Electronics Technician

Program Overview

NOTE: This program is deleted effective April 2017

Most electronics technicians work with the big stuff—cell phone towers, TV and radio stations, satellite, traffic lights, power plant systems and more. You’ll spend most of your days in the field, installing, servicing and repairing equipment. It’s physical, hands-on work that requires good analytical skills and the ability to think on your feet.

The Electronics Technician program is an intensive 30-week full-time certificate program offered at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatoon Campus, Idylwyld Dr. You’ll build knowledge and develop skills in installing, troubleshooting and servicing electronic equipment. You’ll study:

electronics fabrication
circuit analysis and troubleshooting
digital electronics and microprocessors
semiconductor fundamentals
technical communications

You’ll learn how to build electronic devices from the bench up. You’ll also take courses that will help prepare you to write the CompTIA A+ exam, which is well regarded in the industry.

Canadian Forces Education Plan

If you’re interested in the Electronics Technician program, but concerned about costs, consider the Canadian Forces (CF) subsidized education plan. It will cover your education and training costs for a career as a Telecommunications Specialist in the Navy, Army or Air Force. While in school, you’ll receive a salary with vacation, medical and dental benefits. Contact your local recruiting centre to learn more.

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

Our grads are sought-after by industry because of our emphasis on practical skills and fabrication techniques. You could find work as a service technician in a wide variety of industries: oil/gas/petroleum, mining and metal processing, utilities, chemical processing, water treatment, food and beverage, traffic control, biomedical repair, electronic manufacturing and more.

The Electronics Technician certificate program is the shortest path to a career in electronics.

Length and Start Date

Start Date(s): September

Length: 30 weeks

Locations

Saskatoon

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Grade 12 with a minimum of 60% in Workplace and Apprenticeship Math 30 or Foundations of Math 20 or Pre-Calculus 20*
English Language Requirement

Note

Physics 30 is recommended

*Previous Saskatchewan mathematics requirement also accepted:

Minimum of 60% in Math A30

Special Admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through a special admission assessment. Interested individuals should still apply. Applicants are automatically considered for special admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met. Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Special Admission.

ACCUPLACER©

75 Arithmetic
60 Elementary Algebra
75 Reading
75 Sentence

Admission Method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake.

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year.

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

Tuition and Fees

Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as books and supplies. For a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program, click here to access the Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus Tuition and Fee Schedules.

$5,700

International Students

View tuition rates for international students.

Courses

Expand All +

Semester 1

Code

Name/Description

Credits

CNET 106

A+ Cisco IT Essentials 1

Your studies will focus on identifying, installing and troubleshooting computer hardware and software components. You will become familiar with maintenance procedures. In a lab setting you will install, setup and troubleshoot printers and basic networks. Your studies will help prepare you to challenge the CompTIA A+ exam as well as one elective.
Credit Units: 6
Course Hours: 90.0
Equivalent Course(s): CNET 106CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Prior Learning

ELEC 142

Passive DC Circuits 1

You will describe basic electronic principles and verify Ohm's Law and power equations. You will apply these principles and equations in analyzing and troubleshooting series, parallel and series-parallel circuits. You will gain practical experience using multi-meters and power supplies.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 70.0
Prerequisites(s): ELTR 133(concurrent)
Equivalent Course(s): ENGE 120
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online

ELEC 143

Passive DC Circuits 2

You will study the principles of magnetism and electromagnetism. You will test, measure and analyze inductors, capacitors, resistive networks and transducers.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 65.0
Prerequisites(s): ELEC 142(concurrent)
Equivalent Course(s): LABS 120
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online

ELEC 144

Passive AC Circuits 1

You will interpret and analyze waveforms using complex number math. You will troubleshoot and analyze resistive-inductive (RL), resistive-capacitive (RC), and reactive (RLC) circuits. You will gain practical experience using oscilloscopes, function generators and frequency counters.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 70.0
Prerequisites(s): ELEC 143(concurrent)
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online

ELTR 133

Digital Integrated Circuits 1

You will use and convert arithmetic operations in various number systems. You will test basic logic circuits and basic digital logic devices. Your studies will include analyzing and troubleshooting combinational and sequential logic circuits.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 75.0
Prerequisites(s): ELEC 142(concurrent)
Equivalent Course(s): ELTR 122
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online

MATH 158

Mathematics

You will study mathematics that is directly related to applications in the telecommunications networking field. You will perform operations with signed numbers and solve and manipulate equations. You will use powers of ten, engineering notation, and computer number systems. You will learn the fundamentals of Boolean algebra, basic trigonometry with vectors and phasors, the sine wave, and exponents and logarithms.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Equivalent Course(s): MAT 122, MATH 384
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online

ORTN 160

Orientation to Industry

Your studies will focus on the role of the technician in industry, occupational health and safety, increased diversity in the workplace, principles of sustainability and the impact of technology on the workplace. You will also learn about SIAST student policies and how to develop study and time management skills.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 30.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online

TCOM 140

Basic Communication for Technicians

You will be introduced to communication theory and learn how to apply communication skills in the workplace. You will gain an understanding of the role of communication in your profession. The course content includes basic technical writing skills, including research and document writing.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 30.0
Equivalent Course(s): TCOM 102, TCOM 120
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online

Semester 2

Code

Name/Description

Credits

ELEC 145

Passive AC Circuits 2

You will test and troubleshoot transformer circuits and resonant circuits. You will analyze resistive-capacitive (RC) and resistive-inductive (RL) pulse response and resonant and passive filter response.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 70.0
Prerequisites(s): ELEC 144
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online

ELTR 130

Active Components and Circuits 1

You will study linear and switching power supplies and the bipolar junction transistor (BJT). You will troubleshoot power supplies and their components, including rectifier diodes, filters and integrated circuit (IC) regulators. You will study BJT biasing and operation.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Prerequisites(s): ELEC 144
Corequisites(s): ELEC 145
Equivalent Course(s): ELTR 124, ELTR 153
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online

ELTR 131

Active Components and Circuits 2

You will troubleshoot bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), field effect transistors (FETs), and related amplifier circuits. You will use thyristors and optoelectronic devices and identify faulty semiconductor devices.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Prerequisites(s): ELTR 130
Equivalent Course(s): ELTR 154
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online

ELTR 132

Linear Integrated Circuits

Your studies will focus on amplifier and oscillator circuits. You will study the decibel, amplifier classes, op-amp circuits, sinusoidal oscillators and integrated circuit (IC) timers and apply troubleshooting techniques to these circuits.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Prerequisites(s): ELTR 131
Equivalent Course(s): ELTR 125
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online

ELTR 134

Digital Integrated Circuits 2

You will analyze and troubleshoot encoder and decoder circuits. You will build and analyze a digital to analog converter circuit and an analog to digital converter circuit. Your studies will include programming a programmable logic device and a microprocessor.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 75.0
Prerequisites(s): ELTR 133(concurrent)
Equivalent Course(s): ELTR 123
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online

SHOP 144

Fabrication Techniques

You will be introduced to the practical aspects of fabricating electronic prototypes and products. You will learn about surface mount and through-hole component identification, safe component handling, leaded and lead-free soldering, wire and cable, connectors, fasteners, hardware, chemicals and metalworking as they relate to the electronics field. The practical skills you will develop include soldering, de-soldering, wire harness assembly, chassis fabrication, chassis assembly and component and assembly testing. You will construct several electronic products as a core element of this course.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 75.0
Equivalent Course(s): SHOP 102
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online

TCOM 141

Applied Communication for Technicians

You will continue to develop your technical writing skills. Your studies will focus on the interpersonal skills you will need when communicating with colleagues and customers. The course content includes oral presentations, meetings, and customer service. You will also prepare for a job search.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 30.0
Prerequisites(s): TCOM 140(concurrent)
Equivalent Course(s): COMM 127, EMPL 180, TCOM 103, TCOM 120
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online

PLAR & Transfer Credit

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways and through many different means. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

More about PLAR

Transfer Credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit from or to another college or university. Learn more about Transfer Credit.

Student Awards

Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. You don't have to be a brainiac to receive a student award. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

More about scholarships