RFW 255 Spring Field School

School of Environment and Geomatics

RFW 255 RFW Field School is a two-week course in the spring where students learn and apply field-related skills directly in activities related to the recreation, fish and wildlife professional areas. Activities include canoeing, navigation, fish habitat surveys, habitat enhancement, wildlife survey, ATV safety, and trail work. Students who successfully complete the canoeing section will receive certification. Students who successfully complete the optional electrofishing section will also receive certification. The intention is to cover skills and learning objectives that do not fit well into a regular semester schedule. In addition, many of the activities are intended to prepare students for RFW 200 - Fall Field Study, and for summer employment.

Prerequisites: Admission to the second year of the RFW program.

Accessibility Services Notice

Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.

Transfer Agreements

Course to Course transfer – YesBlock Transfer – Yesbctransferguide.ca

Course Details
Total number of weeks	2
Total Credits
Total Hours	64

Typical hours per week breakdown
Other	32

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

Demonstrate the skills to achieve the RCABC Basic Lakewater Tandem Paddler certification
Navigate competently using a map, compass, and GPS
Describe some field techniques used in wildlife and fisheries management
Demonstrate a variety of skills required by typical technicians such as radio use, ATV use, and job safety analysis
Apply safe and effective electrofishing practices (optional)
Demonstrate advanced canoeing skills (optional)
Participate in a trail project which may involve development, construction, and maintenance
Work professionally, safely and efficiently in a variety of terrain and weather conditions

Teaching and Learning Approach

This course is comprised of 10 mostly field-based days at locations near Castlegar. Activities are hands-on and focused on developing relevant skills common in employment in natural resource careers.

Learning Resources

Required: Students will be required to provide basic PPE’s such as gloves, safety glasses and solid footwear as well as a few other items specific to the activities (see full list of required equipment provided on the RFW 255 Moodle site). A few instructional videos and handouts may be used. Recommended: None

Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered

1. Creston Overnight Trip (Field Lab) 2. Creston Overnight Trip (Field Lab) 3. Ecosystem Inventory (Field Lab) 4. AM: Quads (Lecture) PM: Field Safety / Navigation (Lecture) 5. Trail construction and maintenance (Field Lab) 6. Navigating in the backcountry (Field lab) 7. Electrofishing Lecture (students chose this option or an alternate activity) 8. Section 1a: AM Quad Safety + PM: Electrofishing exam Section 1b: AM Electrofishing exam + PM Quad Safety Section 2: Canoeing 9. Section 1: Safety Day Section 2a: AM Quad Safety + PM: Electrofishing exam Section 2b: AM Electrofishing exam + PM Quad Safety 10. TBA

Assessment

Title	Learning Outcomes	Value
Participation and completion of all course activities (Credit Granted basis)		CRG/NCG
Total		CRG/NCG

Grading Table

Competency-based Grades

This grading system is based on satisfactory acquisition of defined skills or successful completion of the course learning outcomes. It is used where standard numerical grades are not generally applied, for example in evaluating practicum performance or work placements, in pass/fail courses or for non-credit courses.

Grade	Description
AAV	ABOVE AVERAGE -The student has mastered all or most course objectives/requirements in a minimum time frame and has exemplified good work and study habits.
COM	COMPLETE – denotes that the student has mastered a satisfactory number of course objectives/requirements in a non-credit course
CRG	CREDIT GRANTED - denotes that the student performance was satisfactory in a credit course.
NCG	NO CREDIT GRANTED - denotes that the student performance was unsatisfactory.
PCG	PARTIAL CREDIT GRANTED – denotes that the student has successfully completed a portion of the course objectives in a credit course.

See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.

Disclaimer

Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.