Environmental Sciences
Environmental Sciences Land Stewardship and Conservation Major Courses
Location
Vermilion
Credential
Diploma
Program Length
2 years
Year 1 required courses
| BI 110 Ecology & Field Biology - 3 credits |
| This course introduces fundamental ecological principles and concepts. Interactions between organisms and their environments are emphasized throughout. Major themes include: the physical environment, natural selection, plant and animal adaptations, population dynamics, predator-prey systems, co evolutionary interactions, population genetics, and ecosystem productivity. Time is spent in the field studying biotic and abiotic relationships in local community types using standard ecological field methods. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| BI 205 Limnology: Lakes & Rivers - 3 credits |
| 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. Co-requisites: None |
| BI 270 Managing Rangeland Ecosystems - 3 credits |
| A study of rangeland ecology, this course focuses on soil-plant-animal-water interactions in rangeland ecosystems. Basic factors determining survival and the competitive strategy of range plants are studied in detail. Sound range management strategies designed to ensure ecosystem stability and sustainability are emphasized. Considerable time is spent in lab learning to key and identify native plants. Prerequisite: BO 120. Co-requisites: None |
| BO 120 Field Botany & Plant Taxonomy - 3 credits |
| 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. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| CO 166 Scientific Writing & Computer Applications - 3 credits |
| This course explores fundamental approaches to scientific writing. Considerable time is spent discussing what constitutes critical content and how that content is effectively organized for a variety of documents used in the scientific industry. Strategies for efficient technical writing are emphasized for discipline-specific applications. Students become familiar with common computer software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| MA 202 Statistics & Data Management - 3 credits |
| This course provides an introduction to the basic statistical procedures and data management techniques commonly used in the environmental sciences. Emphasis is placed on methods for organizing, storing, retrieving, analyzing, graphing and interpreting environmental data with database and spreadsheet software. Major analytical topics include measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability distributions, parametric and non-parametric hypothesis tests, correlation analysis, simple linear regression, and single-factor analysis of variance. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| SC 110 Inorganic Chemistry - 3 credits |
| 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. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| SC 120 Maps, Air Photos & GPS - 3 credits |
| This course is an introduction to map reading, map contents, coordinate systems and the National Topographic System (NTS maps). Students practice map interpretation, measurement, and scale calculations, and learn to interpret contours and visualize relief. Compass use and basic field orienteering is taught. Aerial photography is introduced, with an emphasis on an understanding of annotation, scale, measurement, indexing and purchase of both print and digital products. Students practice stereo viewing, and learn to relate aerial photos to maps at different scales. Global Positioning System (GPS) instruments are used for navigation, and students learn to collect and upload differentially corrected field coordinate data. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| SC 140 Environmental Sustainability - 3 credits |
| This course focuses on human interactions with the environment. The environmental impacts of food production and agriculture, forestry, mining, energy processing, urbanization, and other land-use activities are explored. Considerable time is spent investigating current environmental issues within the context of society: water quantity and quality, global warming, air pollution, and the biodiversity crisis. National and Provincial environmental policy relating to these issues is also investigated. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| SC 200 Organic Chemistry - 3 credits |
| This course is a study of the 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 the assessment of environmental quality, are covered. Prerequisite: SC 110. Co-requisites: None |
| SC 220 GIS & Remote Sensing - 3 credits |
| Concepts in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and remote sensing are covered in this course. The first half of the course focuses on the fundamentals of GIS, including coordinate systems and map projections, data models, spatial analysis, and environmental applications of GIS. The second half of the course focuses on the principles of remote sensing, working with aerial and satellite imagery and introduces various applications of remote sensing in the environmental sciences. Students gain practical experience and introductory proficiency in GIS using the ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online platforms. Prerequisite: SC 120. Co-requisites: None |
| SO 210 Introductory Soil Science - 3 credits |
| This course provides an overview of soil formation processes and the fundamental morphological, physical, chemical and biological characteristics of soil. Students gain knowledge of soils through lectures and hands on experience. Students become familiar with The Canadian System of Soil Classification to the Order level and the issues associated with ‘problem soils’. Prerequisites: None. Co-requisites: SC 200 |
Year 2 required courses
| BI 210 Forest Ecology - 3 credits |
| This course is an introduction to forest ecology and ecological forest management. The impacts of industry and other land-use on forests are investigated at a 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 are used to develop field skills in tree and shrub identification, forest insect and disease identification, timber cruising, forest harvesting, stand assessment, and ecosystem classification. Prerequisites: BI 110 & BO 120. Co-requisites: None |
| BI 317 Wetlands Classification & Management - 3 credits |
| Wetland ecosystems and riparian area health and key ecological functions are studied. Wetland classification and delineation assessments related to current land use regulations and policy are discussed and practiced. Best management practices that promote stewardship, sustainable land use, and health 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 & BO 120. Co-requisites: None |
| SC 281 Invasive Plant Ecology & Management - 3 credits |
| This course focuses on vegetation management strategies for industrial sites, natural areas, and anthropogenic landscapes. Plant biology and competitive strategies of weed specie are studied in detail with emphasis on invasive plants. Integrated tools and techniques for control are described and include prevention, cultural, manual, physical, and chemical approaches. Students spend considerable time in lab identifying weed species, seedlings, and seeds. Prerequisites: BI 270 & BO 120. Co-requisites: None |
| SC 301 Applied Hydrology - 3 credits |
| 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. Pre/co-requisites: None |
SC 307 Environmental Site Assessment - 3 credits |
| Students gain a basic understanding of how to evaluate contaminated sites through the processes of a Site Assessment, Site Characterization, and the parallel process of Environmental Risk Assessment. More and more frequently, the effective management of environmental risks (i.e. contamination) and remediation of contaminated sites requires a basic understanding of the science, policy and culture of risk assessment and risk management. Prerequisites: SC 110 & SC 200 or equivalents. Co-requisites: None |
| SC 329 Fundamentals of Restoration Ecology - 3 credits |
| 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. The processes included form foundational knowledge for optimal land stewardship. 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 and practice industrially recognized skills employed in restoration. Prerequisites: BI 110 & BO 120. Co-requisites: None |
| SC 444 Land Use & Urban Ecology - 3 credits |
| This course focuses on land-use planning frameworks, legislation and policies, and explores concepts of urban ecology and development, while also addressing economic sustainability and land conservation in urban and rural environments. The knowledge of these tools provides students with skills to assess and coordinate activities that impact land-use and stewardship. Emphasis is on integrated land management, best management practices, and environmental assessments, including urban environments. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| SC 470 Applied Techniques in Restoration - 3 credits |
| 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 develop critical thinking and analytical decision making skills through scientific review, case studies and discussion. Prerequisites: SC329 & SO340. Co-requisites: None |
| SO 320 Soil Conservation - 3 credits |
| 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. Prerequisite: SO 210. Co-requisites: None |
SO 340 Soil Classification & Landforms - 3 credits |
| This is an in-depth study of the Canadian System of Soil Classification with emphasis on the factors affecting soil genesis and taxonomy. Topics include geology, glaciation, weathering and the chemistry and physics of Canadian soils. Extensive fieldwork focuses on methods of classifying soils and landforms, soil mapping and report preparation/use, and basic procedures in land assessment. Prerequisite: SO 210 or equivalent. Co-requisites: None |
| ZO 245 Wildlife Habitat Conservation - 3 credits |
| Wildlife habitat requirements, diets, distributions, and legal status designations are profiled for wildlife that range in the Prairie Provinces. Wildlife field signs are described and distinguished in the field. Field sampling technique and data collection protocols for habitat are introduced and practiced. Key concepts for conserving, managing and enhancing wildlife habitats for biodiversity and for mitigating disturbances are introduced. Prerequisites: BI 110 & BO 120. Co-requisites: None |
ZO 350 Wildlife Biodiversity - 3 credits |
| Conserving biodiversity requires knowledge and understanding of wildlife species. Students identify species, compare their taxonomy, explore their ecology and how these species are essential components of the environments in which they live. Population dynamics and species reintroduction are studied. Students gain practical experience conducting visual and auditory wildlife surveys. There is special emphasis on the conservation of pollinators. Pre/co-requisites: None |