AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS
Program Outline
Major: AUBU
Length: 2 Years
Delivery: 4 Semesters, plus 2 work terms
Credential: Ontario College Diploma, Co-op
Effective: 2011-2012
Location: Barrie
Start: Fall + Winter
Description
The Automotive Business program prepares individuals to assume positions in dealerships, in the aftermarket and in various other sectors of the automotive industry. Students are also exposed to opportunities to become entrepreneurs in the automotive industry. The program includes introductory business courses and courses that explore various facets of the automotive industry. The co-operative work experience is a vital component of the program allowing students to confirm their career choice and to develop a network to establish their career path. Graduates of the program will have the skills, knowledge and experience to assume a position in a broad range of organizations within the automotive industry.
Career Opportunities
Conducting business in the automotive industry has become more sophisticated which increases demand for multi-skilled personnel. Employment opportunities abound in Dealership Operations including Parts, Sales, Service, Leasing & Financing, as well as in the fast developing Automotive Aftermarket sector. Positions in Dealerships, Aftermarket Businesses, Wholesale, Retail, Finance and in other automotive related industries are being advertised in Canada's major newspapers and automotive magazines and on manufacturer's websites.
Practical Experience
Co-operative Education is a mandatory component of all Co-op programs at Georgian College; it has been designed as a process by which students integrate their academic education with paid work experience related to their program of study. This integration affects much more than simply earning a salary, including the adjustment to the work environment and the development of professionalism. The co-op program also reinforces skills and theory learned during academic semesters, develops professional contacts, job knowledge and career path, improves human relations and communication skills and promotes personal maturity and financial independence.
Students are requested to register, attend and participate in their scheduled co-operative education classes. These classes are scheduled for all first year students and are expected to be completed in order to help the students to proceed successfully to their first co-op work experience. To ensure students are eligible to proceed onto any co-op work experience students should refer to Promotional Status and Eligibility for Co-op as outlined in the College Calendar.
Georgian College follows the Co-operative Education guidelines set out by the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE) and by Education at Work Ontario (EWO). The co-op program supports the learning outcomes designed for the program specific graduate profile and curriculum as set out by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- describe the historical, current and future trends in automotive manufacturing and retailing;
- explain the function and operation of automotive components and related systems;
- interpret the Canadian regulatory legislation, legal and ethical practices within the automotive industry;
- Seek out entrepreneurial business opportunities by responding and adapting to ongoing industry changes;
- develop customer-service strategies to meet the needs of internal and external customers;
- select marketing strategies and determine their effect on the operation of an organization;
- apply accounting and financial knowledge to the operation of an organization;
- support the management of an automotive organization through the implementation of appropriate computer skills and information technology knowledge;
- analyze the effects of business decisions on the various departments in large and small organizations;
- develop and implement solutions to effectively address business problems and opportunities;
- propose strategies for personal and professional development to manage job stress, enhance work performance, and maximize career opportunities;
- analyze the impact of economic, social, political and cultural changes on a business.
Program Progression
Fall Intake
Sem 1 - Fall 2011
Sem 2 - Winter 2012
Work Term 1 - Summer 2012
Sem 3 - Fall 2012
Work Term 2 - Winter 2013
Sem 4 - Summer 2013
Winter Intake
Sem 1 - Winter 2012
Sem 2 - Summer 2012
Sem 3 - Fall 2012
Work Term 1 - Winter 2013
Sem 4 - Summer 2013
Work Term 2 - Fall 2013
Note: To confirm the Winter (January) start, contact the Office of the Registrar.
Admission Requirements
Applicants following the OSS curriculum must have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD - 30 credits) or equivalent. Applicants following the OSS curriculum must also have Grade 12 English (C) or (U) (ENG4C, ENG4U) and any Grade 11* or 12 College Mathematics (MBF3C, MAP4C or MCT4C), or any Grade 11* or 12 University Mathematics.
*Minimum of 60% in Grade 11 College Mathematics (MBF3C) or any Grade 11 University Mathematics.
Applicants who are 19 years of age or over by the first day of classes, and who lack the academic entrance qualifications, may be considered for entrance to an appropriate post-secondary diploma or certificate program as mature applicants. Each applicant will be considered on an individual basis and acceptance will be determined by counselling, Communication Placement Assessment (CPA), previous post-secondary education and evaluation of experience. Some programs also have specific prerequisite requirements that must be met prior to admission. Mature applicants must meet all program specific prerequisites. Those applying as mature students and having no documentation of Grade 12 education must supply, if required, proof of age, such as a copy of an official birth certificate or driver's licence. Refer to Section 2.5 and 2.6 of the Academic Calendar for further details.
Graduation Requirements
17 Mandatory Courses
2 Optional Courses
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses
2 Co-op Work Terms
Graduation Eligibility
To graduate from this program, the passing weighted average for promotion through each semester, from year to year and to graduate is 60%. Additionally, a student must attain a minimum of 50% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester.
Mandatory
ACCT1000 Financial Accounting Principles 1
AUTO1000 Concepts of the Automotive Industry
AUTO1001 Introduction to Automotive Technology
AUTO1009 Intro to Dealership Fixed Operations
AUTO2000 DMS: Parts and Service
AUTO2001 Automotive Networks
AUTO2002 Introduction to Canadian Automotive Aftermarket
AUTO2008 Dealership Sales Operations
BUSI1011 Professional Business Practices
COMP1003 Microcomputer Applications
ECON1000 Microeconomics
ECON2000 Macroeconomics
FNCE2008 Dealership Financial Statements
LAWS1009 Automotive Law and Ethics
MATH1002 Mathematics of Finance
MKTG1000 Introduction to Marketing
MKTG2029 Sales and Customer Relationship Management
Options
ADVE1004 Advertising
AUTO2005 DMS Showroom Applications
AUTO2009 Aftermarket Operations
BUSI1001 Organizational Behaviour
BUSI2013 Event Planning
BUSI2000 Entrepreneurship and Small Business
COMM1006 Professional Writing
ENVR2016 Transportation Ecology and Energy Systems
HURM1000 Human Resource Management
MGMT2000 Production and Operations Management
MGMT2001 Principles of Management
MGMT2002 Project Management
MKTG2002 Global Marketing
MKTG2004 Introduction to Logistics
The descriptions that follow provide brief outlines of the courses. Please note that some courses have prerequisite and/or corequisite requirements not shown here, that need to be met in order to enroll in the course. You will be advised of any requisite requirements during the registration process, or you can contact the academic area for further details.
Communications
COMM1001 Communications at Work
Plus one addition communications to be selected from College list
(Note: this is in addition to any mandatory communications listed for the program)
General Education Courses
To be selected from College list
Co-op
COOP1001 Automotive Marketing Work Term 1
COOP2005 Automotive Marketing Work Term 2
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
ACCT1000 Financial Accounting Principles 1 42.0 Hours
This introductory course in financial accounting covers the accounting cycle including preparation of financial statements for service and trading companies operating as single proprietorships. Also included are topics related to accounting for merchandising operations, accounting information systems, cash.
ADVE1004 Advertising 42.0 Hours
Advertising, as a subset of the promotion variable in the marketing mix, provides the foundation for this course. The primary focus is on theory and applications in advertising. Sales promotion, a close "cousin", will be discussed. Included is advertising, history, regulations, planning, media selection, and creative approaches to influence customer behaviour. This course is eligible for Prior Learning Assessment.
AUTO1000 Concepts of the Automotive Industry 42.0 Hours
This course covers the history of automobile production, tracing its evolution from its beginning to today's technologically advanced automotive manufacturing processes. This course also examines a variety of marketing decisions taken by Automobile Manufacturers to maintain and increase their market share. Current trends and issues facing the automotive retail sector and Automobile Dealers are also discussed as well as those that relate to the future of the automobile. This course is eligible for Prior Learning Assessment.
AUTO1001 Introduction to Automotive Technology 42.0 Hours
This course provides students with basic technical knowledge of the automobile. The student will become familiar with automotive terminology as well as the recent developments in automobile technology. This course is eligible for Prior Learning Assessment.
AUTO1009 Intro to Dealership Fixed Operations 42.0 Hours
This course provides the student with an introduction to the Service, Parts, and Body Shop operations of a typical automobile dealership. The course explores the best practices for optimizing the return on investment in the dealership and how the after-sales business contributes to overall dealership profitability. Particular emphasis is on the impact of customer satisfaction on customer loyalty and customer-repurchase intentions.
AUTO2000 DMS: Parts and Service 42.0 Hours
The student is introduced to the software applications available to a retail automobile dealership. An introductory overview demonstrates how the different packages combine to form an integrated management information system. Our study begins with an in-depth look at Parts & Service Department programs. The applications utilized are Parts Inventory Control, Part Invoicing, Electronic Parts Catalogue, Service Merchandising, Service Scheduling and Service Invoicing.
AUTO2001 Automotive Networks 42.0 Hours
This course examines Networking to a successful automotive industry by developing positive relationships and understanding the importance of relationships in the work environment. Structures and functions of industry, and related government organizations are examined through class discussion, research, speaker series and participation in industry events.
AUTO2002 Introduction to Canadian Automotive Aftermarket 42.0 Hours
This course introduces the participant to the vast size and importance of the automotive aftermarket the automotive industry of Canada. Furthermore, this course examines the proliferation of products and services, job opportunities as well as emerging trends and issues in this segment of the automobile industry.
AUTO2005 DMS Showroom Applications 42.0 Hours
This course is an overview of the software applications that are available to the sales staff and sales manager to assist them in the efforts of prospecting, selling and following up in a dealership. The emphasis is to demonstrate how these packages contribute to the profitability and efficiency of the new and used vehicle sales departments. The applications utilized are Showroom Control, Lease Management, Vehicle Management Systems, Finance and Insurance and Sales Vision. This course is eligible for Prior Learning Assessment.
AUTO2008 Dealership Sales Operations 42.0 Hours
This course examines in detail all key aspects of automotive leasing, as well as the structure and interdependency between the finance & insurance, new car sales, and used car sales operations of an automotive dealership. Students will analyze not only the features and sales of these products, but also their legal and ethical considerations. Topics included are inventory planning and control of new and used vehicles, the role of used vehicle auctions, the roles and responsibilities of new car, used car, and finance and insurance managers in a dealership.
AUTO2009 Aftermarket Operations 42.0 Hours
The automotive aftermarket is in a constant state of flux. Improved vehicle technologies mean increased service intervals and longer lasting products, affecting profit potential. However, these can also bring opportunities in product distribution, warehousing and customer service. The course will examine automotive marketing and branding strategies and will assess product distribution systems, automotive wholesaling and warehousing, and customer service related to the efficient delivery of aftermarket products and services. Students will create and design marketing and distribution plans for aftermarket products and services.
BUSI1001 Organizational Behaviour 42.0 Hours
Organizational Behaviour is an introductory course which teaches social science theory as applied to the business world. It provides rich insights about working people in all kinds of organizations and also suggests how people may be motivated to work together more productively.
BUSI1011 Professional Business Practices 42.0 Hours
You will learn how to prepare and present yourself and your work in a professional manner according to business ethics and protocol(s). In addition you will develop skills to manage office politics, social situations, travel and communications. Finally, you will develop an understanding of appropriate cultural and travel protocols for success in international business situations.
BUSI2000 Entrepreneurship and Small Business 42.0 Hours
This course deals with establishing and operating a small business. Emphasis is placed on using business techniques, acquired in previous courses, to assist in developing a comprehensive understanding of the skills and abilities needed to succeed. This course is eligible for Prior Learning Assessment.
BUSI2013 Event Planning 42.0 Hours
This course will provide the student with the knowledge and skills required for all stages of event planning. Students will learn how to design, plan, market, and stage an event. In addition, students will learn to work with staff or volunteers in a supervisory capacity to resolve staffing problems and to ensure the safety of everyone involved. The development of promotional methods and personal selling techniques will also be included in this course. Legal compliance, risk management, financial control and successful event evaluation will also be studied.
COMM1001 Communications at Work 42.0 Hours
Students develop their communication skills for the workplace. Using available technology, they research, write and edit work-related correspondence and short reports, individually and collaboratively. With audio-visual support, they prepare and deliver professional presentations that have vocational emphasis. In addition, students complete other communication tasks specific to their vocational areas.
COMP1003 Microcomputer Applications 42.0 Hours
This course introduces the student to commonly used business software applications for developing databases, spreadsheets and presentations. This course offers hands-on learning and independent study.
COOP1001 Automotive Marketing Work Term 1 560.0 Hours
Co-operative Education is a mandatory component of the Automotive Marketing diploma. Students are required to secure a paid 4 month co-op work term from May to August in the automotive industry. Students are also required to attend and participate in the scheduled co-op class in order to receive the necessary resources required to be successful on the first co-op work experience. A debriefing session will be held upon return from this work term. This session is designed to help the students organize and submit all supporting documentation for the first work term credit.
COOP2005 Automotive Marketing Work Term 2 560.0 Hours
Students are required to secure a paid 4 month co-op work term from January to April in the automotive industry. Students are also required to attend a scheduled debriefing session upon return from the second work term. This session is intended to allow students to organize and submit all supporting documentation for the second work term credit. Opportunities for final co-op will also be discussed in this debriefing session.
ECON1000 Microeconomics 42.0 Hours
This course provides an introduction to the principles and methods of economic analysis. The course examines how households and firms make economic decisions. It also analyzes the efficiency of scarce resource allocation under a range of market structures.
ECON2000 Macroeconomics 42.0 Hours
This course is designed to give students an understanding of how the overall economy operates and what economic indicators tell us about its health. The course explores government options for stabilizing the economy, and the impact of international trade. It is highly recommended that students take Microeconomics (ECO9102 or equivalent) prior to taking this course. This course is eligible for Prior Learning Assessment.
ENVR2016 Transportation Ecology and Energy Systems 42.0 Hours
This course examines the dynamic relationship between transportation and ecology and highlights the effects, issues and, most importantly, solutions to address the broad range of ecological issues related to vehicular transportation. Both roadways and vehicles have adverse effects on the natural environment and human populations. Emerging new technologies and transportation energy systems are needed to lessen these effects. This course will examine these emerging technologies and their potential benefits in the context of contemporary problems arising from the use of fossil fuels for transportation.
FNCE2008 Dealership Financial Statements 42.0 Hours
This course examines dealership efficiency, productivity and profitability through financial statement analysis using generally accepted industry guidelines and other comparisons. Dealership accounting topics are explored to assist in the understanding of dealership operations. Other topics will include working capital, forecasting, and financing.
HURM1000 Human Resource Management Foundations 42.0 Hours
This course provides an understanding of the modern Canadian human resources function. It covers the historical development of human resources management, the influence of government, staffing, employee relations, current trends and future issues. It provides a brief introduction to more specialized areas including compensation, training and development, employment law, industrial relations, occupational health and safety, labour and human resources planning. This course is eligible for Prior Learning Assessment.
LAWS1009 Automotive Law and Ethics 42 Hours
This course focuses on the responsibilities, both legal and ethical, of the individual working in the automotive industry primarily at a retail level either in dealership or aftermarket. This course examines the regulatory laws affecting the automotive industry and industry self-regulation. Students will also be challenged to consider conduct that is not prescribed by law; namely, ethical issues that arise in business in general and in the automotive industry in particular.
MATH1002 Mathematics of Finance 42.0 Hours
This introductory course is designed to develop a student's ability to perform basic mathematic operations and to apply mathematical techniques to a wide range of business problems. The mathematics of compound interest and annuities forms a major component of the course. This course is eligible for Prior Learning Assessment. (PLA)
MGMT2000 Production and Operations Management 42.0 Hours
This course introduces students to the concepts underlying the effective operation and control of manufacturing and service businesses. Approaches to production control, inventory policy, facilities planning, methods improvement, and technological assessment are studied.
MGMT2001 Principles of Management 42 Hours
This course provides you with an introduction to the various philosophies, roles and functions of management. In addition it will cover ongoing changes in business that have a direct effect on the role of management. This course is eligible for Prior Learning Assessment.
MGMT2002 Project Management 42.0 Hours
This course introduces the fundamental principles necessary for successful management
of projects. Project planning, management and control techniques will be discussed and
the application of computers in project management will be studied.
MKTG1000 Introduction to Marketing 42.0 Hours
This is an overview course with primary focus on marketing products and services to the ultimate consumer. Emphasis is placed on the basic marketing premise that customer needs must be satisfied in order to achieve company objectives. The student gains insight into the complex and interdependent variables involved in developing successful marketing strategies. The strategic marketing planning process is introduced, along with the specific concepts and principles involved in the four key components of the marketing plan - Product, Price, Distribution, and Promotion Strategies.
MKTG2002 Global Marketing 42.0 Hours
This course is intended to broaden student appreciation of world markets by concentrating on topics such as global cultures and environments, political and economic institutions, regional characteristics, market assessment/selection and market entry strategies. This course is eligible for Prior Learning Assessment.
MKTG2004 Introduction to Logistics 42.0 Hours
This course is designed to introduce the students to the main components of a logistics
system, such as customer service, demand forecasting, inventory control, warehousing
and storage, traffic and transportation, plant and warehouse site selection, order
processing and materials handling. It will also emphasize the relationships among these
various elements and how effective management of them leads to a higher economic
standard of living.
MKTG2029 Sales and Customer Relationship Management 42.0 Hours
This course covers both the concepts and practices of relationship selling in retailing automobiles and the importance of maintaining satisfying long-term relationships with customers as a key factor in the achievement of an organization's marketing objectives. Students will be exposed to a multi-step approach of selling automobiles through a professional automotive sales process. The course will examine some of the tools used by today's businesses to measure, build, and maintain profitable relationships with customers.
Adults with significant life and work experience may receive credits toward a college certificate or diploma program through an assessment process.
More information about Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
NOTE: Information contained in College documents respecting programs is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. The college reserves the right to add or delete programs, options, courses, timetables or campus locations subject to sufficient enrolment, and the availability of courses.
Last Update: March 08, 2012.