Year 2
This is the second year.
Year 2
Course of Studies
Course Descriptions
This is the first course in a two course Integrated Environmental Planning Applications continuum. It focuses on
the development of professional planning skills and their practical application. The physical, on the ground,
aspects of development and conservation are a primary focus of this course. The course also emphasizes the
understanding and development of practical strategies to achieve land use and environmental planning
objectives.
Plan development and plan implementation, regulatory agencies and regulations, planning history, group process
and methods for the practical application of landscape ecology and conservation development are also covered.
Students are expected to attend class and labs regularly and contribute actively and evenly to in-class
discussions.
This course is an introduction to the science of ecology, building on concepts and information introduced in IEP
160, 161 and other first year IEP courses. Emphasis is placed on the basics of ecology, and will focus on the
structure and function of various communities including alpine, subalpine, wetland, and riparian ecosystems. The
labs will explore various methods of sampling, analyzing and reporting on the physical site factors, vegetation and
wildlife components of these communities.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of First year ENVR courses (See dept. policy 1.demonstrate knowledge and understanding
of the science of ecology including community ecology, biodiversity, diversity indices, succession, trophic
structure, ecological integrity, energy and nutrient flow.
Applied Microbiology is an introductory applied microbiology course. This course covers basic
microbiological theory and an introduction to applied microbiological skills including safe work practices; aseptic
technique; preparation of media; isolation and growth of pure cultures; Gram staining; tissue culture; microbial
enumeration using pour and spread plates, membrane filtration and optical density; and identification of
microorganisms using biochemical tests
Prerequisites: Admission to the Integrated Environmental Planning Technology (IEPT) program or
permission of the Chair of the School of Environment & Geomatics.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide the capability to effectively create, edit, display, manage and
analyze spatial data; data that is georeferenced to the earth. This course introduces the fundamental concepts
and applications of GIS with a specific focus on environmental planning subjects. Emphasis is placed on
developing hands-on expertise with world leading commercial desktop GIS software (ArcGIS) for displaying and
querying spatial data, manipulating tabular data, completing queries, developing charts and producing effective
map layouts. Finally, this course incorporates digital data collection using mobile technologies.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of IEP 1 courses including RRS 158 or equivalent. Basic desktop computer skills, such as
using MS Explorer (file manager), are essential. Some GIS experience is required.
This introductory environmental chemistry course covers chemical theory and laboratory skills. Laboratory exercises address basic skills including laboratory safety, quantitative measurement, and use of common laboratory apparatus. Laboratory exercises are derived from standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. The course goal is graduates will master basic chemical theory, use environmental chemistry references, demonstrate safe chemistry laboratory practices, and perform standard methods for the determination of total, suspended and dissolved solids, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity and turbidity in water and wastewater samples.
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of the common first year SEG courses or permission of the Chair of the School of Environment & Geomatics.
This course is a continuation of Math 190 - Resource Statistics I. Topics include linear regressions and
correlation, inferential statistics, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, goodness of fit, contingency tables, and
ANOVA.
This is the final course in the three course Integrated Environmental Planning Applications continuum. It focuses on the development of professional planning skills and the practical application of the technical skills and scientific knowledge developed in other IEP courses. The majority of each student’s grade is determined by their preparation of a component of the courses capstone project. Preparation of this study takes place in discrete states throughout this course. Plan development, citizen participation strategies, and plan implementation strategies are the major focus of this course. Environmental assessment, planning process, planning theory, and planning ethics are also covered in this course. Students are expected to attend class and labs regularly and contribute actively and evenly to in-class discussions.
Prerequisites: IEP 277, IEP 250
IEP 255: Hydrology II is a continuation of Hydrology I, in which students collect, record and analyse hydrological data for streams, drainage basins, lakes and reservoirs, groundwater and meteorology. Hydrology II is a more in-depth study of the effects of water on our environment, and how we can understand and mitigate our impacts and support natural hydrologic cycles. Practical examples are presented for examination, data collection, analyses, and interpretation in several areas including: snow pack, winter limnology, groundwater, surface runoff, flooding, regulated rivers and meteorology. We will also examine environmental legislation pertaining to hydrology.
Prerequisites: ENVR 150 (Hydrology I)
This course provides an opportunity for IEP 2nd year students to undertake a GIS project of their choice.
Students apply the GIS skills acquired in previous Selkirk GIS courses (ENVR 158 and IEP 270) to a real world
project. A range of GIS methods and data sources will be used, depending on student project selection, but all
will include as deliverables a project proposal and report, a spatial analysis of some kind, a final map, and a
documented geodatabase. Both GIS and project management skills will be developed by completing the steps
required to take a GIS project from initial proposal to final map production and report generation.
Prerequisites: ENVR 158 and IEP 270.
This course examines the applied chemistry of water and air pollution. Major topics include: physical and chemical characteristics of water and air, water and air pollution, quantifying water and air pollution, water and air sampling, water treatment, wastewater treatment, mass balance modeling and air pollution dispersion. Applied concepts cover chronic and acute toxicity testing, use of colorimetry and AAS to identify and quantify pollutants, variable speed pumps used with pollution trapping devices for air sampling, gas detection tubes and air sampling meters. Use of spreadsheets for data analysis is an essential component of this course.
Teaching Methodology
IEP 281: Water and Air Pollution Chemistry is delivered live using a combination of lecture and laboratory exercises to reinforce concepts for students’ individual learning styles. The course manual summarizes lectures and provides examples of questions to support learning outcomes.
Prerequisites: TWC 151 Introduction to Technical Communications II, MATH 291 Resource Statistics II, IEP 266 AppliedMicrobiology and IEP 280 Environmental Chemistry or permission from the Chair of the School of Environment and Geomatics.
Environmental Sustainability concerns the relationship between humankind and the environment. This course explores that relationship and how, in the words of the Brundtland Commission Report, "we may live to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Clearly, there is no single route to achieving sustainability. Therefore, readings by many authors, technical experts, scientists and philosophers comprise a central component to illustrate the complexity of the topic, the diversity of approaches and resistance to change. There is substantial focus on applied skills related to current applications of sustainability principles across the economic spectrum.
IEP 291: Applied Research Project focuses on the preparation of the program’s capstone applied research project. The course compliments and is taught in conjunction with IEP 251, Integrated Environmental Planning Applications II. Over the course of the Winter semester, learners prepare a professional quality plan for an outside “pro-bono” client. The plan preparation process includes independent research and data collection, consultation with independent experts and stakeholders and public presentation of the draft plans.
Prerequisites: IEP 277, IEP 250Field Trip Study is delivered during the 4th semester of the IEPT program. The field trip provides an
opportunity for students to observe current environmental management practices, ecosystems and resource
management issues in other regions of the province. Students will be actively involved in trip planning and will be
presented with opportunities to develop communication skills and professionalism. This course is available only
to students registered in the second year of the IEP Program. Students may be required to pay for
accommodation and meals during the trip.
Prerequisites: IEP 200 Field Trip Study is open to IEPT students registered in the fourth semester of the Integrated
Environmental Planning Technology program who will be eligible to graduate at the end of the semester or with
permission from the Chair of the School of Environment & Geomatics.
The student must pick an elective of their choice with approval from their school chair.