Environmental Sciences FAQ

Yes. We need drivers. But, in order to drive, the college needs to have a driver's abstract on file. 

If you are from Alberta, we can do the paperwork when you get to Lakeland. If  you aren't from Alberta, please request a driver's abstract from your licensing agency. If there's a cost, please keep the receipt and bring it with you. Don't forget the abstract.

You are required to complete two 16-week practica. 

Although the School of Environmental Sciences assists you, the college doesn't guarantee placing you in a paid practicum position with industry or a government agency. You must actively look for your practicum positions. 
 
During your practicums, you are responsible for your own travel and accommodation.

Definitely.

You'll interact with professionals in government, industry, environmental companies and non-government agencies on field trips, at workshops and conferences, and with guest speakers who come to campus.

Often those guest speakers are alumni who come back to share their experience and talk about career opportunities as well as emerging technologies and best practices. 

In the applied degree program, our practicum partners are key to the second year of the program. Without them, you aren't able to do a practicum placement. 

Steel-toed rubber boots, with winter linings work well for wet,  cold or muddy sites.

Steel-toed hiking boots work well for other weather conditions. 

At a minimum you should buy at least one of these two types of boots. 

Indoor labs, and sometimes outdoor labs, require a lab coat and safety eye wear. You can buy both in our campus store. 

Field botany labs require small gardening shears and a plant press. You can buy the shears anywhere and plant processes can be borrowed at Lakeland.

Because field labs run regardless of weather, you need to make sure you can stay dry and comfortable (cool or warm). This is the minimum of personal gear we recommend:

• warm jacket and outerwear
• rain jacket and rain pants
• hiking boots and rubber boots
• warm gloves and a warm hat
• insect repellent and sunscreen
• high-top winter boots with a warm felt liner

Optional are a camera and pocket field lens.

In second year, if you go on industrial field trips, you will also need this personal protective equipment (PPE). Lakeland College has a limited number of these resources (except steel-toed boots). Equipment may not be available in your size. If you have your own PPE, bring it with you. Or, consider purchasing it. You will need it on the job:

• hard hat
• field safety glasses (need side protection)
• flame-retardant coveralls
• steel-toed, safety-rated footwear

 If you are in wildlife and fisheries conservation, this equipment is useful, but optional:

• headlamp
• small folding knife
• field guides for birds, reptiles, amphibian, mammals and animal tracks. Many are available online as apps, but remember you might not get internet in the wilderness.
• large capacity day pack
• camera
• binoculars

Yes, all of the programs are.

You may qualify for membership in the Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA) and would be eligible to article as a Registered Technologist in Agrology (RT(Ag)) or you may be eligible under the Society of Professional Biologists.

If you graduate from the environmental science diploma program, you are prepared to become an Environmental Professional (EP) with EcoCanada.

Graduates of the applied degree program are eligible as an Environmental Professional in Training (Ept) and can upgrade to an EP after they have completed five years of relevant experience.

Capstone presentations are the final major project completed as part of the applied degree program.

The reports incorporate academic knowledge and practical experience from your 8-month work placements with host industry agencies.

Capstones are now part of an annual environmental management conference in late January/early February.

You'll make your presentation to your peers, instructors and industry through a power-point presentation. You'll also answer questions.

You can begin with our micro-credentials and later apply them toward the full diploma. Some students start by focusing on a specific area of renewable energy, such as solar or building science, before deciding whether to commit to the two-year program.

Micro-credentials let you specialize, build skills step by step and work toward a larger goal while celebrating smaller milestones along the way.

See our sustainable energy microcredentials page for more information.

At the end of the diploma, you will gain hands-on skills when you attend the on-site lab at our Vermilion campus.

A high-speed internet connection is a must. 

You also need to have a good working knowledge of your computer and to use it. You'll be using the college's learning management system, D2L. 

You'll be able to borrow books either to read online or order via interlibrary loans.

No. We recommend that you start with RC200 Basic Energy Principles. It's a prerequisite for a number of  courses. There are a few other options. Check out the courses page for more details. 

It's flexible — you can study part-time or take enough courses to be considered full-time for student aid purposes.

Yes. 

There's a single exception if you take the diploma program. You'll come to our Research Centre for an on-site lab. This will be approximately 5 days.  We also offer the option of taking a practicum coop placement that can be completed in your community.