Forest Technology – Diploma
Program Details
Diploma in Forest Technology
Overview
Program Summary
Our Forestry Technology Program is nationally accredited and upon graduation, students are eligible to enrol to become registered forest technologists with the Association of BC Forest Professionals.
This program provides an ideal starting point for learners excited by the combined career challenges of working in BC’s rugged outdoors and finding modern solutions to current forest management issues. Our primary goal is to provide job-ready graduates to potential employers in both private industry and government.
Our program focuses on the following principles in order to optimize our students’ learning experience:
- Instruction by practicing resource professionals
- Maximization of outdoor learning opportunities in real forest environments
- Collaboration with industry professionals to provide exposure to current practices in all aspects of forest management
- Familiarization with current forest technology used by industry employers
Commitment to student success in a fun and close-knit learning environment. Graduates will gain proficiency in all of the following in the specific context of British Columbia forestry: forest ecology, forest road location, harvesting techniques, wildlife habitat identification, silviculture systems, surveying, timber cruising, hydrology, forest health, wildfire management, geographic information systems, data management, forest policy, and relationship-building with First Nations communities.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, learners will be able to:
1. Implement best management practices within the current legal framework to facilitate and communicate ethical, science-based forestry
2. Practice forestry that reflects diverse public values through consultation, collaboration, and communication with a variety of interest groups
3. Use critical thinking, appropriate data collection strategies, and quantitative summaries to focus forestry practices
4. Collect, analyze, and interpret forestry-related data using accepted, industry-relevant technology
5. Access current landscape-level management directives and understand how they influence stand-level management decisions
6. Use geospatial technologies to manage diverse data sources for informing forest practices
7. Interpret ecological disturbance types such as changing climate, wildfire, and others, in ecosystem structure, health, and function as a basis for management prescriptions
8. Apply a personal growth mindset as part of effective teamwork, while respecting workplace diversity, culture, and gender differences
9. Apply learned skills and a problem-solving mindset to facilitate successful employment within the profession of forestry
10. Employ safe work practices across the spectrum of forestry work
11. Model a commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as they relate to forestry and land management in British Columbia
12. Recognize the diversity of Indigenous Nations’ cultures and traditions as distinct knowledge systems that are valid when building respectful engagement, consultation, and collaborative relationships
13. Acknowledging the Calls to Truth and Reconciliation, explore how ecosystem management can include Indigenous perspectives and practices in a reciprocal approach
Program Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
Successful completion of these high-school or equivalent courses:
- Foundations of Mathematics 11 with a minimum of 67% or higher
- Any BC Science Curriculum (with at lab component) at the grade 11 or 12 level with a minimum of 67%
- English Studies 12 with a minimum of 67% or higher
NOTE: Applicants in Grade 12 at the time of application must show proof of registration or completion of the above courses.
Additional Requirements
Applicants that require upgrading may still gain provisional acceptance for program seats if they can show proof of registration (with time for likely completion) of prerequisite high school courses before Fall Term start dates.
All applicants must be in good health and reasonably good physical condition. A demonstrated interest in, and aptitude for, outdoor work is essential as much of the work is done in the field, often under adverse and arduous weather and topographic conditions. A self-assessment fitness checklist is available on request.
Computer competency is an important element of success in the program. Prior to starting the program, it is strongly recommended that students have entry-level experience with word processor, spreadsheet and web-browsing software. Check out Selkirk College Community Education & Workplace Training computer courses.
Graduation and Promotion
In order to receive your credential in your program, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00.
Program Courses
Term 1
Required first year common courses
| ENVR150 | Hydrology I | 3.00 | 75 |
| ENVR160 | Surveying and Field Measurements | 3.00 | 90 |
| ENVR162 | Applied Botany and Ecosystem Classification | 3.00 | 75 |
| ENVR164 | Soil and Earth Sciences | 3.00 | 75 |
| ENVR190 | Computer Applications I | 1.00 | 30 |
| MATH160 | Technical Math Review | 3.00 | 45 |
| TWC150 | Introduction to Technical Writing and Communications I | 3.00 | 45 |
Term 2
Required first year common courses
| ENVR154 | Maps and Navigation | 2.00 | 60 |
| ENVR158 | Introduction to Geomatics | 2.00 | 45 |
| ENVR163 | Terrestrial Ecology and Biology | 4.00 | 90 |
| ENVR170 | Fish and Wildlife Ecology | 3.00 | 75 |
| MATH190 | Resource Statistics I | 3.00 | 45 |
| TWC151 | Introduction to Technical Writing and Communications II | 3.00 | 45 |
The following Field School course is a requirement to successfully complete the first year of your program.
This course needs to be completed at the end of April
| FOR278 | ForestryTechnology Field School | 2.00 | 70 |
Term 3
Required second year courses
| FOR250 | Silviculture I | 4.00 | 105 |
| FOR260 | Applied Forest Hydrology and Engineering | 4.00 | 105 |
| FOR265 | Forest Measurements | 3.00 | 90 |
| FOR271 | Applied Ecology and Range Management | 3.00 | 75 |
| FOR274 | Forest Health | 4.00 | 90 |
| FOR280 | Applied Research Project | 1.00 | 30 |
Term 4
Required second year courses
| ENVR250 | Indigenous Rights and Environmental Management | 3.00 | 45 |
| FOR200 | Field Trip Study | 1.00 | 32 |
| FOR251 | Silviculture II | 4.00 | 105 |
| FOR253 | Forest Policy and Resource Management | 2.00 | 45 |
| FOR261 | Forest Harvesting | 3.00 | 90 |
| ENVR291 | Computer Applications in Resource Management | 2.00 | 45 |
Additional Program Policies