The Associate of Science (ASc) Degree in Environmental Science offers students cross-disciplinary studies related to local and global environmental issues. The ASc in Environmental Science will prepare students for further study in the Environmental Sciences and provide a foundation for lifelong career success in this field.
The curriculum’s mixture of practical and theoretical approaches prepares students for employment in the growing fields of environmental monitoring, ecological restoration, and conservation services. These fields have high employment prospects now and in the future in the College’s geographic region.
For students intending to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree at other institutions, the ASc in Environmental Science program will facilitate transfer into the third year of a four-year degree program (120 credits) in the Environmental Sciences. Courses in the ASc in Environmental Science program can also be applied towards professional designations including Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo), Professional Biologist (R.P.Bio) and Registered Agrologist (P.Ag).
The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Information and Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council. (Download a PDF of the current Program Completion Guide).
Career Prospects
The Associate of Science in Environmental Science specialization provides opportunities for employment in the growing field of enviromental management and remediation. Graduates have environmental analysis, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills that prepare them for a wide range of careers. Graduates also have a solid foundation of specific knowledge that can lead them to careers in environmental monitoring, environmental site assessment, and environmental management, as well as serve as the basis for more traditional careers in education, business and management.
However, the degree is also designed for transfer into a bachelor’s degree program in Environmental Science or a similar undergraduate degree at a receiving institution.
Details
Intakes
| Location | Starting | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Dawson Creek | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Fort St John | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Length
60 credits (1050 hours), minimum.
Students may begin their studies off-cycle in January or May, but depending on course offering schedules, this may lead to a study period of over two years to complete the credential.
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 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 3,726.30 | $ 152.76 | $ 158.63 | $ 4,037.69 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 3,800.83 | $ 155.83 | $ 3,956.66 |
International Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees | International Medical Insurance | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 12,915.00 | $ 162.42 | $ 51.36 | $ 289.80* | $ 13,418.58 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 13,560.75 | $ 170.54 | $ 51.36 | $ 13,782.65 |
*Per four months
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
*A. Domestic students and students from countries that practice Standard Written English (see Appendix A) must have official transcripts demonstrating that they have met the English Requirements: One of the following with a “C” grade or higher: English 12 or English Literature 12 or English First Peoples 12, ENGL 050, or ENGL 099. Alternatively, any university-level English course with a “C” grade or higher. Students who do not meet one of the above English requirements must complete the NLC Writing Assessment for appropriate course placement.
B. International students who do not meet the requirement A. above, and domestic students who received their secondary education in French or another language, must show that they have met the NLC English requirement: see Appendix A (General Academic English Language Proficiency Requirements) OR must have received a minimum overall band of 6.0 on the IELTS exam, with no band less than 5.5.
plus,
C. Math Requirement: One of the following with a ‘C’ grade (60%) or higher:
– Pre-calculus 12,
– Principles of Mathematics 12,
– MATH 050 or successful completion of the Calculus Readiness Assessment, or equivalent.
D. Science Requirement*: A minimum of one course as follows with a ‘C’ grade or higher:
– Life Sciences 11 or Biology 12 or BIOL 040 or BIOL 050, or equivalent;
– Chemistry 11 or Chemistry 12 or CHEM 040 or CHEM 050,or equivalent;
– Environmental Science 11 or Environmental Science 12, or equivalent;
– Earth Sciences 11 or Geology 12, or equivalent;
– Physics 11 or Physics 12 or PHYS 040 or PHYS 050, or equivalent;
– Specialized Science 12
– Anatomy and Physiology 12
*Note that some Associate of Science Degree course options have specific prerequisites. Meeting the entrance requirements for the Associate of Science Degree does not ensure course prerequisites have been met for all available science courses
Important Notes
- The 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.
- 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.
- Transfer with an Associate Degree in BC provides preferential treatment to students continuing to complete a baccalaureate degree.
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | 25% of all coursework must be completed at Northern Lights College. A ‘C’ grade (60%) or higher must be obtained for courses to be considered for transfer credit |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | 2.00 program Grade Point Average (GPA) |
General Requirements
- 60 credits of first-and second-year courses (normally 20 courses). These must include a minimum of 18 credits (6 courses) in the Sciences at the second-year level, in two or more subject areas.
Specific Requirements
- 6 credits (2 Courses) in 100-level English, including:
ENGL 100 (3 credits)
AND
One University level English course at either First or Second Year level.
Preferred: ENGL 111 (3 credits) OR ENGL 112 (3 credits) - 6 Credits in 100-level Mathematics
MATH 101 (3 credits) OR MATH 105 (3 Credits)
AND
MATH 104 (3 Credits) OR MATH 102 (3 credits) - 36 Credits in Science, including all of the following:
BIOL 101 (4 credits)
BIOL 102 (4 credits)
CHEM 103 (4 credits)
CHEM 104 (4 credits)
GEOG 112 (3 credits)
GEOG 114 (3 credits)
SOIL 117 (3 credits)
And:
FNST 100 (3 credits) OR FNST 102 (3 credits)
And any four of the following:
FRST 225 (3 credits)
GEOG 250 (3 credits)
GEOG 260 (3 credits)
LAND 227 (3 credits)
LAND 241 (3 credits)
LAND 245 (3 credits)
LAND 255 (4 credits)
LAND 280 (3 credits)
PALE 200 (3 credits)
PALE 201 (3 credits)
SOIL 230 (3 credits) - 6 credits (2 courses) in Arts other than English. Recommended, but not required, to choose from the following:
Humanities:
ANTH 101 (3 Credits)
HIST 103 (3 Credits)
HIST 104 (3 Credits)
PHIL 101 (3 Credits)
Social Sciences:
ECON 101 (3 Credits)
ECON 102 (3 Credits)
GEOG 103 (3 Credits)
POLI 200 (3 Credits)
PSYC 101 (3 Credits)
PSYC 102 (3 Credits) - 6 credits (2 courses) in any credit course in Arts, Sciences or Humanities. Recommended, but not required, to choose from the following:
BIOL 125 (3 credits)
BIOL 127 (3 Credits)
GEOL 102 (4 Credits)
PHYS 103 (4 Credits)
PHYS 104 (4 Credits)
Note: An individual course may not be used to fulfill more than one of the specific requirements listed above.
Credential
Associate of Science Degree (Environmental Science)