Civil Engineering Technician
Section B.61 10/1/2016 Ontario College Diploma (2 Years- 4 Semesters ) (4080)
705.759.6700 : 1.800.461.2260 : www.saultcollege.ca : Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
If you look at the world around you, chances are there are few things that have been built without having
been touched by the world of civil engineering. The Civil Engineering Technician program is designed to
prepare you with the basic skills and knowledge to assist in the design and construction process. Graduates
work in a variety of careers including computer-aided drafting and design (CAD), surveying, construction
layout and inspection, field and laboratory testing, supervision and scheduling of projects, estimating, sales
and marketing, as well as design and construction of municipal installations, highways, pipelines, and
hydro-electric developments.
Design systems, facilities, infrastructure and processes are studied with an emphasis on projects and
computer applications. Traditional disciplines are also studied including structures, transportation,
geotechnical, municipal, and environmental engineering.
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and currently unemployed, you may qualify for second
career funding for this program! To learn more about your options and how to get started, contact us at
studentrecruitment@saultcollege.ca.
ADMISSIONS
MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Ontario Secondary School diploma with Grade 12 English (C) ENG4C, Grade 12 Mathematics for College
Technology (C) MCT4C or Grade 12 Foundations for College Math (C) MAP4C, or mature student status.
CAREER PATHS
As a graduate from this program, you will be able to seek careers with consulting engineering companies,
general contractors, building product manufacturers, municipal governments, highway departments, and
federal public works departments.
OTHER INFORMATION
This is a co-operative education program. Students are required to complete at least one co-op work
placement (CWA100) in order to graduate.
For more information contact Program Coordinator Barry Sparrow at:
Barry.Sparrow@saultcollege.ca 705-759-2554 Ext: 2585
For more information contact Program Coordinator Barry Sparrow at 705.759.2554 ext 2585 or email
barry.sparrow@saultcollege.ca
PROGRAM OF STUDY
SEMESTER 1
CCT100-4 Construction Safety/Tools
CCT103-4 Blueprints, Specifications & Layout
CMM115-3 Communications I
MTH145-4 Mathematics
SUR101-4 Surveying
SEMESTER 2
ARC101-5 Building and Construction Estimating
CAD100-4 Introduction to Computers and AutoCAD
CCT120-4 Concrete and Formwork I
CWA100-3 Co-op Placement I
Note: CWA100-3 is mandatory and takes place in the summer.
MCH100-4 Applied Mechanics
SUR122-2 Survey Fieldcamp
GEN100-3 Global Citizenship
SEMESTER 3
CAD222-3 Applied CAD II
CMM210-3 Technical Communication
CON200-4 Construction Materials I
MCH212-4 Mechanics of Materials
MTH146-4 Mathematics
SUR201-4 Surveying
POL110-3 Introduction to Canadian Government
SEMESTER 4
ARC217-4 Soil Mechanics
CIV205-4 Applied Municipal Services
CIV215-3 Project Management and Law
CIV216-4 Highway Engineering
CIV225-5 Structures
Select one of the following:
GAS103: What in the World is Going On?
GAS109: Music and Pop Culture
GAS116: Your Two Cents
GEN110: Student Selected General Education
HDG122: Personal and Academic Success Strategies
SSC102: Introduction to Aboriginal Peoples of Canada
Note: *Students must choose one of the identified Student Selected General Education Courses
Course Descriptions
Semester 1
Construction Safety/Tools (CCT100) (4 credits)
This course focuses on safety practices and procedures in the construction industry. Students will learn
about occupational and health safety standards, work site hazards, personal protective equipment and
maintenance requirements, and work site communication skills.
Hands on applications focus on safe operation of hand tools, power tools, powder actuacted tools and
cutting torch.
Blueprints, Specifications & Layout (CCT103) (4 credits)
This course focuses on interpreting blueprints, drawings and layouts using architectural and measurement
conventions to industry standards of practice. Students will learn to interpret sketches and drawings and
learn to use scales, tapes and measurement conventions. They will also learn basic principles of
construction layout. Throughout the course, the student will be familiarized with relevant provisions of the
Ontario Building Code.
Communications I (CMM115) (3 credits)
The focus of this course is paragraph writing. Students will produce effective, college-level
expository/response paragraphs by developing analytical skills to select and properly integrate electronic
and other research materials. Writing components such as grammar, sentence structure, paragraph
development, editing, and referencing are included.
Mathematics (MTH145) (4 credits)
This first level mathematics course for engineering technology programs begins with a review of
fundamental concepts including arithmetic operations and concepts in measurement. This is followed by
several algebra topics including linear equations, factoring, fractions and quadratic equations. A treatment
of trigonometry of right triangles, the trigonometric functions of any angle and of oblique triangles is also
included.
The goals of this course are, first, to show that mathematics does play a most important role in the
development and understanding of the various fields of technology and, secondly, to ensure that students
acquire the mathematical and critical thinking skills necessary to analyze and solve engineering technology
problems.
Surveying (SUR101) (4 credits)
This course introduces the student to basic surveying principles. The topics deal with the theory,
application, and care of traditional instruments such as the level, theodelite and chain. Emphasis is placed
on contributing effectively as a team member of a survey crew.
Semester 2
Building and Construction Estimating (ARC101) (5 credits)
This course covers the theories and principles of estimating and quantity survey techniques applied to light
construction projects. The subject includes mathematics of estimating, site work, concrete and form work,
carpentry, masonry, and moisture protection and finishes. The student will develop unit construction costs
to supply and install building elements.
Introduction to Computers and AutoCAD (CAD100) (4 credits)
This course briefly introduces students to computer concepts and PC software applications. Practical skills
in the use of Windows, file management and spreadsheets will be developed. With this basic foundation,
the student will explore the fundamentals of computer assisted drafting using AutoCAD. Practical exercises
will help the student develop a basic knowledge of AutoCAD. The student will understand the fundamental
concepts of computer applications related to architectural and engineering drawing.
Concrete and Formwork I (CCT120) (4 credits)
This course focuses on the methods and procedures used in the placement of concrete and form setting.
Students will learn about equipment and tools used in concrete placement, and will learn to install
concrete and grout material as well as reinforcement components. Students will also learn to interpret
blueprints for form setting activities and the use of form setting tools.
Co-op Placement I (CWA100) (3 credits)
Students will spend their first work term working in Civil related activities at a level compatible with their
skills. The student will keep an activity log and prepare a report based on their job experience. The
employer will do an evaluation of the co-op employee.
Applied Mechanics (MCH100) (4 credits)
The objective of this course is to introduce the student to a number of fundamental concepts of statics
which should prove useful to the civil, architectural, and construction students. Every effort will be made
not to dwell on the theory of these concepts but to instead stress practical applications through the
extensive use of problem solving.
Survey Fieldcamp (SUR122) (2 credits)
This course is designed to provide the students with a one week of practical hands-on surveying
experience. The key components of the course deal with leveling, building layout and road layout.
Global Citizenship (GEN100) (3 credits)
The world we are living in is one in which local, national and international issues are interwoven, and the
need for us to understand the impact these issues can have on our lives has never been greater! Using a
socio-cultural, political and environmental lens, students will view how the world is changing and how to
become active agents of change from the local to international level. Important issues such as social
injustice, poverty, environmental protection, resource scarcity, sustainability, and health will be
addressed. Global citizenship is an opportunity to `Be the Change`. This course meets the Civic Life and
Social and Cultural Understanding General Education themes.
Semester 3
Applied CAD II (CAD222) (3 credits)
This course is intended to expand on the basic skills developed from other introductory formal CAD
courses. Students should have prerequisite CAD120 or equal industrial experience. The student will learn
how to use advanced AutoCAD features such as customization of menus and tablets, macros, integrate
basic LISP programs, digitizing, understand the principle of 3-D modeling wire frames, surfaces and solids.
Technical Communication (CMM210) (3 credits)
This course provides training in technical communication. Emphasis is given to memos, letters, forms, and
reports. Oral reporting and its importance on the job are also included. The effective use of computers to
research and generate technical documents is an essential component of this course. The theory of writing
is taught through the writing process.
Construction Materials I (CON200) (4 credits)
The student is introduced to various construction materials such as aggregates, Portland cement concrete
and asphalt concrete. Understanding of the physical and engineering properties of these materials is
accomplished by way of lectures, laboratory, testing, field trips and class presentations.
Mechanics of Materials (MCH212) (4 credits)
This subject deals with direct stress, thin wall cylinders, stress-strain, thermal stress, riveted and bolted
connections, welded connections, centroids and moment of inertia of structural shapes, shear and bending
moments, design of beams, flexure formula, and factor of safety.
Mathematics (MTH146) (4 credits)
This course is a continuation of MTH145 for engineering and technology students. Topics of study include
geometry, exponents and radicals, exponential and logarithmic functions, variation, plane analytic
geometry, statistics, and graphs of trigonometric functions. This course is suitable for students studying at
the technician level.
Surveying (SUR201) (4 credits)
This course is a continuation of SUR235. Students will apply the knowledge gained in the operation of
surveying instruments in practical construction layout projects. In addition, students are introduced to
total station surveying and associated computer applications such as COCGO and map creation, terrain
modeling and project data management.
Introduction to Canadian Government (POL110) (3 credits)
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of Canadian government. The key structures
of government at all levels will be reviewed; however, the primary focus will be on the federal and
provincial levels. Students will become cognizant of the impact of government on their lives and how their
participation in the system can affect change.
Semester 4
Soil Mechanics (ARC217) (4 credits)
The student will reinforce his/her understanding of soil formation, identification and classification. In
addition, the student will be introduced to the engineering properties of soil and movement of water
through soil. Sub-grade pavement materials will also be covered.
Applied Municipal Services (CIV205) (4 credits)
Students will examine: water supply, water treatment plants, sewage disposal, garbage disposal, sewer
design, government approval applications, subdivision design. Field trips to various municipal services
installation works are included.
Project Management and Law (CIV215) (3 credits)
To familiarize the student with construction management practices, contractual arrangements, types of
contracts, contract documents, bonds and insurance, bidding procedure, planning and scheduling, contract
administration, and arbitration.
Highway Engineering (CIV216) (4 credits)
This course will introduce the student to fundamental concepts in the field of transportation engineering.
The student will develop a working knowledge of road classification, level of service, traffic study, highway
geometrics and intersection design. Computer and survey applications will be discussed when appropriate.
Structures (CIV225) (5 credits)
This course provides the student with a general understanding of structures. The topics deal with general
types of structures, loads on structures, analysis and design of structural elements.
What in the World is Going On? (GAS103) (3 credits)
This course will give you the opportunity to build a strong awareness of current global issues. You will
explore various media such as radio, TV, internet, newspaper, and magazines. Through discussions,
debates, and presentations, students will focus on the main international headlines. Students will discover
and develop a view and understanding of the impact of events related to music, entertainment, fashion,
sports, politics, economics, world issues, and human-interest stories.
Music and Pop Culture (GAS109) (3 credits)
This course will give students the opportunity to think creatively and critically about the influence of
popular music. Students will explore different music genres (rock, metal, hip hop and rap), their
development and social significance. Students may explore music in film, commercials, war and protest,
social and civil rights movements, and the contributions of specific artists to contemporary culture. The
ways in which popular music has contributed to the current culture and, in turn, how culture has shaped
popular music will be examined.
Your Two Cents (GAS116) (3 credits)
No matter one’s lifestyle, income or background, each person has experienced and developed practices to
how we relate to money. This course explores our relationship and personal understanding with money,
and its place and value in our culture and individual lives.
Student Selected General Education (GEN110) (3 credits)
For Transfer Credit Purposes only.
Personal and Academic Success Strategies (HDG122) (3 credits)
This course will prepare you for the rigors of academic life and enable you to develop a personal profile for
college and career success. The main focus of this course will include accepting personal responsibility,
discovering self-motivation, mastering self-management, employing interdependence, gaining
self-awareness, adopting lifelong learning and developing emotional intelligence. In addition, you will
develop and produce a `Personal Profile` that will identify your personal learning style, communication
style, and personality style to enable you to achieve success in learning about, understanding, and
choosing the courses and careers that will lead to personal and professional satisfaction.
Introduction to Aboriginal Peoples of Canada (SSC102) (3 credits)
This course will provide the participants with an introduction to the history and cultural survival of
Canada`s Aboriginal people. Aboriginal worldview will be identified and discussed in both historical and
modern perspectives. Students will review colonization, government policies and legislation, which provide
a foundation for understanding modern Aboriginal life in Canada.