Student Success & The Northern Experience
Civil Engineering Technicians carry out technical functions related to a broad range of civil engineering fields including structural, municipal, highway and transportation engineering, water resources, geotechnical engineering, environmental protection and infrastructure rehabilitation.
Does this program sound like a good fit for you?
Connect with us to learn more.
Course Information
2024-2025 Academic Year
Semester 1
This course describes in detail the materials and construction techniques required for residential construction. Topics include sustainable design, soils and foundations, framing and the building envelope. Various options are discussed for each topic. Students will also use sketching and drafting techniques to complete various construction details.
84 Hours
In this course, students will learn essential skills for success in college and the workplace. This course focuses on developing and strengthening oral and written communication skills, and critical thinking ability. During this course, students will engage in a variety of forms of communication with a focus on upholding the principles of academic integrity. Students will develop the skills necessary to create discipline-specific documents, practice business etiquette and professionalism, and apply critical thinking strategies to practical scenarios. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to plan and draft concise, coherent and well-organized writing assignments that are tailored to specific audiences and purposes.
42 Hours
This course introduces the student to health and safety in their home, in society and within an occupational setting. Students learn about the social and personal benefits of safe work practices and the methods to best prevent accidents or injuries. Students will review the role, right and responsibilities of an individual in today’s health and safety conscious world. Students also learn how to read and interpret the Occupational Act and Regulations.
This is an introductory course designed to teach students the basics of using the AutoCAD drafting software to create 2 dimensional drawings. Lessons include using the draw, modify, layering and annotation commands.
56 Hours
This course is an introductory course into the study of physics. It consists of 6 theory units and a corresponding laboratory component. The topics covered include: measurement, motion, forces, work and energy, fluids and heat. The lab component gives students the opportunity to connect with the acquired theory.
56 Hours
This course covers basic algebra properties, graphing the straight line, basic geometry and trigonometry, and solving a system of equations graphically and algebraically. It also covers vector addition by components and by the cosine and sine laws.
56 Hours
This course is an introduction to the basic principles of Plane Surveying. The theory and use of theodolites/total stations, steel tapes and levels will be covered. Basic surveying calculations for direction, coordinates and area will be included.
42 Hours
Semester 2
This is an introduction to engineering statics/mechanics tailored to the needs of Mechanical and Civil students. The major topics include vectors, moments, couples, centroids and moment of inertia. Students will learn how to find the reaction forces at the supports and the internal force in members using the method of joints and the method of sections. Students will also learn how to calculate the centroid and the area moment of inertia for simple shapes and some commercial shapes. Applied statics/mechanics is the basis for all calculations in areas such as stress analysis, machine design, hydraulics and structural design.
56 Hours
In this course, students will develop professional communication skills required for success in the workplace. Students will continue to develop and strengthen their oral and written communication skills and critical thinking abilities. During this course, students will use various modes of communication to complete assignments designed to meet program and professional expectations. Students will utilize a variety of technologies for the purpose of creating a professional presence in a digital environment. Students will develop the necessary skills to create polished workplace documents such as letters, resumes, cover letters and reports tailored to specific audiences. Students will learn to conduct themselves with professionalism in both workplace interviews and job searches. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to create clear, concise and coherent workplace and employment documents that are error-free and designed for specific audiences and purposes.
42 Hours
This course introduces students to the two basic tenets of fluid mechanics: hydrostatics and fluid flow. Hydrostatics pertains to the study of fluids at rest and the forces they exert on surfaces or objects they contact. This facet of fluid mechanics equips students to solve problems related to the design of dams, swimming pool walls, air tanks, and various other modern daily necessities. Fluid flow, on the other hand, addresses the behavior of fluids in motion and their interaction with surfaces and objects. Understanding fluid flow aids students in determining pipe sizes for water distribution systems, assessing potential damage from river floods, harnessing rivers for hydroelectric power development, and solving other hydraulic problems. This course also introduces students to the use of Autodesk Civil 3D software for Municipal Design.
56 Hours
This course is primarily a laboratory course in concrete theory and soil mechanics. Ready mixed concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world. It is extremely versatile, strong, and economical in comparison to other materials. It lends itself well to a vast array of applications in construction. In addition, its attributes relative to sustainability are relevant to the entire construction industry. Concrete principles and theory constitute the first portion of this course.
The study of soil mechanics is important since soil is the most readily available construction material, and all structures must be supported on soil or rock. The student will learn the theory on which the most common laboratory and field tests are based, and perform related tests.
84 Hours
Improving your knowledge and understanding of the history of the Indigenous peoples of what we now call Canada is an important step to enable Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, organizations, and communities to work together more respectfully. Throughout this course you will have the opportunity to learn, discuss and reflect about many topics that are relevant in the learning journey towards reconciliation.
42 Hours
In this course, students will engage in a more applied approach to using Computer Drafting software. With a combination of theory and applicable practice, the student will learn the process of preparing Architectural, Civil and Structural Construction Drawings. Lessons will familiarize the students on Design Principles and procedures and prepare them to complete the term project.
42 Hours
MA2104 is the second course in the math stream for students in an Engineering Technician / Technology program. The emphasis of this course is on solving equations relating to quadratics, logarithms, exponentials, with sections on factoring, fractional equations, manipulating exponent and radical expressions, and complex numbers, and for some programs studying systems of linear equations and determinants. Applications of the basic concepts, to particular fields of study, will be covered.
The second semester Mathematics course is designed to give the student the mathematical tools required to function in his/her special field of study.
Students are encouraged to seek help after class hours if problems are encountered in the course. Every effort will be made to identify problem areas to the student, but in the final analysis, it is the responsibility of the student to ask for help.
Prerequisite: MA1100 – Mathematics I (with 60%)
56 Hours
Municipal Engineering involves the study of Engineering Surveys, Construction Surveys, blueprint reading and the design and construction of municipal infrastructure. Emphasis will be placed on sustainable urban infrastructure design and construction practices.
28 Hours
Semester 3
Students are introduced to proper measurement techniques of construction items and components found in a commercial and municipal projects. Emphasis is placed on accuracy of measurement, quantity take-off concept, sound estimating principles, and construction materials. Appropriate software solutions will be applied.
56 Hours
In this course, the student will learn about the many different concepts related to the design of highways. From sight distances to minimum curve radii; and from superelevation to road classification this course will attempt to encompass the many considerations one must make when designing a highway. Simple highway design will be examined. Civil 3D functionality with respect to highway design will be introduced.
28 Hours
Municipal Design II is a combination of wastewater collection system design and urban storm design. Sewers are underground conduits that convey wastewater mostly under gravity to the treatment plant. Hydrologic design entails the collection of surface water runoff to safer conduits on to point of discharge. This course will be an interaction of three courses: Biology, Chemistry and Hydraulics. Biochemistry will focus on sources of wastewater contamination and treatment thereafter. Hydraulics will focus on sizing of appropriate pipes to convey the design flow. This course is also to continue to teach students the advance of how to use Autodesk Civil 3D software for Municipal Design as well as introduces the students to the Autodesk Storm and Sanitary Analysis SSA application.
42 Hours
This course covers topics such as: graphs of trigonometric functions, trigonometric identities and equations, the study of analytic geometry including the properties of the circle, the parabola and the ellipse. Students will also be introduced to Calculus. The course expands with the study of the rate of change and the derivative of algebraic functions with applications to graphing, optimization and minimum and maximum problems. Students will also be introduced to integration of algebraic functions with applications to area and centroids.
Prerequisite: MA2014 – Mathematics II
70 Hours
Plane Survey I is a continuation of Survey Principles. A “hands-on” project-oriented approach is emphasized, wherein survey principles are practiced in the field. Projects will include operating an automatic level to run a level loop and operating a total station to measure the distances and interior angles of a survey traverse. Emphasis will be placed on maintaining proper field notes.
42 Hours
This course examines the behaviour of engineering materials under various loading conditions. The concepts of stress and strain are critically examined with emphasis on the application of those concepts to practical design and analysis problems. Topics include direct normal and shear stresses; axial deformation and thermal stress; torsional shear stress and torsional deformation; shearing forces and bending moments in beams; pressure vessel stresses; welded and bolted (riveted) connections.
56 Hours
General Education Courses are selected online each semester by the student from a list provided and exposes students to a related area of study outside of their immediate academic discipline. Certain programs have predetermined electives.
42 Hours
Semester 4
This Project Documentation course has been designed to equip professionals in the construction industry with the essential knowledge and skills required for the effective creation, management, and utilization of project documentation. This course covers various critical aspects, including the process of tendering a construction project, an examination of the documents integral to a standard construction contract, and key elements of project planning and scheduling.
Throughout the course, students will gain practical insights into using the National Master Specification NMS, review the stipulated price contract outlined in CCDC2, understand the process of Contract Administration activities, understand Construction Tender procedures, apply Ontario specifications OPSS and OPSD for contract administration, utilize MS Project for creating construction project schedules, and using MS Excel for managing Construction Progress Payments and Project Forecasting.
Pre-requisites: AR1016 Methods and Materials I/Detailing
42 Hours
This course is a continuation of Highways I and has an emphasis on the mathematics of road design including the calculation of circular curves, vertical curves, and spiral curves. The student will manually also draft cross sections from field notes in accordance with an approved road design. Finally, time permitting, the student will calculate and lay off a spiral-circular-spiral curve arrangement. Continuation of advanced Civil 3D applications.
42 Hours
This course explores sustainable practices within the field of civil engineering. Students will learn about sustainable design and the social, economic and environmental factors affecting it. The course presents practical applications and case studies within the context of the LEED rating system.
42 Hours
This course exposes the students to Part-9 Foundations and Structural Framing, Part-3 Building Classification and Construction, and Part-4 Structural Design with reference to the Ontario Building Code.
42 Hours
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of beam analysis and design. It covers the relationships between bending moment and flexural stress, as well as vertical shear and shear stress in beams. Additionally, the course delves into beams under torsional loading and investigates the concept of combined stresses. Furthermore, this course will examine the general case and special case of combined stress and Mohr’s circle and finally the calculation of beam deflections utilizing various methods. Finally, time permitting, we will delve into the area of indeterminate structural analysis.
42 Hours
This course will cover such topics as: Measures of Central and Dispersion Tendencies; Distributions (Frequency, Probability, Binomial and Normal); Quality Process Control; Correlation and Regression Models and Hypothesis Testing. This course will have applications to various fields in engineering while using Microsoft Excel
Pre-requisites: MA1100 Mathematics I
42 Hours
Gain an understanding of GIS fundamental concepts and terminology including the role of GIS in business, government, surveying and natural resources. Learn how to create and manipulate data using GIS. Examine the collection, management, analysis and presentation of spatial data, concepts of database systems, data modeling and digital mapping.
42 Hours
General Education Courses are selected online each semester by the student from a list provided and exposes students to a related area of study outside of their immediate academic discipline. Certain programs have predetermined electives.
42 Hours
Career Ready Graduates
Articulation Agreements
A number of articulation agreements have been negotiated with universities and other institutions across Canada, North America and internationally. These agreements are assessed, revised and updated on a regular basis. Please contact the program coordinator for specific details if you are interested in pursuing such an option.
Canadian Field of Study/CIP Code List
CIP Code: 15.0201
International students: check the Canadian Field of Study/CIP Code List to see if your program is eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
- Develop and use strategies to enhance professional growth and ongoing learning in the civil engineering field.
- Comply with workplace health and safety practices and procedures in accordance with current legislation and regulations.
- Complete duties and assist in monitoring that work is performed in compliance with contractual obligations, applicable laws, standards, bylaws, codes, and ethical practices in the civil engineering field.
- Carry out sustainable practices in accordance with contract documents, industry standards and environmental legislative requirements.
- Collaborate with the project team and communicate effectively with project stakeholders to support civil engineering projects.
- Collect, process and interpret technical data to produce written and graphical project-related documents.
- Use industry-specific electronic and digital technologies to support civil engineering projects.
- Participate in the design and modeling phase of civil engineering projects by applying engineering concepts, basic technical mathematics, and principles of science to the review and production of project plans.
- Assist in the scheduling, cost estimation and monitoring of the progression of civil engineering projects by applying principles of construction project management.
- Perform quality control testing and the monitoring of equipment, materials and methods involved in the implementation and completion of civil engineering projects.
- Apply teamwork, leadership and interpersonal skills when working individually or within multidisciplinary teams to complete civil engineering projects.
Career Opportunities
Northern College graduates can find employment in the following areas: Field and Laboratory Materials Testing, Field Surveying, Construction Estimation, Technical & Municipal Drafting, Road Construction Inspection, Project Management.
- Civil engineering technician
- Employed by consulting engineering and construction companies, public works, transportation, and other government agencies in a variety of industries.
Explore labour market information for related careers and employment trend data from the Government of Canada Job Bank.
Admissions Information & Requirements
Program Specific Requirements
AutoCAD System Requirements [PDF, 972 KB]
Admission Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- Grade 12 English (C, U)
- Grade 12 Math (C, U) (MCT4C preferred; MAP4C is accepted with a minimum GPA of 60%)
- Grade 12 Physics (C, U) recommended
Or equivalent
Academic prerequisites for this program may be obtained free of charge through Academic Upgrading.
Applicants who do not have a high school diploma or equivalent and will have reached the age of 19 years on or before the start of the program must undergo academic testing and may be required to complete Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) process to demonstrate equivalency of admission requirements prior to admission into a program.
For more details, please contact the Admissions Office at 705-235-7222 or admissions@northern.on.ca.
Additional Requirements for International Students
In addition to the admission requirements, international students must have proof of English Proficiency and meet the requirements below.
1. Proof of Senior High School Diploma/Certificate
2. English Proficiency (we will require one of the following):
- IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System: minimum overall score of 6.0 must be achieved with no individual band score under 6.0; however, we will accept one band at 5.5.
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – Internet Based Test (iBT) overall minimum score of 79
- PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic – Graduate Diploma: 58+
If your country of citizenship has English as its official language, we may accept alternate proof of English Proficiency.
All educational documents must be submitted in English and will be dependent on the country of citizenship.
For more information, please contact admissions@northern.on.ca.
Tuition, Fees & Payments
The tuition and fees information is typically updated yearly for the upcoming Academic Year in May. The amounts are for the full academic year.
Amounts may be based on last years tuition and fees and are subject to change.
If you are a current student, please refer to your Student Account or see a Student Services Clerk for the most up-to-date information.
Tuition
Domestic: $4,080.83
International: $19,389.76
Ancillary Fees
Ancillary fees are paid in full for the entire academic year in the first semester.
The Convocation and Official Documentation Fee (GRA) of $100.00 only applies for the first year of each program.
Please see Detailed Ancillary Fees for more information.
| Ancillary Fees by Campus | Domestic | International |
| Timmins (PC) | $945.50 | $1,558.00 |
Find Your True North.
At Northern College, you’re a part of a community.
From your teachers to support staff and administrators, we are all here to help you get an education and make some lasting connections along the way.
Your success is incredibly important to you, so we provide student supports to help you achieve your goals. From study assistance and accessibility services to mental health supports and financial aid, we’ve got you covered.
Each of Northern’s campuses boasts exercise facilities, a gym, cafeteria, study areas and a library – places that you can go to help keep you focused as you work your way through your studies. The communities we call home are incredible places, filled with amazing people and things to do.
Does Northern College sound like a good fit for you?
Here’s how to take your first steps on your new exciting and rewarding career path.