Applied Environmental Science and Planning Technology

ENVR 150: 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.

ENVR 160: 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.

ENVR 162: Applied Botany and Ecosystem Classification 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.

ENVR 164: Soil and Earth Sciences 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.

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.

TWC 150: Introduction to Technical 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.

ENVR 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.

ENVR 158: 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 and exploring applied mapping technologies, including Google Earth and Internet Mapping websites. The second half of the semester will be focused on learning basic Geographic Information System 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 desktop GIS software, ESRI's ArcGIS for Desktop.

ENVR 163: Terrestrial Ecology and Biology 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. This project includes collecting the data in the field, entering and analysing the data in the computer lab, and presenting the data in a written scientific report.

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.

MATH 190: Resource Statistics I 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.

TWC 151: Introduction to Technical Writing and Communications II is an 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.

IEP 276 Ecological Restoration and Remediation will cover applied ecological restoration and remediation techniques common in the environmental planning and management fields. Restoration project planning and implementation will follow techniques developed by the International Society for Ecological Restoration (SER). Topics covered will include restoration research, 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 32-hour course offered in a one-week time block in the spring semester.

IEP 277:  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.

IEP 250:  Environmental Planning Applications I is the first course in a two course Integrated Environmental Planning Applications continuum. It focuses on the development of professional land use and environmental planning skills and their practical application.  Using a combination of classroom interactive lectures and weekly field based labs, the physical, on the ground, aspects of development and conservation planning 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.

IEP 260:  Systems Ecology is an introduction to the science of ecology, building on concepts and information introduced in ENVR 160, 161 and other first year ENVR 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.

IEP 266:  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

IEP 270:  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.

IEP 280: Environmental Chemistry is an introductory environmental chemistry course covering chemical theory, calculations, measurements, 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 for graduates to master basic chemical theory, solve chemistry problems, 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.

MATH 291: Resource Statistics II 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.