Full-time Programs
ENVR - Environmental Technician/Technologist
Program Entry
SEPTEMBER
Program Length
Technician: Two-year Ontario College Diploma
Technology: Three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma
Option: One-year Ontario College Certificate – Chemical Laboratory Assistant
| Contact: | E-mail: |
|---|---|
| Karen Holder | kholder@loyalistc.on.ca |
On This Page
Highlights
- Choose a career where you can make an impact.
- Bioremediation techniques can reclaim once-contaminated environments for wildlife habitats, farming and the world’s increasing population.
- Leading-edge environmental laboratory facilities at Loyalist include: Greenhouse; Biological Water Purification System – living ecosystems that naturally purify wastewater; Environmental Instrumentation
- Internships provide on-the-job experience.
- The average starting salary for Environmental Technician graduates in Ontario is $28,670.
Career Opportunities
The momentum of “green” issues in mainstream politics has opened up many opportunities for environmental technicians and technologists:
- combat environmental contamination through prevention, pollution abatement (cleanup), waste reduction and public education;
- work within industries to reduce and clean up waste;
- conduct environmental investigations and enforcement for government agencies;
- monitor water and wastewater treatment, and safe drinking water for municipalities;
- provide technical support to consulting engineers, urban and rural planners, and environmental consultants.
Program Description
Prepare to get your hands dirty. Loyalist offers real-world learning for real-world problems:
- extensive field work
- hands-on instruction with the technologies of the future, in our environmental lab
- techniques to sample and analyze environmental contaminants
- examine the underlying social systems that contribute to pollutants in water, soil and air
The program features a common first-year curriculum:
- basic principles and techniques of organic chemistry and biology
- practical computer applications
- related communication skills
- after one year, students have the option to transfer into another biosciences program, or complete a placement to graduate with an Ontario College Certificate as a Chemical Laboratory Assistant
Second-year studies are more specialized:
- hands-on experience with chemical instrumentation
- emphasis on current legislation under the Environmental Protection Act
- work placement experience
- successful graduates are eligible for a technician diploma
Third-year technology studies feature:
- team-building activities focusing on major environmental projects
- topics are determined by students’ individual interests
- applied skills in surveying, data analysis and CAD
- transition to employment with a one-month job placement
DOUBLE DIPLOMA OPTION:
Overlapping areas of study make it possible to fast-track your way to a second diploma. Expand your opportunities with expertise in:
- Bio-food Technician
- Biotechnology Technician
- Chemical Engineering Technician or Technology
Approximate Cost
Tuition: $2,688 (two semesters)
Books and Supplies: $1,040
Consumables Fee: $100
Admission Requirements
Required academic preparation –
- OSSD/OSSGD or equivalent with courses at the general or advanced, (C), (U), (M) or (O) level
OR
- mature applicant
Recommended academic preparation –
- Grade 12 mathematics, chemistry, and physics at the (C), (U) or general level.
Loyalist / University Transfer
Turn your diploma into a degree. Transfer agreements are in place with the following institutions as of September 2006:
Athabasca University
Carleton University
Griffith University
Nipissing University
Royal Roads University
University College of Cape Breton
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
University of Western Ontario
Graduates may also contact the university of their choice to make individual arrangements. Informal agreements are in place with other institutions and new
transfer agreements are added annually. For more information on university transfer, please click here.
Curriculum
First Year - Semester One
BIOS 1000 Biology 1
This is an introductory course focusing on topics of cell structure and function, the flow of energy in cells, and the exchange of information in and between cells. Basic biological laboratory exercises augment theoretical material.
BIOS 1007 Foundation Skills in Science
This course is designed to: 1) raise awareness and interest regarding the place of science in everyday life, by exploring current local and global topics affecting life on Earth, and science's place in bringing these issues to our awareness; 2) develop sound critical thinking skills through exposure to the scientific method and experimental design; 3) apply transferable skills fundamental to scientific research and communication, and 4) learn of career opportunities in science through exposure to careers of current biosciences professors and local industry leaders.
CHEM 1000 General Chemistry 1
This introductory course focuses on the basic concepts associated with matter and energy. Topics include atomic structure; chemical bonds; states of matter; acids and bases; the nature of chemical reactions; charge-transfer reactions; chemical equilibria; measurements and scientific method in chemistry. Laboratory exercises supplement the course material to provide students with practical knowledge of general lab safety and standard laboratory procedures in chemistry.
CHEM 1001 Organic Chemistry 1
This course is designed as an introduction to organic chemistry. A special effort is made to illustrate the practical applications of organic chemistry to everyday life and biological processes.
COMM 1035 Communications 1
This course introduces students to essential language skills to communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in written, spoken and visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audiences. Students will reframe information, ideas and concepts using narrative, visual and symbolic representations which demonstrate understanding.
MATH 1003 Mathematics 1
Engineering and scientific applications involving the following areas: the SI system for dealing with exact and approximate numbers, exponents, solving equations, determinants and linear equations, curve sketching, graphing and trigonometry.
First Year - Semester Two
BIOS 1001 Introduction to Microbiology
This applied biology course provides an introduction to microbiological theory, specifically addressing the fundamentals of microbiology, bacterial morphology, growth, nutrition and control. The principal divisions of the field are discussed, and their economic or medical applications. Prerequistie: BIOS 1000
BIOS 1002 Biology 2
The relationship between structure and function is a fundamental principle of biology. This course in organismal biology emphasizes principles of anatomy and physiology of plants and animals within the context of problems that organisms must solve, including sensory perception and response to the environment, acquisition of oxygen and nutrients, excretion of wastes, movement, and reproduction. Prerequisite: BIOS 1000
CHEM 1002 Organic Chemistry 2
This course is designed as a continuation of introductory Organic Chemistry. Students learn nomenclature, structure, and physical and chemical properties of major groups of organic compounds, and differentiate among types of chemical reactions involving organic compounds. Emphasis is placed on the practical applications of organic chemistry to the biosciences and engineering. Lab exercises complement the theoretical components of the course. Pre-requisites CHEM 1001.
CHEM 1003 General Chemistry 2
This course gives an introduction to chemical kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base titration, electro and solution chemistry. Relevant lab work and techniques are emphasized. Prerequisite: CHEM 1000
MATH 1004 Mathematics 2/Computer Applications
Engineering and scientific applications involving properties of exponents, logarithms and special graphing techniques. Microsoft Excel will be used. Prerequisites: COMM 1001 & MATH 1003
Second Year - Semester Three
BIOS 2000 Microbiology
This applied biology course provides an introduction to microbiological theory and skills: specifically addressing microscopy, staining methods, cultivation of microorganisms, control of microbial growth, enumeration, water sanitary analysis and industrial application. Prerequisite: BIOS 1000
BIOS 2008 Field Biology
Field Biology provides and introduction to the theory of sampling procedures with practical experience in obtaining samples of both plant and animal, terrestrial and aquatic communities. Identification skills are stressed and elementary data processing introduced. Prerequisite: BIOS 1002
CHEM 2000 Analytical Chemistry 1
An introductory course dealing with the general methods of quantitative and qualitative chemical analysis. Laboratory work supplements the theory. Prerequisite: CHEM 1003
CHEM 2001 Instrumentation 1 Theory
This course stresses the basic concepts and techniques of chromatography (thin layer, column, paper, liquid and ion) and spectrophotometry (IR, UV, visible) and atomic absorption.. In addition, sample preparation is discussed. Prerequisite: CHEM 1003
ENVR 2000 Hydrology and Climatology 1
Hydrometric procedures including streamflow measurements, river-stage measurements, rating curves and weirs are discussed and observed. Basic meteorology is introduced.
MATH 2002 Data Analysis 1
Topics covered: measures of central tendency, measures of variation, frequency distributions, linear regression and the normal distribution. Microsoft Excel is used to generate statistical reports and graphs. Prerequisite: MATH 1003
Second Year - Semester Four
BIOS 1005 Ecology
A basic course in ecological theory, energy flow, biogeochemical cycles, the origin of life and speciation, community structure, population dynamics, and the interaction of organisms.
BLDG 3008 Fluids and Hydraulics
A study of flow in closed conduits and open channel, flow and fluid measurement and hydraulic machinery.
ENVR 2003 Environmental Protection Legislation
This course surveys Canadian environmental protection legislation addressing air quality, water quality, waste management, site decommissioning, noise, vibration, PCBs, and asbestos. Legislation enforcement, environmental fate, audits, risk assessment and emergency planning are introduced, and ISO standards are discussed.
ENVR 2004 Hydrogeology and Soils 1
This course deals with the geological occurrence of groundwater, principles of aquifers and the theory of groundwater movement.
ENVR 2005 Waste Management
This course covers basic waste management theory and practice. Although there are many kinds of waste, this course aims broadly to address topics like the current waste crisis; source, composition and properties of waste; planning processes and waste management hierarchy; techniques and practices for the treatment and disposal of waste; and site remediation and/or restoration resulting from inappropriate waste handling. Prerequisite: MATH 1004
ENVR 2006 Water/Wastewater
This course covers basic water treatment, primary and secondary waste water treatment. Laboratory exercises involving the appropriate analytical process control test are performed. Plant tours are incorporated at the end of each section. Prerequisites: MATH 1004 & CHEM 2000
ENVR 2007 Instrumentation Lab - Environmental
Laboratory exercises in instrumental analysis(GC, IC, HPLC, AA, UV/visible spectrophotometer HPLC). Sample preparation and instrument start up. Prerequisite: CHEM 1003
PLAC 2019 Placement (One Week)
A one-week placement in the field.
Third Year - Semester Five
ENVR 3001 Resource Management
Resource Management provides an introduction to the theory of managing physical and biological natural resources. Planning for sustainability with regard to ecosystems, food resources, biodiversity, mineral resources, water/land/air use, human populations and energy will be addressed. Prerequsite: BIOS 1005
ENVR 3002 Air Sampling & Monitoring Tech
This course introduces the basic applied principles of removing particulate and gaseous contaminants from an air stream. The occupational environment (indoors and outdoors) is evaluated via monitoring and analysis to detect and measure physical, chemical and biological agents present in specific areas and to which workers are potentially exposed.
ENVR 3004 Surveying
The basic principles of surveying practices are studied and the methods employed for distance and angular measurement , leveling procedures, care and use of transit and level, calculation and plotting of field data. Prerequisite: MATH 1003
ENVR 3006 Hydrogeology and Soils 2
This course deals with the study of wells and methods of geophysical investigation. Techniques for monitoring ground water contamination are introduced. Prerequisite: ENVR 2004
ENVR 3007 Emerging Trends
Initiatives surrounding Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Sustainability, Biofuels and Bioproducts represent a selection of topics addressed in this course which challenges and investigates alternatives to our current systems.
MATH 3000 Data Analysis 2
This is a course in Inferential Statistics. Topics covered are: the central limit theorem, discrete probability distributions, estimation (confidence intervals), chi-square distribution, analysis of variance. Microsoft EXCEL will be used to generate statistical reports and graphs. Prerequisite: MATH 2002
