Environmental Sciences
Conservation & Restoration Ecology (CARE) - 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 | |||
| This course covers various physical, chemical, and biological properties of both standing and running freshwater systems. Students are introduced to various techniques used in the collection and analysis of limnological data, and how to use these data to assess the health of freshwater ecosystems. Prerequisite: BI 110. | ||||||
| BI | 270 | Managing Rangeland Ecosystems | 3 | |||
| Study of rangeland ecology, focus on soil-plant-animal-water interactions in rangeland ecosystems. Basic factors determining survival and competitive strategy of range plants studied. Sound range management strategies designed to ensure ecosystem stability and sustainability emphasized. Considerable time spent in lab learning to key and identify native plants. Prerequisite: BO 120. | ||||||
| BO | 120 | Field Botany & Plant Taxonomy | 3 | |||
| Native plants and communities of Alberta are studied focusing on general and applied plant botany. Students obtain practical field experience in plant community relationships while identifying, collecting, and preserving plants for further study. Students spend considerable time learning to use plant keys for taxonomic classification and for identifying plant species and families. | ||||||
| CO | 166 | Scientific Writing & Computer Applications | 3 | |||
| Explore fundamental approaches to scientific writing. Time spent discussing what constitutes critical content and how that content is effectively organized for variety of documents used in scientific industry. Strategies for efficient technical writing emphasized for laboratory reports, formal technical and scientific reports, abstracts, and other discipline-specific applications. | ||||||
| MA | 202 | Statistics & Data Management | 3 | |||
| Introduction to basic statistical procedures and data management techniques used in environmental sciences. Emphasis on methods of 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, and scale calculations, and learn to interpret contours and visualize relief. Compass use and basic field orienteering taught. Aerial photography introduced, emphasis on understanding of annotation, scale, measurement, indexing and purchase of conventional and digital products. Practice stereo viewing, and learn to 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. | ||||||
| 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 main classes of organic compounds and relationship to living organisms and 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 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 Order level and issues associated with ‘problem soils’. | ||||||
| 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. | ||||||
| BI | 317 | Wetland Classification and Management | 3 | |||
| Wetland ecosystems and riparian area health and key ecological functions are studied. Wetland classification and delineation assessments related to current water policy and acts are discussed and practiced. Best management practices that promote health and minimize impacts are explained for agricultural, urbanization, and industrial activities. Students practice health assessments, classify and delineate wetlands, and key and identify wetland plants. Prerequisites: BI 270 and BO 120. | ||||||
| SC | 281 | Invasive Plant Ecology & Management | 3 | |||
| This course focuses on vegetation management with emphasis on invasive weedy plants. Weed Biology and competitive strategies of these plants are studied in detail. Tools and techniques for control, such as fire, grazing, and herbicides are described for control of invasive plants in native and non-native communities. Students spend considerable time in lab identifying weed species, seedlings and seeds. Prerequisite:BI 270 & BO 120 | ||||||
| SC | 301 | Applied Hydrology | 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 | 307 | Environmental Site Assessment | 3 | |||
| Gain basic understanding of how to evaluate contaminated sites through processes of a Site Assessment, Site Characterization, and parallel process of Environmental Risk Assessment. Effective management of environmental risks (i.e. contamination) and remediation of contaminated sites requires basic understanding of science, policy and culture of risk assessment and risk management. Prerequisites: SC 110 and SC 200. | ||||||
| SC | 329 | Fundamentals of Restoration Ecology | 3 | |||
| This course focuses on the foundations of restoration ecology and introduces techniques used to restore native plant communities in grassland, forest, parkland, and wetland habitats. It examines the causes and consequences of ecological degradation and emphasizes approaches to restoring and maintaining ecological characteristics and processes. Special consideration is given to species at risk and the conservation of plant and animal populations. Field trips and field labs provide students with the opportunity to observe or participate in restoration activities in a variety of habitat types. Prerequisites: BI 110 and BO 120. | ||||||
| SC | 444 | Land Use and Urban Ecology | 3 | |||
| This course focuses on land-use planning frameworks, legislation and policies, and explores concepts of urban ecology and development. The knowledge of these tools provides students with skills to assess and coordinate activities that impact land-use and stewardship. An emphasis is on integrated land management and environmental assessments, including urban environments. | ||||||
| SC | 470 | Applied Techniques in Restoration | 3 | |||
| Applied restoration ecology provides students with an advanced and applied understanding of current techniques. The course addresses how practical restoration techniques are applied based on scientific, environmental, and social considerations. Students will develop critical thinking and analytical decision making skills through scientific review, case studies and discussion. | ||||||
| SO | 320 | Soil Conservation | 3 | |||
| This course is a study of soil properties from a soil conservation perspective. The primary focus is on understanding soil properties to achieve soil and water conservation objectives and to prevent soil degradation. Field techniques used to assess soil degradation and to implement erosion and sediment control projects are emphasized. | ||||||
| SO | 340 | Soil Classification & Landforms | 3 | |||
| Study of the Canadian System of Soil Classification with emphasis on factors affecting soil genesis and taxonomy. Topics include geology, glaciation, weathering, chemistry and physics of Canadian soils. Extensive fieldwork on methods of classifying soils and landforms, soil mapping and report preparation/use and basic procedures in land assessment. Prerequisite: SO 210. | ||||||
| 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 | 350 | Wildlife Biodiversity | 3 | |||
| Conserving biodiversity requires primary knowledge of the species present. Students learn to distinguish terrestrial wildlife biodiversity of the Prairie Provinces through the comparison of apparent characteristics, ecological and biological attributes and selected calls. Students develop a pollinator conservation project and learn the survey protocols for selected wildlife species. | ||||||