In this course, the basic principles of chromatographic instruments and methods are presented.  The types of chromatographic separations and the associated terminology are examined.  The applications of thin layer chromatography are addressed, along with the basic applications and types of column chromatography.  The information present in a typical chromatogram is described and some fundamental calculations performed.  After looking at basic concepts, a brief overview of two of the more commonly used instruments, HPLC and GC, is presented.  The basic components of both are described.  The use of chromatography as both a qualitative and quantitative instrument is addressed.  Chromatographic methods and method validation are described.  This course serves as a prerequisite to Chromatography II, in which more detail is presented regarding the instrumentation and applications of chromatographic methods.  The laboratory component of this course allows students to receive practical hands-on training on the HPLC, IC and GC and to apply the theory presented in lecture.

Placement is considered an important part as a technologist’s education, and student are required to obtain a minimum of 80 hours on the job placement in their chosen field and 5 hours of required workshops. There is no formal set of topics of instruction for placement but it must provide the student with practical experience in their chosen field. Each placement will be different as there will be a variety of organizations participating.

Students may achieve their placement requirement in various ways by completing one of the following:

1. A summer position after second year related to their field of study.
2. Working one day a week during the fall or winter academic school year.
3. Working during a block period of time such as the Christmas break, Reading week or in May after all courses work is completed.
4. Completing an internship for 4,8,12 or 16 months.
5. Applying for a prior work experience with proper approval and documentation.

Placement is approached as an actual job, with students attending interviews and being selected for positions by the employer. Students are to perform as technologists in training. A satisfactory completion is mandatory in order to graduate from Durham College.

Fluid mechanics is the technology concerned with the fundamentals of fluid properties, fluid pressure, hydrostatic forces on surfaces, buoyancy, fluid flow, flow measurement, and both major and minor losses associated with fluid flow in piping systems.

Students examine various industrial processes and review the fundamental principles of unit operations in physical and chemical change.  The focus is on material and energy balance in terms of chemical conversion as well as new process technologies.

Students study the key aspects of industrial waste management and pollution prevention programs. Topics include the definition of industrial waste; the sources and types and classification of industrial waste (Reg 347); the regulatory requirements for industrial and hazardous treatment and handling; waste minimization practices and a comprehensive coverage of the primary waste treatment and emission control technologies.  Applicable regulations relating to waste management are studied along with the introduction of the Waste Diversion Act.

This is an introductory physical chemistry course studying the underlying principles that govern the properties and behaviour of chemical systems.  Physical chemistry illustrates the establishment and development of underlying physical principles that govern the properties and behaviour of chemical systems.  Its concepts are used to explain and interpret observations on the physical and chemical properties of matter in its various states (gas, liquid and solid).  Physical chemistry is essential for developing and interpreting the modern techniques used to determine the structure and properties of matter

This course introduces students to the concepts of kinematics, dynamics, gravity, work, energy, torque, power, momentum, circular motion, sound, light and heat through an extensive use of formulas to calculate various physical quantities within these topics.  As a result, the ability to perform algebraic manipulation is an essential skill to succeed in this course and students must also develop a firm understanding and ability to specify the correct units for all of their calculations.  

This course focuses on the use of spectroscopic instruments in both qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis.  The emphasis in this course is on the use of spectroscopic instruments (AAS, FES, GFAA, ICP, UV/VIS, fluorometry, IR, NMR, MS, XRF, etc.) in the quantitative analysis of bio-molecules, organic compounds and inorganic chemicals.  These instruments will be addresses with regards to instrumentation, methods, sample preparation, applications and calculations.  The application of these instruments to common analytical procedures will be stressed.  Spectroscopy I consists of both a lecture and laboratory component.  In the lab, the students will be given extensive hands-on experience with a variety of spectroscopic instruments (AAS, FES, UV/VIS, fluorometry, IR, NIR).

This course introduces chemical and environmental students to computerized engineering drawing, which is a technical skill required in their field. Students will prepare applicable drawings. The applications and use of these drawings will be discussed and highlighted during the course.

This course continues and expands upon the concepts presented in Chromatography I.  A more detailed examination of the instrumentation and components used in HPLC, GC and IC is presented.  Sample preparation is examined along with the methods and applications of each instrument.  Troubleshooting strategies are presented and discussed for both HPLC and GC systems and chromatograms.  Other chromatographic systems (GC-MS, HPLC-MS, CE, SFC) will also be addressed.  Validation of chromatographic instruments is presented.  The laboratory component of this course allows the students to receive practical hands-on training on the HPLC, IC and GC and to apply the theory presented in lecture.

This course provides a thorough review of environmental protection legislation and regulations at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. It also covers public attitudes and a brief history of key environmental issues and incidents that helped shape current environmental legislation. The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the Fisheries Act, the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act, the Nutrient Management Act, the Ontario Water Resources Act, the Environmental Bill of Rights, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Green Energy Act and the Water Opportunities Act, among others, are introduced along with some of the key regulations.  The important regulations are examined in greater depth in subsequent courses.

Placement is considered an important part as a technologist’s education, and student are required to obtain a minimum of 80 hours on the job placement in their chosen field and 5 hours of required workshops. There is no formal set of topics of instruction for placement but it must provide the student with practical experience in their chosen field. Each placement will be different as there will be a variety of organizations participating.

Students may achieve their placement requirement in various ways by completing one of the following:

1. A summer position after second year related to their field of study.
2. Working one day a week during the fall or winter academic school year.
3. Working during a block period of time such as the Christmas break, Reading week or in May after all courses work is completed.
4. Completing an internship for 4,8,12 or 16 months.
5. Applying for a prior work experience with proper approval and documentation.

Placement is approached as an actual job, with students attending interviews and being selected for positions by the employer. Students are to perform as technologists in training. A satisfactory completion is mandatory in order to graduate from Durham College.

This combined lecture laboratory course provides students with a basic knowledge of general properties of materials including how the atoms and molecules are arranged. (SRO, LRO) Understanding these concepts leads to proficiency in materials selection. With the focus on metals, polymers and ceramics students will examine materials imperfections and mechanical properties as well as methods for preventing degradation such as cathodic protection.

The course begins with a study of the structure of the nucleus. Students examine alpha, beta and gamma radiation, as well as study radioactive decay. Other topics include power production, fission, fusion, industrial uses, nuclear medicine, radiation hazards, detectors and radiation measurement.

This course addresses spectroscopic methods of analysis.  In particular, the application of these methods to the identification and structural analyses of organic compounds will be emphasized.  Infrared, ultraviolet, visible, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectroscopy will be looked at in terms of basic theory, sampling, data collection, spectral evaluation and interpretation.  Correlation tables will be used to predict and identify the structure of a variety of organic compounds using spectra alone and in combination.  The laboratory component of this course provides hands-on experience using infrared, ultraviolet/visible, and atomic absorption, emission and fluorometry spectroscopies in addition to a number of other instrumental methods.

Thermodynamics is the science of the conversion of heat energy from available sources into other energy forms and mechanical work. Thermodynamics investigates the relationship between heat, work, and system’s properties. The basic concepts of thermodynamics and their application to engineering problems are introduced. The course includes a study of terminology, properties of a system, processes, ideal gas laws and an introduction to thermodynamics cycles.