About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 2 Year Diploma
  • Campus: Welland
  • Code: 0474 P0474
  • Delivery Length: 2 Years
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Overview

Are you interested in a high-impact career at the forefront of leading computer systems technology?

As a Computer Systems Technician in network and cloud technologies, you have the advanced skills needed to combine hardware, software, and network technology to improve business operations using conventional and cloud-based models.

Highlights
  • Students learn to provide support for databases and websites as well as a variety of computer hardware, operating systems, application software and network architectures.

  • The CST lab has dedicated high speed Internet access and provides student access to wired, wireless and fiber optic media for lab work.

  • Faculty dedicated to helping students explore new technologies.

  • Industry advisors from small to large employers assist in determining industry trends and enhancements to program content such as Cloud computing, mobile device management and Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL).

Note: The official title for this program is Computer Systems Technician, which will appear on your diploma.

Career Opportunities
  • Cloud/network administrator
  • Communication systems administrator or support specialist
  • Computer hardware/software technician
  • Entrepreneur
  • Help desk support specialist
  • IT consultant
  • IT security administrator
  • Technical sales and support specialist
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Courses

Term one (2024 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
COMM1150 Communications for Media Studies 3
COMP1170 Computer Hardware Fundamentals 3
COMP1171 Network Fundamentals 5
COMP1172 Operating Systems and Software 3
MATH1145 Mathematics I for Computer Studies 3
WEBD1102 Web Authoring Fundamentals 3
Term two (2025 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
COMM1308 Understanding Society: Communication Model 3
COMP1173 Business Applications Support 3
COMP1209 Network Services Administration 5
COMP1276 Computer Systems Support 3
PROG1735 Database Essentials 3
ENTR1216 The IT Professional 2
Elective Information

Completion of additional General Education elective 1 course required

Term three (2025 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
COMP1285 Project Management 3
COMM1231 Business Technical Writing I 3
COMP1298 Open Source Networks and Applications 4
COMP1268 Scripting and Automation 3
COMP1296 Emerging and Cloud Technologies 4
COMP1292 Cloud/Network Security and Fault Tolerance 5
Term four (2026 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
BUSN1224 Business in a Global Environment 3
SOCL1430 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Canada 3
COMM1310 Advanced Professional Communications 3
COMP1301 Cloud Systems Integration 5
MATH1235 Statistics 3
PROG1870 Contemporary Storage Systems Programming 4
Program Outcomes Term: 1244
  1. identify, analyze, develop, implement, verify and document the requirements for a computing environment.

  2. contribute to the diagnostics, troubleshooting, documenting and monitoring of technical problems using appropriate methodologies and tools.

  3. implement and maintain secure computing environments.

  4. implement robust computing system solutions through validation testing that aligns with industry best practices.

  5. communicate and collaborate with team members and stakeholders to ensure effective working relationships.

  6. select and apply strategies for personal and professional development to enhance work performance.

  7. apply project management principles and tools when working on projects within a computing environment.

  8. adhere to ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements and/or principles in the development and management of computing solutions and systems.

  9. assist with the implementation of computer systems and cloud solutions.

  10. install, configure, troubleshoot, maintain, upgrade and decommission computing system infrastructures.

  11. automate routine tasks using scripting tools and programming languages.

  12. install and monitor a database management system in response to specified requirements.

  13. provide technical support for computing system infrastructures that aligns with industry best practice.

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Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent including the following required course(s):
  • English – any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent
  • Mathematics – any Grade 11 (U) or (M) or Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent
Recommended Courses and/or Skills:

These courses and skills may help you succeed academically in this program, but they are not required for admission.

  • General knowledge of computers
  • Competence in the use of the Windows operating system
  • Competence in the use of word processing, presentation, and other application software
Selection and Ranking

Applications are evaluated based on the published admission requirements. When the applicant provides proof of meeting the requirements, an offer of admission can be issued, provided space is available in the program.

Learn more about admission decisions.

Program Requirements
Transportation
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete program requirements which may not be readily accessible by public transportation.
  • Program requirements could include co-ops, placements, volunteer requirements, practical labs, field projects, assignments, clinicals, or any other off-campus visits required as part of the program’s curriculum.
Computer/Technology Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows 10 based desktop or laptop system that meets or exceeds the following general personal computer technology requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop system running on an updated Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory.
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities (a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps) is recommended.

Niagara College will not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications. Any provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses (supported under the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system) will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: There is no support for Chromebooks or Apple products for this program. (learn more)

Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.

All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.

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Availability

Domestic Applicants Apply
International Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

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Pathways

Explore your pathway options What are pathways? for the Computer Systems Technician – Network and Cloud Technologies program below.

  • From NC to
    Seneca College Honours Bachelor of Technology - Informatics and Security Canada
Did you know?

Applicants with previous postsecondary education will be assessed for transfer credits upon receipt of an official transcript from their previous institution. There is no fee for this service.

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Tuition

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Graduate Employers

Our graduates have been hired by…

  • 4FinanceAcanaca Inc
  • Accenture
  • Advanced Office Solution
  • Andrew Peller Ltd
  • Apple Store
  • ArcelorMittall Dofasco
  • B4 Networks
  • Brock University
  • Choice Technology Group
  • Chown Cairns
  • Concentrix
  • CSN TechCentre
  • CSViamonde
  • Digital Attractions
  • Evertz Microsystems
  • Fallsview Group
  • FastFitt
  • FGL Sports
  • Homewood Health Centre (Guelph)
  • I/O Vision
  • JIG Technologies
  • JMR Logics
  • Merrill Corp
  • Niagara Casinos

  • Niagara College
  • Niagara Falls Library
  • Niagara Health System
  • Niagara Region
  • PenFinancial
  • QuickService Technologies
  • Renewed Computer Technology
  • Sanders GeoPhysics
  • Serco Canada Inc.
  • Shaw Communications
  • Skycomp Solutions
  • Spencer Butcher Group
  • Tangerine Bank
  • The Fatima Center
  • Utilismart Corp
  • VX Fusion
  • vxNetworks
  • West 49 (Yorkdale)
  • WestCam
  • World Financial Group
  • Wormald Masse Keen Lopinski LLP
  • Youngs Insurance

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The Computer Systems Technician program connected me with knowledgeable passionate instructors that brought energy to the classroom environment and inspired me to reach for goals that I thought would be beyond my potential. I owe much of my success to this program.

Bradley Jonathan Gillap, program graduate

Deciding where to invest your education can be very difficult, and I found that choosing a career in IT made it even trickier. The overwhelming volume and variety of computer hardware and applications is staggering, so it is difficult to know with any certainty that what you are learning is going to be relevant in the field. With IT, it is also crucial to develop awareness of what lies on the horizon, as technology constantly evolves. In these areas, I found that Niagara College’s Computer Systems Technician program excels.

Armed with a new networking lab and powerful student workstations, the instructors actively seek feedback from industry professionals across the region. With it they develop a truly current, personalized program that assists you in mastering the fundamentals necessary to break into IT and that opens your mind to the future of computer networking, hardware and software, and how it will change the landscape of the industry in the years to come. It is this forward thinking that will give graduates of CST a significant advantage when they search.

Chris Lederer, program graduate
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