Student Success & The Northern Experience
Computers and network systems are everywhere: in industry, business, vehicles, law enforcement, laboratories and homes. Computer Engineering Technicians maintain software, systems and networks to improve life for society. This program addresses many applications for computers including business analysis, networking and system security.
Does this program sound like a good fit for you?
Connect with us to learn more.
Course Information
2024-2025 Academic Year
Semester 1
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 provides an introduction to programming using Java. The course will focus on core programming concepts that are universal to all modern programming languages. Students will learn to write programs using proper algorithm design, logic, data types, variables, control structures and functions (methods). The goal of the course is to provide a solid foundation of core programming skills that will allow students to further their learning in a variety of development environments.
70 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.
Cisco Networking I is the first course of the Cisco Networking Academy CCNAv7 curriculum titled Introduction to Networks (ITN). Introduction to Networks is one of three courses that are aligned to the CCNA Certification Exam. ITN contains 17 modules, each with a series of topics. In Introduction to Networks, the student will gain a basic understanding of the way networks operate. They will learn about network components and their functions, as well as how a network is structured, and the architectures used to create networks, including the internet. ITN is about more than learning networking concepts. By the end of this course, the student will be able to build local area networks (LANs), configure basic settings on routers and switches, and implement internet protocol (IP). In ITN, every concept that the student learns and skills that they develop will be used in the rest of the CCNA curriculum.
70 Hours
This course covers the fundamentals of computer hardware, software and advanced concepts such as security, networking, and the responsibilities of an IT professional. Students learn how to assemble and configure a computer, install operating systems and software, and finally troubleshoot hardware and software problems. In addition, chapters on networks and communication skills are included. This course helps students prepare for CompTIA’s A+ certification.
Prerequisite: None
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
Semester 2
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 is the second course in the CCNA curriculum series, which focuses on Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials (SRWE). It focuses on switching technologies and router operations that support small-to-medium business networks and includes wireless local area networks (WLAN) and security concepts. In addition to learning, key switching and routing concepts, learners will be able to perform basic network configuration and troubleshooting, identify and mitigate LAN security threats, and configure and secure a basic WLAN.
56 Hours
An operating system is an organized collection of programs and data designed to manage the resources of a computer system and provide a base upon which applications can be developed and run. This course is designed to build a foundation in basic server administration. It covers all of the critical Windows Server 2016 features, including the features unique to this operating system. The students will learn how to choose the right server edition for their needs, and learn how to install, configure, customize, manage, and troubleshoot their server.
56 Hours
This course covers intermediate level programming concepts using the Java programming language. Using a project-based approach, students will learn and apply Object Oriented Design (OOD) principles in solving computer programming problems.
42 Hours
Cisco CyberOps Associate covers knowledge and skills needed to successfully handle the tasks, duties, and responsibilities of an associate-level Security Analyst working in a Security Operations Center (SOC).
56 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
Semester 3
The course focuses on cabling issues related to data, voice, video communications and provides an understanding of the industry and its worldwide standards, types of media and cabling, physical and logical networks, as well as signal transmission. Cabling and networking equipment and consumable bundles are used to teach the hands-on portion of the curriculum. This provides the student with a basic understanding of networking and telecommunication cabling, communication standards, and how to properly plan and understand the different uses of technology examples (Power over ethernet, understanding connecting wireless networks, Fiber networking), install and test the data/telecommunication mediums and different types of networking equipment.
42 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
This course provides an introduction to markup languages and their use in web publishing. The focus will be on HTML, CSS, and the most current techniques for front-end web development with an emphasis on creating web interfaces that work seamlessly on mobile devices. Students will learn through a combination of research and applied projects, and will apply the current standards in HTML5 and CSS3.
42 Hours
The focus of this course is to learn about WANs (wide area networks) along with new technologies for improving the functionality of these networks using virtualization and automation. You will use the skills and knowledge gained from your previous networking courses in order to successfully configure, secure, verify and troubleshoot enterprise network devices. This will be achieved by incorporating your newly acquired knowledge of application programming interfaces and network configuration management and monitoring applications.
56 Hours
Demand for Linux technical expertise is growing rapidly in IT departments. Linux is being adopted by many companies for numerous services once provided by other varieties of UNIX and Microsoft Windows operating systems. The course will introduce students to the most common methods, hardware and software used to achieve a useful and secure Linux computer system. This course helps students prepare for CompTIA’s Linux+ certification and the LPIC-1 certification through the study of the configurations used in the set up of Fedora Linux operating system installations.
56 Hours
This course will present the essential skills for designing and working with relational databases. Students will acquire a solid foundation in Structured Query Language (SQL) by working on a series of existing databases. Techniques for the design and implementation of databases will be presented following the principles of normalization and referential integrity.
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
Semester 4
The course provides an introduction to the core security concepts and skills needed for the installation, troubleshooting, and monitoring of network devices to maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data and devices.
Prerequisite: IN3084 – Cisco Networking III with a minimum passing grade level of “C” – 60%.
56 Hours
This course provides a foundation of the basic information required for network operating system administration and other network administration tasks. The course is intended for students who want to pursue a career in information technology. The configuration and administration both the Windows Server 2012 and Linux Fedora operating systems is studied. Also, how to troubleshoot operating system issues is practiced. This course helps students prepare for CompTIA’s A+ certification.
Prerequisite: IN1104 – IT Essentials I with a minimum passing grade level of “C”.
56 Hours
This course will teach the students about virtualization as it combines theories and concepts with practical hands-on activities and projects that allows the student to apply the concepts learned to real world scenarios. This course will provide the student with a working knowledge of the leading virtualization products, including Oracle VirtualBox, VMware Workstation, Microsoft Hyper-V, and VMware vSphere. In addition to learning how to install and use the products, the student will learn how to apply virtualization technology to create virtual data centres that use clusters for high availability, use management software to administer multiple host systems, implement a virtual desktop environment, and leverage cloud computing to build or extend the data centre and provide disaster recovery services. By the time they finish this course the student will have a solid base in virtualization concepts and products that you can use to build your IT career.
42 Hours
This course provides a hands-on introduction to web application development. Students will design and implement a series of projects that reflect the current trends in web applications. Sample projects include social media sites, shopping cart systems, and content management systems. Students will gain experience with web scripting languages and enabling database-driven content.
56 Hours
This course provides an overall examination of systems analysis as it applies to all phases of the Systems Development life Cycle (SDLC). The actual components of these phases, in theory and in practice, are explored in relation to completing assigned projects. The projects will involve the planning, analysis, & design of a system. The course also introduces some concepts of Critical Thinking & Problem Solving.
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: 15.1201
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).
- Identify, analyze, develop, implement, verify, and document the requirements for a computing environment.
- Contribute to the diagnostics, troubleshooting, documenting, and monitoring of technical problems using appropriate methodologies and tools.
- Implement and maintain secure computer environments.
- Implement robust computing system solutions through validation testing that aligns with industry best practices.
- Communicate and collaborate with team members and stakeholders to ensure effective working relationships.
- Select and apply strategies for personal and professional development to enhance work performance.
- Apply project management principles and tools when working on projects within a computing environment.
- Adhere to ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements and/or principles in the development and management of computing solutions and systems.
- Support the integration of multiple software and hardware components using appropriate systems, methodologies, and connection protocols.
- Install, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain a variety of computing devices and networked systems (software or hardware) in accordance with documented functional requirements and standards.
- Apply principles of digital and analog circuits to troubleshoot computing devices, including embedded components and systems.
- Contribute to the analysis, building, testing, implementation, and maintenance of embedded (including IoT) devices and applications.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of software applications for systems integration.
Career Opportunities
Northern College graduates are able to develop and maintain networks, systems and programs for both business and industry. Graduates can expect to find employment in the following fields/positions:
- Programmer / Analyst
- Computer engineer
- Computer systems engineer
- Employed by computer and telecommunication hardware manufacturers, engineering, manufacturing and telecommunications firms, IT consulting firms, and government, educational and research institutions in the private and public sectors
Explore labour market information for related careers and employment trend data from the Government of Canada Job Bank.
Admissions Information & Requirements
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%)
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: a 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: $2,720.56
International: $14,813.46
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 |
| Kirkland Lake (KL) | $909.50 | $1,522.00 |
| 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.
What Students learned at Skills Ontario
“Eric:
As this is the first time, we have had two students from the Computer Engineering Technician program represent Northern College at the Skills Ontario Competition, the experience has been very rewarding. Seeing the students apply what they have learned from our program is a true testament to the dedication and commitment of both our students and the faculty who taught them. Participating in Skills Ontario gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and prepares them for entering the workforce with confidence. I look forward to encouraging more students from our program to push themselves and continue representing Northern College at Skills Ontario, increasing our footprint at this competition for year to come.“Harkirat:
“Participating in the Skills Ontario competition was an incredibly enriching experience that profoundly impacted my technical and professional growth. Each task in the competition pushed my limits requiring not only technical proficiency but also problem-solving, critical thinking, time management and intelligence. Furthermore, provision of unwavering support from my professor and coach, Eric Lapajne, was invaluable. This competition has affirmed my passion for my field – Information Technology, and boosted my confidence to pursue my career with higher goals.”
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.