The Land and Water Resources (LWR) Diploma program prepares students to effectively conserve and repair disturbed land and riparian zones, as well as monitor water quality and quantity. The main focus of the program is reclamation of sites disturbed by industrial development and activity, and the regulations of reclaiming such sites as per the BC Oil and Gas Commission and relevant government bodies.
Employment opportunities are primarily concentrated in the oil and gas sector with some opportunities in mining, forestry, independent environmental consulting firms, First Nation band offices, and municipalities. As resource companies strive to meet government guidelines and industry best practices, this field of work will continue to grow across western Canada. Travel and field work are regular features of careers within this industry.
Career Prospects
Employment opportunities include the following positions in government, industry, First Nation band offices, and consulting companies:
- Land Reclamation Technician
- Water Resource Technician
- Remediation Technician
- Drilling Waste Technician- Research Technician
Intakes
| Location | Starting | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Fort St John | Fall* | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time |
* Full-Time intakes start in the fall of even-numbered years.
Length
65 credits (1057 hours), minimum.
This is a two year program taken over four semesters with minimum of 15 credits per semester. Part-time studies will take longer. Students in this program select course loads and course schedules that fit their needs and course availability. Registration is completed semester-by-semester.
Estimated Program Fees
Program fee type: Academic
Costs indicated are estimates for a full-time course load.
Book, instruments, supplies, uniforms/clothing and third-party fees are additional.
Domestic Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 3,581.40 | $ 149.76 | $ 207.35 | $ 3,938.51 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 4,261.87 | $ 158.88 | $ 259.19 | $ 4,679.93 |
International Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | International Medical Insurance | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 11,580.00 | $ 149.76 | $ 207.35 | $ 828.00 | $ 12,765.11 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 14,350.00 | $ 158.87 | $ 207.35 | $ 828.00 | $ 15,544.22 |
Still have questions?
Contact:
- info@nlc.bc.ca if you are in Canada
- info@international.nlc.bc.ca if you are outside of Canada
- academic-chair@nlc.bc.ca if you are currently an NLC student
Admission Requirements
English Requirement
For applicants from countries that practice Standard Written English, one of the following:
- English Studies 12 with a grade of B or higher, or equivalent
- English First Peoples 12 with a grade of B or higher, or equivalent
- ENGL 050 with a grade of B or higher, or equivalent
- ENGL 099 with a grade of B or higher, or equivalent
- Any university-level English course with a grade of C or higher
- NLC Writing Assessment with placement at the college level (100)
For all other applicants, one of the following:
- IELTS result with an overall score of 6.0 or higher with no band less than 6.0*
- TOEFL iBT of 78
- Canadian Academic English Assessment (CAEL) 60 overall band
- Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment (CLBA) 8 in each section
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) 57
- Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) 76
- Cambridge-Michigan Language Assessment (CaMLA) 69 plus NLC’s Writing Assessment
- A post-secondary level credential with equivalent English language requirements
- Two years of full-time secondary school education in English in Canada and completion of English 12, English Studies 12, English Literature 12, English 12 First Peoples, or equivalent with a minimum grade of B.
- Completion of the Citation in English for Academic Purposes Level 060
The General Academic English Language Proficiency Requirements outline more details of the academic English requirements.
* Students with a writing band of 6.0 or less are required to complete ENGL 099 with a B grade or higher before or during the first semester of their program.
Math Requirement
One of the following:
- Pre-calculus 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- Principles of Mathematics 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- Foundations of Math 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- MATH 040 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- Readiness for MATH 050 as determined by the CCP Math appraisal.
Science Requirement
One of the following:
- Biology 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- BIOL 040 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- Biology 12 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- BIOL 050 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- Chemistry 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- CHEM 040 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- Geography 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- Geology 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- Physics 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- PHYS 040 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- Successful completion of the BEAHR program or equivalency.
Post-Admission Requirements
Prior to starting Semester Three, students must:
- attend a Culture Camp through the Treaty 8 Tribal Association or other approved organization
Prior to starting LAND 290 – Work Practicum, students must submit certifications indicating completion of:
- H2S Alive
- Basic First Aid
- Pipeline Construction Safety Training
- WHMIS
Important Notes
- This program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit StudentAidBC to apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid.
- Student must provide personal equipment including hiking or safety boots, warm and waterproof clothing, clip board, and backpack. Practicum activities for LAND 290 will require students to have H2S, Basic First Aid, Pipeline Construction Safety Training, and WHMIS. Students will be responsible for obtaining certification as required prior to the fourth semester of the program. Personal safety gear will be available for students during the practicum activities, apart from protective footwear.
- Course transfer agreements allow students to receive course-by-course transfer to other colleges, universities, and institutes in BC, as indicated in the BC Transfer Guide.
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | 50% of all coursework must be completed at Northern Lights College |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | 2.00 program Grade Point Average (GPA); D grade (50%) minimum in all courses |
| Additional Requirements | Students are required to complete this program within a 10 year period from their start date.Prior to the Semester Three, students are required to attend a Culture Camp through the Treaty 8 Tribal Association or other approved organization. Proof of completion (e.g. Certificate of Completion) must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office. |
Semester One
All of:
- CPSC 101 – Introduction to Computing (3.0 credits)
- BIOL 125 – Basic Ecology (3.0 credits)
- BIOL 127 – Botany Basics (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 110 – Introduction to Workplace Communications (3.0 credits)
- SOIL 117 – Introduction to Soil Science (3.0 credits)
Semester Two
All of:
- ENGL 230 – Technical Writing (3.0 credits)
- GEOG 112 – Physical Geography: Surface of the Earth (3.0 credits)
- LAND 241 – Petroleum Fundamentals (3.0 credits)
- LAND 245 – Inventory and Assessment Techniques (3.0 credits)
- WATR 250 – Introduction to Freshwater Resources (3.0 credits)
Semester Three
All of:
- AGRI 223 – Introduction to Agriculture (3.0 credits)
- GEOG 250 – Cartography: Map and Airphoto Interpretation (3.0 credits)
- LAND 227 – Wildlife Habitat Conservation (3.0 credits)
- SOIL 230 – Soil Classification (3.0 credits)
- WATR 260 – Water Mensuration (4.0 credits)
Semester Four
All of:
- FNST 102 – Treaties and Aboriginal Rights (3.0 credits)
- FRST 225 – Forest Ecology (3.0 credits)
- GEOG 260 – Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3.0 credits)
- LAND 255 – Land Reclamation (4.0 credits)
- LAND 280 – Introduction to Contaminated Sites (3.0 credits)
- LAND 290 – Work Practicum (3.0 credits)
Credential
Diploma in Land and Water Resources