Infection Prevention and Control

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Courses - September 2025

Level 1

Course details

Infection Prevention and Control Principles Review - Microbiology, Chain of Transmission
BIOL8000

Description:

This course will review the chain of transmission, healthcare associated infections, and the microorganisms that commonly cause healthcare associated infections.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.

Hours: 1
Credits: 0
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization
ENVR8430

Description:

This course will provide a comprehensive review of the risk of transmission of infection related to the environment and the products (chemical agents) and processes (frequency and technique) of cleaning and disinfection required to prevent infections in health care and other settings. This course will also provide an overview of the proper processes that are used to ensure that reusable medical devices are reprocessed properly in between patients in all health care settings (hospitals, LTC, clinical office practices) and personal service settings (tattoo, piercing, esthetics and body modifications)

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Infection Prevention and Control in Health Care and Non-Health Care Settings
HEAL8380

Description:

This course will provide an examination of the specific risks associated with hospitals, long-term care, congregate living settings (group homes, community living settings), child care centres and personal service settings. Field trips to these settings and guest lectures (in-person or virtual as appropriate) from IPAC Professionals working in these areas will be provided.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Infection Prevention and Control Principles Review - Routine Practices and Additional Precautions
OHS8400

Description:

This course will review current IPAC best practices that outline the practices used routinely with all patients/residents/clients in all settings and the additional precautions that are required when there is a diagnosis of an infection or potentially infectious symptoms.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Capstone Theory: Implementation Supports for IPAC Practice
OHS8410

Description:

This course will provide an orientation to implementation science that goes beyond the traditional knowledge translation strategies to ensure effective adaptation of IPAC practices in specific settings. This course prepares the student to work with an organization or facility to implement an IPAC intervention.

Hours: 70
Credits: 5
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Level 2

Course details

Antimicrobial Resistance and Emerging Pathogens
BIOL8010

Description:

This course will examine the evolution of emerging pathogens that may severely limit our ability to treat even minor infections, and the impact of antimicrobial resistance on IPAC practices. Actions to support antimicrobial stewardship and the impact of emerging pathogens (resistant or otherwise) will be examined.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Construction, Renovation and Facility Design and Infection Prevention and Control
CONS8280

Description:

This course will provide an understanding of the risks associated with construction and renovation through the examination of existing guidelines and case studies of past outbreaks. This course will also examine the impact of facility design and building systems on the transmission of infections.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Surveillance, Auditing and Outbreak Management
ENVR8440

Description:

This course will provide an understanding of health care infection (HAI) surveillance systems, how to use surveillance data and auditing to measure the effectiveness of IPAC practice, as well as a thorough understanding of how to manage outbreaks both as part of the Outbreak Management Teams in healthcare settings and as a public health professional supporting that team.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Infection Prevention and Control Legislative Framework
LAW8440

Description:

This course will examine the legislation, guidelines, standards and best practices that determines IPAC practice. It will use case studies to demonstrate the roles and authority of various agencies and the collaboration that is required to address issues. An example is the investigation of IPAC lapses: how to determine sterilization failures, risk of transmission of bloodborne and other pathogens, and the processes involved in client lookbacks, device recalls and active surveillance.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Capstone Project: Implementation Supports for IPAC Practice
OHS8420

Description:

This course is the completion of a capstone project where students will work with an organization to assist them with the implementation of an IPAC intervention.

Hours: 70
Credits: 5
Pre-Requisites: OHS8410
CoRequisites:

Program outcomes

Collaborate with professional and academic organizations in the creation of health and safety programs that enhance IPAC protocols.
Develop, implement and evaluate organizational health and safety policies and practices in alignment with government legislation, regulations and guidelines, ethical practices, and the principles of IPAC.
Disseminate information related to infection prevention and control to promote knowledge mobilization in the workplace.
Analyze risk factors and trends in order to design prevention and control strategies for populations.
Provide solutions for emerging pathogens using evidence-based IPAC practices or procedures to reduce the risk of transmission.
Produce reports and recommend changes to health management systems and processes in the interest of continuous quality enhancement.