Campus | Start Date | Tuition/Fees |
---|---|---|
Miramichi | September 2025 (Blended Delivery) | Domestic | International |
The Environmental Technology Co-op program is designed to train learners with the necessary skills in sample collection and analysis of air, water, groundwater, and soil. By understanding environmental regulations and developing effective communication skills, graduates of this program can actively contribute to the protection and preservation of the environment.
The first year provides the foundational knowledge and skills of environmental technology, including courses in field skills, sampling methodology, Geographical Information Systems, and climate change. Many courses are common with other technology programs and may be used for credit transfer. In the second year, learners specialize in courses that develop the knowledge and skills to operate laboratory, field and monitoring equipment and to apply scientific techniques in the assessment of land, water, and air quality. The program includes applied research options in the second year of studies to provide an opportunity for learners to relate their studies to an environmental setting.
The environmental technology field has become extremely diversified. Developments are ongoing in the areas of environmental protection (air quality, water quality, and environmental health and safety), conservation of natural resources (fish and wildlife, habitat and ecosystems, agriculture), research, and education/communications.
The requirements for this diploma program may be achieved within two years of full-time study.
Profile C
NB Francophone High School Math Equivalencies
International Student Admission Equivalencies
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.
Technology Requirements
91É«ÊÓƵ 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.
Courses are subject to change.
This course provides an essential foundation of chemistry tailored for learners pursuing careers in environmental technology. Topics include basic inorganic and organic chemistry including the behavior of hydrocarbons in the environment. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical laboratory applications, learners will explore the fundamental principles of chemistry as they apply to environmental processes and pollution.
This course is designed to help students strengthen their fundamental skills in writing clear, effective sentences and paragraphs, and enable them to create organized, unified and coherent documents. The writing process is introduced. Students will recognize the importance of writing for the intended purpose and audience.
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of technical writing and research. Students will learn how 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.
Prerequisites:
This course is designed to introduce and familiarize learners with concepts and standards of environmental management systems (EMS). Learners will 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 provides an in-depth exploration of environmental restoration principles and practices specifically for wetlands and watercourses. Learners evaluate and apply effective restoration techniques for streams and landscapes, with a focus on ecosystem stability. Key topics include assessing the environmental impacts of construction activities, recommending and implementing erosion control strategies, and proposing targeted mitigation techniques to minimize ecological disruption. Practical applications of the Watercourse and Wetland Alteration (WAWA) permit process will be emphasized, equipping learners with the regulatory knowledge and technical skills needed to support environmental restoration efforts.
The course addresses the remedial approaches and treatment techniques used to clean up contaminated soils, bedrock, and groundwater. Remedial measures such as excavation, material removal, containment, and treatment (physical, chemical and biological) are discussed, and methods are identified.
This course is designed to examine the environmental regulations governing industrial operations and the sources of pollution. Learners explore the physical and chemical properties of materials, and end products in various industrial processes, identifying potential contaminants in process air and water and their environmental impacts. Key topics include environmental legislation relevant to the methods for treating industrial pollution, and process equipment. Learners apply quality assurance and quality control principles to ensure operational compliance.
This course provides an understanding of the interaction between organisms and their environments. Learners apply the principles of ecology to various ecosystems by conducting biological inventories, and assessments through field procedures, data collection, and mapping.
This course examines the use and management of organisms and their ecosystems. Topics include measuring physical characteristics, using dichotomous keys, and identifying categories of organisms. Learners will evaluate and monitor aquatic and terrestrial species within their ecosystem.
This course is designed to introduce the techniques and methodologies used in the planning and conducting of representative sampling programs in various media (water, vapour, solids etc).
Learners gain operational knowledge of various sampling equipment and instrumentation. Various aspects of sample integrity, quality control, and data validity are studied.
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of climate change and its associated impacts on the environment. This course includes the scientific principles behind climate change, explores its impacts on various ecosystems, and delves into practical strategies for mitigation and adaptation. Additionally, learners will explore and communicate the effectiveness of various policies and initiatives.
This course examines the physical, chemical, and biological properties of water, along with the pollutants and contaminants that affect its quality. Learners gain the knowledge and skills for assessing water quality. The key ideas, concepts, and issues for water quality degradation and pollution indicators are examined. In addition, this course examines drinking water quality guidelines and common treatment methods.
Prerequisites:
This course examines the fundamental concepts of air pollution, monitoring and control. Learners will interpret meteorological data, evaluate HVAC systems, and assess air quality data. An emphasis is on developing indoor and outdoor air quality measurement plans.
This course introduces students to ethical principles and codes of conduct applicable to Professional Engineering Technology practice. It prepares students for being engineering technology professionals by exploring critical thinking, ethical behavior, and the legal and professional accountabilities that apply in the workplace. The industry's code(s) of ethics and practical case studies are used as the learning focus.
Learning is achieved through lectures, case studies, and team projects.
The overall program goal of the co-op experience is to complement academic studies with related work experience. Co-op students can gain enriched understandings of their academic program through practical application. Moreover, the co-op experience can motivate students to further education as well as lead to relevant employment after graduation. Through their work experiences, students will develop and refine employability skills, gain an understanding of career opportunities in their field, and realities of the workplace. Students are required to follow guidelines as stipulated in the “91É«ÊÓƵ Co-op Education” process.
The Senior Technical Project represents the culmination of learners’ technology program, providing them with the opportunity to apply their technical knowledge and skills in a comprehensive capstone project. This course is a continuation of the senior technical project. Learners evaluate their progress on previously proposed and developed project, complete their project work as required, and prepare a formal project report. Finally they present and defend their findings to instructors, peers, and other stakeholders. Learning is facilitated through lectures, guided independent study, and support from a project advisor and communications instructor.
This course is designed to introduce learners to the fundamentals of geological sciences. Throughout the course, learners examine rocks, minerals, and geological formations. This course is a foundation for studies in geology and further studies in the environmental technology field as learners continue exploring the complexities, processes, and dynamic forces that influence the Earth’s surface and interior.
This course is designed to introduce learners to the fundamentals of soil science. It explores how humans interact with soils in various Canadian ecosystems. Learners examine the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils.
This course provides learners with the foundational knowledge of groundwater geology. Subsurface influences on water occurrences and movement are examined and groundwater contaminant characterization, clean-up, and monitoring are discussed. Topics explore well construction, drilling methods, and remediation systems. Learners perform pump tests and analyze drawdown data.
This course is designed to provide learners with the foundational knowledge and principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. Through practical GIS exercises learners will gain knowledge and skills of the capabilities of GIS software in the development of maps.
This course is designed to provide learners with advanced knowledge and skills of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. Through practical GIS exercises learners cover topics such as spatial analysis, data visualization, and remote sensing of the GIS software in the design of maps.
Prerequisites:
This course introduces the science of hydrology, focusing on components and characteristics of stream, lake, and wetland systems. Key topics include the application of watershed budgets, construction of watershed maps and flood forecasting methodologies. Learners will develop a comprehensive understanding of practical hydrology and how it applies to solving real-world problems related to water resources.
This course introduces learners to federal and provincial legislation pertinent to environmental concerns. The development of the legal and court systems is reviewed, including the Canadian Political system. The role of the environmental technologist relative to environmental laws and legal expectations is stressed.
This course forms the foundations of technical mathematics. Topics covered include fundamental numerical calculations, manipulation of algebraic expressions, and solving equations, system of equations, and word problems. Learning is achieved through lectures, classroom examples and working out problems.
This course is designed for students to learn more advanced algebra, trigonometry, and geometry. Topics include quadratic equations, trigonometry, logarithms, and vectors.
Learning will be achieved through lectures and classroom examples and work. Learning is achieved through lectures and in-class activities.
Prerequisites:
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 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 is designed to explore the fundamental principles of physics as they relate to various environmental processes, phenomena, and systems. This course integrates various concepts from physics, chemistry, electrical theory, and fluid mechanics theory to understand and analyze the complex interactions between physical processes and the environment. Learners will examine topics such as motion, electrical principles, and basic fluid mechanics. Emphasis will also be placed on critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication of scientific findings related to environmental issues. Learners will gain a deeper understanding of the physical processes shaping the environment and be equipped to address complex environmental challenges using principles of physics.
This course provides students with basic principles, tools, and techniques to manage an engineering project from its initiation phase, through planning, execution, control, and closeout.
As part of the course, students will apply the knowledge gained to create a project management plan for a simulated engineering project in a team effort or on an individual basis. Learning is achieved through lectures and hands-on class activities.
This course introduces students to basic computer applications and tools that are integral to all engineering disciplines, including word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, and electronic file management and data sharing.
Students learn how to select and use appropriate computer applications to perform tasks such as research, data analysis, data presentation and sharing, and preparation of technical documents and reports within their discipline. An emphasis is placed on the data security, and safe use and management of files in a collaborative networked environment. Learning is achieved through practical application of skills during hands-on class activities and assignments.
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 introduces the fundamental field skills required for environmental technology studies. Learners gain knowledge and skills in fieldwork applications for flora and fauna, drone technology assessments, and navigating watercraft proficiently. Emphasis includes hands-on experience for effective monitoring and research, minimizing impact, and mastering gear management, while prioritizing environmental stewardship and safety.
This course provides advanced studies of field skills required for environmental technology studies. Learners gain knowledge and skills in fieldwork applications for flora and fauna, drone technology assessments, and navigating watercraft proficiently. Emphasis includes hands-on experience for effective monitoring and research, minimizing impact, and mastering gear management, while prioritizing environmental stewardship and safety.
This course provides introductory statistics for engineering technologists. Topics Include collecting, organizing and reporting data, calculating descriptive and inferential statistics values, calculating confidence intervals, simple probability and predicting events, calculating linear regression, and hypothesis testing for linear correlation coefficients. Learning is achieved through lectures and in-class activities.
Prerequisites:
This course is designed to provide learners with the knowledge and skills for wastewater management. Learners examine the primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment of leachate, wastewater, and sanitary sewage.
This course is designed to provide learners with the knowledge and skills to manage solid waste. Learners examine methods for controlling solid waste generation, storage, collection, transport, separation, processing, recycling, recovery, and disposal.
21120 - Public and environmental health and safety professionals
22300 - Civil engineering technologists and technicians
Institution: University of New Brunswick
Information: Bachelor of Science in Forestry (BScF) and/or Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management (BScEM).
Transfer credits from 91É«ÊÓƵ's Environmental Technology program to UNB's Bachelor of Science in Forestry and/or Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management.
Environmental Technology (Co-op) 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: New Brunswick Society of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (NBSCETT)
External Certification: Environmental Technology
Information: Graduates with two years of acceptable work experience may be eligible for 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.