New environmental planning program to be offered at Frost Campus
City of Kawartha Lakes, ON (Oct. 7, 2016) – Building on its strong educational reputation in the environmental and natural resources field, Fleming College is launching a new post-graduate program aimed at preparing students for work in environmental and land use planning and integrated resource management.
The Applied Planning – Environmental program focuses on sustainability in development projects for both urban and regional land use. An intensive, two-semester graduate certificate program, it will be offered at Frost Campus within the School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences. To be eligible for the program, students must have a university degree or diploma in environmental science, engineering, or related sciences such as biology or ecology.
The program emphasizes team based learning as well as case studies, GIS, and practical projects. It also explicitly includes planning as it relates to First Nation communities, and Indigenous knowledge will be included throughout the curriculum. The program is capped off with a seven week field placement, providing students with invaluable real world experience.
“The program will produce a hybrid graduate – one who has a background in environmental studies or associated discipline, with the addition of a skill set related to environmental planning,” said Linda Skilton, Dean of the School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences and Principal of Frost Campus. “It’s particularly attractive to university graduates who may not want to spend two years in a master’s program but are looking for an added skill set that they earn quickly.”
Potential careers for graduates include working as a planning ecologist, planning biologist, planning technician, urban planner, environmental planner, or environmental assessment analyst.
“The environmental field continues to become more complex. Skills within the sector now require knowledge of GIS and computer applications, an understanding of ecosystems and their management, legislation, and communication skills in order to work with a wide variety of populations and interest groups. Various employers such as conservation authorities have commented on the need for this blended knowledge and skill set,” said Dean Skilton.
“An increase in population and urbanization, particularly in southern Ontario, has led to the loss of woodlands, wetlands and grasslands. Graduates of this program will have the ability to identify and plan the preservation and restoration entire systems that are important to human well-being.”
About Fleming College
Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Sciences, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has more than 5,800 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and 71,000 alumni.
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Media, for more information please contact:
Laura Copeland
Communications Officer
laura.copeland@flemingcollege.ca
705.749.5530 x 1370