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Environmental Technician 

Two students walking through a shallow river, both wearing bright red hoodies and black waterproof coveralls. They carefully navigate the rocky riverbed, with the water reaching just below their knees. The vibrant red of their hoodies contrasts with the natural surroundings, adding a pop of colour to the serene outdoor setting.

The evolving world we live in needs help to address the impacts of climate change, pollution, unsustainable resource consumption and land-use, and biodiversity loss. Students will learn to use a combination of technology, engineering, and environmental science theory.

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Home / Learn / Programs List / Environmental Technician 
Credential
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
Two years
Start Date(s)
January (Winter)
September (Fall)
Locations
Belleville
Open to
International Students
Domestic Students

Find your career

Everyone’s going green and there have never been so many opportunities to combat environmental contamination through prevention, pollution abatement, waste reduction and public education. Graduates find opportunities: 

  • Working within industries to reduce and clean up waste. 
  • Conducting environmental investigations and enforcement for government agencies. 
  • Monitoring water and wastewater treatment and safe drinking water for municipalities. 
  • Providing technical support to consulting engineers, urban and rural planners and environmental consultants. 
  • Students acquire skills in assessment of freshwater bodies using Ontario stream assessment protocols (OSAP and OBBN). 
  • Grads are prepared for certification in the Ministry of the Environment’s entry-level course for drinking water operators. 

Our grads get great jobs

  • Environmental Technician, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. 
  • Soil Tester, Matrix Solutions 
  • Environmental Lab Technician, SGS Canada 
  • Water and Sewer Plant Operator, Prince Edward County 
  • Environmental Technologist, The Greer Galloway Group Inc. 
  • Relief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, Town of Smiths Falls 
  • Assistant Watershed Monitoring Technician, Lower Trent Conservation Authority 
  • Source Protection Outreach Lead, Quinte Conservation Authority 
  • Biosciences Lab Technician, Loyalist College 
  • Supervisor of Compliance, Water and Wastewater Services, Corporation of the County of Prince Edward 

Is it for you?

Students who thrive in this program: 

  • Want to get hands-on experience in practical settings. 
  • Can work both independently and collaboratively with others. 
  • Are passionate about the environment. 
  • Have strong skills in math and science. 
  • Enjoy working outdoors and/or in laboratory settings. 
  • Have strong problem-solving and analytical skills. 
  • Want to get hands-on experience in practical settings. 

How you'll learn

Prepare to get your hands dirty! Loyalist offers real-world learning for real-world problems – featuring extensive fieldwork and instruction with technologies of the future in the newly equipped Bay of Quinte Skills Centre:

  • Sample natural environments and analyze environmental contaminants to develop remediation plans/solutions for impacted environments.
  • Get hands-on experience in leading-edge environmental facilities, including well-equipped field biology and instrumentation labs.
  • Understand the underlying social and environmental systems that contribute to pollutants in water/wastewater, soil and air. Combine this knowledge and related-field experience to apply for the highly sought after Water/Wastewater Operator-in-Training (OIT) license in your final semester.
  • Learn to apply current legislation under the Environmental Protection Act.

Outstanding staff make the difference 

  • Learn with active, involved faculty who are committed to students’ success by focusing on student-focused adult-education practices that address a variety of learning styles.
  • The teaching labs were set up by a program coordinator who brings 15 years of experience as a research geneticist working in three different countries.
  • Passionate professors incorporating emerging trends, techniques, technologies, and Indigenous knowledge and approaches to sampling, analyzing, monitoring, and improving environmental systems ensure students will be prepared for the evolving landscape of environmental technicians.
  • Get on-demand help with our stellar equitable learning advisor (an alumni of the program) and our senior faculty team to navigate life’s unexpected events to be as successful as possible in your education – whatever that looks like for you.

Courses

BIOS1013 Cell Biology Lab

This is an introductory course focusing on the topics of cell structure and function, the flow of energy in cells, and the exchange of information in and between cells. Basic biological laboratory exercises augment theoretical material. Co-requisite: BIOS 1012

BIOS1012 Cell Biology Lecture

This is an introductory course focusing on the topics of cell structure and function, the flow of energy in cells, and the exchange of information in and between cells. Co-requisite: BIOS 1013

COMM1068 Communications

This course introduces students to essential language skills to communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in written, spoken and visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audiences. Students reframe information, ideas and concepts using narrative, visual and symbolic representations, which demonstrate understanding.

CHEM1019 Introduction to Applied Chemistry-Lab

The first of two introductory laboratory classes for chemistry. This course aims to provide students with the foundational laboratory skills required to safely and efficiently work in a laboratory setting. The course will examine the proper use of simple laboratory equipment, interpreting results through mathematical calculations, and making proper laboratory observations. Laboratory exercises provide students with practical knowledge of general lab safety and standard laboratory procedures.

CHEM1018 Introduction to Applied Chemistry-Lecture

The first of two, this introductory chemistry course examines atomic structure, the names of the elements and their symbols, the IUPAC and common systems of nomenclature for inorganic compounds and ions, molecular weight, mole and solution concentration calculations, chemical reactions and equations. Laboratory exercises supplement the course material to provide students with practical knowledge of general lab safety and standard laboratory procedures.

CHEM1017 Introduction to Organic Compounds

This course is designed as an introduction to organic chemistry, with a focus on i) molecular structure of the major classes of organic molecules, ii) IUPAC nomenclature, iii) physical and chemical properties, and iv) key chemical reactions. Learners will develop a foundation for understanding the interactions between organic compounds, and both biological and ecological systems. Throughout, emphasis will be placed on the practical applications of organic chemistry to such environmental disciplines as water treatment and toxicology.

MATH1003 Mathematics for Biosciences 1

Students learn about the engineering and scientific applications involving the following areas: the SI system for dealing with exact and approximate numbers, exponents, solving equations, determinants and linear equations, curve sketching, graphing and trigonometry.

BIOS1010 Sustainability

This course focuses on understanding climate and climate change, investigating the implications of climate change, the societal and environmental impacts of a changing climate, and geoengineering solutions. Students learn about sustainability as it relates to conserving water resources, food supply, and energy production.

CHEM1016 Applied Chemistry 2-Lab

This course provides practical exercises to support Applied Chemistry 2 theory. Prerequisite: CHEM 1018, CHEM 1019, MATH 1003 Co-requisite: CHEM 1015

CHEM1015 Applied Chemistry 2-Lecture

Students learn principles of acids and bases, gases, chemical equilibrium, and stoichiometry. Emphasis is placed on the chemistry as it relates to disciplines within the Biosciences. This is a companion course for Applied Chemistry 2 Lab Prerequisite: CHEM 1018, CHEM 1019, MATH 1003 Co-requisite: CHEM 1016

CHEM1013 Applied Organic Chem Techniques

This course is designed as a continuation of introductory Organic Chemistry. Students learn nomenclature, structure, and physical and chemical properties of major groups of organic compounds, and differentiate among types of chemical reactions involving organic compounds. Emphasis is placed on the practical applications of organic chemistry to the biosciences and engineering. Lab exercises complement the theoretical components of the course. Prerequisite: CHEM 1018, CHEM 1019 Co-requisite: CHEM 1017

BIOS1001 Introduction to Microbiology

This course introduces microbiological theory, specifically addressing the fundamentals of microbiology, bacterial structure and function relationships, as well as technical processes to manage microbial growth, nutrition and infection. The principal divisions of the field are discussed in this course, including their relationship to biotechnological, chemical and environmental interests.

CHEM1017 Introduction to Organic Compounds

This course is designed as an introduction to organic chemistry, with a focus on i) molecular structure of the major classes of organic molecules, ii) IUPAC nomenclature, iii) physical and chemical properties, and iv) key chemical reactions. Learners will develop a foundation for understanding the interactions between organic compounds, and both biological and ecological systems. Throughout, emphasis will be placed on the practical applications of organic chemistry to such environmental disciplines as water treatment and toxicology. Co-requisite: CHEM 1013

MATH1004 Mathematics for Biosciences 2

This course focuses on engineering and scientific applications involving properties of exponents, logarithms and special graphing techniques. Microsoft Excel will be used. Prerequisite: MATH 1003

BIOS1002 Organismal Biology & Taxonomy

The relationship between structure and function is a fundamental principle of biology. This course in organismal biology emphasizes principles of anatomy and physiology of plants and animals within the context of problems that organisms must solve, including sensory perception and response to the environment, acquisition of oxygen and nutrients, excretion of wastes, movement, and reproduction. Prerequisite: BIOS 1012, BIOS 1013

BIOS1007 Technical Communications in Biosciences

This course is designed to: 1) raise awareness and interest regarding the place of science in everyday life, by exploring current local and global topics affecting life on Earth, and science's place in bringing these issues to our awareness; 2) develop sound critical thinking skills through exposure to the scientific method and experimental design; 3) apply transferable skills fundamental to scientific research and communication, and 4) learn of career opportunities in science through exposure to careers of current biosciences professors and local industry leaders.

GNED1100 Becoming a Global Changemaker

This Loyalist College graduate attributes course will help shape your perspectives, broaden your understanding of important issues affecting our societies today, and equip you with invaluable knowledge and skills that will inform your ability to influence your community in a meaningful and impactful way. By exploring topics such as cultural competency, Indigenous education, entrepreneurship, sustainability, health and wellness, and ecological literacy, you'll be equipped with a powerful toolkit that extends far beyond the classroom.

MATH2002 Data Analysis 1

This course focuses on measures of central tendency, measures of variation, frequency distributions, linear regression and the normal distribution. Microsoft Excel is used to generate statistical reports and graphs. Prerequisite: MATH 1004

ENVR2011 Environmental Chemical Analysis

This course is designed to investigate the fundamentals of analytical methods for sample preparation and analysis of liquid and solid environmental samples. Aspects of chain of custody and quality assurance and control are emphasized. Prerequisite: CHEM 1015, CHEM 1016, MATH 1004

BIOS2008 Habitat Management and Assessment

Field Biology provides and introduction to the theory of sampling procedures with practical experience in obtaining samples of both plant and animal, terrestrial and aquatic communities. Identification skills are stressed and elementary data processing introduced. Prerequisite: BIOS 1002, MATH 1004

ENVR2000 Hydrology and Watershed Management

Hydrometric procedures including streamflow measurements, river-stage measurements, rating curves and weirs are discussed and observed. Basic meteorology is also introduced. Prerequisite: MATH 1004

ENVR3004 Introduction to Geomatics

The student is introduced to the various Geomatics products, services and methodologies available to assist environmentalists in researching, delineating and mediating environmental issues: topographic surveying and mapping; topographic survey plans creation using AutoCAD; terrain representation & contour interpretation; Global Positioning Systems (GPS); aerial photography; LiDAR (Light Ranging & Detection); satellite imagery. Prerequisite: MATH 1004

BIOS2000 Microbiology

This applied biology course provides an introduction to microbiological theory and skills: specifically addressing microscopy, staining methods, cultivation of microorganisms, control of microbial growth, enumeration, water sanitary analysis and industrial application. Prerequisite: BIOS 1001

GNED General Education Elective

General Education Courses

ENVR2010 Environmental Instrumentation

Laboratory exercises in this course emphasize chromatography gas (GC), liquid (HPLC) and ion (IC), spectroscopy (in the ultraviolet (UV) Infrared and visible regions, and Flame and Furnace Atomic Absorption (AA). Sample preparation such as digestion, dilution, filtration, and extraction is performed. Prerequisite: ENVR 2011

ENVR2008 Environmental Protection Legislation

This course surveys Canadian environmental protection legislation addressing air quality, water quality, waste management, site decommissioning, noise, vibration, PCBs and asbestos. Legislation enforcement, environmental fate, audits, risk assessment and emergency planning are introduced, and ISO standards are discussed. Prerequisite: BIOS 1007

BIOS2014 Freshwater Ecology

Students study the biology and chemistry of fresh waters. Laboratory work supplements the theory. Prerequisite: BIOS 2008

ENVR2009 Hydrogeology and Sampling Methodology

This course deals with the geological occurrence of groundwater, principles of aquifers and the theory of groundwater movement. Prerequisite: MATH 1004

WKPL2089 Industry Research &Career Prep

This course will provide students with exposure to a broad scope of tools that can be used to achieve their career objectives. Scenarios are used to develop research techniques to identify job opportunities in a variety of related fields in private, research, contract, and government institutions reinforced with workshops and written assignments to create resumes and cover letters and practice job interviewing competency.

ENVR2005 Waste Management

This course covers basic waste management theory and practice. Although there are many kinds of waste, this course aims broadly to address topics like the current waste crisis; source, composition and properties of waste; planning processes and waste management hierarchy; techniques and practices for the treatment and disposal of waste; and site remediation and/or restoration resulting from inappropriate waste handling. Prerequisite: MATH 1004, CHEM 1013, CHEM 1015, CHEM 1016

ENVR2006 Water/Wastewater Treatment

Through lectures, demonstrations, tours and labs, the student acquire knowledge of the processes and operations involved in the treatment of water for drinking and the treatment of sewage. If successful, students obtain the MOE Entry Level Drinking Water Operator Certification. Prerequisite: ENVR 2011

GNED General Education Elective

General Education Courses

*Courses subject to change.

A student in a high visibility vest with sunglasses, stands in a stream with rubber boots on, smiling at the camera. Green graphic circles are in the lower lefthand corner of the image.

Admission requirements

Required academic preparation

  • OSSD/OSSGD or equivalent with courses at the general, advanced, (C), (U) or (M) level, AND
  • Grade 12 English (C) level or equivalent

OR

Recommended academic preparation

  • Biology and Chemistry at the (C), (U) or general level

Advanced standing

Applicants with a related degree or diploma may be considered for advanced standing or direct entry into second year. Learn more about credit transfer and advanced standing.

Prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR) 

Do you have work experience or other types of non-credentialed learning? Through Loyalist’s PLAR program, applicants and current students may be eligible to receive academic credit for relevant educational, work and life experiences.

International students  

Learn more about admission requirements for international applicants, including English language proficiency requirements, and how to apply.  

Costs

Approximate costs (2024 – 25) 

  • Domestic Tuition: $2,722.08 
  • Full-Time Ancillary Fees:* $1,367 
  • Total: $4,089.08 

Additional costs, such as supplies, travel and parking, may be incurred during workplace visits, etc.   

*Fees related to programs that are less than or greater than two semesters will be adjusted accordingly. Fees are subject to change. Please visit the Tuition and fees page for a list of the many services, activities and items included within the ancillary fees, and the related policies.

Paying for college 

At Loyalist College, we believe that cost should never be a barrier to your success. We’re here to help you navigate the costs of college and connect you with a variety of financial aid programs, resources and donor-supported awards. Explore paying for college.

 

Students are encouraged to keep an eye out for program-specific opportunities on our Biosciences Hub (from summer employment and on-campus student assistants to external honorariums/partnership awards). 

Approximate costs (2024 – 25) 

  • International Tuition: $15,000 
  • Full-Time Ancillary Fees:* $1,367 
  • Mandatory Health Insurance: $659 
  • Total: $17,026 

Additional costs, such as supplies, travel and parking, may be incurred during workplace visits, etc.   

*Fees related to programs that are less than or greater than two semesters will be adjusted accordingly. Fees are subject to change. Please visit the Tuition and fees page for a list of the many services, activities and items included within the ancillary fees, and the related policies.

Paying for college 

At Loyalist College, we believe that cost should never be a barrier to your success. We’re here to help you navigate the costs of college and connect you with a variety of financial aid programs, resources and donor-supported awards. Explore paying for college.

 

Students are encouraged to keep an eye out for program-specific opportunities on our Biosciences Hub (from summer employment and on-campus student assistants to external honorariums/partnership awards). 

Loyalist students, mostly in red shirts, are standing on a wooden bridge over a stream, looking up at the camera. Blue graphic circles are in the lower lefthand corner of the image.

Further study

What’s next?

Build on the knowledge and skills you learned at Loyalist by continuing your academic journey. Continue your studies in year three of the Environmental Technology program. Or, fast-track to a second diploma with just one additional year of study in:

Pathways and university transfer 

Receive credit recognition for your Loyalist studies when pursuing a degree at a university. Explore pathway opportunities.

Register with OACETT

Graduates are encouraged to register with the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT). Discover the benefits of being a member.

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