Electronic Engineering Technician

Overview

This program provides you with the necessary tools to develop the knowledge and practical skills required to work in the field of electronics. You focus on practical applications to solve technical problems in areas such as telecommunications, industrial electronics and controls and microcontrollers.

You're trained to assemble, install, test, maintain and repair electronic/electrical equipment and systems.

Throughout the program, you develop technical skills for the electronic field and study mathematics, electrical circuits, microcontroller applications, electric machines, solid state circuits, electronic fabrication, high reliability soldering and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). There's a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, with extensive lab and project work.

Work experience

• Work placement is a mandatory credit course, providing the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills outside of the classroom.
  • Opportunities are typically unpaid and last approximately 5 weeks.
  • Transportation, accommodations and other costs related to work placements are your responsibility.
  • Many employers have a COVID-19 vaccination requirement, which can impact your work experience course. It is your responsibility to understand and be prepared to meet employer vaccination requirements before beginning your placement. 
• This program is eligible for an optional cooperative education (co-op) credit course between year one and two.
  • Co-op placements provide the opportunity for paid, full-time work in a field related to your program. Opportunities typically last 12 to 16 weeks.
  • Our co-op program follows Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) guidelines.
• For more information visit Work Experience Opportunities.

Choose NSCC

• You benefit from our faculty, who bring years of experience to the classroom and strong industry connections.
• This program is accredited by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB), a standing committee of the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT). CTAB accreditation means that this program has been evaluated against standards designed by industry leaders across Canada and is recognized internationally. Graduates may be eligible for membership with TechNova, the certifying organization for Engineering and Applied Science Technicians and Technologists in Nova Scotia.
• This program places a high importance on providing you with skills and knowledge to work safely in industry. To prepare for employment, you participate in safety awareness courses.

Other info

• If enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Education Plan, you are eligible to receive a salary (with benefits) and support to offset tuition and materials.
• Industrial safety standards require that you have adequate vision and colour perception to operate safely, in the shop and in the field, while performing tasks of this trade.
• Many employers in this industry require a current, official criminal record check as part of the hiring process. A conviction on your criminal record may impact your ability to secure employment.

Availability

Seats are available at Ivany Campus for domestic applicants only. International applicants will be waitlisted.

September 2023

Campus	Full time/part time	Delivery	Availability
Ivany Campus Dartmouth	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available
Kingstec Campus Kentville	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available
Marconi Campus Sydney	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available
Pictou Campus Stellarton	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available

Admission requirements

• High School Graduation Diploma or equivalent, including Academic Grade 12 Math.
  • International students – High school diploma equivalency and English language requirements vary by country. View details
• If you do not have the required academic credits, NSCC offers a variety of credit courses through the Academic and Career Connections program.

Program requirements

• Portfolio development – As part of your studies at NSCC, you develop a portfolio of your work; the portfolio captures your achievements and profiles your skills to employers.

Tuition

Tuition amounts are for the 2022-23 academic year. Program costs and fees (textbooks, supplies, etc.) are additional. 2023-24 tuition will be announced in the late Spring.

Tuition, fees and program costs

In addition to annual tuition, there are program costs (books, tools, etc.) and student fees for college services, health and dental plans, your student association and parking.

View detailed program fees page(s). Please note that amounts on these pages are meant for planning purposes only. They don't represent final amounts owing.

• Electronic Engineering Technician - Year 1
• Electronic Engineering Technician - Year 2

Career options

• Qualified electronic technicians are in demand in a variety of industries, including the manufacturing sector, oil and gas, power utilities, telecommunication, biomedical, and computer. They also work for electronic manufacturing companies.
• You work in a variety of roles, including:
  • Industrial technician (for the automotive, oil and gas, forestry, power, plastic, fisheries, marine and aerospace industries or their related government agencies);
  • Communications technician (for phone, cable, cellular phone, radio and TV companies);
  • Medical technician (for hospitals and medically-related electronics manufacturers)
• Learn more about labour market information. Visit Career Options

Future study options

• Upon successful completion of the Electronic Engineering Technician program, you have the option to complete the Electronic Engineering Technology program in one additional year of study.
• If considering a career in the Canadian Armed Forces, graduates may receive advanced standing as an aerospace telecommunication and information systems technician.
• Continue your studies at university – This program includes courses that count towards a university degree. Find out more

Courses may include

These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.

Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.

COMM 1245 - Technical Communications I
This course introduces students to the writing, oral presentation, critical thinking and interpersonal communications skills required of technical professionals in the workplace. The fundamentals of clear, concise writing and presenting will be reviewed and refined. Experience will be gained in organizing, writing and presenting technical information. In addition, career development skills and portfolio preparation will be discussed. There will be several opportunities, through assignments and lab work, to develop portfolio components. Students will learn how to collect appropriate work samples and documentation from other courses in the program as well as from other sources.

COMM 2245 - Technical Communications II
This course focuses on the interpersonal, written and oral technical communication skills necessary for working independently and as part of a team in a technical environment. Further skill development in written forms of technical documentation required for the workplace as well as report creation and oral presentation skills will continue to be emphasized. Team building principles, group dynamics and collaborative writing will be discussed. Students will participate in meetings and take responsibilities in a group project from its inception to completion and evaluation. Students will continue to enhance and apply their research skills and project management principles will also be introduced. Successful job interviews and the portfolio will be discussed.

EETD 1004 - Electronic Drafting
This course is an introduction to computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) techniques used in the field of electronics. The learner will develop CADD skills in the preparation of engineering drawings using desktop electronic drafting software.

EETD 1017 - Work Experience I
This contact training work experience is intended to expose the learner to their chosen career field of electronics. The learner will have the opportunity to apply, learn and enhance their skills and knowledge in an electronics environment, experience new applications and processes, develop their abilities in the areas of working life regarding personal growth and enrichment, and demonstrate employability skills.

EETD 1031 - Analog/Digital Communications
This course is an introduction to Analog/Digital Communications, and is offered in the second year of the Electronic Engineering Technician program. The course covers the theories of AM/FM communications, Digital communications, Fibre-Optics transmission and Telephone communications. System concepts are explored rather than discrete components, since a variety of electronic components are used, hence the prerequisites. The theories and practices are confirmed and enhanced by performing laboratory experiments, utilization of electronic communication system trainers and test equipment develop troubleshooting skills.

EETD 1051 - DC Circuits for Technologies
This course covers the theories of resistance, voltage and current associated with series/parallel resistive direct current (DC) circuits. Working safely with various direct current sources and the proper operation of measuring test equipment is emphasized. These theories and practices are confirmed and enhanced by performing laboratory experiments and utilization of electronic test equipment.

EETD 1053 - Digital Logic I
This course introduces the learner to the basic digital logic concepts necessary to attain a working knowledge of Medium Scale Integration (MSI) chips, the theoretical mathematical component required to design standard, combinatorial digital circuits and the variety of test equipment required for troubleshooting digital logic systems with schematics. The learner will be required to complete laboratory experiments both on the bench and via EDA software to meet to learning outcomes for each section.

EETD 1054 - Electronic Fabrication and Soldering
This course provides an introduction to high-reliability soldering techniques and proper selection and use of standard electronic hardware, wiring used in the field of electronics. This course is intended to develop knowledge and hands-on skill training in the process of developing reliable electronic assemblies with high-reliability practices used on printed circuit board assemblies using through hole mounted (THM) and surface mounted (SMT) components and devices.

EETD 2000 - AC Circuits for Technologies
This course covers the theories of alternating current circuits. Working safely with various voltage and current sources and the proper operation of test equipment is emphasized. These theories and practices are confirmed and enhanced by performing laboratory experiments.

EETD 2002 - Digital Logic II
This course introduces the learner to the digital logic concepts necessary to attain a working knowledge of Large Scale Integrated (LSI) and Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) integrated circuits. These concepts prepare the learner for the Microcontroller and Programmable Logic Controller sections of the Electronic Engineering Technician program. The learner will be required to complete laboratory experiments both on the bench and via EDA software to meet the learning outcomes.

EETD 2003 - Introduction to Computer Hardware and Network Devices
The basic structure of a desktop computer is the foundation of a wide variety of electronic systems, from tiny microcontrollers to factory floor automation systems. This course introduces the basic computer architecture on which later courses will build. It also introduces the basic concepts that underpin digital networks.

EETD 2004 - Semiconductor Circuits I
This course is an introduction to semiconductor devices such as rectifier diodes, Zener diodes, light-emitting diodes, thyristors and bipolar junction transistors. The operation and characteristics of power supply circuits, diode wave-shaping circuits and small signal amplifier circuits are studied and verified in the lab using standard test equipment and/or simulation software.

EETD 3000 - Semiconductor Circuits II
This course covers Class A, B, C and D amplifiers, FET applications and frequency effects on amplifier circuits. Learners will have the opportunity to analyze and troubleshoot circuits in a lab environment using test equipment and/or simulation software.

EETD 4000 - Electric Machines I
The characteristics and applications of DC motors and generators, AC motors and generators are studied in this course. Three-phase circuits and magnetic circuits are covered in order to understand the operation of motors and generators.

EETD 4001 - Microcontroller Programming
The goal of this course is to provide a basic understanding of microcontroller programming using a high-level programming language.

EETD 4002 - Semiconductor Circuits III
Differential amplifier, operational amplifier, multivibrator, phase-locked loop, discrete and IC switching regulators, oscillator and active filter circuits are studied. Emphasis is place on integrated circuit characteristics, selection and applications, both in theory and in the laboratory portion.

EETD 4003 - Programmable Logic Controller Fundamentals
Learners will have the opportunity to build a working knowledge of Programmable Logic Controller (PLCs) by connecting I/O and developing programs that can perform simple logic decisions as well as timing and counting in the control of industrial processes.

EETD 5000 - Microcontroller Applications
This course provides a basic understanding of fundamental electronics and system integration to enable the learner to effectively identify domains microcontroller systems are found in robotics, avionics, motor control, environmental systems. Consultation with manufacturers’ datasheets will be vital in accomplishing application tasks.

EETD 5001 - Business, Technology and Modern Society
The course introduces the learner to fundamental business concepts and explores the impact of advancing technology and organizations on the environment, ethics and society. Applicable codes are introduced to the learner.

MATH 1060 - Applied Math I for Technicians
This course provides learners with a basic understanding of applied mathematical principles for use by technicians. Applied Math l is designed to cover basic algebra, geometry, functional notation, linear equations, quadratic equations, exponents, logarithms, analytic geometry and systems of equations. The use of computer software as a mathematical tool will be explored. Learners will be encouraged to maintain a math journal that may become part of their personal College portfolio.

MATH 1066 - Applied Math II for Technicians
This course builds on the skills and knowledge learned from Applied Math l (MATH 1060) broadening the understanding of applied mathematical principles for use by technicians. Applied Math ll is designed to cover trigonometric functions, complex numbers, analytic geometry and systems of equations. The use of computer software as a mathematical tool will be used. Learners will be encouraged to maintain a math journal that may become part of their personal College portfolio.

SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.

SAFE 1001 - Introduction to NS OH&S Act
This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.

SAFE 1021 - Safety Basics – Hazard Identification
The learners are introduced to the types of hazards encountered in workplaces and the approach that should be followed when recommending and implementing appropriate controls. Two key elements of Hazard Identification are addressed: Hazard Assessment and Inspection. The Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act is discussed. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

SAFE 1023 - Safety Basics – Lock-out Tag Out
Lock-out Tag Out introduces students to the hazards related to energized systems and procedures to ensure worker safety. Related legislation and risk management is discussed and the student is exposed to the various types of lock-out devices. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

SAFE 1024 - Safety Basics – Respiratory Protection
This course introduces students to the potential of atmospheric hazards in the workplace and the available personal protection and control methods to maintain a safe work environment. Discussion topics include identification and testing for atmospheric hazards and workplace respiratory programs. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

Electronic Engineering Technician elective course requirement. In addition to required courses, learners are required to complete prescribed electives for a total of 180 hours (3 units).