Environmental Sciences
Wildlife & Fisheries Conservation - Courses
CAMPUS:Vermilion Campus
ACCREDITATION:Diploma
| Year 1 Required Courses | CREDITS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BI | 110 | Ecology & Field Biology | 3 | |||
| Introduces fundamental ecological principles and concepts, emphasizing organisms and their environments as well as techniques for analysis of structure and function of these systems. Lectures cover ecological levels from individual, population and communities through to larger environmental scope of ecosystems and global ecology. Time spent in field studying plant and animal relationships in local community types using standard field equipment. Prerequisite: Biology 30. | ||||||
| BI | 205 | Limnology: Lakes & Rivers | 3 | |||
| Covers various physical, chemical and biological properties of freshwater systems. Introduced to techniques used in collection and analysis of limnological data. Prerequisite: BI 110 or BO 120. | ||||||
| BO | 120 | Field Botany & Plant Taxonomy | 3 | |||
| Focus on study of native plants within Central Parkland and Boreal Forest. Emphasis on collection, identification, morphology and classification of flora within local communities. Learn fundamental concepts of botany such as morphology, anatomy and taxonomy. Study fundamental ecological principles related to plant communities. Practical field experience in plant community relationships while collecting and preserving plants for further study. Spend considerable time in lab learning to use plant keys for classification and identifying plant species and families. | ||||||
| CO | 166 | Scientific Writing & Computer Applications | 3 | |||
| Explore fundamental approaches to scientific writing. Discuss what constitutes critical content and how that content is effectively organized for variety of documents used in the scientific industry. Learn strategies for efficient technical writing for laboratory reports, formal technical and scientific reports, proposals, abstracts and other discipline-specific applications. | ||||||
| MA | 202 | Statistics & Data Management | 3 | |||
| Introduction to basic statistical procedures and data management techniques commonly used in environmental sciences. Emphasis on organizing, storing, retrieving, analyzing, graphing and interpreting environmental data with database and spreadsheet software. Major topics include measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability distributions, hypothesis testing, correlation analysis, simple linear regression, and single-factor analysis of variance. | ||||||
| SC | 110 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 | |||
| This is a basic course in inorganic chemistry with an emphasis on environmental applications. Basic chemical concepts are presented in the lecture series with application of those concepts in the laboratory component. | ||||||
| SC | 120 | Maps, Air Photos & GPS | 3 | |||
Introduction to map reading, map contents, coordinate systems and National Topographic System (NTS maps). Practice map interpretation, measurement, scale calculations, and learn to interpret contours and visualize relief. Compass use and basic field orienteering taught. Aerial photography introduced with emphasis on annotation, scale, measurement, indexing and purchase of conventional and digital products. Practice stereo viewing, and relate aerial photos to maps at different scales. Global Positioning System (GPS) instruments used for navigation, and learn to collect, differentially correct and upload field coordinate data. |
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| SC | 140 | Environmental Sustainability | 3 | |||
| Focus on human interactions with the environment. Environmental impacts of food production and agriculture, forestry, mining, energy processing, urbanization, and other land-use activities explored. Considerable time spent investigating current environmental issues within context of society: water quantity and quality, global warming, air pollution, and biodiversity crisis. National and provincial environmental policy relating to these issues investigated. | ||||||
| SC | 200 | Organic Chemistry | 3 | |||
| Study structure, properties and reactions of the main classes of organic compounds and their relationship to living organisms and the environment. Laboratory techniques, including tests required for assessing environmental quality. Prerequisite: SC 110. | ||||||
| SC | 220 | GIS & Remote Sensing | 3 | |||
| Learn Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing and aerial photography concepts. Practice photogrammetry, stereovision and image interpretation, while working with variety of hardcopy and digital imagery products. Use scanners, digitizers and Global Positioning System (GPS) instruments for data input. Gain proficiency with ArcGIS, ArcView and Idrisi GIS software packages in laboratory sessions that emphasize natural resource management applications. Prerequisite: SC 120. | ||||||
| SO | 210 | Introductory Soil Science | 3 | |||
| Overview of soil formation processes and the fundamental morphological, physical, chemical and biological characteristics of soil. Gain knowledge of soils through lectures and hands on experience. Become familiar with The Canadian System of Soil Classification to the Order level and issues associated with ‘problem soils’. | ||||||
| ZO | 120 | Wildlife & Fisheries Biology | 3 | |||
| This course is an introduction to the classification, identification, anatomy, physiology, biology and distribution of various fish and wildlife species found in western Canada. Emphasis is placed on the sport fish and wildlife of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Laboratory work focuses on the identification of regional sport fish and wildlife species (terrestrial vertebrates). Students learn to identify fish by their morphological characteristics, amphibians by both their morphological characteristics and their call, and mammals using morphological characteristics, skull and dental characteristics and hides. Labs also begin the process of electrofishing certification by covering electrofishing theory, techniques and safety, and provide students with training towards obtaining their Pleasure Craft Operator certification. Prerequisite: BI110. | ||||||
| Year 2 Required Courses | CREDITS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BI | 210 | Forest Ecology | 3 | |||
| Introduction to ecological forest management. Emphasis on forest ecosystem function and impacts of industry and other land-use on forests on landscape scale. Topics include dendrology, ecological disturbance, forest biodiversity, forest management techniques, approaches to forest restoration and reclamation criteria for forested areas. Field trips and labs used to develop field skills in tree and shrub identification, timber cruising, stand assessment and ecosystem classification. Prerequisites: BI 110 and BO 120. | ||||||
| RE | 131 | Field Skills I & Wilderness First Aid | 3 | |||
| This course introduces students to various field skills identified by employers as important for those seeking jobs in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation. Students receive training and certification for Bear Awareness and Avoidance, Red Cross Wilderness First Aid (WFA) including CPR C and AED, Wilderness Survival, and the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) that is prerequisite for obtaining a Possession and Acquisition License (PAL). Students also receive hands-on training in wilderness survival techniques, motorized watercraft operation, and axe and chainsaw safety and handling. | ||||||
| RE | 231 | Field Skills II & Small Engine Repair | 3 | |||
| This course introduces students to field skills identified by employers as important to technicians in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation. Students receive classroom and shop training in the safe maintenance and operation of powered field equipment, including quads, snowmobiles, boat motors, ice augers and chain saws. Students receive hands-on training in field camp operations, snowmobile operation, quad operation, and in trailer back-up, loading and tie-down. Safe procedures are demonstrated for 4WD truck and winch operation, vehicle extraction, battery boosting and field tire change. Students construct survival shelters as part of a winter survival workshop, and students attend a Wildlife conference. Prerequisites: None. | ||||||
| SC | 301 | Watersheds & Water Resources | 3 | |||
| This course focuses on the main components of the hydrologic cycle and how this impacts quantity, quality and distribution of water resources within a watershed basin. Precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, streamflow and groundwater flow are examined with reference to drought, flooding, erosion and sedimentation. Students are introduced to field techniques in stream discharge measurement, and geomorphic characterization of watersheds. | ||||||
| SC | 415 | Wildlife & Fisheries Law | 3 | |||
| This course provides an overview of Wildlife & Fisheries Law, including Acts, Regulations and Guidelines that are important for the Wildlife & Fisheries Conservation Major. Topics include, but are not limited to, the Wildlife Act, the Fisheries Act, the Species at Risk Act, the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, and the Water Act. Prerequisites: None. | ||||||
| ZO | 213 | Fisheries Biology & Techniques | 3 | |||
| Covers anatomy, physiology, behaviour and ecology of fish. Emphasis on freshwater fish species. Introduction to techniques and equipment used in collection of fish and fisheries data through lectures and practical application of these techniques during labs conducted in the field. Prerequisite: ZO 120. | ||||||
| ZO | 214 | Ornithology | 3 | |||
| Introduction to biology, behaviour and natural history of birds in western boreal and prairie regions. Lecture and laboratory sessions focus on identification and field study techniques. Identify birds from songs, calls, plumage, habitat use and behaviour. Labs include some evening and early morning field trips. Pre-class assignment to become familiar with list of common species over summer. | ||||||
| ZO | 225 | Aquatic Organisms | 3 | |||
| Covers identification, biology, ecology, physiology and behaviour of freshwater invertebrates. Learn techniques and equipment used to collect invertebrate organisms from lakes and rivers. Laboratory work emphasizes the identification of freshwater invertebrates using appropriate taxonomic keys. Prerequisite: BI 205. | ||||||
| ZO | 245 | Wildlife Habitat Conservation | 3 | |||
| This course introduces key concepts required to conserve, mitigate, enhance and manage wildlife habitat in the Prairie Provinces. The habitat requirements of selected species at risk, game species, and non-game species are described such that they can be identified in the field. The status assessment and listing processes under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) are described. Habitat conservation programs, partnerships and agencies are profiled. Regulations and guidelines for mitigating impacts of development on wildlife habitat in Alberta are explored. Wildlife distributions, habitat associations, feeding and foraging strategies, diets, digestive anatomy, and the field signs of selected wild vertebrates are described and distinguished. Students quantify habitat variables, explore disturbance mitigations, and design and implement habitat enhancements during field labs. Prerequisites: BI110 and BO120. | ||||||
| ZO | 250 | Wildlife Ecology & Management | 3 | |||
| Topics covered include the history of wildlife management & conservation biology including examples of successes & failures, wildlife population dynamics & reproductive adaptations and seasons, predator-prey interactions & management, wildlife disease & parasite ecology and management, and problem wildlife management and compensation. Practical skills are developed for the identification of wildlife in the field by contrasting tracks & signs, for understanding standardized wildlife survey protocols, for distinguishing predator from scavengers, and the completion of a trail camera monitoring project including entry of monitoring data into an appropriate government database. Prerequisite: BI110. | ||||||
| ZO | 315 | Wildlife Biology & Techniques | 3 | |||
| Students are introduced to some of the techniques and tools used in wildlife management such as recording clear and accurate field notes, marking techniques, animal care protocols and the appropriate care and use of wildlife, remote tracking techniques, and sex & age categorization. Field labs introduce students to practical wildlife ecology activities including the reclamation of industrial sites for wildlife habitat, behavioural sampling, small mammal trapping & marking, radio-tracking and telemetry and attending the C.F.B. Wainwright hunter check station for the purposes of harvest management and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance. | ||||||
| ZO | 410 | Fisheries Management | 3 | |||
| Learn theory and practical aspects of fisheries management. Emphasis on freshwater fisheries management issues in western Canada. Learn concepts and techniques used in studying fish, fish harvesting, commercial fish culture and fish habitat. Prerequisite: ZO 213. | ||||||