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
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements to Selkirk College, the applicant must meet the following Environment and Geomatics Programs requirements to be considered fully-qualified:
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.
General
a) Applicants must submit a completed application form and other required documents (i.e. secondary school and any post-secondary transcripts, application package) to the Registrar’s office.
Forest Technology
Applicants to the first year of the Forest Technology program will be considered "fully qualified" and admissible to the program when they possess:
(i) One or more of the following or equivalents are recommended but not required for admission:
(a) Class 5 Driver's license
(b) Occupational First Aid Level 1 with Transportation Endorsement and/or Wilderness First Aid
(ii) Most learning activities within the program reflect industry norms. Training often occurs in forested and front or back country terrain. Therefore, applicants should be in good health and physical condition. Activities will be taught which require student participation walking and hiking outside for up to 10 hours per day and up to two weeks in duration. Students will be required to hike, snowshoe, etc. for four to eight hours at a time over rough, sometimes hazardous terrain in all weather conditions. Activities in which the student must participate may include but are not limited to the following: hiking and scrambling, orienteering, snowshoeing, and operating power equipment such as chainsaws. Other activities may include touring and observing active industrial operations. Students will be required to observe all standard and required safety practices and procedures at all times.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The Application process is complete and admission to first year will be considered with:
1. Receipt of the "Application for Admission" form plus the required application fee, and;
2. Receipt of official high school and post-secondary education transcript(s) or interim transcript or proof of registration in prerequisite courses (if in Grade 12), and;
3. The date when an applicant's file is complete is the date when all the requirements of a) and b) above have been fulfilled.
CHANGE OF PROGRAM
There is some limited availability for students to change programs in the first year however, the following conditions must be met:
1. Students who want to change programs must apply in writing to the School Chair before January 15th during the first year of their original program.
2. Program changes will only be permitted provided there is space as determined by the School Chair.
3. Students may need to complete prerequisite courses prior to the beginning of the second year.
Graduation and Promotion
In order to receive your credential in your program, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00.
PROMOTION
1. Promotion to Subsequent Semester
Each semester must be completed with a Grade Point Average of 2.00 ("C" average) or better with no more than two grades below a "C" to continue into the next semester. GPA will be based on all grades for courses scheduled for a given year and semester as per the course calendar. All grades below a "C" grade must be raised to a satisfactory level to graduate.
Students not eligible to continue to the next semester must repeat all courses with grades below a "C" prior to proceeding to the next semester.
2. Admission Requirements - Second Year
Normally all first-year courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better before a student is admitted to the second year of their program. Students in this situation should contact the School Chair.
3. "C-" Grade
Students receiving a final grade of "C-" in the prerequisite course will be required to withdraw from the subsequent course requiring the prerequisite. Students receiving the "C-" grade must re- register in, and successfully complete the course with a "C" grade or better before going on to the subsequent course.
4. "P" Grade
Students receiving a final grade of "P" in a prerequisite course will not be allowed to register in a subsequent course requiring the prerequisite. Students receiving the "P" grade must re- register in, and successfully complete the course with a "C" grade or better before going on to the subsequent course.
5. "F" Grade
A grade of "F" requires re-registering in, and repeating, the entire course. Under normal circumstances and due to changing course content, students receiving an "F" in a course(s) will be required to repeat the course within one year to receive credit. If an "F" grade is received twice in a particular course, the student will not be allowed to repeat the course again and will be required to withdraw from the program.
GRADUATION
Credentials:
i. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a final grade of "C" or better in all courses in the Forest Technology, Integrated Environmental Planning Technology Program, Recreation, Fish and Wildlife Technology Program is required for graduation.
ii. A student will be expected to complete the requirements for a diploma within a maximum of four years from the initial admission.
iii. No diploma will be awarded without meeting all obligations to the College. This includes returning all equipment signed out and paying all outstanding fees.
b. Types of Credential Received
Diplomas – Forest Technology; Applied Environmental Science and Planning Technology 1; Recreation, Fish and Wildlife Technology
1 New credential applies to Fall 2023 intake and going forward.
c. Requirements: (see Policy 8617: Graduation)
INSTRUCTION: Graduation requirement table must contain the following elements: course (abbreviation and number), name of course, and number of credits as illustrated below.
Certificates: All students require a valid OFA level 1 first aid certificate at the time of graduation. RFW students require one additional certificate of their choice from the list of acceptable credentials published yearly by the School.
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