Electronics Engineering Technology - Control Systems

Program Description

As a student of ELN, you’ll gain a broad understanding of instrumentation, process control, sequential control, data acquisition, servo control, event driven PC programming, PLC programming using modern industrial programming languages (IEC 61131-3), analog/digital electronics, AC and DC machines, industrial field bus and conventional networks, and power electronics.

During the final year of the program, you’ll focus on applying learned principles to a project demonstrating computer control of a manufacturing process. The project involves the integration of PLC's, PC'S, a robot using field bus and ethernet technology and TCP/IP protocol. You’ll also study instrumentation and control systems to better understand the effects of process static and dynamic characteristics on control strategy and controller tuning.

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, design and produce electrical and electronics drawings, layouts and reports.
• analyze and solve technical problems related to electronics engineering by applying principles of advanced mathematics and science.
• apply appropriate troubleshooting techniques to electronic circuits or systems and generate and perform test procedures.
• design, build, test and troubleshoot electronic circuits, equipment, systems and subsystems in accordance with job requirements, functional specifications and relevant standards.
• modify, maintain, repair and recommend electronic equipment and systems in accordance with relevant operational guidelines.
• determine, select, recommend and justify the purchase of electronic equipment, components and systems in accordance with code, standards and job requirements and functional specifications.
• design, modify, analyze and troubleshoot logic and digital circuits, and embedded microprocessor-based and microcontroller-based systems, including assembly and high-level language programs.
• design, analyze and troubleshoot circuits consisting of passive components by applying appropriate measurement techniques.
• design, analyze and troubleshoot circuits consisting of low power, high power, active and electromechanical components, and analog integrated circuits.
• design, analyze and troubleshoot control systems.
• design, analyze, troubleshoot and repair analog and digital communication systems.
• apply relevant shop practices in compliance with safety policies and current regulations for electronics engineering workplaces.
• collaborate in selecting, co-ordinating 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.
• contribute to the planning, implementation, management and evaluation of team projects by applying project management 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.

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.

Applicant Selection:

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

Your Career

Pursue a rewarding career as a Control Systems specialist. Our six-semester Electronics Engineering Technology advanced diploma prepares you to work in the area of automation, process control and instrumentation. You’ll find a wide range of employment opportunities with utility companies, manufacturers, consultants, contractors, or government agencies. Your work may include PLC programming, networking, software development, operations, maintenance, technical sales and design. The ELN program will also prepare you for work in GUI and PLC programming, as well as PC interfacing and configuring as applied to automated processes.

FAST TRACK into Semester Three

If you already have a post-secondary education 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 ELN 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.

Note: Graduates of the Seneca College 2-year Electronics Engineering Technician program, with a minimum grade point average of 2.8, will be required to take additional credit subjects in order to make the transition to the 3-year Electronics Engineering Technology (Control Systems) program. For specific credit requirements, please refer to the Electronics Engineering Technology (Control Systems) program description on our website, or seek advice from a program co-ordinator. It is recommended that technician students considering such a transition investigate current requirements prior to the end of their first year in the Technician program.

Common First Year

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

This program includes a high proportion of relevant hands-on laboratory work to ensure that the graduate appreciates the practical aspects of industrial/factory automated systems.

Co-operative Education Option

Apply for co-op in your third semester, and if accepted, you’ll gain 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. You could graduate with up to 12 months of paid employment experience while spending only four or eight months longer to achieve your diploma. To be eligible for and progress in co-op, you must achieve and maintain aboveaverage academic standards.

Students in the co-op option will also take CPP100 in the semester preceding their first co-op work term, and CPP200 in the semester following their first work term. Students must successfully complete CPP100, CPP200 and at least two work terms to graduate from the coop option. For more information, please visit the Co-op page at  www.senecac.on.ca/co-op.

Affiliations and Associations

• Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
• Instrument Society of America
• Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT)
• York Technology Association (YTA)
• Association Connecting Electronics Industries (IPC)

CTAB Nationally Accredited Program

The Electronics Engineering Technology - Control Systems 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 Technologist

OACETT (The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists) recognizes the Electronics Engineering Technology - Control Systems program as meeting all the academic requirements for certification in the Technologist 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.

General Education

One of the general education subjects must be a literature subject (from any category) for which EAC150 is a pre-requisite.

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

Canada

U.S.

International

Curriculum

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