Year 1
(112hrs, non-credit)
The introductory field camp provides program staff with the opportunity to orientate and prepare students for the rigours of the Environment and Natural Resources Technology Program, and to cover key introductory knowledge and skills that will be used throughout the program. Areas covered include orientation to the overall program, safety training (on campus), wilderness skills, wilderness travel, and orientation to resource ecology.
(75hrs, 3 credits)
This course develops student written and oral communication skills, emphasizing research and writing, scientific and technical analysis, formal reporting requirements and working with the public. Using work-place scenarios the student must demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively and are challenged to develop their critical thinking skills and use good judgment to make decisions, develop rational arguments, resolve conflicts and persuade others. The student will learn how to communicate effectively with the media and enhance their presentation skills by using audio-visual equipment and computer software. Project management concepts are also introduced. Career development, resume writing, job search strategies, and interviews for employment are also covered.
(75hrs, 3 credits)
Students are introduced to some important theories and principles of Ecology, and characteristics of the ecosystems of Northern Canada. Ecosystems are presented, as well as the driving forces behind ecological diversity. The organization of life from the scale of the individual to the biome is covered, with emphasis on populations, communities, and ecosystems. Ecological community structure and change are covered, including the interactions between living organisms. Northern case studies and applications to management of natural resources are used to illustrate the learning objectives through lectures, labs and field exercises.
(75hrs, 3 credits)
Wildlife biology begins with the fundamentals of natural selection, evolution, and taxonomy. This is followed by an overview of the building blocks of life (e.g. cell, genes) and how they are organized into organs and organ system with specific structures and functions. This course also introduces students to the evolutionary history, biology, and life-cycles of many northern birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Students will also learn to identify, classify, and name mammals and birds of the boreal forest and tundra in the NWT.
(75hrs, 3 credits)
The purpose of this course is to enhance student’s mathematical skills at an applied technical level. The course will provide them with the practical and theoretical knowledge to effectively and efficiently solve challenges encountered in Natural Resources, and prepare the student for advanced work in statistics and data management.
(45hrs, 3 credits) |
This course presents students with the fundamental physical processes that shape the Earth’s biological systems, including geological and atmospheric processes. The history and nature of the relationship between human societies and natural resources are explored to better understand how human activities impact them. Present population characteristics and pressures, patterns of resource use and energy consumption are examined to better discuss future scenarios. Contemporary environmental concerns, such as global climate change, are introduced, with an emphasis on Northern natural resources and energy issues.
(45hrs, 3 credits)
This course provides an introduction to the features and functions of software applications and technology most commonly used in environment and natural resource management workplaces. Focusing on the Microsoft Office suite of applications, students develop competency in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Access. Throughout the course, students are instructed in the interconnectivity of Internet and Web applications with client-based software and database management systems.
(75hrs, 3 credits)
The Field Safety and Preventative Maintenance course will familiarize students with the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and basic repair of small gas engine powered equipment commonly used in resource management. The course will include the care of camping equipment used by the program.
(75hrs, 3 credits)
In this course students will develop proposal writing and project management skills while utilizing communications software to produce reports; store, manipulate, and summarize data; and make presentations. Students will use audio-visual hardware and software while making an oral presentation. This course also presents students with an overview of human resources management in organizations.
(75hrs, 3 credits)
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the world of flora. Students will develop skills in the collection, recognition and evaluation of common plants and plant associations in boreal, taiga and tundra. The course will develop expertise regarding identification, classification, and distribution of plants in the NWT. Students will become familiar with the basic anatomy, physiology, ecology of non-vascular and vascular plants. Skills in classification will include the use of plant keys, understanding of history and structure of taxonomic systems for plants, and recognition of identifying features of common families. Students will also learn about adaptations of plants to northern environments, Indigenous Knowledge and uses of our northern flora.
(75hrs, 3 credits)
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the issues surrounding land claim agreements and self-government in the Northwest Territories, as well as trans-boundary jurisdictions of the Yukon, Alaska, Nunavut and the circumpolar world, with specific reference to resource management regimes. Students will be introduced to the historical context of law, Treaties and Indigenous rights within the Canadian Constitution including the concepts of internal colonialism, decolonization, and self-government and reconciliation. This course examines, in detail, claim negotiations and settled claims in the Northwest Territories, with particular reference to the management of natural resources. Finally, students will be introduced to aspects of self-government policies and agreements, probing the significance of a land-based economy to the establishment of effective and sustainable indigenous government.
(45hrs, 3 credits)
This course will introduce students to the use and interpretation of maps, electronic mapping devices and software, aerial photography and remote sensing imagery. Students will learn to collect geographic data using GPS, transfer data between GPS devices and various GIS software packages, and to create maps using GIS software packages. Students will learn to read and navigate using map and compass; search electronic directories for available electronic maps; and collect, manage, display and interpret spatial data commonly used in natural resource management.
(75hrs, 3 credits)
This course introduces students to the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), computer-based mapping systems that allow the integration of spatial data from diverse land resource management disciplines. Students will learn the basic concepts and principles of GIS and then gain a working knowledge of ARCVIEW.
Year 2
ENSC 0222 – Forest and Fire Management
(75hrs, 3 credits)
This course introduces students to the concepts and techniques of managing northern forests for economic productivity, ecological integrity, and public safety. The course begins with a general study of forestry practices including logging, utilization, forest management, and silviculture. The course includes a technical component that examines methods of measurements of standing and felled timber; use of common mensuration equipment; planning, designing and carrying out an operational cruise; and computer analysis of the collected data. Finally the fire management module emphasizes the principles, concepts and scientific tools used to study fire and define its role in ecosystems. Students are exposed to a wide range of topics from modern suppression techniques to fire suppression policy.
ENSC 0250 – Source Water Protection
(45hrs, 3 credits)
This course introduces students to the concept of source water protection and challenges students to use available planning tools to design and develop source water protection plans. The course focuses on six key components that communities must know to meaningful plan and protect their drinking water sources: 1) where water comes from; 2) how water moves through the Earth’s systems and arrives at homes; 3) how water is impacted by the physical, chemical, biological and human environments; 4) where the vulnerable points in the water system are; 5) how risks can be assessed and managed to reduce vulnerability; and, 6) how water protection planning and monitoring processes use and honour local and traditional knowledge. The course is designed to be interactive and hands-on in nature and is intended to be delivered in one of two formats – either as an elective course in a diploma program or as a general interest distance education course or a community workshop.
Note: This course was developed with the support of the Institute for Watershed Science and the Indigenous Environmental Studies Department of Trent University and is intended to support the implementation of the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Water Stewardship Framework.
(75hrs, 3 credits)
This course introduces students to the foundational concepts of marine science and its four basic components – physics, geology, chemistry and biology. Emphasis will be placed on the Arctic Ocean and students will explore the scientific process of discovering facts, processes and unifying principles that explain the nature of this ocean and its associated life forms. Recent case studies will be reviewed to identify and analyze the challenges of protecting and managing the Arctic marine ecosystem.
(75hrs, 3 credits)
Field work in forestry, fisheries and wildlife management often involves mathematics and statistics. This course presents basic techniques and exercises related to descriptive and inferential statistics. Data collection, organization, summarization, and presentation are emphasized throughout the course. Fundamental concepts of statistical application, analysis and interpretation, including sampling, experimentation, variability, distribution, association, causation, estimation, confidence, hypothesis testing, and significance, will be used to draw conclusions from data sets. Full statistical analysis using calculators, statistical software, databases, and graphing technologies will be required in many of the applications.
(75hrs, 3 credits)
This course is an introduction to limnology and the management of freshwater resources in Northern Canada. Subjects covered include basic physical and chemical properties of water, topography and ecology of lakes and rivers, biomonitoring, identification and control of aquatic pests and parasites, and municipal and industrial use of water. Other subjects include domestic and industrial pollution of lakes and rivers, water sampling techniques, the regulatory process, and related legislation. The course, depending on availability, includes the nationally recognized certification of students through Environment Canada’s Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN).
(75hrs, 3 credits)
The Freshwater Fisheries course introduces students to the basic elements of the science of ichthyology including fish evolution, systematics, taxonomy, biology, ecology, and behaviour, with emphasis placed on the species of the Northwest Territories. Students will research the life histories of northern fish and fisheries management case studies to understand population dynamics, stock assessment, relevant legislation and anthropogenic impacts. Lab studies will include fish identification, dissections, and field sampling methodology, and field equipment/instrument operation.
(75hrs, 3 credits)
In this course students begin to develop skills in defining management problems and examine decisions and judgments involved in wildlife management. Students are introduced to wildlife population status and trend analyses and will investigate a variety of wildlife philosophies and perspectives, including Traditional Knowledge, along with alternative wildlife management strategies. Current management problems and programs are also reviewed for a variety of populations.
(75hrs, 3 credits)
The purpose of this course is to emphasize field skills and laboratory techniques for obtaining information used to support decisions in wildlife management. Topics include experiment design, permitting, specimen capture and evaluation, necropsy, habitat use, population abundance and distribution. Field camps and trips will permit practical application of some of the techniques discussed in the course.
(45hrs, 3 credits)
This course introduces students to the evolution of environmental philosophy and policy and the challenges faced from resource use, stewardship and ecosystem management. Relationships between humans and the environment will be investigated in order to understand the complex interactions, duties, legal obligations and responsibilities of government agencies, local communities and land claim agreements. This course also examines ecological integrity, management policy and enforcement issues in protected natural environments, such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, marine conservation areas and cultural reserves, relative to various management and development pressures in the North.
(75hrs, 3 credits)
This course introduces students to the regulatory processes that govern the management of environmental and resource development and use in the Northwest Territories, including the relevant legislation under comprehensive claim agreements and Territorial and Federal Acts. Students will work through case studies of environmental and resource use issues incorporating biophysical environmental impacts, Traditional Knowledge, social impacts and mitigating techniques for a variety of land and water use scenarios. Students will also complete a detailed site assessment project.
(75hrs, 3 credits)
This course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding and general knowledge of a broad spectrum of geological facts, processes and concepts relevant to minerals, rocks, plate tectonics, dating techniques, formation of fossils, mountains, ocean basins, and economic hydrocarbon and mineral deposits. As well, surface processes and landforms, groundwater, and environmental issues relating to resource exploration and development will be applied to northern examples.
(112hrs, Required non-credit)
The Western Arctic Field Camp provides Second-Year Environment and Natural Resources Technology Students with field experiences related to the following ENRTP courses: Freshwater Fisheries, Water Resources Management, Environmental Assessment, Wildlife Techniques, Environmental Stewardship, Arctic Marine Sciences, Forestry and Fire Management, and Geology.
(112hrs, non-credit)
The Winter Field Camp provides Second-Year Environment and Natural Resources Technology students the opportunity to demonstrate the necessary skills required to manage a remote field camp. Students are tasked with collecting various data while using technical skills under typical northern winter conditions. Students also complete essential field experiences related to the following ENRTP courses: Statistics and Database Management, Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Freshwater Fisheries, Wildlife Techniques and Wildlife Management. Location of wildlife determines the location of winter camp.
(45hrs, 3 credits)
The purpose of this self-directed course is to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate the principles and techniques needed to complete a project by implementing skills learned in the program. The project will focus primarily on the process of project design, management and completion. In consultation with instructional staff, the student will develop and test a hypothesis, perform qualitative and quantitative analysis, and present conclusions. To complete the project, the student will produce a scientific written report and formally present findings to their instructors and peers.
Electives
ENSC 0222 – Forest and Fire Management
(75hrs, 3 credits)
This course introduces students to the concepts and techniques of managing northern forests for economic productivity, ecological integrity, and public safety. The course begins with a general study of forestry practices including logging, utilization, forest management, and silviculture. The course includes a technical component that examines methods of measurements of standing and felled timber; use of common mensuration equipment; planning, designing and carrying out an operational cruise; and computer analysis of the collected data. Finally the fire management module emphasizes the principles, concepts and scientific tools used to study fire and define its role in ecosystems. Students are exposed to a wide range of topics from modern suppression techniques to fire suppression policy.
ENSC 0250 – Source Water Protection
(45hrs, 3 credits)
This course introduces students to the concept of source water protection and challenges students to use available planning tools to design and develop source water protection plans. The course focuses on six key components that communities must know to meaningful plan and protect their drinking water sources: 1) where water comes from; 2) how water moves through the Earth’s systems and arrives at homes; 3) how water is impacted by the physical, chemical, biological and human environments; 4) where the vulnerable points in the water system are; 5) how risks can be assessed and managed to reduce vulnerability; and, 6) how water protection planning and monitoring processes use and honour local and traditional knowledge. The course is designed to be interactive and hands-on in nature and is intended to be delivered in one of two formats – either as an elective course in a diploma program or as a general interest distance education course or a community workshop.
Note: This course was developed with the support of the Institute for Watershed Science and the Indigenous Environmental Studies Department of Trent University and is intended to support the implementation of the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Water Stewardship Framework.