PROGRAM ENTRY:

Please refer to the Admissions section of this Calendar.

The program is structured in a three year format to be delivered in six academic semesters, two practical skills training sessions, one work term and one professional orientation session.

The first two terms include courses that are common to other Marine Institute technology programs, such as communication skills, mathematics and physics as well as courses in chemistry, biology, computer applications, and an introduction to issues in the Marine Environment. After Term 2 students will participate in the first practical skills session, which is seven weeks in duration. The first practical session includes safety courses such as MED-DVS and marine sampling.

In the second year students focus on environmental issues relating to scientific and social problems of marine pollution and marine resource use. This year serves to give a solid background in environmental science and technology and the use of environmental legislation and policy as a control measure for human interaction with the environment. The second practical skills training session after Term 4 is five weeks in duration and is followed by an 8 week work term placement with industry or environmental agencies. Following Term 4 students are academically and practically prepared for their work term placement and have completed the certification requirements for Standard First Aid, MED-DVS, SVOP (Small Vessels Operators Proficiency), Basic Oil Spill Responder, Confined Space Awareness and H2S Alive. Additionally, the students have a strong background in communications, computer skills and laboratory skills. The work term placement will provide an opportunity for students to apply the skills and knowledge obtained from the first two years of the program.

The final year continues to build on the environmental concepts especially those related to environmental management. During this year students will undertake a major technical research project with the support of a team of supervisors from faculty and support staff. Following the sixth semester a four week professional orientation places the student with industry to gain further professional experience prior to the June graduation.

Credit Earned: Diploma of Technology

3 years (6 academic terms, 2 practical skills term)

Normal Start: Fall

School of Fisheries

Contact:
Admissions Officer
(709) 778-0380
1-800-563-5799 (ext. 380)
email: admissions@mi.mun.ca

The program is designed to equip graduates with the ability to work in the relatively new and expanding area of Marine Environmental Technology. The environmental sector in general is growing at a fast rate and in light of recent problems in the fisheries and the crowding of our coastal areas, there is a need for resource management technologists who can apply technical expertise in the ocean and coastal environments. Some of the highlights of the program are given below.

• Upon graduation, students will be familiar with the underlying scientific principles of environmental operations as well as the policy and legal framework that forms current environmental regulations. They will be exposed to the multidisciplinary aspect of the environmental sector.
• To meet the needs of industry, discipline-related courses are supplemented by further training in the areas of computer applications, communications, business principles and economics.
• The program recognizes the increasing role of computers in the environmental sector. Computer basics are taught early in the program allowing advanced courses to take advantage of computer related topics such as remote sensing and geographic information systems.
• In order to give participants in the program experience in the industry, a mandatory work term is included in the program. This eight week session allows the student to gain experience in an industry setting.
• In addition to the certification opportunities described, graduates of the Marine Institute Diploma of Technology in Marine Environmental are eligible for admission to the Memorial University Bachelor of Technology program. Candidates are required to complete 13 courses for the Bachelor of Technology degree.
• Certified training will be provided in Standard First Aid, MED-DVS, SVOP (Small Vessel Operators Proficiency), Basic Oil Spill Responder, Confined Space Awareness and H2S Alive.
• Students will be familiar with sampling methodologies for scientific study in air, water and biological sampling.
• The professional orientation session prior to graduation provides students additional work experience and industry contacts.

The goal of the Marine Environmental Technology Program is to develop environmental technologists who possess the knowledge and skills to work in the marine area. However, graduates are not limited to working in marine sectors as the program includes broad environmental principles applicable to diverse sectors. Skill development in sampling methodologies apply to freshwater and terrestrial species. Program graduates have been successful in applying their skills and knowledge to environmental sectors that are both marine and land based.

Through extensive consultation with industry, skills that employers find useful have been identified and are focused on through the program. Since many of the companies operating in the environmental sector are relatively small and consultancy based, communication and business skills are integrated into the program. the result is a graduate who can fill a number of different roles in the environmental sector.

Sample job descriptions include:

• Field technologist who collects samples in a potentially polluted area. With experience, the technologist will be able to manage a field operation.
• Environmental advisor on the use, conservation and protection of coastal areas.
• Apply local laws, rules and regulations in the development of safe environmental plans, assessments, etc.
• Perform laboratory analysis on chemical and biological samples.
• Respond to chemical spills and assist with cleanup operations. With experience, students should be able to oversee cleanup operations.

Possible Job Titles are:

• Fishery Observer
• Environmental Technologist
• Environmental Officer
• Fishery Officer
• Pollution Abatement Officer
• Laboratory Technologist
• Operator of Environmental Facility
• Assessment Officer
• Technical Salesperson
• Pollution Control Officer