Courses
Semester 1
- Applied Mathematics in Natural Resource Sciences MATH0063
Units/ Hours: 45
This course will enable students to apply specific mathematical concepts and acquire foundation skills important in the Natural Resource and Environmental Sciences. It is designed to complement and reinforce learning within other first semester courses and program areas.
- College Communications for Environmental Science COMM0044
Units/ Hours: 37
This first semester course will introduce students to the essential communication skills required to be successful in their chosen post-secondary program. These skills include reading, writing, speaking, listening and critical thinking. Students, individually and in teams, will improve their overall communication skills through a series of written assignments, in-class discussions based on readings, and lab activities. Emphasis will also be place on developing research skills, with assignments integrated closely with other common first semester courses.
- Ecology and Environment ENVR0020
Units/ Hours: 60
Learn how nature works by studying the key components of the ecosystems in the Kawartha Lakes Region. Through field and lab exploration of wild life, landforms, forests, lakes, rivers and wetlands, students will see the connections between themselves, the environment and ecosystems that surround them.
- Ecosystem Skills ECOS0013
Units/ Hours: 60
This course will focus on three areas of study: identification, field and lab skills. Students will identify and classify the living and non-living components of the specific ecosystems described in the Ecology and Environment (ENVR 20) course. Field skills to be developed include the ability to navigate through the natural environment and use a variety of ecosystem inventory techniques. Special emphasis will be placed on safe work habits in lab and field.
- Geospatial Techniques GEOM0036
Units/ Hours: 45
This course is designed around the four pillars of Geomatics: Remote Sensing, Cartography, Surveying and GIS. Students will develop entry-level skills in data capture, surveying, (computer) drafting, principles of remote sensing, air photo interpretation, and in usage of representative Geomatics-related software.
- Environmental Leadership NATR0008
Units/ Hours: 45
This course will enable students to develop a personal position and direct their career path within the context of the environmental and natural resource industry. An integrated, community based learning approach will be used to identify and apply a personal understanding of leadership, sustainability and community in the context of natural resource sciences.
Semester 2
- Aquatic Studies FIWI0042
Units/ Hours: 45
Aquatic Studies is an introduction to some of the basic components and procedures involved in the study of aquatic ecosystems. Fish identification skills as well as aquatic and wetland plant identification skills will be stressed in this course. Invertebrate identification will be introduced. The students will also learn field water chemistry procedures and electrofishing techniques.
- Data Management for Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences COMP0461
Units/ Hours: 45
In this course, the student will use information technology tools to manipulate data from a variety of disciplines within the School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences. This course will include data collection methods and strategies to effectively manage environmental and natural resource science data.
- Introductory Chemistry SCIE0062
Units/ Hours: 45
This course is designed to provide a knowledge and understanding of the principles of chemistry. The following topics: matter and energy, atomic structure, properties and nomenclature of compounds, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, solutions, acids and bases, and a brief study of organic chemistry will be presented
- Technical Reporting COMM0034
Units/ Hours: 45
Successful communicators use knowledge, skills and strategies to create effective messages for a range of audiences and contexts. This course emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving to meet communication challenges in today?s workplace. Students will refine technical writing, communication skills and presentation techniques through a variety of assignments, assessments and hands-on practice.
- Trees and Shrubs Of Ontario FSTY0050
Units/ Hours: 45
This course deals with the identification of approximately 100 species of trees and shrubs of importance to those managing the forests resources of Ontario. Throughout the semester identification features for common trees and shrubs in both summer and winter condition are introduced and applied. A number of field trips are utilized to assist students with their identification skills. In the weekly lecture series topics such as tree growth, reproduction, photosynthesis, respiration, forest ecology and uses of trees will be introduced. At the completion of the course students will have a sound working knowledge of dendrology. The skills introduced in this semester may then be used in following semesters when working with Forest Ecosystem Classification, Restoration Ecology, Conservation Planning and other habitat management situations.
- Wildlife Observation Skills FIWI0041
Units/ Hours: 45
This course is an introduction to a range of skills in wildlife observation. A variety of wildlife species may be present in an environment despite not being seen. Important skills include visual and auditory identification of wildlife signs. The primary emphasis in this course will be on identification of wildlife signs such as tracks, trail patterns, scat, skulls, impacts on the environment, bird song and amphibian calls. When ever possible it is important to achieve visual observation and documentation of wildlife. Photography will be examined as a tool to document wildlife and their signs. Studies of wildlife observation technology will include an evaluation of binoculars and spotting scopes. Wildlife observation projects and groups will be reviewed including the Christmas Bird Count and breeding bird surveys. Lab instruction will be augmented with field trips to observe signs of local wildlife and when possible to document actual wildlife sightings.
- General Education Elective
Course Number: GENED
All graduates of diploma programs require general education credits. These courses allow you to explore issues of societal concern by looking at the history, theory and contemporary applications of those issues.
Your program has designated some required general education courses. In addition, you have the opportunity to choose from a list of electives each semester.
Many of these courses and some other general education courses are also available through evening classes, by distance education, or on-line. See our Part-Time Studies Calendar for these opportunities.
You may already possess general education equivalencies from other colleges or universities. Please see the General Education Co-ordinators at the Peterborough and Lindsay locations for possible exemptions.
See this page for a list of approved General Education Courses at Fleming College.
Semester 3
- Field Ornithology FIWI0046
Units/ Hours: 45
This course is designed for people working with or interested in working with passerines, waterfowl, shorebirds, upland gamebirds, wading birds and raptors. In this course, emphasis will be placed on; field identification of; biology of; external topography of (including feather groups and how they are used to determine age and sex); external sexing and aging techniques; preferred habitats and habitat requirements of; population status of; vulnerability and conservation efforts in; population census and monitoring techniques in; and internal management agreements concerning each of these bird groups. This course will include field excursions and outdoor research technique demonstrations; capture and handling techniques; bird banding; tissue and other biological sample collection; applications in genetic biology; and advances in bioacoustic technologies.
Pre-Requisites
Co-Requisites
- Fisheries Field Camp (BO) APST0023
Units/ Hours: 40
This course is designed to give second-year students an enhanced exposure to the aquatic community. It involves two days of intensive training into the use and philosophy of aspects required for the preparation and procedural concepts of fisheries research. This will be followed by one week of active work on the lake, collecting data that will be incorporated by the government agencies responsible for managing the Kawartha Lakes. Areas of study will include boat handling and motor maintenance, learning to read water conditions, applying the use of GPS units, working with a variety of fish nets, water chemistry, shoreline habitat documentation, fish sampling, and the application of fish tags. Another concept is the knowledge of working together in a group format to produce valid results.
Pre-Requisites
Co-Requisites
- Habitat Classification FIWI0044
Units/ Hours: 60
This course will provide participants with a variety of habitat inventory techniques following a number of Environment Canada's, Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network (EMAN) protocols. The course will start with a large scope approach looking at world wide biomes and realms, focusing on the variables of plant and associated wildlife species. The course the narrows its focus in a nested manner looking at Canadian ecosystems, then Ontario Ecological land Classification and Forest ecosystem classification. At each level of habitat classification wildlife habitat suitability will be emphasized and outline preferred and useable habitat for all wildlife species. Within these classifications, woody plant identification, coarse woody debris, herbaceous plant identification, soils and biodiversity of both terrestrial and wetland habitat will be investigated leading to establishing links between habitat and wildlife suitability. The main objective of the course is to explore current field inventory techniques employed by Fish and Wildlife resource technicians in North America.
- Introduction to Fisheries Management FIWI0016
Units/ Hours: 60
The principles, philosophy, and application of fisheries management in Ontario are examined in this course. Case histories will be used to emphasize current topics in natural resource management. The laboratory sessions will stress field activities and hands-on experiences as well as practical expertise in identifying, collecting, and aging fish components.
- Limnology I FIWI0017
Units/ Hours: 60
This course provides an introduction to basic limnology, with an emphasis on chemical and physical aspects. Students will learn how to properly use common limnological instruments and sampling devices and to perform aquatic surveys. The concepts of sample and analytical integrity will be stressed, as well as interpretation of results. Laboratory sessions will deal with laboratory and field techniques, while lectures will relate to the principles behind, and rationale for, lab and field techniques.
- Vertebrate Biology SCIE0032
Units/ Hours: 60
The course provides an introduction to ichthyology, herpetology, ornithology, and mammalogy. Included will be concepts of evolution, behaviour, anatomy, and the physiology of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The laboratory periods will be used to study, dissect, and identify representative vertebrates.
- Wildlife Technologies FIWI0043
Units/ Hours: 45
This course offers knowledge and practical training in current and emerging technologies important in fish and wildlife management. The technologies covered in this course include but are not restricted to the following: radio and ultrasonic telemetry, GPS navigation, PIT tags, data loggers and a variety of computer applications.
Semester 4
- Animal Pathology SCIE0126
Units/ Hours: 45
This course examines the pathology of diseases of common freshwater fish, birds, and mammals of Ontario and central Canada. Emphasis will be placed on factors contributing to disease, disease investigation, disease management strategies, Animal handling and euthanasia, necropsy techniques, methods of evaluating health parameters and tissue sampling procedures. N.B. All students must show proof of a protective rabies titre for this course
- Limnology II FIWI0018
Units/ Hours: 60
This course examines the ecology, biology, and taxonomy of common freshwater aquatic organisms. Additional topics will include an introduction to water pollution (including its effect on aquatic life), food web structure, and the impact of new species invasions.
- Natural Resources and the Law LAWS0056
Units/ Hours: 45
This course provides an introduction to laws that have an impact on the use of natural resources in Ontario. The course will deal with an overview of the legal system, the underlying principles of gaining compliance, and specific legislation that may be encountered in the natural resources field.
- Wildlife FIWI0038
Units/ Hours: 60
This course includes instruction in standard field and laboratory techniques used in the study of wildlife and basic principles of wildlife management, with emphasis on aging and sexing techniques. Concepts relating to small game, big game, fur, and waterfowl management will be introduced.
- Wildlife Diseases SCIE0127
Units/ Hours: 15
This course identifies and examines prominent diseases of common freshwater fish, birds, and mammals of Ontario and central Canada, with a focus on diseases of zoonotic and economic importance. Emphasis will be placed on disease recognition, significance of each disease, identifying causative agents, hosts, predisposing factors, methods to reduce disease transmission and zoonosis, signs and symptoms, testing for disease, and disease management strategies.
- General Education Elective
Course Number: GENED
All graduates of diploma programs require general education credits. These courses allow you to explore issues of societal concern by looking at the history, theory and contemporary applications of those issues.
Your program has designated some required general education courses. In addition, you have the opportunity to choose from a list of electives each semester.
Many of these courses and some other general education courses are also available through evening classes, by distance education, or on-line. See our Part-Time Studies Calendar for these opportunities.
You may already possess general education equivalencies from other colleges or universities. Please see the General Education Co-ordinators at the Peterborough and Lindsay locations for possible exemptions.
See this page for a list of approved General Education Courses at Fleming College.