Agriculture Technology Integration Post-Diploma Certificate

Agriculture Technology Post Diploma Certificate

What can you expect from our program?

This dynamic NEW post-diploma certificate in Agriculture Technology Integration is designed to provide students with an understanding of how related technologies and components interact to provide accurate information and real-time monitoring and controls to the agriculture producer. You will be provided with opportunities to recognize the connectedness of, and interactions between, hardware and software to enable producers to maximize uptime in the field. You will learn to link emerging technologies with existing farm infrastructure including the installation, calibration, troubleshooting and repair of precision agriculture hardware and equipment, including mechanical and software systems.

This program is designed for students who already hold a diploma or degree. The eight month post-diploma certificate is delivered on-campus or online.

On-Campus Delivery: Runs September through April. During the on-campus eight month study period, students will be immersed in dedicated and intensive hands-on learning environments that enable engagement in practical exercises, tutorials, and lectures.

Online Delivery with Dedicated On-Campus Learning Periods: Runs September through April. Designed for students who require more flexible learning options, the online delivery provides students access to course content online each week. Learners may join a lecture virtually in real-time or review a previously recorded lecture. Learning is further enhanced by exploring selected readings or videos, engaging in online discussion forums and completing online assessments.

Through the online delivery method, some courses in the eight month Post-Diploma Certificate have a required short-term, on-campus laboratory. This intensive hands-on learning period is designed to allow students to engage in practical exercises, tutorials and lectures. On-campus labs are required for certain courses and must be completed on the Olds College campus.

What will you learn?

You can expect a blended course delivery, of face-to-face classes on the Olds College campus and high tech, hands on experiences at the Olds College Smart Farm. Upon completion of this program, students will have the skills to:

Install, calibrate, troubleshoot, and repair precision agriculture software and hardware systems.
Facilitate interface between agricultural equipment and current and emerging technology (develop skills in the selection and use of tools and processes to produce and care for an agricultural information system for an identified need or outcome).
Apply current industry safety protocols and standards.
Develop the skill and mindset necessary for maintaining knowledge of current and emerging agricultural technology.
Develop knowledge and skill in a range of technologies for a variety of purposes in an agricultural enterprise.

Develop knowledge and an understanding of the factors that impact a system's design.
Design, produce and evaluate projects that satisfy identified needs, demonstrating skill, knowledge, and understanding of the system's design process.
Develop knowledge and an understanding of the functional requirements of information systems for a range of applications within an agricultural enterprise.
Develop knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the interrelationship between design, technology, the individual, society, and the environment.
Develop an appreciation of social and ethical issues and the significance of agricultural information systems in society.

Credential: Post-Diploma Certificate

Length of Program: 1 year

Method of Delivery: Olds Campus or Online

Program Intakes: The first intake will be September 2020

Applications Open: October 1 for the Fall Intake

Selection Process for Admission: First Qualified, First Accepted

Tuition, Mandatory Fees, Books, and Supplies: Please refer to the current Fee Schedule for details

Tuition & Fees: $5,800 / Books & Supplies: $1,400

*These fees are provided as estimates only for the purposes of budgeting. Please note that all fees are best estimates and are subject to change.

What do I need to apply?

Admission Requirements:

Minimum 2.5 GPA in the required credits from a diploma or degree in the study of mechanics, agriculture, land, environment, technology, engineering, forestry,or information systems;
OR
Certified Journeyperson Agricultural Equipment Technician or Heavy Equipment Technician
All applicants must meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement

Students may not receive advance credit based on credits previously achieved as part of the admission requirement.

This program is to be completed in two consecutive terms.

International Applicants: Olds College welcomes applications from international applicants and those who have completed their high school education outside of Canada. Please note, it is still necessary to meet all of the noted admission requirements, including English Language Proficiency. Further information can be found on our website under International Students.

What is the Olds College Smart Farm?

In the summer of 2018, Olds College launched the Olds College Smart Farm, an exciting initiative that is transforming the College’s existing farm into a farm of the future. By incorporating the latest technologies aimed at improving productivity, while efficiently and sustainably using resources, the Smart Farm is creating a cutting-edge learning environment for students and life-long learners.

Learn more

What is the Smart Ag Innovation Centre?

To properly analyze data, plan for future growing seasons, and collaborate with students, industry partners, and producers, the College required a dedicated space in which stakeholders can meet and data can be processed. This space was created within the former President’s House and has been named the Olds College Smart Ag Innovation Centre (SAIC). The new facility includes a number of elements that are designed to contribute to the academic excellence of students, bolster applied research, decrease the environmental footprint of the Smart Farm, and be an industry leader in Smart Agriculture.

Learn More

Admitted Student Information

Program Dates: Find out when you term start and end dates are, so that you know when you are expected to be in attendance. For more information, please review the Program Dates & Fee Schedule.

Class Registration: You will be registered into your classes automatically. This will happen approximately 1 month prior to the start-date for your program. You will be notified once you have been timetabled into your courses. You will be able to see your class schedule in your My Olds College account. If you need to make any changes to your class registration, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Technology Recommendation: It is required that you come to Olds College with the following technology:

A laptop capable of running Microsoft Office is mandatory for this program, as students will be using Excel and other Microsoft Office programs extensively in lectures and classes.

As part of your student accounts, all students have access to Office 365 for the duration of their time with Olds College. To access this you just need to follow these steps:

Go to portal.office.com
Enter your Olds College email address and password
Once logged in there is a button on the right that says "Install Office Apps"

This will give you access to the full Office suite on your computer, for both Windows and Mac based platforms.

Materials & Supplies:

The following items are required:

Coveralls
Rubber boots
Steel toed work boots (CSA approved)
Safety glasses

There may be other necessary items (ie. cold weather attire) that may be required during your time at Olds College.

A copy of your valid driver’s license is necessary to operate Olds College equipment.

Information on required textbooks and any further supplies will be provided as you attend each class. All books and supplies will be available during the first few weeks of classes in the College Campus Store.

Other Important Information:

Student Clubs:

Time Requirements: This program is to be completed in two consecutive terms

Attendance Requirement: more details about “blended” delivery

Additional Skills: Basic computer skills are recommended for all and it is certainly beneficial to have some prior experience with computers before you arrive at the College. A familiarity and comfort in use of Google Docs, word processing, spreadsheet and e-mailing software will be a definite asset.

Agriculture Technology Integration Post-Diploma Certificate

What can you expect from our program?

What will you learn?

Program at a glance

What do I need to apply?

Ready to apply? Visit our Admissions page for more info or contact an Olds College Advisor.

Admitted Students