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Associate Diploma Environmental Management/Technician Co-op Information for Employers

Adding Value to Your Team

The Associate Diploma in Environmental Technician program combines the technical knowledge and practical skills training required to succeed in a career in municipal/industrial operations (water/wastewater, etc.) or in areas of conservation and agricultural stewardship. The program balances classroom education in environmental science and law with practical techniques learned in both indoor working labs and outdoor field studies. Students can choose to complete the provincial MECP certification examinations (OIT - Water, Wastewater; Entry Level Drinking Water Operator) as well as industry certification examinations (OACETT) during their studies.

University of Guelph Advantage

The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) of the University of Guelph is internationally renowned for its research, teaching and knowledge extension. In this two-year program students learn about sustainable practices through an on-site anaerobic digester and farm operations. Students gain the tangible skills to work in two distinct areas: municipal/industrial or rural/agricultural environmental protection and management. The program provides students with a strong foundation in environmental management principles and practices, including topics such as sustainability, ecology, environmental law, and risk assessment.

The co-op work term is scheduled after the second academic semester, providing a foundation on which to build the work experience.

Student Strengths

 Knowledge

Broad-base knowledge and understanding of environmental issues facing society today.

 Deep Understanding

Ability to apply analytical and problem-solving skills through teamwork to analyze the current industry issues and how to solve them.

 Application

Combine applied and practical experiences with lectures and labs.

 Communication

Strong oral and written communication experience

Environmental Technician Co-op Work Term Schedule

YEAR
 

FALL

 

WINTER

 

SUMMER

ONEAcademicAcademicWork
TWOAcademicAcademic 

Environmental Technician Course Sequencing

Please see the current undergraduate calendar for more information.

Fall

  • Introduction To Co-operative Education
  • Communications & Software Applications I
  • Environmental Science And Issues
  • Mathematics For Environmental Operators
  • Water Resource Management
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Introduction to Applied Microbiology

Winter

  • Communications & Software Applications II
  • Environmental Law And Ethics
  • Occupational Health And Safety
  • Soil and Water Use In Agreosystems
  • 2 Restricted Electives from List 1

Summer

Work Term One

Fall

  • Spills and Contamination Site Remediation
  • Ecology
  • Introduction to GIS
  • Business Practices And Compliance
  • 2 Electives from List 2

Winter

  • Human Resource Management
  • Data Analysis And Statistics
  • Environmental Project
  • 3 Restricted Electives from List 3

Restricted Electives:

List 1:

  • Site-Specific Crop Management 
  • Sales and Sales Management 
  • Pesticide Certification and Safety
  • Water Treatment
  • Sewage and Waste Water Treatment

List 2:

  • Applied Plant Science
  • Advanced Math and Water Chemistry 
  • Agriculture and Environmental Stewardship
  • Water System Equipment and Maintenance 
  • Special Study Project

List 3: 

  • Renewable Energy and Agriculture
  • Entry-Level Drinking Water Operations
  • Land Use Planning
  • Advanced GIS
  • Nutrient Management
  • Solid Waste Management