Instrumentation Engineering Technology, Diploma

Program Information
Credential: 
Diploma - Apply Oct 1 for 2017
Duration: 

2 years
 

Delivery: 
Main campus
Program Cost Estimates: 

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dale Gust
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca
Related Careers

Instrumentation engineering technologists are employed in many industries, including:

  • Exploration and acquisition of oil, gas, and minerals
  • Oil and gas pipelines systems and metering
  • Municipal power, water, and waste management utilities
  • Process operations associated with oil and gas refinement, mineral extraction, and wood products
  • Power generation and grid distribution
  • Manufacturing automation and fabrication facilities
  • Food and pharmaceutical processing
  • Engineering design and consultation operations


Experienced technologists may advance to supervisory or managerial positions, or become self-employed consultants. After a minimum of two years of relevant work experience, graduates are eligible to acquire a Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) designation through the Association of Science and
Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) and, with an additional four years of relevant experience, a Professional Technologist (PTech) designation.

The Program

Instrumentation engineering and associated technologies are rapidly changing and expanding in virtually every industrial and commercial sector. Current and future demand for Instrumentation Engineering Technologists (IETs) in this multi-disciplinary field is exceptionally high. Instrumentation systems form the monitoring and control nervous system of a broad spectrum of industries and applications. Thanks to such systems, commodities like oil, gas, electric power, wood products, clean drinking water, food products, and a wide variety of consumer goods find their way to market.

Program Outcomes
Possessing a unique blend of focused theoretical and practical training, graduates of this program will be able to:

  • Employ relevant industry, health and safety standards, codes, policies and procedures in accordance with current legislation, regulations and organizational policy;
  • Analyze and troubleshoot instrumentation control systems, including electrical, electronic, electromechanical (pneumatic and hydraulic), analog, and digital systems;
  • Design, analyze and maintain (specific configuration and modification of) computer-based systems and hardware including electronic and computer-based controllers, to optimize the performance of process control systems;
  • Analyze and solve complex technical problems by applying principles of advanced mathematics and science;
  • Evaluate wireless and wired control systems applying mathematical, scientific, electrical, electronic and digital principles;
  • Appraise the installation and deployment of a control system as a supervisory member of a multidisciplinary team;
  • Assess the need for maintenance, reliability and life cycle management of equipment;
  • Apply the principles and practices of project management;
  • Research, analyze, prepare, author, and communicate in written, verbal, nonverbal, and presentation formats, technical documentation appropriate for a variety of audiences;
  • Identify, develop, and demonstrate strategies for maintaining continuing competency and practice standards associated with global industry trends and practices in instrumentation.

The program persistently challenges students to critically think through planning and troubleshooting situations, apply methodologies to solve problems, and to communicate effectively (both oral and written) to any audience.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

A minimum average of 65% with no mark below 50% in:

a. ELA 30-1 (or ELA 30-2 with minimum 75%) or equivalent
b. Mathematics 30-1 (or Mathematics 30-2 with minimum 75%) or equivalent
c. Physics 20 and Chemistry 20 or equivalents
d. One of Chemistry 30, Physics 30, Biology 30, Mathematics 31

Note: In addition to the program admission requirements, applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Graduation Requirements: 

Students must pass all courses and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Program Content
Year 1 Course Descriptions
  • GET 101 Introduction to Instrumentation
  • GET 103 Technology Physics
  • GET 106 Engineering CAD
  • GET 108 Project Management
  • GET 111 Engineering Mathematics
  • GET 112 Advanced Engineering Mathematics
  • GET 114 Computer Programming
  • GET 116 Engineering Communications
  • IET 105 Programmable Controllers
  • IET 110 Instrumentation Electronics
  • IET 115 Process Measurements I
  • IET 120 Process Control I
  • IET 125 Process Operations
  • IET 130 Industrial Chemistry
Year 2 Course Descriptions
  • GET 202 Engineering Statistics
  • GET 204 Professional Practice
  • IET 200 Electromechanics & Control
  • IET 205 Data Networking
  • IET 210 Industrial Information Systems
  • IET 215 Process Measurements II
  • IET 220 Process Control II
  • IET 225 Analyzers I
  • IET 245 SCADA and HMI
  • IET 221 Process Control III
  • IET 230 Instrumentation Systems
  • IET 226 Analyzers II
  • IET 235 Reliability-Centred Maintenance
  • IET 240 Capstone Project