Environmental Sciences
ES: Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Major Courses
Location
Vermilion
Credential
Diploma
Program Length
2 years
Year 1 required courses
| BI 110 Ecology & Field Biology - 3 credits |
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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, and ecosystem productivity. Time is spent in the field studying biotic and abiotic relationships in local community types using standard ecological field methods. Pre/corequisites: 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: none. Co-requisites: BI 110 |
| 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 |
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This course introduces students to inorganic chemistry with an emphasis on environmental applications. Basic chemical concepts such as chemical bonding, chemical reactions and state of matter are presented in the lecture series with application of those concepts in the laboratory component. Pre/co-requisites: None |
SC 125 Environmental Mapping & Technology - 3 credits |
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This course is an introduction to the theory and techniques of collecting, using, manipulating, and displaying spatial data in the field of environmental sciences. Students first learn general environmental mapping; focused on map reading, map contents, coordinates systems and the National Topographic System (NTS maps). Global Positioning System (GPS) instruments are used for navigation, and students learn to collect and upload differentially corrected field coordinate data. Key concepts in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and remote sensing are then introduced. Students learn the fundamentals of GIS, including map projections, data models, spatial analysis, and environmental applications of GIS. Lastly, students are introduced to the principles of remote sensing, to the various types and sources of drone and satellite imagery and to a variety of remote sensing applications in the environmental sciences. Students gain practical experience and introductory proficiency in GIS using the ESRI suite of GIS products, including ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro. Pre/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 |
ZO 105 Introductory Wildlife - 3 credits |
| New course fall 2024. Outline under development |
There's a new optional work-integrated learning course for all Environmental Science majors! If taken in between year 1 and year 2, students can opt out of BI 210 or SC 301 in year 2.
EPR 200 Environmental Science Practicum - 3 credits |
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This work integrated learning course for all majors in the Environmental Sciences Diploma program provides a minimum 120 hours work experience in which students prepare themselves for career by applying theory-based concepts and lab experience in a workplace environment between their 1st and 2nd year studies. P/F. Prerequisites: Successful completion of a minimum of 30 cu of course work in one of the Environmental Sciences diploma programs with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Corequisites: none. |
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 |
| 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 |
| ZO 213 Fisheries Biology & Techniques - 3 credits |
| This course covers the ecology, anatomy, physiology, and behaviour of fish. Emphasis is on freshwater fish species. Students are also introduced to various techniques and equipment used in the collection of fish and fisheries data through lecture and the practical application of these techniques during labs conducted out in the field. Prerequisite: BI 205. Co-requisite: None |
| ZO 214 Ornithology - 3 credits |
| This course is an introduction to the biology, behaviour, conservation and natural history of birds that breed or migrate through the prairie provinces. During lecture and laboratory sessions students learn to identify birds, predominantly adult male birds, using plumage characteristics, size, shape, behaviour and habitat associations. Students additionally learn to identify selected birds, predominantly songbirds, using songs and acoustic displays. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| ZO 225 Aquatic Organisms - 3 credits |
| This course covers the identification, biology, ecology, physiology, and behaviour of freshwater invertebrates. Students are introduced to techniques and equipment used in the collection of invertebrate organisms from both lakes and rivers. Laboratory work emphasizes the identification of freshwater invertebrates using the appropriate taxonomic keys. Prerequisite: BI 205. Co-requisites: None |
| ZO 245 Wildlife Habitat Conservation - 3 credits |
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The principle focus is identifying key habitats for the terrestrial vertebrate biodiversity of the Prairie Provinces. 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 so they can be identified in the field. Concepts for conserving, managing, and enhancing wildlife habitats for biodiversity and to mitigate disturbances are introduced. Prerequisites: BI 110 & BO 120. Co-requisites: None |
| ZO 250 Human & Wildlife Coexistence - 3 credits |
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This course is an introduction to the relationships between humans and wildlife in North America, and how our approach to living with wildlife has evolved over time. Topics include the cultural significance of wildlife, history of European settlement in North America as it relates to wildlife, Alberta game species, progressive strategies for managing human-wildlife conflict, wildlife disease mitigation, and wildlife compensation programs. Perspectives including the value of biodiversity and basic wildlife requirements are discussed, with a focus on communicating this information to diverse audiences. Species at risk and the importance of associated protective legislations are explored. Practical skills are developed to identify “problem” wildlife and to minimize human-wildlife conflict by recognizing and implementing mitigation measures. Pre/Co-requisites: None |
ZO 300 Wildlife Biology - 3 credits |
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Students are introduced to some of the tools, techniques, and recognized protocols for wildlife conservation and management. Topics include wildlife identification (species, sex, age, taxonomy, and morphology), taking detailed field notes, techniques of wildlife capture, care and marking/tagging, wildlife behaviour, population dynamics, wildlife diseases, and firearms safety and handling. Pre/co-requisites: none |
| ZO 315 Wildlife Techniques - 3 credits |
| Students are introduced to some of the tools, techniques and recognized protocols for wildlife conservation and management. Topics include detailed field notes, techniques and protocols for animal capture, care and marking/tagging, animal behaviour, the sex-age categorization of wildlife, remote tracking techniques, chronic wasting disease surveillance and management and safe firearm operation. Prerequisite: ZO 300. co-requisites: None |
| ZO 410 Fisheries Management - 3 credits |
| This course is designed to familiarize the student with theoretical and practical aspects of fisheries management. Emphasis is placed on freshwater fisheries management issues in Western Canada. Students are introduced to concepts and techniques used in studying fish, fish harvesting, commercial fish culture and fish habitat. Prerequisite: ZO 213. Co-requisites: None |