Natural Resources Technician Certificate

Program Details

Program Phone Number

780-623-6578

Program Description

The Natural Resources Technician certificate is designed to prepare students for lifetime engagement with the major environmental challenges facing society. This program prepares learners for increasingly diverse career opportunities in the private sector, in government, and in non-governmental organizations. The program emphasizes the importance of stewardship of the natural resources that involves cooperative planning and management of environmental resources with communities and organizations to engage in the prevention of loss of habitat and facilitate its recovery in the interest of long term sustainability. The program explores the integration of ecological knowledge with an understanding of social institutions and policies in ways that support biodiversity, the practice of sustainable resource management, and the careful management of other ecological and environmental systems. Courses such as Environmental Monitoring, Vegetation Taxonomy, Aboriginal Land Management, and Aquatic Ecology are intended to emphasize the importance of knowing all the components that influence the management of our environment. There is emphasis on applied knowledge and, as a complement to classroom instruction, many courses have field components.

Credential

Certificate

Admission Requirements

Grade 12 High School Diploma with at least ELA30-1 or English 30, ELA30-2 or English 33, Biology 30 or Chemistry 30, Math 30 or 33 or Math 30-1 or 30-2, Math 30 Applied or Pure, high school transcripts OR successful completion of Forestry Technician certificate program from Portage College, or equal program with recommendation from Program Coordinator. Individuals who lack the required academic background may be granted admission based on mature status. Placement testing is required, and an interview with the Program Coordinator may be required. Please refer to the following link for minimum technical requirements at our Moodle Site.

Practicum

April 29, 2013 - June 14, 2013

Career Potential

Graduates will find employment with governmental agencies, research assistants, and private industries in oil and gas and forestry. Duties could range from pre-site assessments, dealing with environmental issues during disturbance, reclamation activities, vegetation reestablishment and facility monitoring.

Transferability

N/A

Program Schedule, Fees & Locations:

Please refer to the link below for current schedule and fees.

Program Schedule & Fees 2011 - 2012

Program Schedule & Fees 2012 - 2013

Course List

• FTEC010 - FOREST MAPPING

  Course ID: FTEC010

  Name: FOREST MAPPING

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 2

  Students will develop the skills to perform forestry math calculations and conversions. The use of forestry maps and aerial photographs and their application are studied.

  
  
• FTEC011 - INTRODUCTORY FOREST SCIENCES

  Course ID: FTEC011

  Name: INTRODUCTORY FOREST SCIENCES

  Hours: 27

  Credits: 1

  This course examines native trees and shrubs of Alberta. Students will be able to identify native trees and shrubs, recognize tree roots, stem, crown and explain their functions. Identification and analyses of different soil textures will be covered. Pre-harvest forest assessments will be demonstrated and practiced.

  
  
• FTEC015 - CAREER DEVELOPMENT

  Course ID: FTEC015

  Name: CAREER DEVELOPMENT

  Hours: 12

  Credits: 0.5

  This course prepares students for the workforce. Students explore different career opportunities and job expectations within the forest industry. They learn how to search and apply for jobs and plan for a career.

  
  
• FTEC016 - INTRO TO FOREST PROTECTION

  Course ID: FTEC016

  Name: INTRO TO FOREST PROTECTION

  Hours: 36

  Credits: 1.5

  Students will explore forest protection objectives in Alberta, with emphasis on current wildfire policy and insect and disease problems in Alberta. A Wildfire Orientation certificate will be acquired.

  
  
• FTEC019 - FIELD NAVIGATION

  Course ID: FTEC019

  Name: FIELD NAVIGATION

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 1.5

  Students develop the skills required to work with measurement equipment used for forest navigation purposes. Students are introduced to Global Positioning Systems using small hand-held units. Field proficiency in compassing and traversing to an industry standard are developed in this course.

  
  
• FTEC020 - FOREST MENSURATION

  Course ID: FTEC020

  Name: FOREST MENSURATION

  Hours: 48

  Credits: 2.5

  Students will become proficient in the use specialized instruments for forest sampling and timber cruising purposes. Students will be exposed to all types of forest sampling techniques used to assess standing timber.

  
  
• FTEC021 - FOREST HARVESTING OPERATIONS

  Course ID: FTEC021

  Name: FOREST HARVESTING OPERATIONS

  Hours: 12

  Credits: 0.5

  This course focuses on current harvesting practices and logging techniques. A variety of logging operations in Alberta are observed and studied. Logging practices on pipeline right-of-ways and oil leases will be examined in detail.

  
  
• FTEC027 - BASIC ROAD ENGINEERING

  Course ID: FTEC027

  Name: BASIC ROAD ENGINEERING

  Hours: 38

  Credits: 1.5

  Students will become familiar with logging road design for both main haul and cutblock roads. There is an emphasis on landforms and their relationship to road design, stream classifications, buffers and crossings.

  
  
• FTEC032 - ABORIGINAL LAND MANAGEMENT

  Course ID: FTEC032

  Name: ABORIGINAL LAND MANAGEMENT

  Hours: 42

  Credits: 2

  Consultation on all land dispositions with Aboriginal communities must be considered. Guidelines for consultation and understanding Aboriginal culture will be discussed. Guidelines for a traditional land use study will be included in this course.

  
  
• FTEC035 - REMOTE SENSING

  Course ID: FTEC035

  Name: REMOTE SENSING

  Hours: 24

  Credits: 1

  Aerial photo interpretation is a skill required by all field personnel. The use of aerial photos for planning purpose and field procedures are covered in this course.

  
  
• FTEC043 - REFORESTATION

  Course ID: FTEC043

  Name: REFORESTATION

  Hours: 30

  Credits: 1

  This course provides students with the training required to supervise a tree planting project with emphasis on proper stock handling, tree planting techniques, and planting quality checks on a tree planting operation.

  
  
• NRES011 - INTRODUCTION TO SOILS

  Course ID: NRES011

  Name: INTRODUCTION TO SOILS

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 2

  Introduction to Soils explores different parent geological material and deposition modes, horizons and general soil forming processes. Students will identify the soil orders of Alberta, typical soil types to vegetation expression, and principle reclamation practices.

  
  
• NRES012 - GEOHYDROLOGY

  Course ID: NRES012

  Name: GEOHYDROLOGY

  Hours: 24

  Credits: 1

  Students will study the water cycle, infiltration process, groundwater recharge principles, distribution of water, groundwater movement in the soil, quantification, quality, development potential, and conservation requirements in order to protect ground water.

  
  
• NRES014 - AQUATIC ECOLOGY

  Course ID: NRES014

  Name: AQUATIC ECOLOGY

  Hours: 42

  Credits: 2

  Students will identify and classify fish-bearing streams and lakes, fish habitat, fish species, and aquatic invertebrates. Students will learn and demonstrate water sampling techniques and methods of water quality testing. They will also employ different data collection and management methods when working with fish. This course will cover government legislation regarding open water and fisheries.

  
  
• NRES015 - WETLANDS & RIPARIAN AREAS

  Course ID: NRES015

  Name: WETLANDS & RIPARIAN AREAS

  Hours: 42

  Credits: 2

  This course is an introduction to wetlands and riparian areas, including their values, functions, classification, and legislative requirements. Students will learn how to assess wetland and riparian area health as well as basic management strategies.

  
  
• NRES016 - VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

  Course ID: NRES016

  Name: VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

  Hours: 30

  Credits: 1

  Students will study various weed classifications and control methods. Students will learn all of Alberta’s designated weeds and their primary controls. Mechanical and chemical weed control, weed prevention, and weed management systems will be discussed.

  
  
• NRES017 - TECHNICAL WRITING

  Course ID: NRES017

  Name: TECHNICAL WRITING

  Hours: 36

  Credits: 1.5

  Students will focus on effective workplace writing including letters, memos, reports, and resumes. Students learn document source material to ensure academic integrity and professional credibility. Students practice proofing and editing skills and the creation of visual impact. The course concludes with an overview of meeting management. Students use computers for all writing assignments.

  
  
• NRES018 - PETROLEUM LAND MANAGEMENT

  Course ID: NRES018

  Name: PETROLEUM LAND MANAGEMENT

  Hours: 12

  Credits: 0.5

  Students will review occupational profiles in the natural resources field, recognize career opportunities and limitations, and understand job requirements and skills needed in this industry.

  
  
• NRES021 - VEGETATION TAXONOMY

  Course ID: NRES021

  Name: VEGETATION TAXONOMY

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 2

  In this course students will learn how to identify plants, with an emphasis on learning plant family characteristics. Students will identify common native shrubs, forbs, graminoid species, mosses, and lichens of boreal Alberta.

  
  
• NRES023 - AGRO-FORESTRY

  Course ID: NRES023

  Name: AGRO-FORESTRY

  Hours: 30

  Credits: 1

  This course will provide the students with information on various agro-forestry systems currently in place around the world. Students will examine both the pros and cons of agro-forestry on the Alberta landscape and discuss the related issues. Alternative crop uses related to trees and shrubs, including bio-energy, fruits, nuts, wood fibre, silvopastures, alley cropping and carbon sequestration will be discussed.

  
  
• NRES026 - COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

  Course ID: NRES026

  Name: COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

  Hours: 34

  Credits: 1

  Computer software commonly used in the natural resource industry will be studied. A basic understanding of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and the use of the Internet for research purposes will be developed.

  
  
• NRES027 - ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

  Course ID: NRES027

  Name: ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

  Hours: 50

  Credits: 2.5

  This course is part of BEAHR Program which strives to increase awareness of, and access to, environmental training across Canada. The institute is involved in the research, development, design, and delivery of culturally relevant, skills-based, environmental training programs

  
  
• NRES029 - NATURAL RESOURCES MATH

  Course ID: NRES029

  Name: NATURAL RESOURCES MATH

  Hours: 12

  Credits: 0.5

  The students will develop a working knowledge of weight and measures, be able to convert metric and imperial values, and calculate area, volumes, flow rates in order to confidently calibrate equipment or estimate stockpile volumes.

  
  
• NRES031 - INTRO TO GPS/GIS

  Course ID: NRES031

  Name: INTRO TO GPS/GIS

  Hours: 30

  Credits: 1

  The process and application of Global Positioning Systems are examined in this course. Students will use GPS/GIS in navigation, data collection, and data transfer. GIS mapping relating to the natural resources industry will be practiced.

  
  
• NRES033 - NATURAL RESOURCES SAFETY

  Course ID: NRES033

  Name: NATURAL RESOURCES SAFETY

  Hours: 75

  Credits: 2

  Safety awareness and safety certification is a requirement in today’s working environment. WHMIS, TDG, H2S Awareness, Occupational Health and Safety policies, ATV Safety, Snowmobile Safety, and Chainsaw Safety training will be provided in this course.

  
  
• NRES035 - QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL SAMPLING METHODS

  Course ID: NRES035

  Name: QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL SAMPLING METHODS

  Hours: 22

  Credits: 1

  Students will demonstrate the skills required to collect various samples (water, soil, and plant tissue) and follow “chain of custody” procedures from field to laboratory. Developing an understanding of the process involved and legal implications will be examined.

  
  
• NRES041 - WORK EXPERIENCE

  Course ID: NRES041

  Name: WORK EXPERIENCE

  Hours: 120

  Credits: 2.5

  Students are placed with natural resource industry partners where they will assist in day-to-day field operations and learn valuable hands-on skills needed to be a successful employee.

  
  
• NRES045 - INTRO FISH & WILDLIFE

  Course ID: NRES045

  Name: INTRO FISH & WILDLIFE

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 2

  Students will learn the basic biology, ecology, and identification characteristics of Alberta’s major vertebrate species, with an emphasis on sport fish, game and other medium to large mammals, game birds and waterfowl, and species of conservation concern. Students will learn basic fish sampling techniques as well as the identification of wildlife sign. This course will also cover government legislation regarding fish and wildlife in Alberta.

  
  
• NRES047 - PEATLAND MANAGEMENT

  Course ID: NRES047

  Name: PEATLAND MANAGEMENT

  Hours: 18

  Credits: 0.5

  Identification of the terms and definitions used in the peat moss industry as well as characterization and qualities of peat, its uses, and the environmental issues associated with the harvesting and reclamation of peat lands will be studied.