Chemical Technology (Optional Co-op)

CampusStart DateTuition/Fees

Program Overview

Chemical Technologists focus on quality assurance and problem-solving. They install and maintain complex equipment and conduct sophisticated chemical analyses. Work settings may include labs, offices, or fieldwork. As a key member of a scientific team, you’ll learn the skills to excel in chemical research, pilot-plant operations, quality control, and process industries. Participation in optional co-op work terms will allow you to put your knowledge to practice while learning about unique client needs.


Duration

The requirements for this diploma program may be achieved within three years of full-time study.


Admission Requirements

    Profile I

  • High School Diploma or Adult High School Diploma or GED Diploma of High School Equivalency or Essential Skills Achievement Pathway: Post-Secondary Entry High School Diploma
    • Pre-calculus 110
      or
      Geometry and Applications in Mathematics 112 and Functions and Relations 112
      • Total of two (2) sciences, including at least one (1) from the following:
        • Biology 112 or 122
        • Chemistry 112 or 122
        • Physics 112 or 122

      NB Francophone High School Math Equivalencies
      International Student Admission Equivalencies


      Career Possibilities

      As a graduate of this program, you may be employed as a laboratory technologist, quality assurance specialist or an engineering technologist in industries involved in pulp and paper, petroleum and plastic products, foods, fertilizers, metals, minerals, and pharmaceuticals. You may also find employment in government institutions concerned with pollution control or weights and measures. Some employment opportunities exist in educational institutions, primarily in laboratories. Advancement to supervisory positions is possible when you have acquired experience and/ or supplemented your initial training with additional specialized courses.

      Find career possibilities related to this program in Career Coach.


      Specific Considerations

      Local campuses can provide information on courses that provide the prerequisites for technology programs at New Brunswick Community College. Many universities give credits for courses completed in this program; however, assessment is normally completed on an individual basis.

      Technology Requirements
      NBCC is a connected learning environment. All programs require a minimum specification, including access to the internet and a laptop. Your computer should meet your program technology requirements to ensure the software required for your program operates effectively. Free wifi is provided on all campuses.


      Program Courses

      Courses are subject to change.

      To introduce students to the general principles and concepts involved in the study of chemical technology and describe the main process variables used in industry in preparation for more advanced study in Unit Operations. Student are introduced to the relevance and/or application of the following topics as they relate to the study of chemical technology: units, concentration, gas laws, chemical equations, humidity, and material balances.

      This first course in chemistry lays the foundation for later chemistry courses. Measurement, atomic and molecular structure and chemical reactions are introduced. Physical chemistry concepts, namely behaviour of gases and thermal chemistry, are also included.

      This course is design to apply organic chemistry processes and physical principles to the synthesis, separation, and purification of the most common industrial organic compounds. It reviews the reactions and reaction mechanisms of common functional groups. It also includes the application of basic organic laboratory techniques such as melting and boiling points determination, distillation, sublimation, crystallization, chromatography, and solvent extraction for the separation, purification and identification of organic compounds.

      Prerequisites:

      • CHEM1080

      This course is designed to introduce the concepts, theory and experimental evidence involved in the study of thermodynamics.

      Prerequisites:

      • MATH1160
      • CHEM1080

      This course introduces students to principles of physical chemistry as they apply the field of Chemical Technology. It examines the Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry and Lewis definitions of acids and bases, the concept of chemical equilibrium by applying it to gas phase reactions and aqueous chemistry, thermodynamics to include Entropy and Gibbs Free Energy, oxidation - reduction reactions including voltaic cells, the Nernst equation, and electrolysis.

      Prerequisites:

      • CHEM1045
      • LPTL1034

      Students are introduced to the use of conductivity and ion selective cells for the determination of electrolytes in aqueous solutions. Composition and chemistry of ion exchange resins are included with applications to sample and water treatment. Reverse Osmosis is also discussed with respect to water treatment.

      Prerequisites:

        This course discusses the structure and significance of important biological organic molecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and proteins and gives an introduction to the chemistry of metabolism and the structure and reactions of synthetic polymers. Experiments are conducted to identify qualitatively common organic compounds such as carbohydrates and lipids. The laboratory component includes qualitative investigation of organic functional groups, which leads to an identification of organic unknowns project. Other laboratory experiments determination optical rotation and Soxlet Extraction for Fats in Food.

        Prerequisites:

        • CHEM1046

        This course covers the theory of atomic and molecular absorption, emission and fluorescence of electromagnetic radiation as it is utilized in analytical chemistry. The components of the instrumentation used to produce and measure this radiation will be discussed in detail and rationale made for the use of each type of instrument. Finally various methods, including Beer’s Law, Standard Addition Technique and Internal Standard Technique, will be introduced to correlate measurements with concentration.

        Prerequisites:

          This course illustrates the application of electromagnetic radiation to the field of chemistry through various instruments commonly used for analysis. The instruments and applications covered will include visible and ultraviolet spectroscopy, Fluorometry and Spectrofluorometry, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and Atomic Emission Spectroscopy including flame.

          Prerequisites:

            This is the second Physical Chemistry course and deals mainly with reaction kinetics. The trainee will be able to follow and develop the basic relationship that controls reaction kinetics.

            Prerequisites:

            • CHEM1080

            Students will explore the application of oxidation and reduction reactions as they apply to chemical analysis, particularly to titrimetric methods. Characteristics and strengths of various common redox titrants will be evaluated and used in the analysis of unknowns.

            Prerequisites:

              This course introduces students with the underlying theory of industrial chemical analysis in the laboratory. As well, the course develops the students’ analytical skill in the areas of acid-base and precipitation chemistry by examining the associated theory.

              Prerequisites:

              • CHEM1080
              • STAT1032

              This course provides students with the lab techniques which support the theory of industrial chemical analysis in the laboratory. It furthers the students’ skills in the areas of acid-base and precipitation chemistry using in-depth laboratory work. Students apply these techniques to the analysis of various substances.

              Prerequisites:

              • CHEM1080
              • STAT1032
              • CHEM1113

              This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skill to solve problems relating to chemical engineering processes and unit operations by applying the principles of mass and energy conservation.  The course develops critical problem-solving skills.

              Prerequisites:

              • FLUI1024H
              • CHEM1074

              This course is designed to apply the principles of mass and energy conservation, in a lab setting, to various chemical engineering processes and unit operations.

              Prerequisites:

              • CHET1004D

              Students will learn to write a variety of technical documents and business correspondence suitable to a specific audience and purpose as well as learn how to conduct research and document sources.

              This course prepares students to write a formal technical report on a technical topic with sufficient technical and communication quality as to be judged capable of meeting the certification requirements of such outside agencies as the New Brunswick Society of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists, federal government agencies such as Transport Canada, or any other accrediting body.

              This course teaches students how to create documents that are organized, unified, and coherent.

              This course is designed to provide students with knowledge of the nature and effects of major environmental contaminants (relating to air, water, and soil systems) as well as the methods used to monitor and control them. This is a largely knowledge-based course where principles and practices are applied through the use of case studies. The practical application of monitoring and control methods is carried out in future environmental courses with a lab component.

              Prerequisites:

              • FLUI1024H

              This course describes and applies the fundamentals of water and air pollution control in the design of equipment and processes for the safe removal and disposal of major contaminants. The course also develops skills in the areas of assessing the effectiveness of alternative pollution control systems, equipment, and processes.

              Prerequisites:

              • ENVI1035C

              This course is an application of standard methods in the analysis of water and wastewater. The results will be used in the design of effective pollution control systems for the safe removal and disposal of major contaminants. Implementation of alternative pollution control systems, equipment and processes will be encouraged. A technical report will be presented.

              Prerequisites:

              • ENVI1035C
              • ENVI1038B

              This course introduces students to ethical principles and codes of conduct applicable to professional practices. The subject of ethics is a requirement of many accredited programs. Therefore, successful completion of Professional Ethics is a graduation requirement for engineering technology programs.

              The goal of the co-op experience is to compliment academic studies with related work experience. It is an opportunity for students to gain practical experience through employment in industry. As employees, students will perform duties typically assigned to entry level technologists and are expected to make a substantial and intensive effort to complete the tasks assigned. They are also expected to conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner, while adhering to the hours of work, dress code, security and confidentiality requirements, policies and practices in effect at the employer’s site.

              The goal of the co-op experience is to compliment academic studies with related work experience. It is an opportunity for students to gain practical experience through employment in industry. As employees, students will perform duties typically assigned to entry level technologists and are expected to make a substantial and intensive effort to complete the tasks assigned. They are also expected to conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner, while adhering to the hours of work, dress code, security and confidentiality requirements, policies and practices in effect at the employer’s site.

              The goal of the co-op experience is to compliment academic studies with related work experience. It is an opportunity for students to gain practical experience through employment in industry. As employees, students will perform duties typically assigned to entry level technologists and are expected to make a substantial and intensive effort to complete the tasks assigned. They are also expected to conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner, while adhering to the hours of work, dress code, security and confidentiality requirements, policies and practices in effect at the employer’s site.

              Students submit a formal, researched report and make a formal oral presentation on an approved technical topic related to their program of studies. The technical and communication quality may be judged on the basis of the certification requirements of outside agencies such as the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB), the New Brunswick Society of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (NBSCETT), a government department, or other accrediting body. This is primarily an independent study course allowing for consultations with academic and industry personnel.

              This course introduces students to the basic concepts of fluid mechanics as it applies to incompressible fluids.

              Prerequisites:

              • MATH1089
              • PHYS1030C
              • CHEM1043D

              This course introduces student to the theory and practice of liquid and gas chromatography. Students learn how to demonstrate the instrumentation involved in high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography.

              Prerequisites:

              • CHEM1046

              Chemical Laboratory Techniques is an introduction to the foundation of qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses through the development of basic laboratory skills. Laboratory sessions are conducted with the objectives of promoting the development of skills in safety, instrument operation, basic techniques, teamwork, report writing, ethics, and organization.

              In this laboratory course students apply the volumetric method to the chemical analyses of acids / bases and reducing / oxidizing compounds. Chemical standardization and titration techniques will be applied in this section. Determination of the solubility of a compound will be performed by experimentally measuring the solubility – product constant of the compound. Thermodynamic concepts such as enthalpy of reaction, free – energy and entropy will be applied to redox reactions.

              Prerequisites:

              • LPTL1034
              • CHEM1045

              This course provides students with a sound mathematical foundation in preparation to higher level mathematics (calculus) and other technology courses.

              Building on the foundation of Mathematics Fundamentals, this course is designed to provide the student with the necessary mathematical skills to better manage differential calculus.

              Prerequisites:

              • MATH1089

              This course, built on the foundation of Pre-Calculus Mathematics, is intended to provide the student with the tools of differential and integral calculus. These skills will be applied to the solution of technical problems.

              Prerequisites:

              • MATH1157

              This course provides a basic understanding of microbiology with a strong emphasis on standard methods and techniques. Reference is made to industrial applications including dairies, breweries, food processors and wastewater treatment plants. Laboratory sessions are conducted weekly and emphasize basic aseptic techniques.

              This course provides an introduction to the meaning of community service.  Students learn how community service can enhance a student’s educational experience, personal growth, employability, and civic responsibility. Students participate in one day of volunteering to enhance their understanding of civic responsibility and to help the New Brunswick Community College realize its vision of transforming lives and communities. 

              This course provides the fundamental principles and applications of physics. It covers: measurement and error, Newton’s laws of motion, work-energy theorem, power, the laws of conservations of energy and momentum, impulse,  rotational motion, center of gravity, and statics. Students conduct a minimum of six laboratory experiments.

              This course introduces students to the physics of waves. Its focus is to provide a theoretical background in light wave interference involved in diffraction and reflection gratings. This background provides support in future analytical chemistry courses involving optical instrumentation.

              Prerequisites:

              • MATH1089

              This course introduces the student to the principles of economics as applied to engineering businesses and also to the coordination of engineering projects.

              Prerequisites:

              • MATH1089

              This project-based course provides the ability to develop and implement quality management systems that incorporate quality assurance (QA) concepts, manuals, improvement strategies, statistical methods, design of experiment techniques, failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and the production of quality based reports. Students learn these concepts through an actual production environment simulation.

              This course introduces students to the concept of statistical process control (SPC) which uses a variety of statistical tools to enable continuous improvement of processes.

              Prerequisites:

              • STAT1032

              In this course, students are introduced to the skills and strategies necessary to present themselves and ideas to others in an effective manner. The course focuses on the goal of obtaining employment while developing presentation skills sought by potential employers.

              This course teaches students how to develop reports, spreadsheets, and presentations using computer applications, and to use the internet for basic research in a network environment. The course is instructor led in a classroom or lab environment and requires the completion of several assignments and tests. Students taking this course are expected to have prior knowledge and competence in using the basic functions of a personal computer and its operating system including the following: manage and organize files/directories/folders/email; copy, move and delete files/directories/folders/email and; demonstrate the ability to work with desktop icons and to manipulate windows.

              A safe and healthy workplace is the responsibility of the employer and the employee. This course introduces students to the importance of working safely and addresses how employers and employees can control the hazards and risks associated with the workplace. Students will also learn about the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders including WorkSafeNB, the employer and the employee in ensuring workplaces are safe.

              This course introduces students to statistical principles and their application. It focuses on areas such as frequency distribution, measures of central tendency, standard deviation, normal distribution, linear and non-linear regression, errors, and small data sets.


              NOC Codes

              2211 - Chemical technologists and technicians


              Accreditations

              Organization: Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL)
              Accreditation Period:
              Information: This program has been accredited by Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) for a period of six years.


              Articulation Agreements

              Institution: University of New Brunswick Saint John - Faculty of Business
              Articulation Period:
              Information: Bachelor of Applied Management Degree
              NBCC graduates of any 2 year diploma program with a GPA of 70% or greater receive 2 years full credit toward this degree and will be eligible to enter year 3 of the 4 year Bachelor of Applied Management (BAM) program.


               


              Institution: Cape Breton University
              Articulation Period:
              Information: Bachelor of Engineering Technology
              NBCC graduates must complete 36 credits of course work.  This can be done online, in class or a combination. - minimum 2 semesters.
               

              External Certifications

              Chemical Technology (Co-op) graduates may have an opportunity to acquire the following external certifications upon meeting the external agencies certification requirements and paying any required fees to the external agency:

              Institution: Chemical Institute of Canada (C.I.C.)
              External Certification: Chemical Technology
              Information: Certification by the NBSCETT with two years of acceptable work experience, and admitted as Certified Chemical Technologists by the Chemical Institute of Canada (C.I.C.). Further approved experience allows graduates to apply for professional membership in the Chemical Institute of Canada.


              Disclaimer: This web copy provides guidance to prospective students, applicants, current students, faculty and staff. Although advice is readily available on request, the responsibility for program selection ultimately rests with the student. Programs, admission requirements and other related information is subject to change.


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