Have you always respected the environment and the fish and wildlife that call it home? Then a career preserving their habitat might be right for you – and it starts in the Renewable Resource Management program. This intensive two-year diploma program is focused on biology and primarily deals with fish and wildlife.

Textbook theory will come to life as you trek out into fields, forests, lakes and rivers to study animals and their environment, learning how to preserve their habitat for generations to come. You’ll be fully engaged in small classes taught by enthusiastic instructors who are recognized experts in the field.

 
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Career Opportunities

Our diploma program will prepare you for work in a wide variety of environmental and natural resource management career opportunities, including employment as:

  • Biological Technician
  • Environmental Technician
  • Field Research Technician
  • Resource Management Technician

Employment is found with government agencies, private environmental organizations, environmental (non-governmental) consulting firms, and natural resource industries (oil, gas, mining, and forestry).

Visit ALIS website for more career information.

Student Feature: Ednna Stobschinkski

1st

The Renewable Resource Management program is the first step toward becoming a Registered Technologist in Biology, meeting all the criteria needed for Biological Technologist in Training

100+ specimens

in the Hubbard Collection, one of Canada’s largest collections of full-body taxidermy mammals

Transfer

into Lethbridge College’s Bachelor of Ecosystem Management degree program

At-a-Glance

Starts-in

September

Credential / Accreditation

Diploma

Duration

2 years

Dates and Deadlines

Visit the Program Application Status page for more details.

Program Availability
Domestic Status
International Status
International Status with Study Permit
Fall 2024
Open
Open
Open

Admissions

This program is available for International Students.

New applicants are accepted into the Renewable Resource Management two-year diploma program for the Fall term (September) only.

General Admissions Requirements

All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge College programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.

Academic Requirements

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements indicated in the Admission section of this calendar, applicants to this program must also satisfy the following specific course requirements (or equivalencies):

  • Grade 11 Biology
  • Grade 11 Chemistry
  • Grade 12 Math (equivalent to Alberta’s Math 30-2 or a higher level Math)

Basic computer literacy in the use of the Internet, e-mail, word processing, and fundamental processes of spreadsheets is required for the student to be successful in this program. Students lacking these skills are strongly urged to complete a basic computer literacy course prior to entering this program.

Employers often require that students hold a valid Standard First Aid or Wilderness First Aid Certificate and/or a CPR Certificate to be eligible for seasonal and/or permanent employment. Students are encouraged to obtain these certificates either prior to entering the program or during the first term.

Graduation Requirements

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are awarded a Renewable Resource Management diploma.

Transfers

Interested students can obtain further information on these partnerships from the School of Environmental Science Chair. Students wishing to continue studies at other institutions must meet the entrance requirements of that institution.

Athabasca University

Graduates of Lethbridge College's Renewable Resource Management diploma program are eligible to receive 30 to 60 credits (dependent on the university program) towards a number of post-diploma bachelor's degrees in Commerce, Management, Human Resources/Labour Relations, Computer and Information Systems, and Science at Athabasca University. To explore options, please visit www.athabascau.ca

Griffith University, Australia

Graduates of Lethbridge College's Renewable Resource Management diploma program are eligible to receive transfer credit towards the completion of a Bachelor of Environmental Science at Griffith University, in Australia. For more information, please visit https://www.griffith.edu.au/credit

Lethbridge College

Graduates of Lethbridge College's Renewable Resource Management Diploma will be accepted directly into the Bachelor of Ecosystem Management.  A minimum GPA of 2.00 or equivalent is required for admission.

Graduates of Lethbridge College's Renewable Resource Management Diploma, who have completed the required Bridging Courses, may be eligible for acceptance into the Bachelor of Applied Science in Conservation Enforcement at Lethbridge College.  A minimum GPA of 2.00 or equivalent is required for admission. 

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)

Graduates of Lethbridge College's Renewable Resource Management diploma program with a minimum GPA of 2.7, or a B- grade, on standard grading scales will be conditionally accepted into the BTech (Bachelor of Technology) degree program. Applicants for transfer of credit shall complete all of the requested application procedures of NAIT including, but not limited to, written statements outlining personal objectives, career goals, letters of reference, work experience and community involvement, and such other information as may be requested and used by NAIT to determine whether the applicant complies with the requirements as set out or intended.

Royal Roads University

Graduates of Lethbridge College's Renewable Resource Management diploma program are eligible for full block transfer into the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Practice or the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Practice at Royal Roads University. Graduates may also receive full block transfer to the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, with the completion of two additional university-level math courses (calculus or linear algebra preferred) and two additional university-level chemistry courses on arrival.

University of Alberta

Graduates of Lethbridge College's Renewable Resource Management diploma program are eligible to receive up to 60 credits towards a Bachelor of Science (Environmental and Conservation Sciences), Land Reclamation major at the University of Alberta. In order to receive the total allowable credits, students must present all diploma program requirements.

University of Lethbridge

Graduates of Lethbridge College’s Renewable Resource Management diploma program with a minimum 2.75 GPA are eligible for admission into the University of Lethbridge's Post-Diploma Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) program. Admitted students will be third-year degree level students in the university's Faculty of Arts and Science in all respects. For more information, please see an academic advisor and visit www.uleth.ca

University of Regina

Lethbridge College's Renewable Resource Management diploma graduates are eligible to receive up to 60 credits towards the Bachelor of Science (Environmental Biology) at the University of Regina. Students must have a minimum graduating average 60% and a passing grade in Pre-Calculus 30 or equivalent. For more information, please visit http://urconnected.uregina.ca/

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Delivery Formats

The Renewable Resource Management program is delivered through an on-campus format.

Hyflex with In-Person Labs

This program is offered both online and on campus in a synchronous format (learning occurs at the same time) that allows lectures to be delivered in-person or through a hyflex approach as needed. All labs take place in-person on campus in Lethbridge.

On Campus

This program is delivered in a face-to-face format on the main Lethbridge College campus. Lectures, labs and hands-on training opportunities will all take place on campus in Lethbridge.

Courses

View all courses
CourseTitleCredits
Year 1
Term I
BIO-1167Botany 13
BIO-1168Zoology 13
RRM-1197Spatial Information Techniques 13
RRM-2252Water Resources 13
STS-1155Descriptive Statistics3
 Credits15
Term II
BIO-1170Plant Systematics 13
BIO-1172Ecology 13
ENG-1150Composition3
GEO-1166Physical Geology 13
RRM-2253Soil Resources 13
 Credits15
Year 2
Term I
LAW-1150Introduction to Environmental Law3
RRM-2256Rangeland Management 13
RRM-2258Principles of Wildlife Biology 13
RRM-2259Principles of Fishery Science 13
RRM-2298Conservation Biology3
 Credits15
Term II
GEO-1165Geographic Information Systems3
RRM-2264Forest Management 13
RRM-2291Wildlife Habitat Management 13
RRM-2293Fish Habitat Management 13
RRM-2299Fire Management 13
 Credits15
 Total Credits60

Indicates courses with a field study component

Special note about field studies: Students are off-campus completing field studies during most of September and April. Due to scheduling conflicts it is extremely difficult to take Year 1 and Year 2 courses simultaneously.

Students are advised to complete all Year 1 courses before proceeding to Year 2, and all Year 2 courses before enrolling in Year 3 courses (for related post-diploma certificate or degree programs).

In the Fall term, field studies are in September, while in the Winter term, field studies are scheduled in April. Field studies schedules are dependent on many variables and may require students to participate on weekends. All program field studies are mandatory.

Students will be expected to complete non-credit environmental field techniques courses as part of the requirement to complete the program. Courses such as bear safety, firearms safety, pleasure craft operator’s card and boat operations will occur as part of field trip season activities. Students will be responsible for the fees associated with these courses. Prior valid training possessed by students will be considered for recognition.

View course timetables

Tuition and Fees

Title Tuition Fees Books/Supplies
Year 1
$4,875.00
$1,723.00
$1,300.00
Year 2
$5,355.00
$1,723.00
$900.00
View detailed program cost estimates
International Students
Title Tuition Fees Books/Supplies
Year 1
$14,475.00
$1,723.00
$1,300.00
Year 2
$15,491.00
$1,723.00
$900.00
Notes

Costs for supplies may vary considerably depending on what students already have or where they purchased their supplies; cost provided is on the moderately high end.

Students will be charged a medical/dental benefit fee unless they opt out by demonstrating alternative coverage prior to the end of the first week of class.

Students are responsible for the cost of the field trips relating to this program.

Supplies for Field Studies

Students on field studies are expected to provide their own equipment and supplies. This may include:

  • 30 cm metric steel ruler
  • adequate clothing for cold/wet weather
  • backpack for gear
  • binoculars
  • field equipment vest (recommended)
  • food
  • hiking boots
  • orienteering compass
  • sunscreen
  • safety glasses
  • water bottle
  • warm sleeping bag
  • work gloves
  • “write-in-the-rain” treated field notebook/surveyors book

Equipment and supplies may not be required in all courses or terms.  Please consult the course outlines for specific equipment required before purchasing.  Field studies schedules are dependent on many variables and may require students to participate on weekends. All program field studies require mandatory attendance.

Other Required Supplies

Available from Lethbridge College Bookstore: 

  • 16x hand lens
  • dissection kit
  • lab coat
  • metric triangular scale with 1:1, 1:2, 1:5, 1:10, 1:20 and 1:50 graduations
  • safety glasses
  • “write-in-the-rain” field notebook/surveyors book

Available from sporting, hardware and office supply stores: 

  • 4 GB or higher USB memory stick
  • 12 or more coloured pencils (pencil crayons)
  • 30 cm metric steel ruler
  • binoculars (8X40 or 10X50 magnification)
  • chest waders (rubber soled)
  • clipboard
  • Nexus Type 115 or Silva Ranger compass (with declination adjustment screw)
  • scientific calculator ($15-$30 range)

For additional information concerning lab or field equipment, contact the lab coordinator at 403.320.3202 ext. 5594.

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Scholarships

With just one online application, you can apply for all the Lethbridge College awards and scholarships for which you qualify, including these featured scholarships:

RRM.DIP