Applied Environmental Science and Planning Technology - Diploma
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Do you have an interest in protecting land, natural resources and the environment? Do you like hands-on learning in the field and in the lab? If your answer is yes, then our leading-edge Applied Environmental Science and Planning Technology (AESP) Program is a great fit. You’ll acquire interdisciplinary, employment-ready skills to tackle today’s environmental challenges and develop a range of applied environmental skills and technologies.
This program prepares students to meet the growing need for technologists capable of assisting in all areas of land use and environmental planning, environmental chemistry, hydrology, applied ecology, microbiology and geographic information systems (GIS). Graduates possess the practical field and laboratory skills and technical competencies to acquire, compile, analyze, evaluate and present environmental information and to integrate it effectively into formal planning and review processes.
Courses cover a range of topics, including botany, soil science, hydrology, surveying, ecology, fish and wildlife, GIS, ecological restoration, First Nations, air and water pollution chemistry, environmental planning, microbiology and sustainability.
*This program may be eligible for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
Accreditation
The AESP Program is nationally accredited through Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC). It is provincially accredited by the College of Applied Biologists.
To help ensure the program is assessed for quality industry outcomes, relevancy and currency, the program is updated continuously based on feedback from our Program Advisory Committee consisting of industry, government, Indigenous representation and past graduates.
Transferability
Many of our graduates seek meaningful, relevant employment while others choose to transfer to universities to complete a degree. The AESP Program transfers to the Bachelor's Degree in Geographic Information Systems (BGIS) here at Selkirk College.
Selkirk College also has direct transfer arrangements with other universities in BC:
- Thompson Rivers University (TRU), Bachelor of Natural Resource Science
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Bachelor of Science in Ecological Restoration
- University of Northern BC, Bachelor of Planning
- Royal Roads University, Bachelor of Environmental Science
It is recommended that students consult with the program advisor of the receiving institution to ensure they have met all the necessary transfer requirements.
Common Core
The first year of AESP consists of a core of environmental courses in soils, hydrology, botany, surveying, fish and wildlife, ecology, mapping, communications, computers and math. This core year is common with the Forest Technology and Recreation, Fish & Wildlife programs.
The second year of the program synthesizes the skills, knowledge and professionalism of first year and ladders into planning, sustainability and more advanced environmental science classes.
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