Environmental Technician

This course is an introductory course that will cover several general biological principles, such as molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, evolution, ecology, classification, and biodiversity. Students will study the different levels of complexity in living organisms and examine factors that affect speciation.

This course covers key concepts in atomic structure, chemical bonding, nomenclature, chemical reactions, and quantities in chemical reactions. Data collection, data analysis and laboratory techniques will be covered in the laboratory component of the course.

This course encompasses environmental based activities which enable students to begin to develop a professional network. It takes an interdisciplinary approach to identifying, understanding and analyzing current environment issues and technologies that affect Canada and the world. Topics include consumption patterns, sustainability and ecosystem threat with a specific concentration on water, food and energy issues.

The content covered in this course includes conversions, number systems, fundamental algebra, linear and quadratic equations and graphs, trigonometry of right triangles, 2D and 3D geometry, an introduction to vectors, and exponential and logarithmic functions. All concepts are presented with real-world applications from environmental sciences, computer networking, and other domains.

This course covers the use of Microsoft Office as commonly found in a technology environment to prepare basic written documents and to solve numeric problems as well as using applications to build models for assisting in solving technical problems.

Prerequisites: None 

This course builds on the concepts developed in CHEM103 with emphasis on energy changes and rates of reactions, chemical systems and equilibrium, acids and bases, stoichiometric calculations, and oxidation-reduction reactions. Nomenclature and reactions of organic compounds including selected biomolecules are covered. An emphasis is placed on applications of these topics in health care and environmental issues. Data collection, data analysis, laboratory techniques, and report writing are covered in the laboratory component of the course.

Prerequisite(s): CHEM 103

In COMM32, the emphasis is on the development of technical communication skills as well as the ability to translate this information for a non-technical audience. These skills are developed through written assignments which include short reports, summaries, formal reports, resumes and cover letters. American Psychological Association (APA) format and documentation is reinforced.

Prerequisite(s): COMM110

This course will provide an overview of GIS terminology and its applications and how it interacts in the professional world and everyday life. Students will learn how to navigate through GIS Software, import data, collect data using GPS, and edit GIS data. By the end of the course, students will be able to create basic maps.

This course will introduce students to the science of ecology. Students will expand on some topics covered in General Biology, including biodiversity, evolution and genetics. Students will also be introduced to new topics as they study ecology at the individual, population, community, and ecosystem levels of organization.

This two-week intensive field course introduces students to some of the standardized protocols used to sample biological populations. The course covers topics such as designing sampling protocols, collecting and preserving biological specimens, collecting field data, and field identification of terrestrial and aquatic organisms.

This microbiology course introduces the study of microorganisms with a particular focus on the following subject matters: identification and classification, physiology and cellular structure, culturing and controlling growth, metabolism, genetic engineering, and the importance of microbes in the environment and industry. During the laboratory sessions, students learn basic microbiological skills such as microscopy, aseptic techniques, media preparation, isolation and growth of cultures, microbial enumeration, dilution and filtration techniques, and staining and identification of microbes using a variety of biochemical tests.

This course will cover the main principles of limnology and freshwater ecology. Students will be provided a general introduction to physical and chemical processes in freshwater systems delivered through in class and field sessions. The students will also learn various analytical techniques and methodologies to collect aquatic organisms and analyze data. It will provide a basis for Freshwater Ecology 2 course which will focus on the biological elements in freshwater systems.

Prerequisite(s): CHEM104 + ENVI13

This course introduces the concepts of soil characteristics and hydrogeology for the purpose of assessing the suitability of a given site for a particular purpose or to evaluate environmental conditions. This involves identifying and locating relevant objects and site features with the use of a variety of mapping and database tools as well as via sample collection. A site’s soil and ground water characteristics will be investigated and the findings summarized in a report.

This course is an introduction to fundamental techniques and methods of chemical and physical analysis used by technicians in the environmental field. These methods are also extensively employed in industry, food, health, agricultural and forensic sciences. The course is broken into two modules. Students build a foundation for environmental analysis, and are introduced to key concepts such as quality assurance, good laboratory practices and basic analytical laboratory techniques. Students will also be introduced to common methods used in environmental analysis of soil, air and water, including gravimetric analysis, titrations, spectrophotometry, and gas chromatography. An emphasis will be on the theory and practice of performing precise and accurate chemical measurements with estimates of the associated uncertainties

This course provides students with an introduction to Environmental Legislation. A range of legislation is discussed: Acts, associated regulations, Guidelines, Environmental Compliance Approvals and By-laws associated with environmental compliance. Emphasis is placed on awareness of and distinction between Federal, Provincial and Municipal By-laws and the foundation of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and the Ontario Environmental Protection Act as key enabling pieces of legislation. The course provides insight into the provincial requirements and technical components of the Environmental Compliance Approvals process in Ontario. New and emerging environmental regulatory pieces and current affairs are also highlighted.

Students will develop a working vocabulary and understanding of exposure, risk and safety terms.  This can be applied to interpret occupational health technical data, and in the accurate communication of safety concepts.  The course will give an overview of the laws and regulations governing occupational health and safety in Canada and Ontario.  Students will be exposed to established systems currently in use, specifically WHIMIS and MSDS. Promotion of awareness in terms of the risks and issues surrounding Occupational Health and Safety is the course goal.

This course will introduce students to sampling design and statistical analysis. The course will consist of a combination of lectures, student seminars, and computer lab sessions during which students will analyze data sets. Whenever possible, students will use real data sets from current research projects or that have been collected by students as part of other courses (e.g., Ecology, Freshwater Ecology or Ecological Sampling Techniques).

This course introduces the field of ecotoxicology, which uses toxicity test methods in concert with environmental data to provide an assessment of the effects of chemicals on individual organisms, populations and ecosystems. Toxicity tests are important monitoring tools used by industries and agencies to determine the potential for adverse effects of discharges into the environment. Held as an intensive field and laboratory course during the second year, students will learn toxicity testing techniques and associated data analysis procedures. Students will sample industrial wastewater, assess its chemical characteristics, and use this data in concert with toxicity data to interpret the observed and potential effects on biota. Students will work individually and in groups and create a report on the data collected.

The work placement offers students the opportunity to observe and experience first-hand the operations, processes, and protocols of an environmental technician related workplace environment. It is designed to immerse students in the real world of the work and promote the successful integration of curriculum elements in an applied setting. It provides the opportunity to access equipment or processes that may not have been accessible in the program, promotes opportunities for specialization and provides increased awareness of the industry and job potential. The course is offered as a four week unpaid full time placement at the end of Semester 4. Placements can be at approved local, regional, out of province or international sites, private or public. Upon successful completion of the placement and the required assessments, a G grade is assigned for ENVI25.

This course will cover the main principles of limnology and freshwater ecology.  Students will be provided a general introduction to biological processes in freshwater systems delivered through in class and laboratory sessions. The students will also learn various analytical techniques and methodologies to collect and observe aquatic organisms. 

Prerequisite(s): ENVI16

This course is intended to provide students with a basic understanding of air pollution.  Students will develop an awareness of the sources of air pollution, the range of contaminants that are emitted, and the impacts of air pollution on environment, human health and society.  Legislative requirements, with emphasis on Ontario legislation, will be presented, with a focus on how the requirements impact the industrial sector and drive pollution reduction initiatives.  Students will learn about the technology that is available to monitor and quantify air pollution levels, as well as the technology that is utilized to reduce dischargers into the air. Common sampling techniques will be taught for both ambient and particulate contaminates.

Prerequisite(s): CHEM103

This course expands the student’s experience in the field of environmental analysis focusing on water analysis and air quality analysis. The student will be introduced to the properties of water that characterize its suitability for various purposes such as for drinking water, for protecting aquatic life and for other beneficial uses. The laboratory component will emphasize techniques used for measuring the properties of surface water, wastewater and drinking water. Material from the self-study module for the Entry Level Drinking Water Operator Course will be introduced. The course will also expand the student’s understanding of air quality monitoring and testing.

This course will introduce students to solid waste management. It includes the management of municipal, agricultural and hazardous wastes. In addition, students will perform a waste and packaging audit and visit a local waste disposal facility. Key environmental regulations and legislation pertinent to solid waste management will be discussed and applied.

In this course, information and techniques specific to operation of drinking water treatment plants will be provided following the Ontario Ministry of the Environments (MOE) Entry Level Course for Drinking Water Operators (ELO). The MOE exam for the ELO course will be administered at the end of the course. Students who achieve 70% on the exam and who graduate from the Environmental Technician program, will receive the Entry Level Drinking Operator certificate.