Overview

The Environmental Management (EMP) program explores unique Canadian problems within a global perspective. The student learns systems, tools and strategies, risk management techniques and legal requirements for the assessment and management of air, water, land and waste. Throughout the program, the focus is on the need for sustainable development and market-driven solutions.

This program explores both theory and practice, which allows students to gain an appreciation of the complexity of designing environmental strategies in the presence of diverse, and competing stakeholder interests. Case studies from environmental practice and current newspaper articles will provide the content and context for discussion.

The goal of the program is to produce well-trained environmental practitioners who can effectively implement and manage programs directed at limiting environmental impacts and restoring degraded environments. The program provides an interdisciplinary approach to environmental management of air, land, water and waste.

Students will choose seven courses to complete the program. All courses are theory based and delivered online.

Career Opportunity

ECO Canada demand for workers with environmental skills is expected to increase over the next 5 -10 years. Workers in this field are employed in the following major sectors:

  • Natural Resource Management
  • Environmental Health and Safety
  • Waste Management
  • Policy and Legislation
  • Communications and Public Awareness
  • Environmental Goods and Services
  • Renewable Energy

Major employers in these sectors include:

  • engineering consulting firms
  • government departments
  • postsecondary and research institutions
  • property management companies, municipal and industrial treatment facilities
  • not-for-profit/non-governmental agencies
  • land-use and conservation agencies
  • industries related to manufacturing, forestry, oil and gas, and mining.

Environmental Management encompasses a broad range of occupations and practitioners can expect to do some of the following tasks:

  • planning, design and supervision of processes to assess, clean up and protect the environment
  • improving air/water quality
  • managing solid/hazardous waste
  • overseeing regulatory procedures to ensure facilities are in compliance with environmental policies
  • monitoring sites
  • designing pollution control plans
  • recommending procedures to clean up contaminated sites
  • gathering air, water and soil samples
  • performing tests to measure environmental conditions
  • reviewing applications for environmental permits or certification
  • creating awareness of sustainable development practices
  • conducting public consultation programs
  • training other personnel on environmental issues and regulation compliance
  • coordinating public hearings, pollution prevention initiatives and recycling programs.

Some sample job titles include:

  • Water Resource Analyst
  • Field Technician
  • Environmental Monitoring Technician
  • Sustainability Technician
  • Natural Heritage Planner
  • Waste Management Specialist
  • Compliance Officer
  • Environmental Auditor
  • Environmental Health Officer
  • Water Quality Inspector
  • Air Quality Specialist
  • Park Naturalist
  • Conservation Officer
  • Recycling Manager
  • Eco-Tourism Planner

For more information on jobs and careers in Environmental Management, please see the following sites:
Eco Canada
Workopolis
Work Cabin
Good Work

Entry Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent
    OR
    Mature Student Status (age 19 or older) with appropriate Academic Career Entrance (ACE) certificate program credits (see Academic Upgrading)
  • May be of interest to students with a college diploma in Environmental Technician/Technologist; Ecosystems Management Technician/Technologist
    or
  • May be of interest to university students with a degree in Wildlife/Biology; Botany; Zoology; Ecology; Environmental and Resources Studies; Environmental Science; or Engineering

You do not need to apply to begin this program. Start by ensuring you meet the admission requirements listed above and then register for the courses listed on the Curriculum page when they are offered

Filter Classes: In Class     Online     Correspondence     Hybrid     Availability   

Part-time Studies courses are being offered in either of the following four formats: Online, Flexible, In-person, Hybrid. Click Availability below to see current offerings.

Curriculum

OHS102
Environmental Management: An Introduction
Availability
 

This course facilitates the development of analytical and evaluation skills required in the management of environmental issues. Students gain a better understanding of the complexity of environmental policies, legislation procedures, and familiarity with the implications and effects of environmental management strategies. The application and development of site inspections and program auditing are explored to assist in the recognition and analysis of potential environmental risks as they would apply in the development of an environmental management system. You must achieve a grade of 60% to pass this course.
This course can also be counted as one credit in the Environmental Management Certificate Program.




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ENV200
Environmental Laws and Regulation
Availability
 

This course provides skills and practical knowledge that enables students to apply various environmental laws and regulations such as the Environmental Protection Act, the Ontario Water Resources Act, Ont. Reg 419 (and former Reg. 346), Ont. Reg. 347, and other related environmental legislation.




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ENV101
Climate Change
Availability
 

In this course students research and discuss issues related to global warming, develop skills in innovative thinking, research, political awareness, ethical reasoning, debating and communicating orally and in writing. Students develop an awareness of the current scientific certainties in global warming versus what is not certain, historical and current political issue related to global awareness, including topics such as the Kyoto agreement, ethical responsibilities of individuals, corporations, and governments, and the conflictions between economic development and the environment. This course provides the opportunity for students to develop greater understanding of social understanding and the relationship between science, technology and an individual's responsibility and society.




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GRE100
Introduction to Sustainable Development
Availability
 

This course introduces the concept of sustainable development to a broad audience. The course discusses the environmental, economic and social impacts that affect the sustainability of our communities.




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Elective (Complete 3 courses from the list)

AET100
Energy Resources (Alternative Energy)
Availability
 

This course deals with the issues of traditional and non-renewable energy sources such as crude oil, natural gas, coal and nuclear energy as well as renewable energy sources like hydroelectricity, solar, ocean, geothermal and wind energy. Students obtain a broad understanding of current resources, technologies and their limitations, and a realistic appreciation of what energy sources and technologies may be feasible in the future.
Students also assess critically environmental impacts of the generation, storage, transportation and use of energy.




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ENV111
Environmental Site Assessment and Reporting
Availability
 

This course provides students with the understanding of the theory and practice of Environmental Assessment approaches that are the principal means of integrating environmental considerations into governmental decision-making




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ENV112
Environmental Management Systems/Audits
Availability
 

This course introduces students to the concept on environmental management systems and their role in reducing overall environmental impacts within industry and business operations. It provides students with an overview of the purpose of an EMS model, how companies adopt/implement them and the overall framework of EMS models. Also it focuses on specific EMS models, including the ISO 14001 system and teaches students about the Auditing process, in terms of using the audit as a management tool for environmental performance.




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ENV113
Restoration Ecology
Availability
 

This course examines some of the practices to renew or restore ecosystems and habitats that were damaged or destroyed by human intervention. Restoration projects purpose is to change disturbed areas into functioning ecosystems, able to provide ecosystem services or function as a natural habitat again.
It analyzes the biological and physical aspects of restoration ecology. It also emphasizes the role played by society in a successful restoration project. Guidance for the design of a natural ecosystem restoration project will be provided. 23 different case studies are presented in this course, and provides practical tools and techniques already tested on the field of restoration ecology projects.




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ENV114
Business of The Environment
Availability
 

This course provides students with a fundamental understanding of management and business principles, corporate social responsibility and effective organizational change. This course is designed to give environmental practitioners the real-world skills needed in order to participate in corporate decision making, while understanding the core values underpinning responsible business.




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NAT124
Environmental Citizenship
Availability
 

This course is a journey into adopting attitudes and behaviours that foster global environmental responsibility. It is based on the general principles of national citizenship, where environmental citizenship goes beyond national borders to emphasize global environmental rights and responsibilities to focus on both conservation of and planned sustainable use of our planet's resources, as well as the recognition that environmental health is a prerequisite to human health. Environmental citizenship is a personal commitment to learning more about the environment and to taking responsible environmental action.




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Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to:

  1. Assist in the implementation of environmental practices that comply with environmental legislation;
  2. Examine the management and regulation of environmental issues facing business and industries operating in Ontario;
  3. Interpret environmental legislation, policies and processes to identify policy and regulatory gaps;
  4. Apply environmental management theories and policies to meet regulations;
  5. Examine industrial processes, pollution control systems, practice techniques and procedures to ensure methods are addressing regulatory requirements;
  6. Identify strategies from an impact assessment to reduce an organization's environmental risks and financial costs;
  7. Recommend the development and implementation of an environmental management system;
  8. Examine the auditing process to ensure an organization is meeting its environmental obligations.

Graduation/Convocation

When you meet all program requirements and become eligible for a certificate, diploma, or degree, you must inform the Registrar by completing a Graduation Application form and paying the graduation and alumni fee. Certificates, diplomas, and applied degrees are issued twice a year in the Fall (October), Spring (June) and Winter (February).

For further information including deadlines and fees, please visit the Convocation website or contact the Convocation Office at theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Minimum Performance for Graduation

A student will be eligible to graduate from a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or graduate certificate program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.0.

A student will be eligible to graduate from a degree program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.5, which includes a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the courses in their main field of study and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in breadth courses.

Residency Requirements

A faculty of Seneca Polytechnic may recommend a student for a certificate, diploma or degree only after the student has earned a minimum of twenty-five percent of the credit for that program at Seneca.

Program Contacts

Ramya Kottapalli
Program Assistant
Ramya.Kottapalli@senecapolytechnic.ca
416.764.0975


For more information about this program, fill out the following form.