Recreation, Fish and Wildlife

2-Year Diploma at Castlegar

Program Calendar

2010

• September 7 - Student Orientation All Programs
• September 8 - Fall term instruction begins
• December 10 - Fall term instruction ends
• December 13 - 22 - Fall term examinations

2011

• January 4 -Winter term instruction begins
• February 14 - 18 - Reading Break
• April 8 - Winter term instruction ends
• April 11 - 21 - Winter term examinations
• April 19 - 30 - Field School

Program Objectives

The focus of the Recreation, Fish and Wildlife Program is to provide relevant learning experience for individuals seeking careers in parks, forest recreation, fish and wildlife management, conservation or commercial recreation. The emphasis of the program is in the growing field of recreation and tourism, and fish and wildlife management in the working forest and in protected areas. The program of study is designed to lead into three major areas of interest: recreation planning and management, fish and wildlife management, and ecosystem management. The dedicated individual, with adequate motivation and an interest in a very competitive field, can develop a rewarding career in recreation, fisheries or wildlife management.

Co-op Education

Renewable Resources students have the opportunity to enroll in Co-op Education. This program consists of four month work terms that allow students to access unique experiential learning. Co-op work terms are administrated as regular course work with both cost and reporting requirements. Benefits include maintenance of full time student status as well as access to employment and experience unavailable outside of the Co-op program. For more information contact the Co-op Education Office at (250) 365-1280.

CO-OP 170 / 270 / 370 Work Terms

These courses provide the practical application of academic studies. Students spend work terms at an employer site. A report covering each work term is required.

15 Credit-hours / work term

Common Core

The first year of Forest Technology, Recreation, Fish & Wildlife Technology and Integrated Environmental Planning Technology programs consist of a core of common courses emphasizing resource skills, knowledge and attitudes in: inventory, measurement, mapping, communications, math, and interpretation.

The second year of each program synthesizes the skills, knowledge, and attitudes of first year with applied management, planning, and advanced techniques and principles. Integration of learning in each program is required.

Students interested in dual diplomas can now complete any second or third diploma with one additional year of study.

Curriculum Advisory

The curriculum for this program is developed in consultation with the Program Advisory Committee (PAC). The PAC membership includes people who hire our students and many are past graduates. Organizations currently having representatives on the committee include: British Columbia conservation service, private consultants and government agencies. The PAC meets regularly, and their feed back may result in changes to the program.

Admission Requirements

Program staff are committed to help students preparing for admission into the program. In addition to meeting the general entrance requirements for admission to Selkirk College, an applicant must meet the following School of Renewable Resources program requirements:

Highschool Graduates

• Completion of senior secondary school graduation (or equivalent) with the following courses or their equivalents.
• Biology 11 C+
• Principles of Math 11 C+
• English 12 C+

Mature Students

• Mature student entry is possible without secondary school completion but mature applicants must have BIOL 11 or 12 and ENGL 12, or equivalent courses with a "C+", and Principles of MATH 11 with a "C+".
• Applicants may be required to complete preparatory modules in mathematics, writing and computers, where identified by the school.

In individual cases, related work experience can be considered in the application process at discretion of the School Chair.

All applicants must be in good health and reasonably good physical condition. A demonstrated interest in, and aptitude for, outdoor work is essential as much of the work is done in the field, often under adverse and arduous weather and topographic conditions.

For any questions related to prerequisites and support, please contact the School Chair.

Computer Competency

Computer competency is an important element of success in the program. It is strongly recommended that students have entry level experience with MS Word / MS Excel / and the internet prior to starting the program.

Notice: New Math Admission Requirements

Selkirk College is reviewing its math requirements for program admission to align them with the new B.C. high school mathematics curriculum that will come into effect (in Grade 10) in the 2010/11 school year. We will have our new admission requirements ready before March 1, 2010. The new math requirements will be posted on our web site as soon as they are available.

Career Potential

Graduates are immediately employable and have developed careers such as: national park wardens, provincial park rangers, parks planning technicians, environmental interpreters, outdoor recreation technicians, fish and wildlife technicians, recreation resource officers, fisheries officers, and resource management technicians with private sector firms. Many graduates find work with consulting firms who serve the diverse resource management field. Employment rates over the past few years have over 75% of graduates working in the field of Recreation, Fish and Wildlife within two months of graduation.

Degree and Diploma Options

The Recreation Fish and Wildife Program now ladders into the Selkirk College Bachelor In Geographic Information Systems and counts as the first two years of this program.

There is a long standing tradition of our graduates transferring and successfully completing university degrees. Selkirk's Recreation Fish & Wildlife graduates have successfully transferred credit towards degrees in Universities throughout Canada and the United States. Selkirk College also has formal transfer arrangements with the following institutions: University of Northern BC, University of British Columbia, Thompson Rivers University, University of Alberta. Additionally, students wishing topursue Conservation Officer Training have successfully transferred credit to both Lethbridge College and Malaspina college.

Approximate Expenses

Total program expenses are comprised of both College fees and Program Specific Fees. For planning your stay at Selkirk College, it is advised that both of these be considered. These figures represent College fees only. For more information on program specific costs please contact the Program Contact or School Chair of the program.

These figures are approximate only and could change at any time. Visit selkirk.ca/tuition/ for approximate fee information. Non-Canadian students please refer to selkirk.ca/tuition/international/ for important information.

Special Fees

Required Certificates

Recreation Fish and wildlife technology students are required to obtain first-aid certification during the fall term if they do not possess a valid certificate prior to registration. The minimum cost for such certification is approximately $95 and may be higher depending on level of certification desired by the student.

Additionally, S-100 firefighting certification is required and is offered through the continuing education department at a nominal cost to students.

Four certificate courses are offered that are prerequisites for application to specific job opportunities

• C.O.R.E. Hunter Training (Required as part of RFW diploma). $65.00 estimated
• Canadian Firearm Safety Course (Required as part of RFW diploma). $35.00 estimated
• Canadian Restricted Firearm Course (Required as part of RFW diploma). $35.00 estimated
• Park Security and Public Safety P.S.P.S. $160.00 estimated

Second year students are required to take part in 2 five-day field trips during the Fall of 2^nd year.

Program Courses

Course of Studies

Translation key:

• Lec = Lecture Hours per week;
• Lab = Lab Hours per week;

Courses marked as (D) are available via Distance Education.

Course of Studies

Course	Name	Lec	Lab
Term 1
MATH 160	Technical Mathematics	3	0
RRS 152	Surveying	1	4
RRS 161	Environmental Field Techniques	2	3
RRS 162	Botany and Forest Ecology	2	3
RRS 164	Geology, Landforms and Soils	2	3
RRS 191	Introduction to Computers II	0	2
TWC 150	Introduction to Technical Communications I	3	0
	Total:	13	15
Course	Name	Lec	Lab
Term 2
IEP 166	Applied Microbiology	2	3
MATH 190	Resource Statistics I	2	1
RRS 154	Map and Air Photo Use	0	4
RRS 158	Introduction to GIS	3	0
RRS 163	Forest Ecology	3	3
RRS 170	Fish and Wildlife Ecology	2	3
TWC 151	Introduction to Technical Communications II	3	0
	Total:	15	14
Course	Name	Lec	Lab
Term 3
RFW 255	Outdoor Skills I - Spring Field School	0	0
	Total:	0	0
Course	Name	Lec	Lab
Term 4
RFW 200	Field Trip Study	0	0
RFW 251	Policy and Enforcement	0	3
RFW 256	Backcountry Risk Analysis and Mitigation	1	4
RFW 262	Ecosystem-Based Management	2	3
RFW 263	Outdoor Recreation Operations and Management	2	4
RFW 272	Techniques in Wildlife Mangement I	2	3
RFW 280	Fish Management I	2	4
	Total:	9	21
Course	Name	Lec	Lab
Term 5
RFW 257	Avalanche Hazard Assessment and Management	4	0
RFW 265	Commercial Recreation Management	2	3
RFW 273	Techniques in Wildlife Management II	2	3
RFW 276	Resource Communications	0	3
RFW 281	Fish Management II	2	3
RRS 250	Integrated Resource Management	2	2
RRS 290	Computer Applications	0	3
	Total:	12	17

Brendan Wilson

Instructor; School of Renewable Resources

Credentials: BSc, PhD, RPBio

Room S-215
Direct: 250-365-1393
Tel: 365-7292 Ext. 393

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