Business Fundamentals

Program Overview

If you’re interested in entering the business world, the one-year Business Fundamentals Ontario College Certificate program will help you develop a solid foundation in business knowledge, skills and competences while also identifying which area of business suits your talents and interests for your future career.

Study all aspects of business, develop your skills and explore your options through courses that include accounting, business communications, finance, human resources, introduction to business management, marketing and supply chain management. A comprehensive study of each will help you discover your perfect career fit. This program also provides those already in the workforce with a foundation of business knowledge that can help them expand their career and business opportunities.

You can choose to graduate with your Business Fundamentals certificate after one year and start your career or continue your studies in the Business program of your choice—this program leads right into the second year of all Durham College business diploma programs.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)
Grade 11 mathematics (C, M or U)

View All Requirements

Tuition

Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
Year one international: $13,322 (CAD)

View Full Costs

Semester 1 Courses

View All Courses

Pathways

Business

Laptop Program

Intakes and Availability

Date	Domestic Availability	International Availability
September 2021	Open	Closed
January 2022	Open

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Purchasing assistant
Sales representative
Bank teller
Accounting clerk
Human resources assistant
Marketing support
Customer Service representative

View all Career Options

Program Details

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop. For specific hardware and software requirements for this program click here.

This program is designed for individuals who want to develop skills and knowledge appropriate for an entry level position in a business setting.

You will study:

Accounting
Business communications
Finance
Human resource management
Introduction to Business Management
Marketing
Supply chain management

All courses offered are available in the daytime, but also in the evenings and online through Centre for Professional and Part-Time Learning (additional fees apply).

CERTIFICATION

Students can also earn the following globally recognized certificates by taking Microsoft Office Specialist exams as part of their computer courses:

Microsoft Office Specialist: Word Associate (COMP1209)
Microsoft Office Specialist: PowerPoint Associate (COMP1209)
Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate (COMP2209)
Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Expert (if applicable currently will be offered in Accounting and Supply Chain programs)

Students who successfully pass all three exams can earn an extra certificate that recognizes their accomplishment with the Microsoft Office Specialist: Associate (Office 365 and Office 2019) certificate. DC students are provided access to Microsoft Office 365 through the college’s Microsoft Office account. See more details about this opportunity.

Program Learning Outcomes

Develop customer-service strategies to meet the needs of internal and external customers.
Apply knowledge of the human resources function to the operation of an organization.
Apply knowledge of the marketing function to the operation of an organisation.
Apply accounting and financial knowledge to the operation of an organisation.
Apply computer skills and knowledge of information technology to support the management of an organisation.
Work effectively with co-workers, supervisors, and others.
Apply research skills to gather and interpret available information.
Apply creative problem-solving skills to address business problems and opportunities.
Apply time management and organisational skills to facilitate the completion of tasks and to meet deadlines in a business environment.
Recognize the economic, social, political, and cultural variables which impact on a business

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)
Grade 11 mathematics (C, M or U)

Courses

The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyCampus.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Choose from one of the following:

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2020-21 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes. Students should refer to their timetable for the most up-to-date course information.

Costs

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Purchasing assistant
Sales representative
Bank teller
Accounting clerk
Human resources assistant
Marketing support
Customer Service representative

Where you could work:

Large and small businesses
Not-for-profit organizations
Educational institutions
Government ministries and agencies
Health care facilities
Financial, trust and insurance institutions
Service industry

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Upon successful completion of this program, you can opt to take one or two additional years in another Business program offered at Durham College in order to obtain a diploma or advanced diploma in Marketing, Accounting, Human Resources Management, Supply Chain Management or Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. Qualified graduates can then go on to take the Durham College Human Resources Management graduate certificate program or may be eligible to apply their academic credits toward further study through Durham College’s partnerships with many Canadian and international colleges and universities.

Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Laptop Requirements

MINIMUM RECOMMENDED HARDWARE

Laptop: Personal computer (PC). A Mac is not recommended – see notes below*
Operating System: Windows 10 Professional (64-bit only) and later
Processor: Intel Core i5 or better
Memory: 4 GB of RAM (8 GB preferred)
Hard Drive: 250 GB or larger (Solid State Drive (SSD) preferred)
Warranty: 3 years parts and labour (On-site preferred)
2 USB ports
Webcam
Microphone (headset preferred)

*Mac Computers

Some required software applications are not available for Mac.
Students who choose a Mac may need to purchase additional software to complete assessments and class exercises at their own cost.

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

Windows 10 Professional (64-bit only)
Microsoft Office 2019 or 365 (Students will be provided access to Microsoft Office 365 through the College’s Microsoft Office account)
Internet Explorer
Mozilla Firefox
Acrobat Reader
Windows Media Player
Adobe Flash Player and Browser Plug-in
K-Lite Codec Pack

OPTIONAL

AVG
Avira

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T: 905.721.3000

Program related questions?
Contact Recruitment.

Application related questions?
Contact Admissions.

International student?

Contact International Admissions or call 905.721.2000 ext. 2355.

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Tuition

Semester 1 Courses

Intakes and Availability

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Program Details

Program Learning Outcomes

Admission Requirements

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Choose from one of the following:

Costs

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Where you could work:

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Laptop Requirements

MINIMUM RECOMMENDED HARDWARE

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

OPTIONAL

Helpful Resources

Durham College Viewbook

2021-22 Program Guide

Graduate Employment Report [PDF]