Renewable Resource Management Diploma
Program Office: 403.382.6991 • envisci@lethbridgecollege.ca
Hit the Trails With Your Career
Have you always respected the environment and the fish and wildlife that call it home? Then a career preserving their habitat might be right for you – and it starts in the Renewable Resource Management program. This intensive two-year diploma program is focused on biology and primarily deals with fish and wildlife.
Textbook theory will come to life as you trek out into fields, forests, lakes and rivers to study animals and their environment, learning how to preserve their habitat for generations to come. You’ll be fully engaged in small classes taught by enthusiastic instructors who are recognized experts in the field.
Supplies for Field Studies
Students on field studies are expected to provide their own equipment and supplies. This may include:
- 30 cm metric steel ruler
- adequate clothing for cold/wet weather
- backpack for gear
- binoculars
- field equipment vest (recommended/optional)
- hiking boots
- orienteering compass
- safety glasses
- water bottle
Equipment and supplies may not be required in all courses or terms. Please consult the course outlines for specific equipment required before purchasing. Field studies schedules are dependent on many variables and may require students to participate on weekends. All program field studies require mandatory attendance.
Other Required Supplies
Available from Lethbridge College Bookstore:
- 16x hand lens
- dissection kit
- lab coat
- safety glasses
- “write-in-the-rain” field notebook/surveyors book (optional)
Available from sporting, hardware and office supply stores:
- 4 GB or higher USB memory stick
- 12 or more coloured pencils (pencil crayons)
- 30 cm metric steel ruler
- binoculars (8X40 or 10X50 magnification)
- chest waders (rubber soled)
- clipboard
- Nexus Type 115 or Silva Ranger compass (with declination adjustment screw)
- scientific calculator ($15-$30 range)
For additional information concerning lab or field equipment, contact the lab coordinator at 403.320.3202 ext. 5594.
Your Investment
Program fees will vary. To view fee information, click here and select your program.
Students are responsible for the cost of the field trips relating to this program.
Graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are awarded a Renewable Resource Management diploma.
New applicants are accepted into the Renewable Resource Management two-year diploma program for the Fall term (September) only.
General Admissions Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge College programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.
Academic Requirements
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements indicated in the Admission section of this calendar, applicants to this program must also satisfy the following specific course requirements (or equivalencies):
- Grade 11 Biology
- Grade 11 Chemistry
- Grade 12 Math (equivalent to Alberta’s Math 30-2 or a higher level Math)
Basic computer literacy in the use of the Internet, e-mail, word processing, and fundamental processes of spreadsheets is required for the student to be successful in this program. Students lacking these skills are strongly urged to complete a basic computer literacy course prior to entering this program.
Employers often require that students hold a valid Standard First Aid or Wilderness First Aid Certificate and/or a CPR Certificate to be eligible for seasonal and/or permanent employment. Students are encouraged to obtain these certificates either prior to entering the program or during the first term.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Term I | ||
| BIO-1167 | Botany 1 | 3 |
| BIO-1168 | Zoology 1 | 3 |
| RRM-1197 | Spatial Information Techniques 1 | 3 |
| RRM-2252 | Water Resources 1 | 3 |
| STS-1155 | Descriptive Statistics | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term II | ||
| BIO-1170 | Plant Systematics 1 | 3 |
| BIO-1172 | Ecology 1 | 3 |
| ENG-1150 | Composition | 3 |
| GEO-1166 | Physical Geology 1 | 3 |
| RRM-2253 | Soil Resources 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Term I | ||
| LAW-1150 | Introduction to Environmental Law | 3 |
| RRM-2256 | Rangeland Management 1 | 3 |
| RRM-2258 | Principles of Wildlife Biology 1 | 3 |
| RRM-2259 | Principles of Fishery Science 1 | 3 |
| RRM-2298 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term II | ||
| GEO-1165 | Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| RRM-2264 | Forest Management 1 | 3 |
| RRM-2291 | Wildlife Habitat Management 1 | 3 |
| RRM-2293 | Fish Habitat Management 1 | 3 |
| RRM-2299 | Fire Management 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Indicates courses with a field study component
Special note about field studies: Students are off-campus completing field studies during most of September and April. Due to scheduling conflicts it is extremely difficult to take Year 1 and Year 2 courses simultaneously.
Students are advised to complete all Year 1 courses before proceeding to Year 2, and all Year 2 courses before enrolling in Year 3 courses (for related post-diploma certificate or degree programs).
In the Fall term, field studies are in September, while in the Winter term, field studies are scheduled in April. Field studies schedules are dependent on many variables and may require students to participate on weekends. All program field studies are mandatory.
Students may complete non-credit environmental field techniques courses to enhance their employability. Courses such as firearms safety, ATV operation, chain saw operation, loading and backing trailers, and basic first aid may be offered by third-party businesses. Students will be responsible for the fees associated with these courses.
Interested students can obtain further information on these partnerships from the School of Environmental Science Chair. Students wishing to continue studies at other institutions must meet the entrance requirements of that institution.
Athabasca University
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Renewable Resource Management diploma are eligible to receive up to 60 credits towards a post-diploma Bachelor of Science (General Science) or up to 30 credits towards a post-diploma Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations, or a Bachelor of Management at Athabasca University.
Graduates are also eligible to receive 30 credits towards a post-diploma Bachelor of Science (Applied Mathematics), Bachelor of Science (Computer and Information Systems), or a Bachelor of Science (Human Science) at Athabasca University. Students may receive up to 30 additional credits on a course-by-course basis, provided courses fulfill requirements of Athabasca University's Bachelor of Science post-diploma programs. Students should consult Academic Advising at Athabasca University or visit their website for more information.
Griffith University, Australia
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Renewable Resource Management diploma, with a cumulative GPA of 65% or higher, are eligible to receive transfer credit towards the completion of a Bachelor of Environmental Science at Griffith University. For more information, please contact an Academic Advisor at Griffith University or visit their website.
Lethbridge College
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Renewable Resource Management Diploma will be accepted directly into the Bachelor of Ecosystem Management. A minimum GPA of 2.00 or equivalent is required for admission.
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Renewable Resource Management Diploma, who have completed the required Bridging Courses, may be eligible for acceptance into the Bachelor of Applied Science in Conservation Enforcement at Lethbridge College. A minimum GPA of 2.00 or equivalent is required for admission.
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Renewable Resource Management diploma, with a minimum GPA of 2.7, are eligible for admission into the Bachelor of Technology program at NAIT. Graduates must meet the competitive admission and selection requirements of the Bachelor of Technology at the time of application. Students should consult an Academic Advisor at NAIT for further information.
Royal Roads University
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Renewable Resource Management diploma, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, are eligible to receive block transfer into the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Practice, or the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Practice at Royal Roads University - provided all entrance criteria for admissions to Royal Roads University are met and space remains available. Graduates may also be eligible to receive block transfer into the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science at Royal Roads University, with the completion of one additional university level math course (calculus or linear algebra preferred) and two university level chemistry courses on arrival. Students should consult Academic Advising at Royal Roads University of visit their website for further information.
University of Alberta
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Renewable Resource Management diploma are eligible to receive up to 60 credits towards the Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Conservation Science (Land Reclamation major) at the University of Alberta. To receive the total allowable credits, applicants must present all diploma program requirements and meet the University of Alberta's entrance requirements. Please contact Academic Advising at the University of Alberta for further information.
University of Lethbridge
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Renewable Resource Management diploma, with a GPA of 2.75 or higher, are eligible for admission into the post-diploma Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) at the University of Lethbridge. Admitted students will be third-year degree level students in the university's Faculty of Arts and Science in all respects. For more information, please see an Academic Advisor at the University of Lethbridge or visit their website.
University of Regina
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Renewable Resource Management diploma, with a minimum graduating average of 60% and a passing grade in Pre-Calculus (or equivalent), are eligible to receive up to 60 credits towards the Bachelor of Science (Environmental Biology) at the University of Regina. For more information, please contact an Academic Advisor at the University of Regina or visit their website.
Our diploma program will prepare you for work in a wide variety of environmental and natural resource management career opportunities, including employment as:
- Biological Technician
- Environmental Technician
- Field Research Technician
- Resource Management Technician
Employment is found with government agencies, private environmental organizations, environmental (non-governmental) consulting firms, and natural resource industries (oil, gas, mining, and forestry).