Overview

Ready to design the future? Develop your problem-solving skills and strengthen your career through drafting, surveying and computer-aided design skills.

Learn the basics of civil engineering technology in this certificate program. Be a part of designing the future: bridges, highways, dams, parks, and sewer systems are just a few of the systems that affect our lives. You will develop skills in computer-aided design (CAD), land and construction surveying, drafting fundamentals, and basic design concepts for residential construction.

Through lab work and projects, you will be able to design infrastructure projects for the cities and towns you live in. Whether you want to invent a new solution or research existing solutions for longstanding problems, you will find that your practical experience can make life better where you live.

If you are a natural problem solver and passionate about finding hands-on solutions, this is the program for you. Small class sizes, dedicated instructors and industry connections prepare you for an exciting career as a civil technician.

As a graduate, you will have plenty of employment opportunities. We prepare you to be influential contributors to the civil engineering field. You will graduate with both technical and practical experience and be prepared to work in either public or private industry. Consider continuing your education in this field with Assiniboine’s two-year Civil Technology diploma, specializing in Municipal Engineering.

Admissions

  • A complete Manitoba Grade 12 or equivalent

  • English 40G/40S or equivalent

  • Pre-Calculus or Applied Mathematics 40S or equivalent with a minimum mark of 65%

English is the language of instruction at Assiniboine. All applicants educated outside of Canada or in a country not on the test exempt list are expected to meet the English language proficiency requirement. See assiniboine.net/elp for more information. 

International Applicants

If you are an international applicant, please read our Helpful Information for International Applicants prior to applying to this program. 

Careers & Connections

Career Opportunities

Graduates find employment with consulting engineering and architectural firms, construction and development companies, inspection and testing agencies, manufacturers, fabricators and material suppliers, as well as with various departments of municipal, provincial and federal government services.

Connections

Graduates of Assiniboine’s program may be eligible for advanced standing towards Red River College’s Civil Engineering Technology diploma program.

Assiniboine has a number of agreements with other colleges, universities and professional organizations, making it possible to apply credit taken at Assiniboine to programs at other institutions. For up-to-date information on agreements, visit the Articulation Agreements page.

Tools & Supplies

Civil Technician students learn drafting fundamentals the traditional way and then learn AutoCAD applications. This, in turn, leads into designing houses, buildings and other structures that have real-world applications. Lectures, demonstrations and hands-on learning assignments are used before setting students loose on authentic assignments that follow real-world requirements.

Textbooks, supplies and uniforms for all of our programs and courses may be purchased at the Assiniboine Bookstore at the Victoria Avenue East Campus. Booklists are available from your school office 30 days prior to the start date of your program. Visit the Bookstore website to learn more.

Our classrooms, labs and shops are equipped with the necessary equipment that you need to make the most of your experience. However, there are some tools and supplies that you will need to purchase for personal use to help you with your studies. Much of what you purchase you’ll be able to use after you graduate and begin your career. 

2023-24 Lists:

Program Checklist:

2023-24 Lists:

Booklists:

Supplies:

Technology Requirements

Students in this program are required to bring their own laptop for use on-campus. The laptop must meet the technical needs outlined by the program. MAC computing devices are not compatible with program software. Refer to assiniboine.net/tech for detailed information. 

Courses & Costs

Costs

Estimated Program Costs (Domestic students)
  Credits Tuition Course fees Students' Association fees (Inc Health Premium) Estimated textbooks, tools and supplies
Civil Technician 88.5 $4,880 $1,690 $550 $1,530

All fees are estimated and subject to change without notice.

Estimated Program Costs (International students)
  Credits Tuition Course Fees Students' Association fees (Inc Health Premium) Required Health Insurance Textbooks, Tools, & Supplies
Civil Technician 88.5 $22,420 $1,690 $550 $750 $1,530

All fees are estimated and are subject to change without notice. All international students must purchase health insurance. The college adds this fee to your student account and then sends your name and fee to the insurance provider on your behalf.

Courses

To graduate with a Civil Technician certificate, students must successfully complete 76.5 academic credits and 12 practical credits. Graduates are eligible to continue with their studies in the Civil Technology - Municipal Engineering specialization diploma program at Assiniboine. The minimum passing grade for each course is indicated on the course outline. 

Course offerings are subject to change and may vary by intake.

Courses
Title Credits/CEUs Elective Distance PLAR
Algebra (Civil) (MATH-0093)

This course teaches the algebra skills required to be able to solve problems in other courses within the Civil Technician program. Topics include linear equations, factoring, exponents, radicals, determinants, quadratic equations and logarithms.

6 credit(s) No No No
AutoCAD 1 (Civil) (COMP-0200)

Students develop a basic understanding of personal computers, applications and technical drawing standards as they apply to the civil/architectural and mechanical disciplines. In addition they develop a comprehensive understanding of generic CAD concepts and procedures and 2D drawing and editing techniques.

6 credit(s) No No Yes
AutoCAD 2 (Civil) (COMP-0201)

Prerequisite: COMP-0200 AutoCAD 1 (Civil)
Students use their 2D drawing and editing skills to build their advanced CAD skills. These new skills include third angle projection standards, 3D modeling commands, controlling the display of their drawing including viewport, view point and paper space plotting. Students also learn the visualization tools of hidden line removal, rendering and the basic concepts of attributes.

6 credit(s) No No Yes
Chemistry 1 (Civil) (SCIE-0085)

This course is an enhanced review of high school chemistry with theoretical and practical emphasis on chemical compounds and reactions. Other topics covered are nuclear radiation, energy and gases.

3 credit(s) No No No
Chemistry 2 (Civil) (SCIE-0086)

Prerequisite: SCIE-0085 Chemistry 1 (Civil) This course is a continuation of Chemistry 1 (Civil). It covers the properties of solutions, acids and bases, and includes an introduction to organic chemistry and biochemistry.

4.5 credit(s) No No No
Co-op Work Placement - CVLTC (COOP-0014)

Prerequisite: Cumulative weighted grade point average (CWGPA) of 2.0 or greater
This requires a minimum of 480 hours of full-time, paid, related work experience. The work placement, which is normally of 16-week duration, is subject to prior approval of and monitoring by a designated faculty member. Credit is given subject to the student submitting evidence that the work has been successfully completed. Work experience acquired prior to registration in the program is not eligible for this credit.

12 credit(s) No No No
College Foundations (PEDV-0356)

This course improves students’ ability to navigate the college experience and environment, including student's rights, roles, and responsibilities. In this course, students reflect on their skills, attitudes, and expectations and develop learning strategies to help them to become successful, resilient, and self-directed learners. The course covers topics such as success in online learning, time management strategies, learning strategies, assessment taking strategies, academic integrity, information and digital literacy, and wellness, among others. It integrates elements of student orientation.

0 credit(s) No No No
Communications (Civil) (COMM-0138)

This course introduces students to effective writing techniques that enable them to complete various business documents such as letters and memoranda. Students produce a variety of informal technical reports such as mechanism, incident, progress, field trip and progress reports.

3 credit(s) No No No
Construction Materials/Safety (ENGR-0004)

Prerequisite: DRFT-0011 Drafting Fundamentals (Civil)
This course builds on the introduction to wood frame construction block presented in Drafting Fundamentals (Civil). Students study wood frame construction materials and systems. Application of these principles is achieved by the production of architectural working drawings (elevations, sections and details) for a residential project, structural details, and mechanical and electrical system layouts. Stair design and framing member selection using Canada Mortgage and Housing (CMHC) span tables is also presented.

6 credit(s) No No No
Drafting Fundamentals (Civil) (DRFT-0011)

Students are provided the skills to use standard board drafting equipment and are introduced to basic drafting standards and conventions (architectural and engineering). These include basic lettering form, drawing layout, line-work techniques, dimensioning, sectioning, symbols, abbreviations, pictorial drawings or orthographic drawings. The drawings produced use metric and imperial units. Instruction is provided in the form of lectures, demonstrations, video presentations and practical drawing assignments. The course also introduces students to basic wood frame construction materials and systems. Students apply drafting standards and conventions in the production of working drawings for a residential project.

9 credit(s) No No Yes
Environment, Ethics & Society (ENVR-0020)

Gain insight into the importance of sustainable development and the impact of technology and industry on the environment and society. This course will also discuss various moral theories and techniques that can be used to resolve ethical dilemmas. Professionalism is promoted through the examination of the EGM and CTTAM Code of Ethics and other documents that are the basis for the professional exam required for Engineering Technologists seeking certification in Manitoba.

3 credit(s) No No Yes
General Safety Training (WRKP-0035)

This course covers basic general safety content to provide students with core information necessary for them to protect themselves in the workplace. Although some examples used in the training may consider Manitoba legislation, this course has been developed using generic information that is not province-specific.

0 credit(s) No No No
Geometry (Civil) (MATH-0041)

This is a pre-calculus mathematics course with emphasis on trigonometry and geometry. A Hewlett-Packard 48G or 48GX graphic calculator is required throughout this course.

6 credit(s) No No No
Mechanics (Civil) (MECH-0068)

This course deals with the basic concepts of statics as applied to the analysis of frames and the determination of centroids of geometric bodies.

6 credit(s) No No No
Report Writing (Civil) (COMM-0139)

Prerequisite: COMM-0138 Communications (Civil)
This course helps students to polish the communications skills learned in Communications (Civil). Emphasis is on producing written reports and giving oral briefings common to a scientific, engineering or industrial environment. Instruction also includes job placement and interview skills.

3 credit(s) No No No
Strength of Materials 1 (ENGR-0003)

Prerequisite: MECH-0068 Mechanics (Civil)
This is a basic course in strength of materials, which includes stress and deformation in deformable bodies. Moment of inertia calculations for simple and complex shapes are included along with shear and moment calculations, and diagrams for structural beams. Demonstrations of materials testing illustrate the physical behaviour of engineering materials.

3 credit(s) No No No
Surveying 1 (ENGR-0001)

Students become familiar with survey equipment and its use, including horizontal measurement, levelling, calculation and measuring angles and topographic surveys.

6 credit(s) No No No
Surveying 2 (ENGR-0009)

Prerequisite: ENGR-0001 Surveying 1
This course consists of traverses and calculations pertaining to systems of township layout and monumentation, the determination of areas and volumes.

6 credit(s) No No No
WHMIS 1 (HLTH-0047)

If you work in the proximity of hazardous materials, this awareness course is for you. As an introduction to Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), this course covers safe work habits with hazardous materials, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and labelling of hazardous materials. This course is presented in a straightforward, non-technical manner.

0 credit(s) No No No

Fast Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next program information session?

Program information sessions are completely free to attend, and we invite you to bring a guest along as well. It's a good idea to register in advance so we know you're coming.

To find the complete schedule for our program information sessions and to RSVP, visit the program information session page.