| What are the department
office hours? |
|
- Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:45
|
| Who is my Department Chair and when
can I see him? |
|
Shawn McBride
Location: T307a
Ext. 5984
mcbrids@algonquincollege.com
You should see the Department Chair when you have been referred to him by your program coordinator, by the main office support staff, or someone external to the department such as a staff member from the Registrar’s office. You should also see him for matters that concern a professor or academic advice that has not been provided to your satisfaction by your program coordinator.
|
| Who is my program coordinator? |
|
- 0150X Computer Systems Technician / 0155X Computer Systems Technology - Networking
Pat Ouellette
Ext. 5904
Location: T307K
coordcst@algonquincollege.com
|
| Who can I see for academic advice? |
|
Your first point of
contact for academic advice is your program coordinator.
Please email your coordinator for an appointment or
visit them during their posted office hours.
You may also visit Student Services for Counseling
http://www.algonquincollege.com/studentservices/counselling/index.htm
|
| Incidental Fee details by program: |
|
Effective 2008 Fall term and beyond, DO NOT purchase the following items as they will be provided to you as part of the incidental fees you have to pay to take the courses in your program of study, we have included most of the items needed (both hardware and software) for start of term. This is an arrangement negotiated with our College New Technology store. NOTE: Software versions are subject to change without notice, however, the College New Technology store will always have the right item in stock.
0006X – Computer Engineering Technology – Computing Science:
- Vantec NexStar 3 NST-360SU (hard drive enclosure)
- 250GB SATA/SATA II Hard Drive
- Panda Platinum Internet Security 2007 (OEM) anti-virus software (3-year license)
- 6 bit magnetic screwdriver
- Anti-static wrist strap
- Patch Cable Set (Nordx/Beldon or Panduit) (the set consists of: 2x 7’ Cat-5 straight-through, 1x 7’ Cat-5 cross-over, 1x 7’ Cisco-specific Rollover cable)
- USB key 512MB minimum
0150X – Computer Systems Technician:
- Vantec NexStar 3 NST-360SU (hard drive enclosure)
- 250GB SATA/SATA II Hard Drive
- Panda Platinum Internet Security 2007 (OEM) anti-virus software (3-year license)
- 6 bit magnetic screwdriver
- Anti-static wrist strap
- Patch Cable Set (Nordx/Beldon or Panduit) (the set consists of: 2x 7’ Cat-5 straight-through, 1x 7’ Cat-5 cross-over, 1x 7’ Cisco-specific Rollover cable)
- USB key 512MB minimum
0155X – Computer Systems Technology - Networking:
3002X – Internet Application Programmer:
- Vantec NexStar 3 NST-360SU (hard drive enclosure)
- 250GB SATA/SATA II Hard Drive
- Panda Platinum Internet Security 2007 (OEM) anti-virus software (2-year license)
The following list, details, by program, items you need to purchase at the start of your program.
0006X – Computer Engineering Technology – Computing Science:
6178X – Bachelor of Information Technology – Network Technology:
- Vantec NexStar 3 NST-360SU (hard drive enclosure)
- 250GB SATA/SATA II Hard Drive
Panda Platinum Internet Security 2007 (OEM) anti-virus software (2-year license)
- PC repair tool kit
- Anti-static wrist strap
- Network cable-making supplies
- Patch Cable Set (Nordx/Beldon or Panduit) (the set consists of: 2x 7’ Cat-5 straight-through, 1x 7’ Cat-5 cross-over, 1x7’ Cisco-specific Rollover cable)
|
| What other requirements do I need to
start my program? |
|
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- The College Bookstore maintains a complete
list of the books (both required and optional) needed
for your courses. You can either wait until the first
day of class when your course professor will go over
the course purchase them outline and provide you with
those book details or alternatively, contact or visit
the College Bookstore in advance.
- For all programs of study, students would be well
advised to have at home a personal computer (PC)
and a high-speed Internet connection. This
would give students more flexibility for completing
assignments and projects, especially if their place
of residence is of some distance from the College.
It is recommended that this home computer be relatively
recent (2-3 years old at most) and be able to comfortably
support Windows XP.
In the case of students enrolled in the 0150X Computer
Systems Technician program, students should ensure
their home PC is not the main PC used by the rest
of the family since it is likely to be used for testing
different hardware and software system configurations,
and may not be available for use 100% of the time.
Typical minimum specs should include:
100-250 GB Hard drive
1 GB of RAM (preferably 2GB)
2 GHz CPU
NOTE: Effective 2005 Fall term an agreement was established with Microsoft (MSDNAA) permitting limited distribution of software titles to students, for academic use. Your course professors, where applicable, will provide additional information at the start of classes.
|
| What is the Oracle Database Administration Certificate
Program? |
|
FAQ for the Oracle 10g Certificate Program(s)
Q: Is Algonquin College’s Oracle training program recognized by the Oracle Corporation?
A: Yes. Algonquin College is an official Oracle Workforce Development Partner (WDP) and, as such, is licensed to provide Oracle-certified training that exactly matches Oracle’s official certification track using exclusive Oracle University educational resources taught by an Oracle certified professional trainer. Graduates of Algonquin’s Oracle program are recognized as having the benchmark skills and expertise that is both industry-acknowledged and applicable for specific job roles.
Q: Does Algonquin College’s Oracle training program lead to official Oracle certification?
A: Yes. As a member of the Oracle Workforce Development Program (WDP), Algonquin College’s Oracle program follows the exact training path an individual requires to become an Oracle 10g Certified Professional (OCP). The first course in the four-course Algonquin College Oracle program is a short introduction to Oracle principals while the subsequent three courses deliver the exact curriculum required and are directly aligned with the material and questions that to be found on the official OCP exams. Students must successfully complete all four in-class exams at the end of each Oracle course to receive an Algonquin College certificate, while they must also successfully complete (off-campus and at their own expense) the Oracle exams required for OCP designation. Algonquin assists with the OCP exam process by providing discount vouchers worth 40% off the cost of the OCP exams.
Q: What advantages does Algonquin College’s Oracle training program offer compared to other local Oracle training programs?
A: As a member of Oracle’s Workforce Development Program (WDP), Algonquin College is in a unique position to deliver the most up-to-date official Oracle education available. WDP membership ensures Algonquin College students enrolled in the Oracle program receive exclusive training and benefit from numerous perks, including official Oracle University student kits to assist in their learning, discount vouchers worth 40% off the cost of the official Oracle Certified Professional exams, and plenty of hands-on experience using Oracle software in our state-of-the-art Oracle lab. The program instructor is both an Oracle Certified Professional in the field and an Oracle Certified Trainer.
Q: How long is the Oracle program, what type of time commitment is there?
A: The Oracle program totals 152 hours over 19 weeks (eight hours per week in the classroom), with classes running four hours a night, two nights a week. In addition, students can expect to spend an additional six to nine hours a week outside the classroom prepping for/completing required readings etc.
Q: Is there any type of financial aid available to assist in the payment of tuition for the Oracle program?
A: Financial aid is as unique as each individual student is and no two cases are alike. It is the responsibility of each individual student to research all financial aid opportunities. To help you get started and for more advice, please contact Algonquin’s Financial Aid office at (613) 727-4723 ext. 7678 or financialaid@algonquincollege.com
Q: Does the full tuition have to be paid when I register for the program or can I register for each course individually?
A: Algonquin College recognizes the financial constraints faced by many students and attempts to ease that burden by offering a deferred payment plan for the Oracle program’s tuition. This plan requires an initial payment of $1,200 at time of registration to reserve your seat in the full program (class size is limited) and then asks for three additional balanced payments over the first three months of the program. Students may also sign up for each of the four Oracle courses on an individual basis (when and if the program is not already filled with full-fee-paying students), although students who choose this option will end up paying $650 more than those who sign up for the full program.
Q: What qualifications do I require to sign up for the Oracle program and how do I apply?
A: The program co-ordinator meets with each student individually to assess their potential to successfully complete the Oracle program, and bases his decision on numerous factors including past/current work and educational experience, along with the ability to commit to the course schedule and workload. To initiate the admission process and for more information, please contact Oracle program co-ordinator Richard Donnelly at (613) 727-4723 ext. 5401 or oracle@algonquincollege.com
|
| What is Prior Learning Assessment or
PLA? |
|
Definition.
PLA is a means for adult learners to receive credit
towards College level courses, based on life/work experience
(such as non-college training courses, self-directed
studies, employment). This means of recognition is different
from the academic credit transfer process. PLA looks
at knowledge and skills obtained through life/work experience,
whereas the academic credit transfer looks at credits
formally obtained at Colleges or Universities.
Policy.
College Directive E35, an extract of which can also
be found in the student instaguide, details the College
policy on prior learning, as well as the process for
challenging courses and the process for assessment/evaluation.
Process – as it applies to the Computer
Studies Department
Any student interested in PLA should first and foremost
read thoroughly the College policy
E35 to ensure definition, process and eligibility
are well understood.
The student then needs to visit the Department PLA
Coordinator prior to applying for the PLA:
If, after the visit with the Department PLA Coordinator,
the student is eligible and still interested, he/she
is sent to the College PLA office with a "course
drop" form filled out and signed by Department
PLA Coordinator.
The College PLA office assesses the PLA fees and creates
the necessary paperwork, sending a copy of it back to
the Computer Studies Department.
The Department PLA Coordinator generates internal departmental
PLA documents (memo and grade form) for staff who will
conduct the PLA.
The student is advised of who is assigned to conduct
the PLA and how to communicate with the faculty through
e-mail.
Staff submits PLA grade form to PLA Coordinator once
PLA is completed.
The Department PLA Coordinator submits final paperwork
to the College PLA office for their processing of grade
entry with the Registrar’s office.
If the PLA is successful, the grade obtained for the
course through the PLA process (Credit (CR) or actual
grade) will appear on student’s next transcript
mail out.
Questions.
Any question or query regarding this web page is to
be directed to the Computer Studies Departmental PLA
Coordinator: ouellep@algonquincollege.com
.
|
| How do I apply for Academic Credit
Transfers (Exemptions) |
|
The “Application for External Transfer of Academic Credit (Exemption)” (form Rgstr 21),
“Application for Internal Transfer of Academic Credit (Exemption) (Credit based on studies completed at Algonquin)” (form Rgstr 22), must be obtained from the Registrar’s office. Note that there is a fee for external credit transfer applications. Complete the form accurately, attach all supporting documentation (very important) and leave the form and attachments with the Registrar’s Office staff. They will send it to your program coordinator for evaluation and signature.
Application can be made at any time of the year. Note however that if your application is for external / internal credit transfer and is made after the start of the term you will not be able to add other courses. We will not process any application for credit transfer that would cause a student to drop to part-time status.
|
| How can I make a request for advanced
standing in my program of study? |
|
Application for advanced standing is normally done at the time of admission to the program of study. Students typically make such a request on the basis of having completed or partly completed a similar set of courses or program at another recognized institution (College or University). If the request is not made during the application to OCAS, “Application for Advanced Standing (based on external transfer credits)” (form Rgstr 5) must be obtained from the Registrar’s office. Note that there is a fee for these applications. Complete the form, attach all supporting documentation and leave the form and attachments with the Registrar’s Office staff. They will send it to your program coordinator for evaluation and signature.
Note that applications for advanced standing must be made well before the start of term in order to ensure timely evaluation of the request and processing time. Allow two or three weeks for obtaining result of exemptions received.
|
| How do I add courses? |
|
You must see or email
(preferred) your program coordinator to “ADD”
a course. He/she will discuss this with you and will
complete a "Course Prescription Form"
(CPF) which will be given to the support staff in T307 to
process, provided you have paid your fees and have full
time status. If you are a part-time student or a course
registrant, you must take the CPF to Registrar’s
Office for processing, as payment for the course(s)
is due when you register.
Note that the “ADD” period ends
after 5 days into a term. Beyond that period, you cannot
add courses to your timetable.
|
| How do I drop a course? |
|
The “Registrar’s
Office Course Section Drop/Add form” (Rgstr 6) must
be obtained online or from your department. Complete the
form and bring it to your program coordinator. Your coordinator
will advise you as to the repercussions (academic and
possibly financial) of dropping courses and will assist
you in determining your course load for the following
semester.
|
| Can I simply audit a course instead
of taking it for credit? |
|
To
audit a course, you must have permission from your program
coordinator and the Department Chair. Please see your
coordinator to make your request. This will be granted
once all regular students have had a chance to register
in the course and provided there are seats remaining
in the course. Note that a tuition fee applies (contact
the Registrar’s Office for more details) and that
a grade of “AU” (for Audit) would appear
on your transcript against the audited course.
|
| Can I withdraw from my program of study? |
|
Yes, you can but before
you even contemplate taking such a step, drop by and
discuss your situation with your program coordinator
or if not available, with the Department Chair. Who
knows, there may be another solution that does not require
you to abandon your program entirely.
If in the final analysis, a program withdrawal (temporary
or permanent) is necessary, the “Day Program Official
Withdrawal Form” (Rgstr 8) must be obtained from
the Registrar’s office. Complete the form and
bring it to your program coordinator for signature and
exit interview.
Note that if you are taking only one course
as a part-time student and decide to withdraw from it,
a program withdrawal form will be automatically initiated.
|
| Can I take courses outside of my program
of study? |
|
You MUST see your program
coordinator to discussion your request to take courses
outside your program of study. Your program coordinator
will make a recommendation to the Department Chair. Approval
is granted by the Department Chair.
|
| What are “Equivalencies”
and “Course substitutions”? |
|
Courses are considered
“equivalent” when they cover the same material
to a similar depth and breadth, and have approximately
the same number of delivered hours.
A course used as a “substitute” is a course
that does not cover exactly the same material but, in
the opinion of the program co-ordinator, is considered
to be an acceptable replacement for the course credit
owed, although not equivalent. Course substitutions
are not normally requested by students, but offered
by program coordinators as a measure of last resort
to either help a student maintain full-time status or
permit a student to graduate on time when normal program
course-loading scenarios are not possible.
Each department is responsible for checking equivalencies
and/or substitutions. All equivalencies and course substitutions
MUST be approved by the appropriate program coordinator
or service course coordinator.
|
| About Co-op … |
|
- Is Co-op compulsory?
No, it is voluntary. Students must apply at the beginning
of their 3rd level if the option is available for
their program of study. Eligibility criteria are listed
on the co-op web page at www.algonquincollege.com/coop/newstu/elegibil.htm
. The program progression pattern page of our web
site illustrates the effect that co-op has on the
progression of students through their program of study.
For students enrolled in the Bachelor of Information
Technology degree program, please refer to the BIT
web site at www.bitdegree.ca for details regarding
the co-op option.
- How do I know if I am eligible for Co-op?
For students enrolled in the Bachelor of Information
Technology degree program, please refer to the
BIT web site at
www.bitdegree.ca for details on co-op eligibility.
For student in College-only programs, co-op is
based on merit and students must have a cumulative
Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.70 or better to
be eligible to apply, and have completed all courses
in levels 01 & 02 of their program of study
(POS). Students must also be full-time, and be
able to work in Canada. Note that being eligible
does not guarantee a Co-op placement. Eligibility
to return on subsequent Co-op work term requires
students to maintain their minimum GPA average
of 2.70. For more details on Co-op guidelines,
visit the Co-op web page at http://www.algonquincollege.com/coop/
- Is it a paid work term?
Yes it is, but the rate of pay would depend upon the
duties of the position and any experience you bring,
and will also vary based on whether the placement
is with a public sector organization or private industry.
- What if I find my own Co-op employer, can I go
on Co-op?
As per the Co-op eligibility criteria www.algonquincollege.com/coop/student/new.html,
only students meeting the published eligibility requirements
are accepted into Co-op. Note that acceptance into
the Co-op option is not a guarantee that one will
go on a co-op work term. Supply and demand of jobs
and employers govern the placement process. Co-op
students normally secure a placement with the assistance
of the Co-op office, but in some cases it may be possible
for Co-op students to arrange their own placement,
with the approval of the Co-op office and the Department.
|
| Who can I see if I have a learning
difficulty or learning disabilities? |
|
The College has a centre
where students can see someone specialized in the area
of learning difficulties or learning disabilities. If
you feel you have a need for this service, you may begin
by visiting their web page at http://www.algonquincollege.com/studentservices/csd/index.htm
or alternatively, visit the centre in room C142.
|
| If I need a tutor to help me learn,
who can I turn to? |
|
The College student
services area offers tutoring services as well as study
skills services. You can visit their web page at http://www.algonquincollege.com/studentservices/counselling/peer_tutoring.htm,
or alternatively, visit the Student Services area in
room C224.
|
| What other student services are available
to me? |
|
The College offers a
host of services to its student population, like career
counseling, financial aid, employment services, etc. For
complete details on what services are available to you
as a student, you can visit the Student Services
web page at http://www.algonquincollege.com/studentservices/index.htm
or visit their main office in room C226.
|
| How can I access my labs outside of
regularly scheduled course hours? |
|
The College provides a number of general access centers (C102, T201 for instance). These are computer labs that are not used for scheduled academic activities, but are at the disposal of students for general academic use.
In addition, the Department’s generic PC labs (T312 & T317) as well as labs T127 (Linux) & T126 caddy lab can be used by students whenever there is no scheduled academic activity. Refer to the room schedule posted beside the lab door for available times.
Finally, we schedule each term a few hours in some of the Department’s dedicated labs. Those hours are supervised by a student monitor paid through the department via a College fund referred to as CSEP fund. These funds are limited hence the number of available hours is limited. Refer to the CSEP lab monitor schedule for details on available hours in dedicated labs.
|
| How is Full-time and Part-time student status calculated? |
|
| How is Full-time and
Part-time student status calculated?
College Definition: to be considered Full-time in the
level of the program the student is registered in, you
must have 66 2/3% of courses or 70% of hours
OSAP Definition: to be considered Full-time in the
level of the program the student is registered in, you
must have 60% of course hours
Note: students registered with the Centre for Students
with Disabilities (CSD) may qualify for Full-time status
with a load as low as 40% of course hours.
|
