Environmental Technology Co-op Diploma
Program OverviewAdmission RequirementsProgram Structure Potential Pathways Faculty and Staff Future Career Options Alumni Testimonial Tuition and Fees
Program Overview
Start your new career in the exciting and rewarding field of Environmental Technology. Students are educated to national standards in environmental areas related to the natural resource sector, focusing on the oil sands and related Alberta industries. Areas of study include biology, chemistry, ecology, soil science, environmental law, geotechnical procedures, Geographic Information Systems, water quality, wildlife management, and land reclamation within forestry, mining, and oil sands operations.
The program also features a summer work term to provide students with valuable work experience in the region. Graduates of this program are qualified to enter the workforce directly or continue their studies in year 3 of a degree in Environmental Sciences at the University of Lethbridge. The Environmental Technology program begins a new intake every September and January.
Part-time students are also welcome.
Admission requirements
Applicants must possess an Alberta High School Diploma or equivalent with: |
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Mature students (Have been out of school for at least three consecutive years, or are at least 21 years of age by the first day of class) |
Please speak to an academic advisor for more information. |
English Language Proficiency |
You must have:
See our Credit Calendar for other ways that you can meet the English Language Proficiency requirements. |
Program structure
Program Structure | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Field Trips/Outdoor Laboratories | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Environmental Technology courses involve local field trips and outdoor laboratory classes within the Fort McMurray area during class hours. |
Potential Pathways
Graduates of this program are qualified to;
- Enter the workforce directly or
- To continue their studies in year 3 of a degree in Environmental Sciences at the University of Lethbridge, or
- Graduates may also transition into the Environmental Science Micro-Credentials Program.
Meet the Faculty and Staff
Marie-France Jones - Chair and Instructor, University Studies & Environmental Technology |
Marie-France joined the Keyano College faculty in 2019 and is an instructor in the Environmental Science programs (Environmental Technology and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science). She has a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Environmental Management and a Masters of Science in Forestry from the University of New Brunswick. She has also received her Doctorate of Philosophy in Forestry, focusing on temporally mapping the effects of heavy machinery on soil quality. Prior to teaching at Keyano, Marie-France had over ten years of research in soil hydrology and geospatial and statistical analysis.
Publications: Jones, M.-F., Arp, P. 2019. Analyzing and Projecting Soil Moisture and Cone Penetrability Variations in Forest Soils. Open Journal of Forestry. 9, 109-142. Jones, M.-F., Castonguay, M., Jaeger, D., Arp, P. 2018. Track-monitoring and analyzing machine clearance during wood forwarding. Open Journal of Forestry. 8, 297-327.
For more publications, visit Dr. Jones’s Google Scholar page. |
Robert Changirwa - University Studies Instructor |
Currently, he is teaching university transfer courses, including Engineering Mechanics (Statics), Engineering Dynamics, and Engineering Design and Communication. Prior to teaching, Robert worked at Syncrude Research Centre (Edmonton) and recently at Shell Albians Sands (Fort McMurray), holding progressively more challenging positions from Plant Engineer to Project Team Lead. He is equipped with 30 years of diverse experience, including 15 years of post-secondary teaching and 15 years in the oil sands industry.
Selected Publications: |
Kory Cheshire - University Studies Instructor |
During that time, she also graduated with a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, with her disciplines being Sociology, Education and Adult & Higher Education. While at Oregon State University, Kory was a member of the Women’s Volleyball program, she went on to play professionally in Switzerland and now continues to help coach the Keyano’s Women’s Volleyball team. |
Ryan J. Cox - University Studies Instructor |
Ryan has been an active member of the college community, contributing his time and expertise to a number of projects. This has notably included serving as the Chair of the Keyano College University Studies Conference Steering Committee, and collaborating with Wood Buffalo Public Library and Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo to bring creative writing instruction to the region's youth. Ryan is also an active poet whose work has appeared in The Windsor Review, Carousel, and Arc Poetry Magazine. He also regularly contributes book reviews to Prairie Fire, and his critical writing has appeared in English Studies in Canada and Canadian Literature.
Research interests: Poetics, Identity, Nation, Popular Culture, the Cyborg Selected publications: "Kusanagi’s Body: Dualism and the Performance of Identity in Ghost in the Shell and Stand Alone Complex," Cyberpunk and Visual Culture |
Blaine Legaree, PhD - University Studies Instructor |
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Matthew Morin - University Studies Instructor |
Matthew has been part of Keyano’s instructional staff since Fall 2012, teaching mathematic courses for students in the Engineering transfer program, Bachelor of Education program, Environmental Technology diploma, and Bachelor of Environmental Science program. Believing that mathematics is a vital tool everyone needs, Matthew brings recreational math activities to the Fort McMurray community through public lectures, an annual Math Fair, and acting as the local coordinator for the Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest. |
Sorin Nita - University Studies Instructor |
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Dr. Tamar Richards-Thomas - University Studies Instructor |
Tamar joined the Keyano College faculty in 2020 and is an instructor in the Environmental Science and University Studies programs. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics (honours) from the University of the West Indies, a Master of Science in Earth and Atmospheric Science from the University of Alberta, and completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental and Life Sciences at Trent University. She is also a certified teacher, specializing in Senior Mathematics, Physics, and Environmental Science.
Tamar teaches environmental science courses, including climate change and advanced air quality and monitoring, and university transfer courses, including physics and computer science.
Selected Publications: Richards‐Thomas, T., McKenna‐Neuman, C., & Power, I. M. (2021). Particle‐scale characterization of volcaniclastic dust sources within Iceland. Sedimentology, 68(3), 1137-1158. Richards‐Thomas, T., & McKenna‐Neuman, C. (2020). Wind Tunnel‐Based Comparison of PM10 Emission Rates for Volcanic Ash and Glaciogenic Aerosol Sources Within Iceland. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 125(24), e2020JD033392. Richards‐Thomas, T., & McKenna‐Neuman, C. (2020). Laboratory investigation of particle‐scale factors affecting the settling velocity of volcaniclastic dust. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 125(17), e2020JD032660. Richards, T. S., Aubourg, Q., & Sutherland, B. R. (2014). Radial intrusions from turbulent plumes in uniform stratification. Physics of Fluids, 26(3), 036602. For more publications, visit Dr. Richards-Thomas’s ResearchGate page |
David Smith - Environmental Studies Instructor |
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Mark Young, Ph.D. - Philosophy and Political Science Instructor |
Research interests: Areas of research interest include political theory and epistemic agency. Areas of teaching interest include politics, ethics, epistemology, ancient philosophy, critical thinking, and Indigenous philosophy. |
Staff |
Emily Bobbett - Laboratory Aide Karli Matthews - Laboratory Aide Chrissi A Sheppard - Laboratory Technician Jamie Wiseman - Laboratory Aide |
Future Career Options
Graduates may pursue job opportunities in:
- Environmental protection
- Conservation and preservation of natural resources
- Environmental education
- Communication and research
Potential employers include:
- Utility and mining companies
- Chemical manufacturers
- Transportation
- Government
- Education
- Wastewater management/water treatment
- Research and healthcare centres
- Environmental interest groups
Alumni Testimonial
Learn about Aaron's experience in the Environmental Technology Co-op Diploma program.
Tuition and fees
Year 1 - Full Time Fees for 2022-2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please note the 2022-2023 fees are pending sign off from the Government of Alberta as per the Tuition Fee Regulation.
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Year 1 - International Full Time Fees 2022-2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please note the 2022-2023 fees are pending sign off from the Government of Alberta as per the Tuition Fee Regulation.
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Year 1 - Summer 2022-2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please note the 2022-2023 fees are pending sign off from the Government of Alberta as per the Tuition Fee Regulation.
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Year 2 - Full Time Fees for 2022-2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please note the 2022-2023 fees are pending sign off from the Government of Alberta as per the Tuition Fee Regulation.
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Year 2 - International Full Time Fees 2022-2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please note the 2022-2023 fees are pending sign off from the Government of Alberta as per the Tuition Fee Regulation.
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Year 1 - Full Time Fees for 2023-2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please note the 2023-2024 fees are pending sign off from the Government of Alberta as per the Tuition Fee Regulation.
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Year 1 - International Full Time Fees for 2023-2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please note the 2023-2024 fees are pending sign off from the Government of Alberta as per the Tuition Fee Regulation.
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Year 1 - Summer 2023-2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please note the 2023-2024 fees are pending sign off from the Government of Alberta as per the Tuition Fee Regulation.
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Year 2 - Full Time Fees for 2023-2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please note the 2023-2024 fees are pending sign off from the Government of Alberta as per the Tuition Fee Regulation.
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Year 2 - International Full Time Fees for 2023-2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please note the 2023-2024 fees are pending sign off from the Government of Alberta as per the Tuition Fee Regulation.
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Please note, these estimates are based on 100% enrollment for all semesters and do not include mandatory laboratory fees. Laboratory fees can range from $31- $122 for 2022-2023 and $32-$125 for 2023-2024.
* Students will be charged a medical/dental benefit fee unless they opt out by demonstrating alternative coverage - deadlines can be found at StudentCare website.
** These programs have a mandatory Spring semester if students intend to graduate on time.
*** Tuition is due 10 business days before the start of each semester.
For more information view the Keyano College Credit Calendar.
For Further Information please contact the Chair of University Studies and Environmental Technology by email or phone 780-791-8957.