Applied and Technical Studies

ufv.ca/trades

Automation and Robotics Technician diploma

This diploma program builds on the Electronics Technician — Common Core certificate to prepare students for careers in applied automated industries and control system applications. Graduates from this program are skilled trained technicians with abilities and confidence in building, maintaining, calibrating, and integrating automation and control systems in a wide variety of sectors, including agriculture, industrial manufacturing, and the oil and gas industry. The UFV program utilizes agricultural settings as a platform to introduce students to real-world automation and control systems applications. This program complies with national and international technology accreditation guidelines, and provides a balance between academic and practical technical experience.

Students who have completed the Electronics Technician — Common Core certificate are given registration priority.

Entrance requirements

Option 1

Successful completion of the Electronics Technician — Common Core certificate (or equivalent, by permission of the Automation and Robotics Technician Advisory Committee).

Option 2

One of the following:

• Successful completion of other relevant post-secondary education (such as pre-electrical engineering, electrical engineering or physics courses), as evidenced by educational transcripts; or
• Training experience and documented workplace hours in a related discipline.

Students applying for admission to the program under Option 2 will also be required to attend an interview with the Advisory Committee to assess the following:

• Electronics theoretical knowledge of analog, digital and microcontroller components
• Circuit analysis methods and skills
• Communication skills: ability to listen and articulate ideas
• Hands on demonstration of basic practical methods of troubleshooting, circuit construction, assembly, and soldering
• Personal and work commitments in relation to assuming the demands of an applied academic program of studies.

Successful completion of ESL Advanced Speaking/Listening, and Writing course sequence may be required for applicants for whom English is not a first language.

When to apply

Admission to the program will be in September each year. Applications can be submitted starting in October of the previous year. For application deadlines, see Specific intake application process. Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space.

How to apply

1. Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/admissions/apply. You will be asked to submit an application fee, which can be paid by a variety of online methods.
2. Prior to classes starting, applicants will be notified by telephone or email of the registration procedures. Applicants who cannot be reached after three attempts will be removed from the wait list.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section.

Program duration

Graduates of the Electronics Technician — Common Core certificate can complete the 33 credits required for the diploma in two semesters of full time study.

Location

Courses are offered at the Chilliwack Trades & Technology Centre campus.

Program outline

Note: In addition, students must pass the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia’s Professional Practice and Ethics Examination to complete the requirements for graduation. For fees and schedule, please contact ASTTBC at http://www.asttbc.org/practice/ethics.php.

Program requirements

Program continuance

Continuance will be computed on all program-specific courses taken prior to, or after, admission to the program. To remain in the program, a student must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all program-specific courses. The Advisory Committee may grant exceptions under extenuating circumstances.

Undergraduate continuance

Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or above) must maintain an undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 to remain enrolled in Good Academic Standing at UFV. Students in Good Academic Standing will have no registration limits placed on them. Failure to meet the minimum CGPA requirement will result in restrictions on registration and may eventually lead to academic suspension from undergraduate studies at UFV. Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation are limited to registering in 10 credits. For further details, see the Undergraduate Continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV’s Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).

Course repetition

See UFV's Course Repeat policy (86).

Re-admission

Re-admission to the program is subject to space availability.

Residency

Students must complete at least 50% of the required second-year credits for the Diploma at UFV.

Graduation

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all program requirements are met. This should be done by regular consultation with the program coordinator. Students must achieve a GPA of 2.0 or higher in all program-specific courses to graduate.

Students must apply for graduation by completing a Graduation Request form available at ufv.ca/admissions/forms. The submission deadline for students who wish to attend the June Convocation ceremony is April 1st of each year, with all program requirements completed by April 30th of each year.

Maximum length of time to complete program

The diploma is designed to be completed in one year following successful completion of the Electronics Technician Common Core certificate. Students must complete the program requirements within a maximum of three years.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.