The International Society of Automation (ISA) defines instrumentation as "the art and science of measurement and control". It involves using and/or working with instruments used to measure, record, and control process variables (such as level, flow, temperature, and pressure). Complex process control and measurement systems are found in the oil and gas industries, chemical processing industry, food processing operations, power generation, and the pulp and paper industry. Control systems are becoming increasingly used in automating industrial processes to improve productivity, conserve entry, and reduce pollution. This has created a strong demand for trained instrumentation professionals. As our provincial industrial sector grows, instrumentation and controls continue to be an extremely important field of technology.
Graduates completing this program are automatically eligible for membership in the Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologists of Newfoundland and Labrador (AETTNL), as well as any similar association in Canada.
Upon completion of this program graduates may choose to further their education by completing a bachelor degree in technology or engineering at one of several institutions that have articulation agreements with College of the North Atlantic.
ACCREDITATION
This program is accredited by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board under the mandate of the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists.
The academic credentials of graduates of accredited technology programs are recognized internationally by the signatories of the Sydney Accord.
Note: This program may not be suitable for applicants who do not have normal colour perception.
OBJECTIVES
As engineering technologists, graduates of this program will have the knowledge and skills that will allow them to:
- Design, install, troubleshoot and maintain process automation field and control room devices and systems such as distributed control systems (DCS), programmable logic controllers (PLC), and emergency shutdown systems.
- Design and program control system interfaces, human machine interfaces (HMI) and graphical interfaces.
- Use basic engineering principles and knowledge of industrial control systems to help design the control and safety systems for an industrial process.
- Apply principles of process control to analyze the performance of industrial processes.
- Apply concepts of measurement and sensor selection to specify, install, configure, calibrate, troubleshoot, and maintain various process instruments commonly used in industry, including electronic transmitters, pneumatic devices, and control valves.
- Maintain, calibrate and troubleshoot various analytical instruments and analyzer sampling systems found in industrial process.
- Demonstrate an understanding of industry standards, best practices, and workplace procedures related to safety and professionalism.
- Prepare technical reports and presentations for effective communications in the workplace.
CURRICULUM
General education consisting of Communication Skills (oral and written), Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Electrotechnology, Engineering Graphics, and Technology Awareness.
Specific education focuses on various aspects of process measurement and control, including process control system design incorporating programmable control systems (PLC / DCS / ESD), human machine interfaces (HMI), and machine control and condition monitoring. Specific emphasis is also placed on industrial process analyzers and analyzer sampling systems.
Practical education through curriculum integrated labs employing industrial equipment, techniques and practices relating to the installation, operation and maintenance of transducers, transmitters, measurement and control instruments, and microprocessor-based instrumentation.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Enrolment in the Instrumentation Controls Engineering Technology program results in making a very multifaceted career choice. It prepares graduating students for opportunities in employment locally and internationally in industries such as oil and gas, chemical processing, pulp and paper, power generation, food processing, and manufacturing. Typical positions for a graduate are instrumentation technologist, technical sales/service representative, consultant, plant maintenance person, testing & commissioning technologist, instrument designer, or control systems technologist.
Graduates with two years of progressive work experience may be eligible to receive the designation of Professional Technologist (P. Tech) upon completion of a Professional Practice and Ethics Exam.
CERTIFICATIONS
In addition to the formal courses listed in the program of studies, students in the Instrumentation and Controls Engineering Technology program are required to obtain the following external certifications throughout the parogram:
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Standard First Aid/Heart Start
*Students should be aware that additional fees may apply to external certifications.
Graduates of the program may be eligible to receive a "Hazardous Areas Training Certificate." This certification is industry recognized and is designed for personnel carrying out installations, inspection and maintenance of electrical apparatus in potentially hazardous explosive areas in the onshore and offshore oil and gas industries.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility for admission to an Engineering Technology program requires the applicant to meet one of the following four academic criteria:
1. High School
High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% overall average in the following (or equivalent):
i. English (2 credits) (minimum 60%) from: 3201
ii. Mathematics (4 credits) chosen from:
Advanced: 2200, 3200 (50% minimum in each course)
Academic: 2201 (50% minimum), 3201 (60% minimum)
Note: Students who received a combined average of 70% in high school Academic Mathematics 2201 and 3201, or a pass in both high school
Advanced Mathematics 2200 and 3200 can be exempted from Math 1700. Students must apply for the exemption.
iii. Science (4 credits) two of which must be selected from:
Biology: 3201
Physics: 3204
Chemistry: 3202
Earth Systems: 3209
Note: The remaining two Science credits to be chosen from the highest Science mark in level 1, 2 or 3.
2. Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition
Comprehensive Arts and Science (Transition) Certificate with the following courses:
i. Math (60% MINIMUM)
MA1040,
MA1041
ii. Two Science courses chosen from one of the following three combinations:
Note: It is strongly recommended that CAS students who intend to enroll in Engineering Technology programs complete both of the Chemistry courses and both of the Physics courses.
3. Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with Degree and Technical Profile including the following courses (or equivalent):
i. English (60% minimum) 3101A, 3101B, 3101C or 3102A, 3102B, 3102C
ii. Mathematics (60% minimum) 1101A, 1101B, 1101C, 2101A, 2101B, 2101C, 3101A, 3101B, 3101C
iii. Science from one of the following sections:
a. Biology 1101, 2101A, 2101B, 2101C, 3101A, 3101B, 3101C
b. Chemistry 1102, 2102A, 2102B, 2102C, 3102A, 3102B, 3102C
c. Physics 1104, 2104A, 2104B, 2104C, 3104A, 3104B, 3104C
Applicants with Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with a different Profile may be eligible for admission to the program provided the appropriate selection of courses including those outlined above have been completed.
4. Mature Student Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program, are 19 years at the time of application and out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements; for more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements please refer to
Procedure AC-102-PR Admission.
International Applicants – English Proficiency
All international applicants must meet the College’s English language proficiency requirements for acceptance into regular programs. The College will accept these recognized tests of English language proficiency (TOEFL paper based 550, TOEFL Internet based 79, TOEFL computer based 213 or equivalent, IELTS Academic Test overall band score of 6.0, or Pearson PTE 53 or greater, etc.).
If a language proficiency test other than those referenced above was used, applicants can forward for assessment.
If an international applicant has attended an educational institution (high school or post-secondary) for a period of three years or more where the official language of instruction was English, the English language proficiency test will not be required.
Note: Some programs may require specific English language requirements and proficiency scores that differ from those stated above; therefore international applicants are advised to please refer to the specific program admission requirements as identified in the College Calendar.