Environmental Technology

CampusStart DateTuition/Fees
MiramichiSeptember 2023 (Blended Delivery) Domestic | International
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Program Overview

Climate change and environmental damage have become defining issues of our generation. Using science to heal some of the damage done by humans and helping to ensure sustainable practices in the future are what environmental technologists do. We work for nature, and our work has never been more vital. As the global population continues to grow, so does the impact humans have on our planet. If you're passionate about the environment, love working outdoors, and science and math are strong subjects for you, a career as an Environmental Technologist can ensure that your impact is a positive one that leads to a cleaner, healthier future for everyone.
 
In our Environmental Technology program, you'll learn how to operate laboratory, field, and monitoring equipment to sample, evaluate and analyze data collected from the air, water, groundwater, and soil. You'll work in the classroom, lab, and the field. When you graduate, you'll have the scientific knowledge and technical skills base to understand and help manage today's complex environmental challenges. Enroll today in the Environmental Technology program and pursue a career that helps protect, maintain, and restore our natural surroundings.

Duration

The requirements for this diploma program may be achieved within two years of full-time study.

Admission Requirements

    Profile I

  • High School Diploma or Adult High School Diploma or GED Diploma of High School Equivalency or Essential Skills Achievement Pathway: Post-Secondary Entry High School Diploma
    • Pre-calculus 110
      or
      Geometry and Applications in Mathematics 112 and Functions and Relations 112
      • Total of two (2) sciences, including at least one (1) from the following:
        • Biology 112 or 122
        • Chemistry 112 or 122
        • Physics 112 or 122

      NB Francophone High School Math Equivalencies
      International Student Admission Equivalencies

      Career Possibilities

      With evolving environmental legislation and the industry's expanding focus on environmental issues, employment opportunities in this field are growing, particularly within the private sector. Program graduates find a world of different options in areas such as health & safety, sustainability, and natural resources management.
       
      You may find employment with industry, the environmental consulting sector, federal or provincial governments, and other agencies or organizations involved with environmental issues. As our global economy and infrastructure grows, some environmental technologists find opportunities in civil engineering, providing technical support at consulting engineering and construction companies, public works, and other government departments. Ensuring public health and safety also present career options within government departments working as inspectors who evaluate restaurants, industrial establishments, municipal water systems, public facilities, institutions, and other workplaces to ensure compliance with government regulations.

      Find career possibilities related to this program in Career Coach

      Specific Considerations

      To achieve success in the Environmental Technology program, you should have a strong background in mathematics, science, and written communication. Applicants with a strong science background, especially in chemistry and biology, usually do well with the Environmental Technology curriculum. A considerable amount of training is in field work, so you should enjoy working outdoors.

      Technology Requirements
      NBCC is a connected learning environment. All programs require a minimum specification, including access to the internet and a laptop. Your computer should meet your program technology requirements to ensure the software required for your program operates effectively. Free wifi is provided on all campuses.

      Areas of Study

      • Environmental Assessments
      • Water Quality: Surface, Drinking, and Ground Water
      • Air Quality: Indoor and Outdoor
      • Field Skills (Canoeing & Wilderness First Aid)
      • Environmental Remediation and Restoration
      • GPS & GIS Technology
      • Ecosystem Science
      • Environmental Sampling Analysis
      • Environmental Management Systems
      • Pollution Control Systems
      • Soil Sciences
      • Applied Research
      • Mathematics
      • Sciences

      Program Courses

      Courses are subject to change.

      This course is designed to familiarize students with the organization and complexity of organisms and their diversity in the biosphere.

      This course is designed to introduce the students to the fundamentals of chemistry necessary in order to understand the role that chemistry plays in the environmental field. Students develop lab skills that reinforce the theory portion of the course and stress the importance of safety and accuracy in the laboratory.

      This course is designed to introduce the students to the fundamentals of organic chemistry in order to understand the environmental impacts and strategies for dealing with the potential harmful effects of organic chemical pollutants.

      Prerequisites:

      • CHEM1029

      Students will learn to write a variety of technical documents and business correspondence suitable to a specific audience and purpose as well as learn how to conduct research and document sources.

      This course prepares students to write a formal technical report on a technical topic with sufficient technical and communication quality as to be judged capable of meeting the certification requirements of such outside agencies as the New Brunswick Society of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists, federal government agencies such as Transport Canada, or any other accrediting body.

      This course teaches students how to create documents that are organized, unified, and coherent.

      This course is designed to introduce and familiarize students with the concepts and standards of environmental management systems (EMS). Students will learn to use and distinguish the different management system tools, including: environmental impact assessments (EIA), environmental site assessments (ESA), environmental risk assessments, and environmental audits.

      This course helps students identify and assess man-made and natural degradation to the environment. Students learn restoration techniques and theory for correcting the negative impact on the environment in an ecologically sensitive manner. Particular focus is spent on the assessment and restoration techniques of aquatic ecosystems.

      Prerequisites:

      • HYDR1000C

      The course addresses the remedial approaches and treatment techniques used to clean up contaminated soils, bedrock, or groundwater. Remedial measures such as excavation, material removal, containment, and treatment (physical, chemical and biological) are discussed and methods identified.

      Prerequisites:

      • ENVI1003F
      • GEOL1000C

      This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to examine industrial process systems and their associated environmental impacts and control technologies.

      Prerequisites:

      • ENVI1001E
      • ENVI1003F

      This course provides an understanding of the interaction between organisms and their environments. Covered is the classification of ecosystems, conditions for life, and natural selection,. These principles are then applied to enable students to identify and investigate various biological indicator species in the environment through their presence, placement, and community structures.

      Prerequisites:

      • BIOL1027B

      Air Quality is designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of air pollution and air quality monitoring and control. This course will consider both indoor and outdoor air quality as it pertains to the environmental technologist in both theory and sampling practices.

      Students are introduced to the techniques and methodologies used in the planning and conducting of representative sampling programs of various media (water, vapour, solids, biota, etc). An operational knowledge of various sampling equipment and instrumentation is gained. Various aspects of sample integrity, quality control, and data validity are studied.

      The purpose of this course is to introduce students to physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water. Key ideas, concepts, and issues regarding water quality degradation, pollution indicators, Canadian Standards, and control measures are discussed.

      Prerequisites:

      • ENVI1002F
      • CHEM1082

      This practicum is designed to provide students with an opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge acquired in the Environmental Technology program.

      This course introduces students to environmental toxicology. The toxic effects of various substances acting from within the body (systemic effects) are explored.

      Prerequisites:

      • BIOL1027B

      This multidisciplinary course is designed to familiarize students with the broad range of issues applied to environmental education and stewardship. Topics include: sustainability and sustainable development; environmental stewardship; current issues and trends; local, national, and global issues, and educational strategies for understanding and resolving environmental issues.

      This course examines the use and management of organisms and their ecosystems beginning with the identification of organisms common to the Maritimes. This course focuses on management of those organisms within their community and ecosystem.

      Prerequisites:

      • ECOL1011B

      This course introduces students to ethical principles and codes of conduct applicable to professional practices. The subject of ethics is a requirement of many accredited programs. Therefore, successful completion of Professional Ethics is a graduation requirement for engineering technology programs.

      Students submit a formal, researched report and make a formal oral presentation on an approved technical topic related to their program of studies. The technical and communication quality may be judged on the basis of the certification requirements of outside agencies such as the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB), the New Brunswick Society of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (NBSCETT), a government department, or other accrediting body. This is primarily an independent study course allowing for consultations with academic and industry personnel.

      This course provides an introduction to groundwater geology. Subsurface influences on water occurrences and movement is covered and groundwater contaminant characterization, clean-up, and monitoring are discussed.

      Prerequisites:

      • GEOL1001

      Students are introduced to the geological sciences and gain an appreciation and understanding of fundamental geoscience principles.

      This course provides an overview of theory, concepts, and capabilities of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Through lectures and practical GIS exercises students will gain an appreciation of the capabilities of GIS software and its utility in decision making. Topics covered include the fundamentals of cartography, geo-referencing, data structures, database design, project planning, and basic spatial data analysis.

      This course is designed to familiarize students with the basic concepts of hydrology and the techniques of applied hydrology. Emphasis is on surface water hydrology. This course compliments other courses such as Hydrogeology, Air Quality, and Water Quality, where the related hydrological topics of groundwater, atmospheric hydrology, and water quality are more fully covered.

      Students are introduced to federal and provincial legislation pertinent to environmental concerns. The development of the legal and court systems is reviewed, including the classification of different types of law. The role of the environmental technologist relative to environmental laws and legal expectations is stressed.

      This course provides students with a sound mathematical foundation in preparation to higher level mathematics (calculus) and other technology courses.

      This course is designed to provide environmental technologists with the skills to orient themselves on the Earth. Navigating throughout the woods or on the water is an important part of the job. Map reading, basic compass work, and the standard technologies of global positioning systems (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS) are reviewed.

      Students are introduced to physical oceanography. An appreciation is gained for the basic principles underlying marine phenomena and oceanic processes.

      This workshop introduces students to the process of finding employment. It explores the various strategies and resources available, and examines the role of social media.

      This course provides an introduction to the meaning of community service.  Students learn how community service can enhance a student’s educational experience, personal growth, employability, and civic responsibility. Students participate in one day of volunteering to enhance their understanding of civic responsibility and to help the New Brunswick Community College realize its vision of transforming lives and communities. 

      This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of physics as they apply to the environmental field.

      Prerequisites:

      • MATH1089

      This course is designed to introduce students to the practices and procedures of project management. An emphasis is placed on time, cost, personnel and communication aspects of project management.

      Prerequisites:

      • SAAL1502

      This course teaches students how to develop reports, spreadsheets, and presentations using computer applications, and to use the internet for basic research in a network environment. The course is instructor led in a classroom or lab environment and requires the completion of several assignments and tests. Students taking this course are expected to have prior knowledge and competence in using the basic functions of a personal computer and its operating system including the following: manage and organize files/directories/folders/email; copy, move and delete files/directories/folders/email and; demonstrate the ability to work with desktop icons and to manipulate windows.

      This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of soil science. It explores how humans interact with soils in various Canadian ecosystems. Students learn the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils.

      Prerequisites:

      • GEOL1001

      Students are introduced to basic field skills, problem solving and safety issues which can be encountered when working in remote locations. Topics include general survival skills, wilderness first aid, canoeing, safe boating practices, and other common tasks associated with field work.

      A safe and healthy workplace is the responsibility of the employer and the employee. This course introduces students to the importance of working safely and addresses how employers and employees can control the hazards and risks associated with the workplace. Students will also learn about the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders including WorkSafeNB, the employer and the employee in ensuring workplaces are safe.

      This course provides students with an overview of basic statistics. Students are introduced to and apply the rules of probability, sampling techniques, and regression analysis.

      Prerequisites:

      • MATH1089

      This course introduces students to the management of solid waste and wastewater.  It examines methods  for controlling the generation, storage, collection, transport, separation, processing, recycling, recovery and disposal of solid wastes and the primary, secondary and tertiary treatment of leachate, wastewater and sanitary sewage.

      NOC Codes

      2231 - Civil engineering technologists and technicians
      2263 - Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety

      Accreditations

      Organization: The Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT)
      Accreditation Period:
      Information:  Accredited by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board ( CTAB)  at the Technologist level 

      Articulation Agreements

      Institution: Lakeland College
      Articulation Period:
      Information: Graduates of the Environmental Technology Diploma program are eligible for direct entry into the Monitoring and Environmental Protection major or the Reclamation and Remediation major of the BAppSc Degree, The degree can be completed within two years and includes an eight month practicum component which is normally paid.

      Institution: University of New Brunswick Saint John - Faculty of Business
      Articulation Period:
      Information: Bachelor of Applied Management Degree
      NBCC graduates of any 2 year diploma program with a GPA of 70% or greater receive 2 years full credit toward this degree and will be eligible to enter year 3 of the 4 year Bachelor of Applied Management (BAM) program.


       
      Institution: Griffith University
      Articulation Period: No End Date
      Information: Griffith University will grant up to one and a half (1.5) years of advanced standing (i.e., entry into the fourth semester) of the Bachelor of Science (Environment) degree program on completion of the Environmental Technology NBCC Diploma.
      Institution: Saskatchewan Polytechnic
      Articulation Period:
      Information: Environmental Technology graduates after May 31, 2019 that complete approved bridging courses, if any, are admissible to the Sask Polytech BCM (Bachelor of Construction Management) Program.  NBCC students who graduated prior to May 31, 2019 will be considered for admission on an individual basis and advised of any additional courses required to meet admission requirements.
      Institution: Cape Breton University
      Articulation Period:
      Information: Bachelor of Engineering Technology.
      NBCC graduates must complete 36 credits of course work.  This can be done on-line, in class or a combination - minimum 2 semesters.
      Institution: UNB - Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management (FOREM)
      Articulation Period:
      Information: Environmental Technology graduates will be eligible for transfer credit, with the Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Natural Resources (BScENR) Water Resources Management Major program, provided they have earned a grade of 70% or higher in each course and are in good standing.
      Institution: Memorial University - Fisheries and Marine Institute , St. Johns, NL
      Articulation Period: No End Date
      Information: Bachelor of Technology program

      External Certifications

      Environmental Technology graduates may have an opportunity to acquire the following external certifications upon meeting the external agencies certification requirements and paying any required fees to the external agency:

      Institution: NBSCETT - New Brunswick Society of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists
      External Certification: Professional Technologist
      Information: Certification by the New Brunswick Society of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists.

       

      Disclaimer: This web copy provides guidance to prospective students, applicants, current students, faculty and staff. Although advice is readily available on request, the responsibility for program selection ultimately rests with the student. Programs, admission requirements and other related information is subject to change.

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