Chemical Technology (Optional Co-op)

CampusStart DateTuition/Fees
Saint JohnSeptember 2025 (Blended Delivery)
 
Domestic | International

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 C

  • 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
    • Foundations of Mathematics 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.


      Areas of Study

      • Environmental Technology
      • Instrumental Analysis
      • Industrial Chemical Processes
      • Environmental Water Quality
      • Communication
      • Mathematics
      • Project Management
      • Health and Safety
      • Computer Applications
      • Applied Research Project
      • Analytical Chemistry and Lab Techniques
      • Organic Chemistry and Lab Techniques
      • Physical Chemistry and Lab Techniques
      • Quality Assurance and Statistics
      • Presentation and Employment Strategies
      • Ethics, Sustainability, and Codes


      Program Courses

      Courses are subject to change.

      This course introduces learners to the general principles and concepts involved in the study of industrial chemical technology. Learners will be introduced to dimensions related to science and engineering, common systems of units, and conversions between systems of units and measurements. 

      This course introduces learners to the general principles and concepts involved in the study of industrial chemical technology. Learners will engage with common chemical engineering process variables and material balances on processes. Emphasis will be placed on performing chemical engineering calculations related to chemical engineering process variables, and the application of material balance calculations.

      Prerequisites:

      • CHEM1120A

      This course is designed to provide learners with a foundational understanding of inorganic chemistry that is relevant to the field of Chemical Technology.  Emphasis will be placed on understanding and applying basic inorganic chemistry topics such as principles of matter, chemical reactions, electronic and molecular structure, and properties of solutions.

      This course introduces learners to physical chemistry principles as they apply to Chemical Technology. Learners will examine and encounter Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, and Lewis's definitions of acids and bases; the concept of equilibrium in determining concentrations; thermodynamics to include entropy and Gibbs Free Energy; and oxidation-reduction reactions including voltaic cells and electrolysis. 

      Prerequisites:

      • CHEM1122A



      Prerequisites:

      • LPTL1057A
      • CHEM1123A
      • STAT1045A



      Prerequisites:

      • LPTL1057A
      • CHEM1123A
      • STAT1045A
      • CHEM1126A



      Prerequisites:

      • PHYS1149A



      Prerequisites:

      • CHEM1123A
      • LPTL1057A
      • MATH1272B



      Prerequisites:

      • LPTL1057A



      Prerequisites:

      • CHEM1130A



      Prerequisites:

      • LPTL1057A
      • CHEM1123A
      • STAT1045A



      Prerequisites:

      • CHEM1130A
      • CHEM1131A



      Prerequisites:

      • CHEM1133A



      Prerequisites:

      • CHEM1126A
      • CHEM1127A
      • PHYS1148A



      Prerequisites:

      • CHEM1126A
      • CHEM1127A
      • CHEM1135A

      This course covers concepts and applications related to unit operations in chemical engineering. It is Part 1 of 2 courses covering the theory related to practical labs involving pumps and fluid particle interactions.

      Prerequisites:

      • PHYS1149A



      Prerequisites:

      • CHEM1128A



      Prerequisites:

      • CHET1014A
      • CHET1015A

      This course is designed to help students strengthen their fundamental skills in writing clear, effective sentences and paragraphs, and enable them to create organized, unified and coherent documents. The writing process is introduced. Students will recognize the importance of writing for the intended purpose and audience.

      This course introduces students to the fundamentals of technical writing and research. Students will learn how 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.

      Prerequisites:

      • COMM1264A



      Prerequisites:

      • LPTL1057A



      Prerequisites:

      • ENVI1097A



      Prerequisites:

      • ENVI1097A
      • ENVI1098A

      This course introduces students to ethical principles and codes of conduct applicable to Professional Engineering Technology practice. It prepares students for being engineering technology professionals by exploring critical thinking, ethical behavior, and the legal and professional accountabilities that apply in the workplace. The industry's code(s) of ethics and practical case studies are used as the learning focus.

      Learning is achieved through lectures, case studies, and team projects.

      This course prepares learners to complete a capstone project and/or report on an applied technical topic. Learners conduct preliminary research necessary for selecting a project related to their field of study. They are introduced to the structure of the senior technical report and are guided through a project approval process, culminating with a well-defined and approved project topic, and a solid, research-based foundation for completing it. Projects may be completed individually or in teams, depending on factors such as complexity, stakeholder requirements, and available resources.

      The Senior Technical Project represents the culmination of learners’ technology program, providing them with the opportunity to apply their technical knowledge and skills in a comprehensive capstone project. This course is designed to bridge theoretical learning and practical implementation, enabling students to demonstrate their proficiency in various engineering and technical competencies. Learning is facilitated through lectures, guided independent study, and support from a project advisor and communications instructor. Projects may be completed individually or in teams, depending on factors such as complexity, stakeholder requirements, and available resources.

      The Senior Technical Project represents the culmination of learners’ technology program, providing them with the opportunity to apply their technical knowledge and skills in a comprehensive capstone project. This course is a continuation of the senior technical project. Learners evaluate their progress on previously proposed and developed project, complete their project work as required, and prepare a formal project report. Finally they present and defend their findings to instructors, peers, and other stakeholders. Learning is facilitated through lectures, guided independent study, and support from a project advisor and communications instructor.

      The overall program goal of the co-op experience is to complement academic studies with related work experience.  Co-op students can gain enriched understandings of their academic program through practical application. Moreover, the co-op experience can motivate students to further education as well as lead to relevant employment after graduation.  Through their work experiences, students will develop and refine employability skills, gain an understanding of career opportunities in their field, and realities of the workplace.  Students are required to follow guidelines as stipulated in the “NBCC Co-op Education” process.

      The overall program goal of the co-op experience is to complement academic studies with related work experience.  Co-op students can gain enriched understandings of their academic program through practical application. Moreover, the co-op experience can motivate students to further education as well as lead to relevant employment after graduation.  Through their work experiences, students will develop and refine employability skills, gain an understanding of career opportunities in their field, and realities of the workplace.  Students are required to follow guidelines as stipulated in the “NBCC Co-op Education” process.

      The overall program goal of the co-op experience is to complement academic studies with related work experience.  Co-op students can gain enriched understandings of their academic program through practical application. Moreover, the co-op experience can motivate students to further education as well as lead to relevant employment after graduation.  Through their work experiences, students will develop and refine employability skills, gain an understanding of career opportunities in their field, and realities of the workplace.  Students are required to follow guidelines as stipulated in the “NBCC Co-op Education” process.

      This course is an introduction to the foundations of qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses. Throughout this course, learners will take part in laboratory sessions conducted to promote laboratory safety protocols, proper laboratory techniques and instrument operation, and methodologies for recording and reporting results. An emphasis will be placed on hands-on learning and practical laboratory experience.

      In this laboratory-based course, learners will apply titration techniques to the chemical analysis of acids/bases and reducing/ oxidizing compounds.  Learners will also apply equilibrium concepts to determine equilibrium constants.  Thermodynamic concepts cell potential and free energy will also be applied to voltaic cells.

      Prerequisites:

      • CHEM1122A
      • LPTL1056A



      Prerequisites:

      • LPTL1057A
      • CHEM1123A

      This course forms the foundations of technical mathematics. Topics covered include fundamental numerical calculations, manipulation of algebraic expressions, and solving equations, system of equations, and word problems. Learning is achieved through lectures, classroom examples and working out problems.

      This course is designed for students to learn more advanced algebra, trigonometry, and geometry. Topics include quadratic equations, trigonometry, logarithms, and vectors.

      Learning will be achieved through lectures and classroom examples and work. Learning is achieved through lectures and in-class activities.

      Prerequisites:

      • MATH1271B

      This course introduces students to advanced technical math required to solve applied problems in Engineering Technology. Topics include complex numbers, matrices, plane analytic geometry, graphs of trigonometric functions and trigonometric equations. Limits, as required for calculus, is also introduced. 
       
      Students will be able to apply the advanced technical math to solve technical problems and evaluate limits. Learning is achieved through lectures and in-class activities.

      Prerequisites:

      • MATH1272B

      This course introduces students to calculus with derivatives and integration of algebraic functions. Applications include equations of tangents and normal, Newton’s method for solving equations, curvilinear motion, related rates, and areas under curves. Learning is achieved through lectures and in-class activities.

      Prerequisites:

      • MATH1273A

      This course covers the basic concepts of industrial microbiology with a strong emphasis on practical laboratory skills in microbiology and aseptic techniques. Industrial applications will include food safety, sanitation practices, microscopy and microorganism identification, wastewater treatment, fermentation, and pasteurization.

      Prerequisites:

      • LPTL1056A

      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 workshop introduces students to the process of finding employment. It explores the various strategies and resources available, and examines the role of social media.

      This course introduces learners to the fundamental principles and applications of physics related to chemical technology. Topics will include measurements and error, kinematics, vectors, Newton’s laws of motion, circular and rotational motion, energy, the law of conservation of energy, work, power, oscillatory and wave motion, and the use of Word and Excel in tabulating, calculating, and presenting data. 

      This course covers concepts and applications of fluid mechanics involving incompressible fluids. Learners will encounter topics such as properties of fluids, pressure and manometers, buoyancy, flowrates, flowmeters, fluid energy and the energy equation, losses in pipes and fittings, and centrifugal pumps. Microsoft Office software will be used for tabulating, calculating, and presenting data. 

      Prerequisites:

      • CHEM1121A
      • MATH1272B
      • PHYS1148A



      Prerequisites:

      • PHYS1148A



      Prerequisites:

      • MATH1271B



      Prerequisites:

      • QUAL1111A

      This course introduces learners to the concept of statistical process control (SPC) and how it is used as a tool for continuous improvement. An emphasis will be placed on the hands-on use of statistical process control charts.

      Prerequisites:

      • STAT1045A

      This course introduces learners to basic computer applications and tools that are integral to all disciplines, including word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet software.

      Learners select and use appropriate computer applications to perform tasks such as data analysis, data presentation, and preparation of documents and reports within their discipline. Learning is achieved through practical application of skills during hands-on class activities and assignments.

      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 learners to statistical principles and their application.  Emphasis will be placed on understanding areas such as frequency distribution, measures of central tendency, standard deviation, normal distribution, linear and non-linear regression, errors, and small data sets.

      Prerequisites:

      • MATH1272B

      This course introduces students to the fundamentals of effective, successful presentations. Students learn how to prepare and deliver online or in-person presentations of various lengths and purposes. They will discover how to prepare presentations around essential objectives, present key concepts and ideas, design and make effective visuals using presentation software, and apply techniques for polishing and mastering presentation delivery.

      As part of the learning, students will apply the appropriate tools and techniques to prepare the content, create visual aids using presentation software, and deliver one or more presentations to their peers in class.


      NOC Codes

      22100 - Chemical technologists and technicians


      Accreditations

      Organization: Cooperative-Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada)
      Information: This program has been accredited by Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada) for a period of 6 years.


      Articulation Agreements

      Institution: University of New Brunswick - Saint John
      Information: Bachelor of Technology.
      UNB agrees to recognize NBCC's Chemical Technology diploma program for transfer credit and entry into the Bachelor of Technology - Environmental Engineering program.


      Institution: University of New Brunswick Saint John - Faculty of Business
      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
      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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