Ontario College Diploma in Conservation Biology
Start Dates:
September 2021
September 2022
The only program of its kind in Ontario. You will focus on the conservation of at-risk animal populations using current research and technologies, including genetics and environmental DNA (eDNA).
Important program information for the 2021/2022 academic year
The chart below indicates the status of delivery for this program in upcoming academic terms. Please note that program delivery is subject to change based on government and public health requirements and the college's admissions policies.
Sem
Delivery Mode
On Campus Date
On Campus Reqs
Delivery Breakdown
1
hybrid
7-Sep
COMM/MATH/GNED: fully online; ECOS13/ENVR20/GEOM163/GEOL83: lecture online, labs in person on a rotational basis
lecture on-line, some labs in person
2
NA
NA
NA
NA
3
hybrid
Sept. 7
lectures online, labs in person either weekly, or on a rotation basis
lecture on-line, labs in person
4
NA
NA
NA
NA
5
NA
NA
NA
NA
Program Highlights
Animal conservation biology has grown in recent years with the global loss of species diversity due to several factors, including habitat destruction, disease, and climate change. The Conservation Biology program will help address this – it is the only diploma program in Ontario that focuses solely on applied skills and research in animal biodiversity conservation.
As part of the program, you will:
- Develop a broad background in animal biodiversity conservation
- Take part in field work and lab work specific to conserving animal populations
- Carry out genetic and tissue sampling with a focus on eDNA
- Develop skills and knowledge in identifying at-risk aquatic and terrestrial animals, and assess their risk factors
- Perform field surveys, and complete an applied research project in semester 4
Why Choose Fleming
Fleming College has more grads working in the environmental and natural resources sectors than any other college in Canada. We have an established reputation in the field. Our dedicated and knowledgeable faculty will guide you on your academic journey as you take advantage of our exceptional learning spaces – indoors and outside. A common first semester, shared with the other diploma programs in our School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, provides you with a solid foundation before you go on to specialize in your area of study.
Experiential Learning
In addition to the field work and labs within your courses, the program includes a 40-hour field camp in semester 3. In semester 4, you will undertake a semester-long applied research project, which will give you real-world work experience.
Common First Semester
Students in our School’s diploma programs take the same courses for first semester. This common focus exposes you to a variety of career options and other programs. You will have the freedom to explore and obtain a multidisciplinary perspective, while you acquire a base of knowledge and fundamental skills. Although students are accepted into a specific program for their first semester, the common first semester allows you to change direction if you find another program or career area is more appealing. Once you have successfully completed the common first semester, you can enter the program of your choice in second semester, subject to enrolment capacity.
Is This You?
You are passionate about conserving the world’s animal biodiversity, and you love working outdoors. Experience working or volunteering in an environmental or natural resource-related organization is an asset. You should also possess:
- Analytical skills
- A good background in high school sciences and maths
- Willingness to work in challenging outdoor situations and weather conditions
- The ability to work collaboratively with others
- Willingness to move for work
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities within this field are varied. Graduates could work for federal, provincial/territorial or municipal government departments, colleges and universities, environmental consulting firms, industry firms, or as self-employed consultants.
Careers include:
- Biological Technician/Technologist
- Conservation Technician
- Aquatic Biology Technician
- Fisheries Technician
- Conservation and Fishery Officer
- Zoological Technician/Technologist
- Species at Risk Technician
- Wildlife Resources Technician
Pathway Program
If you do not meet the admission requirements for Conservation Biology, consider the General Arts and Science - Environmental and Natural Resource Studies Option. This pathway program may provide the requirements you need for admission while you earn credit for first semester of Conservation Biology.
Related Programs
You may consider continuing your education in the Fish and Wildlife Technician, Ecosystem Management Technician, Environmental Technician or another of our two-year environmental or natural resource sciences diploma programs. In just two more semesters, you can obtain an additional Technician diploma and expand your career opportunities. You might also want to consider taking one of our graduate certificate programs to enhance your skill set. These include Aquaculture Co-op, Applied Planning – Environmental, or Conservation and Environmental Law Enforcement.
Health Requirements
You will be required to show proof of an adequate titre from rabies vaccination before entering semester 3. This applies to all students including those who may transfer into or enter the program with advanced standing.
Students will handle mammal carcasses so, for health and safety reasons, those who do not provide proof of an adequate titre will not be permitted access to the Pathology Lab nor will they be able to complete the program successfully.
Minimum Admission Requirements
Students applying to Conservation Biology must meet the following requirements:
OSSD (or equivalent mature student status OSSD) including Gr 12 C English and Gr 12 C Math. Completion of Grade 12 C/U Biology and Chemistry is recommended.
Technology Requirements
Windows (ideal) or Mac computer. Information about hardware requirements can be found on the ArcGIS Desktop system requirements page.
Tuition and Fees Detail
Tuition and ancillary fees are subject to change without notice. The fees presented below reflect Fall start programs only for the current academic year. For details about the fee differences for other program start dates please refer to the Tuition and Fees Details Chart below.
View complete tuition and fees details
Domestic Students
| Semester 1 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Academic Supports | $28.44 |
| Alumni Fee | $15.20 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $8.29 |
| CNB-1 Supply Fee | $6.00 |
| Career Services | $13.97 |
| College Student Alliance Fee | $5.40 |
| Frost Recreation Building Fund | $15.30 |
| Health & Counselling | $64.15 |
| Health Plan | $290.00 |
| Information Technology Fee | $103.85 |
| Lindsay Recreation Complex Fee | $0.00 |
| Program Supply Fee | $0.00 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $12.02 |
| Student Association Governance | $25.75 |
| Student Association Pub | $0.00 |
| Student Association Student Experience | $17.74 |
| Student Association Transition Fee | $2.55 |
| Student Building Fee | $58.86 |
| Student Building Fund | $41.47 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $2,751.00 |
| Total | $3,469.99 |
| Semester 2 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Academic Supports | $28.44 |
| Alumni Fee | $15.20 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $64.63 |
| CNB-1 Supply Fee | $0.00 |
| Career Services | $13.97 |
| College Student Alliance Fee | $5.40 |
| Frost Recreation Building Fund | $15.30 |
| Health & Counselling | $64.15 |
| Health Plan | $203.50 |
| Information Technology Fee | $103.85 |
| Lindsay Recreation Complex Fee | $65.00 |
| Program Supply Fee | $66.00 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $12.02 |
| Student Association Governance | $25.75 |
| Student Association Pub | $9.51 |
| Student Association Student Experience | $17.74 |
| Student Association Transition Fee | $2.55 |
| Student Building Fee | $58.86 |
| Student Building Fund | $41.47 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $2,751.00 |
| Total | $3,574.34 |
| Semester 3 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Academic Supports | $28.44 |
| Alumni Fee | $15.20 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $8.29 |
| CNB-1 Supply Fee | $0.00 |
| Career Services | $13.97 |
| College Student Alliance Fee | $5.40 |
| Frost Recreation Building Fund | $15.30 |
| Health & Counselling | $64.15 |
| Health Plan | $290.00 |
| Information Technology Fee | $103.85 |
| Lindsay Recreation Complex Fee | $0.00 |
| Program Supply Fee | $0.00 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $12.02 |
| Student Association Governance | $25.75 |
| Student Association Pub | $0.00 |
| Student Association Student Experience | $17.74 |
| Student Association Transition Fee | $2.55 |
| Student Building Fee | $58.86 |
| Student Building Fund | $41.47 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $2,751.00 |
| Total | $3,463.99 |
| Semester 4 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Academic Supports | $28.44 |
| Alumni Fee | $15.20 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $64.63 |
| CNB-1 Supply Fee | $0.00 |
| Career Services | $13.97 |
| College Student Alliance Fee | $5.40 |
| Frost Recreation Building Fund | $15.30 |
| Health & Counselling | $64.15 |
| Health Plan | $203.50 |
| Information Technology Fee | $103.85 |
| Lindsay Recreation Complex Fee | $65.00 |
| Program Supply Fee | $0.00 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $12.02 |
| Student Association Governance | $25.75 |
| Student Association Pub | $9.51 |
| Student Association Student Experience | $17.74 |
| Student Association Transition Fee | $2.55 |
| Student Building Fee | $58.86 |
| Student Building Fund | $41.47 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $2,751.00 |
| Total | $3,508.34 |
International Students
| Semester 1 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Academic Supports | $28.44 |
| Alumni Fee | $15.20 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $8.29 |
| CNB-1 Supply Fee | $6.00 |
| Career Services | $13.97 |
| College Student Alliance Fee | $5.40 |
| Frost Recreation Building Fund | $15.30 |
| Health & Counselling | $64.15 |
| Information Technology Fee | $103.85 |
| International Health Plan | $704.58 |
| Lindsay Recreation Complex Fee | $0.00 |
| Program Supply Fee | $0.00 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $12.02 |
| Student Association Governance | $25.75 |
| Student Association Pub | $0.00 |
| Student Association Student Experience | $17.74 |
| Student Association Transition Fee | $2.55 |
| Student Building Fee | $58.86 |
| Student Building Fund | $41.47 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $7,787.70 |
| Total | $8,921.27 |
| Semester 2 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Academic Supports | $28.44 |
| Alumni Fee | $15.20 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $64.63 |
| CNB-1 Supply Fee | $0.00 |
| Career Services | $13.97 |
| College Student Alliance Fee | $5.40 |
| Frost Recreation Building Fund | $15.30 |
| Health & Counselling | $64.15 |
| Information Technology Fee | $103.85 |
| International Health Plan | $645.82 |
| Lindsay Recreation Complex Fee | $65.00 |
| Program Supply Fee | $66.00 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $12.02 |
| Student Association Governance | $25.75 |
| Student Association Pub | $9.51 |
| Student Association Student Experience | $17.74 |
| Student Association Transition Fee | $2.55 |
| Student Building Fee | $58.86 |
| Student Building Fund | $41.47 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $7,787.70 |
| Total | $9,053.36 |
| Semester 3 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Academic Supports | $28.44 |
| Alumni Fee | $15.20 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $8.29 |
| CNB-1 Supply Fee | $0.00 |
| Career Services | $13.97 |
| College Student Alliance Fee | $5.40 |
| Frost Recreation Building Fund | $15.30 |
| Health & Counselling | $64.15 |
| Information Technology Fee | $103.85 |
| International Health Plan | $704.58 |
| Lindsay Recreation Complex Fee | $0.00 |
| Program Supply Fee | $0.00 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $12.02 |
| Student Association Governance | $25.75 |
| Student Association Pub | $0.00 |
| Student Association Student Experience | $17.74 |
| Student Association Transition Fee | $2.55 |
| Student Building Fee | $58.86 |
| Student Building Fund | $41.47 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $7,787.70 |
| Total | $8,915.27 |
| Semester 4 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Academic Supports | $28.44 |
| Alumni Fee | $15.20 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $64.63 |
| CNB-1 Supply Fee | $0.00 |
| Career Services | $13.97 |
| College Student Alliance Fee | $5.40 |
| Frost Recreation Building Fund | $15.30 |
| Health & Counselling | $64.15 |
| Information Technology Fee | $103.85 |
| International Health Plan | $645.82 |
| Lindsay Recreation Complex Fee | $65.00 |
| Program Supply Fee | $0.00 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $12.02 |
| Student Association Governance | $25.75 |
| Student Association Pub | $9.51 |
| Student Association Student Experience | $17.74 |
| Student Association Transition Fee | $2.55 |
| Student Building Fee | $58.86 |
| Student Building Fund | $41.47 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $7,787.70 |
| Total | $8,987.36 |
The fees above are for the current academic year for international students. Please note that the fees reflect the Health Plan and Integrated Transportation (Sutherland Programs only) charges for the fall entry point. These charges are applied up front and provide service coverage for a full year September to August. The charges for the winter and spring terms are as follows:
| Health Plan | Intergrated Transportation | Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | $645.82 | $255.50 | January to August |
| Spring | $263.60 | $142.35 | May to August |
Transfer Agreements
You may be able to use credits obtained at Fleming College to continue your postsecondary education in pursuit of a degree. The articulation and credit transfer agreements with our partner institutions are summarized below.
Ontario Tech University
Requirement
- Minimum mid-70% cumulative program average.
- Completion of the Ontario Tech Commerce Bridge.
Transfer Credit
- 45 out of a 120 credit degree.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
For more information
Requirement
- Minimum mid-70% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
- 18 credit diploma.
- Note: No transfer credits awarded.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
For more information
Seneca College
Requirement
- Minimum 70% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
- Entry into 4th semester standing in an 8-semester program.
To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.
For more information
Trent University
Requirement
- Minimum 75% cumulative program average.
- Students completing the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology can apply to the Specialization in Conservation Biology. Enrolment is limited and competitive.
- Trent will reserve five spaces each year for graduates of Fleming College’s Conservation Biology program who apply internally to the Conservation Biology degree program upon meeting the minimum admission requirements. Students must complete an internal application to Conservation Biology in their second semester at Trent to be considered for the program, provided they meet the terms outlined in Article 6.5 of the agreement.
Transfer Credit
- 6.5 out of a 20 credit degree.
- Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
For more information
Requirement
- Minimum 75% cumulative program average.
- Admission to the program is competitive. Achieving the minimum average does not guarantee admission.
Transfer Credit
- 6.5 out of a 20 credit degree.
- Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
For more information
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