Applied Environmental Science and Planning Technology - Diploma

Program Details

Length: 2 years

Total Credits: 74

Intake Terms: Fall

Delivery Method: In-person

Campus: Castlegar

Credential: Diploma

Cost:

Approximate program cost

Student Loans:

This program is eligible for student loans

Credential Received

Diploma in Applied Environmental Science and Planning Technology (New credential title)

Diploma in Integrated Environmental Planning Technology (Former credential title)

Overview

Program Summary

This nationally accredited Applied Environmental Science and Planning Technology (AESP) diploma program offers a diverse and complementary set of courses that prepare you for career-oriented professional opportunities in land-use planning, environmental management and environmental technology.

The AESP Program prepares students to meet growing needs for technologists capable of assisting in all areas of land-use and environmental planning, environmental chemistry and hydrology, applied ecology and microbiology and geographic information systems. Graduates possess the practical field and laboratory skills and technical competencies not only to acquire, compile, analyze, evaluate and present environmental information but also to integrate it effectively into formal planning and review processes.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, learners will be able to:

1. Demonstrate professional ethics and competencies as environmental technologists

2. Integrate ecological knowledge to assess environmental conditions

3. Analyze the hydrology and ecology of the atmosphere, rivers, lakes, watersheds, and groundwater

4. Apply environmental procedures for monitoring air, water, sediment, and biological media

5. Apply environmental assessment, mitigation, remediation, and restoration techniques

6. Collect, evaluate, and summarize ecological and geospatial data

7. Design and implement a planning framework for identifying and addressing land use, environmental and social challenges, and opportunities across a variety of landscapes

8. Engage with a variety of audiences using diverse communication approaches including written, verbal, numeric, and graphic

9. Model strategies to encompass emerging science, technologies, regulatory environments, and societal shifts including climate change and mitigation, green energy, carbon accountability, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

10. Recognize the diversity of Indigenous Nations’ cultures and traditions as distinct knowledge systems that are valid and critical to building meaningful engagement, consultation, and collaborative relationships

11. Acknowledge the calls to Truth and Reconciliation and the United Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as inclusive and informed constructs for Indigenous rights and title in the stewardship of land, air, water, and all living things

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 a lab component) at the grade 11 or 12 level with a minimum of 67%
English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12, or ENGL 60 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 do not meet the above listed minimum requirements may still gain provisional acceptance for program seats if they can show proof of registration in prerequisite high school courses. Completion of these prerequisite courses must occur by July 31 before Fall Term start date.

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

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.

(i) One or more of the following or equivalent are recommended but not required for admission:

(a) Class 5 Driver's License

(b) Chemistry 11 and 12

(ii) Most learning activities within the program reflect industry norms. A demonstrated interest in, and aptitude for, outdoor work is essential as much of the work is done in the field, often under adverse weather and topographic conditions. Training often occurs in front and back country wilderness terrain. Therefore, applicants should be in good health and physical condition. Activities will be taught which require student participation working outside for up to 8 hours per day. Students will be required to traverse over rough, sometimes difficult terrain in all weather conditions. Activities in which the students participate may include hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing. Other activities may include touring and observing active industrial operations. Students will be required to observe all required and standard 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

PROMOTION

1. Promotion to Subsequent Semester
Each semester must be completed with a Grade Point Average of 2.00 or better with no more than two grades below a 60% 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.

2. Admission Requirements - Second Year
All first-year courses must be completed with a grade of 60% or better before a student is admitted to the second year of their program. Students in this situation should contact the School Chair.

3. Prerequisite Courses
Students receiving a final grade of lower than a 60% in a prerequisite course will not be able to register in the subsequent course requiring the prerequisite. Students in this situation must re- register in, and successfully complete the course with a minimum grade of 60% before going on to the subsequent course.

GRADUATION

Credentials:

i. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a minimum grade of 60% in all courses in the 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

Diploma – Applied Environmental Science and Planning Technology

Note: New credential applies to Fall 2023 intake and going forward.

c. Requirements: (see Policy 8617: Graduation)

Certificates: All students strongly recommended to have a valid Worksafe BC approved first aid certificate at the time of graduation. These courses are offered throughout the year through Selkirk College Community Education & Workplace Training.

CO-OP EDUCATION

This program is eligible for co-op education opportunities. Co-op education courses will provide students with documented, program relevant work experience that is recognized with a designation on their transcript.

Please refer to Policy 8370 Selkirk College Co-operative Education and Selkirk College Co-operative Education Procedures for additional information regarding Co-op Education at Selkirk College.

In order to receive your credential in your program, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00.

Program Courses

Term 1

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required first year common courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
ENVR150	Hydrology I	3.00	75
ENVR160	Surveying and Field Measurements	3.00	75
ENVR162	Applied Botany and Ecosystem Classification	3.00	75
ENVR164	Soil and Earth Sciences	3.00	75
ENVR190	Computer Applications in Natural Resource Management	1.00	30
MATH160	Technical Math Review	3.00	45
TWC150	Introduction to Technical Writing and Communications I	3.00	45

Term 2

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required first year common courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
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.

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

These courses need to be completed at the end of April

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
AESP276	Ecological Restoration and Remediation	1.00	32
AESP277	Environmental Planning Field Applications	1.00	35

Term 3

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
AESP200	Field Trip Study	1.00	32
AESP250	Environmental Planning Applications I	3.00	75
AESP260	Systems Ecology	3.00	75
AESP270	GIS Applications I	2.00	45
AESP280	Environmental Chemistry	4.00	90
MATH291	Resource Statistics II	2.00	30
ENVR250	Indigenous Rights and Environmental Management	3.00	45

Term 4

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required second year courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
AESP251	Integrated Planning Applications II	3.00	75
AESP255	Hydrology II	2.00	60
AESP266	Applied Microbiology	3.00	75
AESP271	GIS Applications II	2.00	45
AESP281	Water and Air Pollution Chemistry	4.00	90
AESP291	Applied Research Project	1.00	15
AESP290	Environmental Sustainability and Practice	3.00	60

Additional Program Policies

Effective Term: Fall

Effective Year: 2025-08-01

Advanced Standing:

Advanced or Transfer Credit and Prior Learning Assessment
1. Students may apply for transfer credit for individual courses taken at other institutions providing a grade of "C" or better was achieved.
2. A student who applies for advanced program standing from another resource management program will not necessarily receive block credit transfer for all courses taken previously within that program. Course equivalencies will be considered individually.

Assessment:

Grading
1. Grading will be based on the categories defined in Standard Academic and Career Grading Table with the exception of AESP 200, 276 and 277 which will be assigned CRG/NCG grade as defined in the Competency-Based Grading Table. To view the grading tables see Policy 8612: Grading.

Grading Table: Standard Academic and Career Programs

Types of Assessments:

Assignments
1. The frequency of evaluation will vary with individual courses as specified in the course outlines.
Field and Laboratory Evaluation
1. Students will be continually evaluated on their performance in field and laboratory situations. These evaluations will focus on skill and attitude competencies including, but not limited to; ability to complete a skill effectively, ability to work effectively with a partner(s), punctuality, honesty, integrity, general safety, efficiency, neatness, quality of work, and ability to follow instructions. The evaluation of these factors will be considered by instructors when grading professionalism.
Examinations
1. In some courses, students must receive a passing grade on specified exams in order to pass the course. The details will be explained in the applicable course outlines.
2. Students may be allowed to make alternative exam arrangements, with the appropriate instructor, for valid and verifiable reasons such as medical emergency, family bereavement, or jury duty.
3. Any alternate arrangements for final examinations must be approved by the School Chair or designate.
4. Tests and exams are the property of the college and normally will be retained by the instructor.
Supplemental Assessment(s)
1. Supplemental final examinations/activities will only be considered upon written request by the student to the course instructor and will need to be approved by both the instructor and the school chair.
2. At no time will the mark on a supplemental examination/activity exceed the equivalent of a "C" grade for the evaluative event.
3. Normally, only one supplemental final examination/activity will be allowed in the program.

Non-Academic Skills

Some courses in the School of Environment and Geomatics programs involve rigorous physical activity and/or mechanical skills. If students are unable to meet the physical requirements they will be required to contact their instructor(s) and School Chair to determine a plan of action.

Program Specific Regulations:

Physical Health and Safety
1. Students will be provided with information about safety issues prior to specific activities and must provide informed consent prior to attendance. It is the student's responsibility, when admitted, to inform the School Chair of any health-related conditions (e.g., diabetes, epilepsy, allergies), or required prescription drugs, which could lead to problems in isolated or field situations. This information is for safety reasons only. Students should also inform the School Chair of any physical problems that may create difficulties for them in the program such as colour blindness or lack of stereo vision. For all school field activities refer to the School of Environment and Geomatics Risk Management Policy (see also Policy 3400).

Attendance:

Scheduled class and Laboratory Periods
1. Attendance at all classes is mandatory. Absences from laboratory periods will result in lost marks and cannot be repeated. Students absent from classes or laboratories will be responsible for completing the work missed. Upon the recommendation of the course instructor to the School Chair, students who have been absent from either two labs and/or four lectures, without a prior and/or confirmed acceptable excuse, may be required to withdraw from the course.

Assignments:

Evaluative Events
1. Students must attend evaluation events (quizzes, examinations, skills evaluation, etc.) at the time these events are scheduled. Supplemental evaluations may be allowed for absences due to unplanned circumstances beyond the control of the student such as illness, compassionate reasons, court appearances, etc. All supplemental evaluations must be approved by the Instructor and the School Chair. Students are required to inform the instructor in writing of planned absences prior to an evaluation event taking place and must have the written permission of the instructor to be absent. Where an instructor is unable to redo an event, the student will be informed.

Other regulations:

Probation
1. The School will follow the probationary terms in Policy 8619: Student Probation.