Electronics & Computer Engineering Technology - Renewable Energy, Diploma

What to expect

The program is delivered over five semesters, starting in September and running through to the end of April. You will have options of taking paid co-op or internship work terms but you do not have to decide until later in first year.

The program is rigorous, requiring you to do work outside of the classroom. In addition to approximately 30 hours per week of class time, you should expect to spend between 15-20 hours outside of the classroom per week.

Year 1

In your first year, you'll learn some fundamental electrical theory and apply this to semiconductors. You'll learn to program in the C language and will have completed your first microcontroller course.

Digital fundamentals will be understood and you'll have the opportunity to program PLDs using both a graphical interface as well as by VHDL. You'll also be introduced to a wide range of renewable energy technologies.

Year 2

In second year, you'll expand your knowledge to include more semiconductor devices and will learn about wireless communications.

You'll also learn about embedded Ethernet controllers, power electronics, control systems, DSP, operating systems such as LINUX, ARM microcontrollers, raspberry pi embedded systems, Internet of things technology, circuit board design, and transducers.

Year 3

You will have one final semester in the third year that covers project management and design for manufacturing.

Also in this third year you will work on a major Capstone project in a small team to design and build a prototype system. There will be a showcase event where you will be able to present your project and participate in a tradeshow-like environment.

Co-operative Education

In your co-op program, you’ll complete five academic terms and at least six months of work terms during the first two years. During the final year of the program, you'll complete the last two academic terms as well as a final work term.