School of Media & Design

Our Program

This two-year Ontario College Diploma program provides students with the formal training to become leaders in the communication industry.

The curriculum covers all aspects of the radio industry, including announcing, broadcast journalism and production techniques. Equal importance is given to creative production elements and technical quality in operations. The program follows a hands-on approach to learning at CKDJ 107.9 and Algonquin Internet Radio. The importance of teamwork is stressed in the operation of both stations.

This is a mobile learning program which will engage students in a collaborative, mlearning environment which will help them become skilled, confident users of the technology they can expect to use in the workplace. Students are required to use a laptop computer that meets minimum hardware and software specifications as outlined at http://mlearning.algonquincollege.com . Computers and supplies can be purchased directly from Algonquin's New Technology Store at educational discounted rates.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Have strong language (oral and written) skills.
• Can meet strict deadlines.
• Are self-reliant and enjoy challenges.
• Enjoy working in a dynamically-driven environment.

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Your Career

Graduates may find employment in radio stations as announcers, studio
operators, writers, reporters, researchers and producers. Opportunities may also exist for graduates to work as audio technicians in production houses and in online audio content.

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Courses

Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with online learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.

Level: 01		Hours
ENL1813M	Communications I Communication remains an essential skill sought by employers, regardless of discipline or field of study. Using a practical, vocation-oriented approach, students focus on meeting the requirements of effective communication. Through a combination of lectures, exercises, and independent learning, students practise writing, speaking, reading, listening, locating and documenting information, and using technology to communicate professionally. Students develop and strengthen communication skills that contribute to success in both educational and workplace environments.	45.0
RAD1500	Radio Production I In this course, students learn to operate a broadcast production studio to become proficient with the basic functions of radio production. They are initially instructed on the basic operation of broadcast consoles and digital editing. Students also acquire an appreciation of the standards by which radio production is judged in the industry.	45.0
RAD1501	Performance I Students learn the basics of radio announcing and are given ample opportunity to practise. As skills are polished, assignments become more involved until students are able to perform with confidence and professionalism. Skills learned in this course are applied to a weekly show at CKDJ 107.9, the student radio station.	30.0
RAD1502	Radio News Writing I In this introductory news writing course, students learn the basics of radio news. They develop an appreciation of sound and learn how to incorporate it into different styles of news writing. The course begins at writing leads and ends with students writing and reading their own newscasts.	30.0
RAD1504	Radio Programming I (Ckdj) This hands-on course offers students experiential learning in the College radio station, CKDJ 107.9. Students develop an understanding of the basic elements of radio station operation. Students demonstrate the ability to translate theoretical classroom work into practical on air performance.	30.0
RAD1505	Commercial Writing I This course conveys the basic skills needed to write advertising copy that sells products and services. Students develop the basic techniques of writing creative commercials that reach a target audience. They also develop an understanding of the production techniques that help get the message across.	30.0
RAD1506	Introduction to Broadcasting Through a series of lectures, self-exploration, reading, and viewing, students learn about the mass media and communications past, present and future. This course serves as an overview on communications and where radio fits. The course concentrates on radio broadcasting from its early beginnings, through the so-called golden age, to the advent of consolidation and new distribution systems, such as satellite and the Internet.	30.0
RAD1537	Research Methods This course teaches students the fundamentals of sound research methods. Students learn to access data from a variety of sources. They learn to turn statistical analysis into information that can be used in a variety of different ways to write news stories, business memos and programming proposals.	45.0

Level: 02		Hours
ENL1947A	Communications II: Scriptwriting for Radio The course gives students a chance to explore the creative side of "the theatre of the mind". This intermediate course helps students develop their creative writing. Students listen to examples of good writing on radio and produce short radio scripts and longer dramas. Prerequisites: ENL1813A or ENL1813M	45.0
RAD1508	Performance II This course helps students perfect their announcing skills. Students develop technical aptitudes and performance skills. They also develop an understanding of various programming formats and announcing techniques. Skills learned in this course are applied to a weekly show at CKDJ 107.9, the student radio station. Prerequisites: RAD1500 and RAD1501 and RAD1502 and RAD1504	30.0
RAD1510	Radio Programming II (Ckdj) This course helps students polish their on-air performance at CKDJ 107.9. Students take on more responsibility in the day-to-day operation of the radio station and demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively with a community college audience. Prerequisites: RAD1500 and RAD1501 and RAD1502 and RAD1504	30.0
RAD1511	Radio Formats This survey course gives students an understanding of the different styles of radio. Students learn how radio formats are used to reach a target audience. They also learn how CRTC regulations affect radio programming.	30.0
RAD1545	Radio Production II In this intermediate production course, students learn to refine their production techniques in a digital studio. They produce commercials, promos and station IDs with a high degree of professionalism. They also learn some advanced production techniques in the digital domain. Prerequisites: RAD1500 and RAD1501 and RAD1502	24.0
RAD1546	Current Affairs Programming I In this introductory course, students combine their news gathering and reporting skills with a current affairs program. Students research, interview, and produce high quality current affairs programs for the college audience. This course combines production, news writing, presentation and group work skills. Prerequisites: RAD1502 and RAD1545	21.0
RAD1555	Radio News Writing II This course provides students with more hands-on news writing and reporting experience. While delivering a weekly newscast students develop an understanding of, and appreciation for, the "sound" of radio news. They also learn to write clearly and quickly for a deadline, to perform on-air with credibility and to understand the fundamentals of broadcast law. Prerequisites: RAD1502	45.0
RAD1556	Marketing, Sales and Promotion Through a series of lectures, students learn how radio stations and other businesses market, promote and develop positioning strategies. In a practical application, students look at marketing in contemporary society by analyzing demographic information, lifestyle information and consumer decision making. Students assess how effectively radio stations develop target audience and positioning strategies with an introduction to radio promotion and sales.	45.0
RAD1561	The History of Popular Music There are many different radio music formats. This music history course examines many different musical styles and how they have influenced modern culture.	45.0

Level: 03		Hours
RAD1514	Station Operation I (Ckdj) This course gives students hands-on experience in the College radio station, CKDJ 107.9. Students are responsible for its complete management and operation. They use skills learned in the classroom to broadcast music, news and information programs to a college audience. Prerequisites: RAD1508 and RAD1510 and RAD1545 and RAD1546	105.0
RAD1539	Advanced Media Sales This course teaches students the business side of radio and the sales process. Through a series of lectures, role playing and practical workshops, students learn all aspects of radio sales from developing client profiles to designing a sales strategy and the importance of radio as a business. Students analyze industry ratings and client needs to develop and deliver a full sales presentation. Prerequisites: RAD1510	45.0
RAD1549	Current Affairs Programming II This advanced course gives students the opportunity to design and produce news and current affairs programs for CKDJ 107.9. Students cover stories on and off campus. The stories are broadcast on a weekly current affairs show on CKDJ 107.9. The course improves the students' researching, interviewing, writing and performance skills. Prerequisites: RAD1546	45.0
RAD1554	Advanced Production Techniques In this laboratory course, students learn digital editing and produce their own station IDs and commercials. Students who pass this course are capable of working in television audio, post-production audio or in commercial production for radio stations. Prerequisites: RAD1545	45.0
RAD1557	Internet Radio/New Media More and more radio content is being delivered without a transmitter. Students manage the day-to-day operations at Algonquin Internet Radio. New and emerging technology is examined in a series of focused modules on blogging, podcasting and social media. Students explore how to leverage new media tools in a new age of broadcasting. Prerequisites: RAD1510	45.0
RAD1558	Radio Promotions This course covers what makes a great promotion from coming up with the idea through to planning and evaluating. Students also examine popular culture's role in the process. Students get hands-on experience developing and carrying out a radio promotion for the two campus stations. Prerequisites: RAD1510	16.0
RAD1559	Media Relations This course examines the co-dependence and interaction between various media. Students learn to devise well-crafted communication plans and promotional strategies based on case studies.	14.0

Choose one from equivalencies:		Hours
GED0380	General Education Elective Students choose one course, from a group of general education electives, which meets one of the following five theme requirements: Arts in Society, Civic Life, Social and Cultural Understanding, Personal Understanding, and Science and Technology. Equivalencies: ADV2001 or ARC9001 or DSN2001 or ENV0002 or FAM1218 or FIN2300 or GED5200 or GED5300 or GEN1001 or GEN1701 or GEN1957 or GEN2000 or GEN2003 or GEN2007 or GEN2009 or HIS0001 or HIS2000 or HOS2228 or LIB1982 or MGT7330 or MVM8800 or PSI1702 or RAD2001 or SOC2003 or GED5002 or GED5004 or GED5005 or GED5006 or GED6022 or ENL7643 or GED5009 or GED1896	45.0

Level: 04		Hours
RAD1560	Field Work/Station Operation Field work helps radio students get experience in the industry while improving their skills. Students learn on-the-job at CKDJ 107.9/Algonquin Internet Radio or a placement outside the College. At this level, students are producing high-calibre programs for the college community. If a student can demonstrate exceptional talent an outside placement may lead to a job offer. There is additional one-to-one evaluation with the professor to ensure students are job-ready. Prerequisites: RAD1514 and RAD1549 and RAD1554	300.0

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Fees & Expenses

Approximate 1st Year Costs

Tuition/Fees: $ 4,013
Books/Supplies: $ 900
Incidental Fees: $ 455
Total: $ 5,368



Tuition Fees listed are in effect for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Tuition Fees: $1,506.72 per term.

Information Technology Fee: $62 per term. *

Mobile Computing Fee: $150 per term. **

Incidental Fees: $455 in Level 01.

Student Activity/Sports Fee: $190.50 per term.

Student Centre Building Fee: $17.50 per term.

Health Service Fee: $10 per term.

Health Plan Fee: $114.50 paid once annually. ***

A $35 graduation fee is payable in the final term.

A $25 transcript fee is payable in the first term a student attends Algonquin College.

International Students pay all relevant Canadian fees plus an International Premium of $4,400 per term.

* Students paying the Information Technology fee are provided with a network account, an email address and Internet access. For more information please visit our website at www.algonquincollege.com/its/services/it_fee.htm

** The Mobile Computing Fee covers the costs associated with providing various services to students registered in a mandatory laptop programs.
*** Students who have coverage with another plan can request a refund by supplying the Students' Association with documentation supporting the
request. This request will have to be made annually.

Books and supplies cost approximately $900 per year. Students must purchase their own PC laptop computer and software. Computers and supplies can be purchased directly from Algonquin's New Technology Store at educational discounted rates.

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Admission Requirements  2012/20132011/2012

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Application Information

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should contact their Guidance Office to apply. For all other applicants, applications are available online at ontariocolleges.ca. A $95 fee applies.

Applications for Fall Term, Winter Term and Spring Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the
International Student Application Form at
https://xweb.algonquincollege.com/FormIE/index.aspx or by contacting the Registrar's Office.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar's Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Ave, Room C150
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax: 613-727-7632
Email: askalgonquin@algonquincollege.com

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Additional Information

The program is recognized by the Broadcast Educator's Association of Canada. The federal government is encouraging radio stations to hire more broadcasters from the following categories:

. Racial or cultural minorities
. Aboriginal Canadians
. Persons with disabilities
. Women

As a trainer for the broadcasting industry, Algonquin's Broadcasting - Radio program encourages applications from these under-represented groups.

Before you apply to the program, we invite you to come in for a day and talk with students about their experiences in the program and meet with professors one-on-one. To arrange a visit, contact Dan Pihlainen at 613-727-4723 ext. 5560.

We would also advise all candidates to set-up an additional meeting with a radio station personality or program director to get a realistic snapshot of what the business of radio is all about.

For more information, please contact Dan Pihlainen, Program Coordinator, at 613-727-4723 ext. 5560 or dan.pihlainen@algonquincollege.com.

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