.

Diploma to Degree... and Beyond

Through transfer agreements and institution partnerships, graduates of this Seneca College program may be eligible for credit at the following post-secondary institution(s):

Toronto

Ontario

International

Curriculum

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