Programs

This course is designed to present the essential skills required for success in most (those that require Grade 10 as a prerequisite) of the Trades programs offered at Northern Lights College. The course consists of four modules: reading and comprehension for the Trades, Trades Math, Trades Science and Technical Drawing. Emphasis is on application of this material.

Hours: 120 (Lecture: 60; Seminars and Tutorials: 50; Field Experience Hours: 10)

i.“C“ or higher in ENGL026 or ENGL09 or equivalent or Intermediate Level Placement on the CCP English Assessment; and
ii.“C“ or higher in MATH026 or MATH09 or equivalent or Advanced Level Placement on the CCP Math Assessment.

Non-Course Prerequisites:
None

Co-Requisite Statement:
None

Course Content:
MODULE 1 - Reading and Comprehension for Trades
Section 1- Introduction to Trades and Technical Training (Ch. 3 and 5 from "Tools for the Trades - text)
- introduction to technical reading
- how to use your text books
- study skills and tips
- taking notes
- using your time efficiently
- test strategies
- communication skills (oral)
- workplace ethics
- workplace safety (short discussion)
Section 2 - Reading Text and Documents (Ch. 4 Tools for the Trades)
- developing document reading skills
- "reading to do " vs "reading to learn"
- understanding document organization
- reading strategies (technical vocabulary- i.e. reading in context, skimming, scanning, etc.)
Section 3 - Understanding Document Types
- lists
- forms
- graphs/charts
- diagrams and illustrations
- instructions and definitions (safe procedures documents, Material Safety Data Sheets - MSDS)
MODULE 2- Trades Math
Section 1 - Arithmetic of Whole Numbers
- addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
- order of operations
Section 2 - Fractions
- addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of fractions
- numerators, denominators, proper, improper, mixed, equivalent fractions
Section 3 - Decimal Numbers
- addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
- decimal fractions
Section 4 - Ratio Proportion and Percentage
- ratio and proportion
- percent
- changing between fractions, percents and decimal numbers
Section 5 - Measurement
- units
- significant digits
- precision and accuracy
- addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
- rounding
- conversion between English and Metric units
- direct measurements
Section 6 - Basic Algebra
- addition, subtraction, multiplication, division of signed numbers
- exponents and square roots
- solving word problems (translating English into algebra)
Section 7 - Practical Plane Geometry
- angle measurement, labeling, classifying and drawing
- area and perimeter of polygons
- triangles, hexagons, circles, and irregular polygons
Section 8 - Solid Figures
- prisms. cylinders, spheres, cones
Section - 9 Triangle Trigonometry
- angles and triangles
- trigonomic ratios
- solving right triangles
- oblique triangles
MODULE 3 - Trades Science
Section 1 - Mechanical Science
- force, power, motion, speed, velocity, friction, torque,
- simple machines
- lever
- wheel, Axel, pulley
- inclined plane
- screw
- hydraulic jack or press
Section 2 - Chemistry
- matter - atoms and molecules, compounds and mixtures
- states and properties of matter, measurements and changes of states of matter
Section 3 - Thermal and Electrical Energy
- temperature
- heat transfer
- magnetism
- electricity, electrical circuits
MODULE 4 - Technical Drawing
Section 1 - Introduction to Technical Drawing
- conveying technical information
- the universal language of blueprints
- systems of measurement
Section 2 - The Alphabet of Standard Lines, Lettering and Symbols Used on Drawings
- object / visible lines, hidden lines, centre lines
- extension lines
- dimension lines, project lines
- other lines (cutting plane or section lines, break lines, phantom lines, leader lines.
- conventional symbols and notations
Section 3 - Basic Views
- orthographic, oblique, isometric and perspective sketching
- one, two, three view drawings , auxiliary views
Section 4 - Dimensions
- size dimensions
- location dimensions
Section 5 - Sketching Simple Working Drawings
Section 6 - Reading and Interpreting Technical Drawings
- this section will require students to put knowledge gained from previous sections to work.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to take notes from instruction or manual description
- Demonstrate the ability to read trade documents describing the operation of equipment
- Describe parts lists for repair and assembly of tools and equipment
- Demonstrate activities described in safety documents
- Describe precautions and safe usage of materials listed on Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
- Demonstrate the reading and writing of safety and instructional memos
- Demonstrate the capability of accurate communication both written and oral
- Describe and use workplace ethics
- Demonstrate the manipulation of whole numbers by addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and order of operations
- Demonstrate an understanding of fractions, decimals, ratio and proportions and percentages and the manipulation of these with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
- Demonstrate the ability to accurately measure with specific units both in English and Metric denomination and the conversion from one to the other
- Demonstrate the use of algebraic expressions using signed numbers, exponents and square roots
- Demonstrate solution of word problems (translation of English into algebra)
- Demonstrate angle and spatial measurement including area and perimeter of triangles, circles and polygons
- Demonstrate triangle relationships with angles, sides and trigonometric ratios
- Demonstrate the relationships of force, power, motion, speed, velocity, friction, torque as they relate to mechanics
- Demonstrate the use of levers, pulleys, wheels and axels, screws with machines and hydraulics used in jacks and presses
- Demonstrate the concepts of atoms, molecules, compounds, properties and states of matter
- Describe the role of temperature, heat transfer with machine operation and material usage
- Describe the force of magnetism
- Describe the use of electricity and electrical circuitry
- Demonstrate the conventions of lines, letterings, symbols, and dimensions of basic technical drawings
- Demonstrate the ability to read and understand basic blueprints
- Demonstrate the ability to sketch and understand basic scale drawings

Grading System: Letters

Passing Grade: D (50%)

Percentage of Individual Work: 80

Percentage of Group Work: 20

Text Books:Textbooks are subject to change. Please contact the bookstore at your local campus for current book lists.