Environmental Technology (Co-op option available)

Program Overview

There is growing disconnect between humans and the environment, but well-trained environmental technologists are looking for solutions as pressures from population, industry and society continue to stress our ecosystem. Equipped with knowledge rooted in an evolving priority of sustainability that is grounded in risk and analytical testing, technologists provide innovative ways to reduce human impact on the environment and work towards a more sustainable way of living.

Pathways

Lab Experiments

Field Work

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)
Grade 12 mathematics (C, M or U)

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Intakes and Availability

Date	Domestic Availability	International Availability
September 2020	Open	Open

Tuition

Year one domestic: $2,722 (CDN)
Year one international: $13,322 (CDN)

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Co-operative Education (co-op)

The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals. Similar to an academic course, work terms are a mandatory component to this form of experiential learning.

Semester 1 Courses

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Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Environmental compliance technologist
Environmental consultant
Environmental microbiology technologist
Environmental technologist
Hazardous waste technologist
Junior environmental officer
Laboratory technologist
Wastewater operator

View all Career Options

Program Details

This dynamic program focuses on the chemical and biological sciences as they relate to environmental pollution. An emphasis is placed on ground and surface water quality, soil and waste management and recycling in urban and industrial settings. You will also examine environmental regulations and review their social and economic impacts on communities.

Training and experience in the handling, analysis and monitoring of a wide variety of biological and chemical parameters linked to pollution are at the heart of this program. First-hand field work and laboratory experience is emphasized in areas such as:

Analytical chemistry
Environmental chemistry
Environmental Sampling
Environmental stewardship
Instrumental analysis
Microbiology

Environmental problems and concerns are constantly changing and at Durham College we aim to adapt in order to stay at the leading edge of these changes. Statistics Canada has identified environmental technology as one of the top emerging employment sectors.

Student Testimonial:

I have recently graduated from the Environmental Technology program and can honestly say that everything you learn will be used for future employment. I worked with the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change for two summer placements with the air quality division which heavily relied on chromatography, spectroscopy and environmental regulations. I now work for a global environmental civil engineering firm for ambient air quality where my studies and experience did not just help me prepare for the interview but got me the job. Environmental Technology is an amazing program with a lot of future employment to look forward to and will truly prepare you for work in the environmental field.

- Noelle Tilley

Graduate of the Environmental Technology Program Class of 2018

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)
Grade 12 mathematics (C, M or U)

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.

Costs

YEAR ONE FEES	Domestic	International
Tuition	$2,722	$13,322
Compulsory Ancillary	$1,337	$1,812
Program Incidental	$240	$240
Total Fees:	$4,299	$15,374

Please note: fees are based on the 2019-2020 academic year and do not include textbooks. For more information please see Other fees to consider.

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Environmental compliance technologist
Environmental consultant
Environmental microbiology technologist
Environmental technologist
Hazardous waste technologist
Junior environmental officer
Laboratory technologist
Wastewater operator

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Air monitoring consultants
Conservation authorities
Energy generation and distribution
Environmental engineering and consulting firms
Government agencies
Industrial laboratories
Waste management
Water and wastewater treatment facilities

Field Placement

Your learning experience will be complemented by a field placement in your third year, which will enable you to work in the environmental industry and utilize your newly acquired skills, gaining valuable knowledge and industry-related experience.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Eligible graduates may also pursue their Environmental Professional or Environmental Professional-in-training designation through ECO Canada or their Certified Engineering Technologist designation through the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists. Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:

Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Co-operative education (co-op)

Students in the Environmental Technology Advanced Diploma program will be invited to apply to the co-op option during their first academic semester. Entrance to the co-op option is limited and the processes for securing a work term are competitive. Students who qualify for co-op will be eligible to complete two four-month, paid work terms totalling 840 hours. Work terms are scheduled between semesters two and three and four and five of the program.

Supports are available through the Co-op office to assist students with securing their work terms. In addition, the Co-op office is in contact with co-op students and their employers during the work terms to help with any questions.

Program Sequence

SEPTEMBER INTAKE:

	Fall (September to December)	Winter (January to April)	Summer (May to August)
Year 1	Academic semester 1	Academic semester 2	Co-op work term 1
Year 2	Academic semester 3	Academic semester 4	Co-op work term 2
Year 3	Academic semester 5	Academic semester 6

Courses

CO-OP OPTION

SEMESTER 1

SEMESTER 2

CO-op Work TErm 1

Co-op Work Term 1 (ENVC 1000)
The co-op work term will provide students with work experience in areas such as ground and surface water quality, soil and waste management and recycling in urban and industrial settings. The co-op work term expands students’ learning environment to real work settings where they will be challenged to apply their academic knowledge and then return to campus with a deepened understanding of industry demands and required skills.

SEMESTER 3

SEMESTER 4

CO-op Work TErm 2

Co-op Work Term 2 (ENVC 2000)
Building on their first work term, this co-op work term will continue to provide students with work experience in areas such as ground and surface water quality, soil and waste management and recycling in urban and industrial settings. The co-op work term expands students’ learning environment to real work settings where they will be challenged to apply their academic knowledge and then return to campus with a deepened understanding of industry demands and required skills.

SEMESTER 5

SEMESTER 6

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.

CO-OP ADMINISTRATIVE FEE

Once transferred to the co-op option of a program, students will have a co-op administrative fee of $475 per work term assessed to their accounts. The administrative fee goes to support the broad array of support services provided to co-op students. These services are dedicated to supporting student success.

Learn more

Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op student.

Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op employer.

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes and Availability

Tuition

Co-operative Education (co-op)

Semester 1 Courses

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Program Details

Admission Requirements

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6

Costs

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Field Placement

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Co-operative education (co-op)

Program Sequence

SEPTEMBER INTAKE:

Courses

CO-OP OPTION

SEMESTER 1

SEMESTER 2

CO-op Work TErm 1

SEMESTER 3

SEMESTER 4

CO-op Work TErm 2

SEMESTER 5

SEMESTER 6

CO-OP ADMINISTRATIVE FEE

Learn more

Environmental Technology (Co-op option available) in the news

Helpful Resources

College guide September 2020 [PDF]

College guide September 2020 [Interactive]

Graduate Employment Report [PDF]