Year 1
This is a 2-Year Diploma at Castlegar.
Year 1
Course of Studies
Semester 1
| Course | Name | Credit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENVR 150 | Hydrology I | 3 | |
| ENVR 160 | Surveying & Field Measurements | 3 | |
| ENVR 162 | Applied Botany and Ecosystem Classification | 3 | |
| ENVR 164 | Soil and Earth Sciences | 3 | |
| ENVR 190 | Computer Applications I | 1 | |
| MATH 160 | Technical Math Review | 3 | |
| TWC 150 | Introduction to Technical Writing and Communications I | 3 | |
| Total | 19 | ||
Semester 2
| Course | Name | Credit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENVR 154 | Maps and Navigation | 2 | |
| ENVR 158 | Introduction to Geomatics | 2 | |
| ENVR 163 | Terrestrial Ecology and Biology | 4 | |
| ENVR 170 | Fish and Wildlife Ecology | 3 | |
| MATH 190 | Resource Statistics I | 3 | |
| TWC 151 | Introduction to Technical Writing and Communications II | 3 | |
| IEP 276 | Ecological Restoration and Remediation | 1 | |
| IEP 277 | Environmental Planning Field Applications | 1 | |
| Total | 19 | ||
Course Descriptions
Hydrology 1 is an introductory study of water in our environment including its properties, the natural processes which affect it, and climate and weather. Students will gain practical experience in the collection and analysis of field and laboratory data using standard techniques and equipment.
Surveying & Field Measurements is an introduction to the practical use of common survey instruments and techniques used by environmental technicians. As well, the course will introduce the student to various sampling methods used to collect, assess, classify, and evaluate field data. Emphasis is placed on the proper care and use of basic surveying and measurement tools and the skills involved in collecting and interpreting precise and accurate field data.
This course is an introduction to the principles of Botany and Ecosystem Classification. Botany lectures will focus
on plant classification, botanical terms, plant morphology, and plant physiology. Topics include: plant cell
structure, plant tissue function and structure, photosynthesis and respiration, transpiration and translocation.
Botany labs will focus on learning to identify about 100 native plants commonly found in the West Kootenay
Region of B.C., specifically key indicator species.
Ecology lectures will focus on ecosystem classification using the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification System
(BEC) of B.C. Other key topics include the study of climatic factors, disturbance and succession, landscapes and
stand structure. Ecology labs focus on classifying ecosystems (including soils, site and vegetation) to site series
using BEC. Labs are mainly field based.
This course will cover the identification of common rocks and minerals, landforms and soils of British Columbia. Learners will be introduced to the study of physical geology and geomorphology in relation to management of the forest environment and landscape. Learners will gain skills and knowledge in rock and mineral identification, description of the physical and chemical qualities of soils, and identification and classification of landforms and terrain. Skills will also be developed with respect to interpretation of geology, landforms and soils for environmental management.
ENVR 190: Computer Applications I builds on students previously acquired computer skills. Computer applications specific to career opportunities in the environment and geomatics sector will be covered during this course. This includes proper file management techniques for the geomatics environment, MS Word processing for report writing, and introduction to MS Excel and MS Access databases. Adobe Illustrator software will be introduced for conceptual diagram making in the scientific environment.
Prerequisites: Admission into Environment and Geomatics program.MATH 160: Technical Math Review is a mathematical review course for first-year students in the School of Environment and Geomatics (SEG) diploma programs. This course will provide a review of mathematical concepts which you will need for your other SEG courses. Materials to be covered include: unit conversions, trigonometry, exponentials and logarithms, problem solving, slope calculations, distance and direction calculations.
Prerequisites: Acceptance to SEG Diploma programs.TCC 150: Introduction to Technicial Writing and Communications I is an introduction to general principles in written technical communication and their application to environmental concerns and workplace communication. Classroom sessions focus on developing writing skills, the organization and presentation of data, basic report formats, and job search techniques.
Prerequisites: Admission to the School of Environment and GeomaticsENVR 154: Maps and Navigation focuses on the navigation skills required of technologists working outdoors – to locate oneself, stay ‘found’, and return safely from the field. The course includes hands-on use of navigation tools in field settings including map, compass, aerial imagery, altimeter, and Global Positioning System (GPS). Pre-trip planning in a navigation context will also be covered including developing access plans and route plans, and estimating travel times.
Introduction to Geomatics is an introduction to applied mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) theory and applications. The first half of the course will be focused on introducing basic uses of remotely sensed imagery. Several applied mapping technologies will be explored, including Google Earth and Internet Mapping websites. The second half of the semester will be focused on learning basic GIS concepts and applying GIS technologies to environmental, renewable resource management, and planning fields. Emphasis will be placed on how geographic data is represented, collected, managed, analyzed, and displayed using GIS tools. Hands-on experience will be developed with the most widely used and comprehensive desktop GIS software, ESRI’s ArcGIS Desktop.
This course builds upon the concepts from ENVR 162 with further studies of local forest ecosystems. Students will identify key forest structural components and study the role that disturbance (such as fire), environmental gradients, and competition play in defining a species’ niche. Participants will also examine the role of primary and secondary growth, nutrient uptake, reproduction, and survival mechanisms for plants. Winter plant identification, ecosystem form and function, and plant adaptations to timberline will also be examined. A practical field based assignment will form a major portion of the term assessment.
ENVR 170: Fish and Wildlife Ecology is designed to introduce students to the general ecological principles, taxonomy and management of fish and wildlife in British Columbia.
Prerequisites: ENVR 150, ENVR 162 Corequisites: ENVR 163Math 190 is an introductory applied statistics course for environment and geomatics students. Topics include: types of data, descriptive statistics, probability and random variables, discrete probability distributions, continuous probability distributions, confidence intervals, sample size, and hypothesis testing.
Prerequisites: MATH 160.Introduction to general principles in written scientific communication, research strategies, and oral presentations.
Lectures and in-class writing focus upon research strategies, the formal report, technical style, and graphic
illustration. Students practice delivery techniques for oral presentations and learn research skills for research
report preparation.
Ecological Restoration and Remediation will cover applied ecological restoration and remediation
techniques common in the environmental planning fields. Restoration project planning and implementation will
follow techniques developed by the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER). Topics covered will include project
scoping and plan development, field data collection, plant propagation techniques, project implementation in the
field, routine and intensive monitoring, and report preparation. Learners can expect to be in the field every day
and working on data collection and synthesis during the evenings. This is an intensive 35 hour course offered in a
one-week time block in the spring semester.
Environmental Planning Field Applications involves the development of a planning project in a local regional district. Learners will be involved in scoping of the environmental planning issues, stakeholder consultation, and design of critical planning elements. This is an intensive 35 hour course offered in a one-week
time block in the spring semester.