Environmental Technician
How To Apply
Program Details
- Program Code4201
- Ministry NameEnvironmental Technician
- SchoolSchool of Engineering Technology and Applied Science
- CredentialOntario College Diploma
- Program TypePost-secondary program
- Program Length2 years/ 4 semesters
- Delivery ModeHybrid
- LocationMorningside Campus
- Emailabes@centennialcollege.ca
- Telephone416-289-5000, ext. 58123
- Program Overview
- Courses
- Career Options and Education Pathways
- Admission Requirements
- How to Apply
- Tuition and Fees
- Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
- Advising
The Environmental Technician program will prepare you for work in the growing field of environmental technology. Courses will cover the three foundational disciplines of biology, chemistry and civil engineering while teaching you to understand and manage complex environmental problems. The program will include hands-on training as you'll learn to use the tools and equipment needed in water and soil quality analysis, ecological field sampling, analytical chemistry and surveying. Opportunities will exist for participation in local conservation and restoration activities.
A unique combination of technical skills will greatly increase your career options once you graduate from this applied science program, which is the recipient of the President's Academic Program Recognition Award for Quality of the Learning Experience.
Drinking Water Operators
If you successfully complete the entry-level course for drinking water operators, you'll meet the requirements of the Ministry of the Environment's entry-level course for drinking water operators. Centennial College delivers this course in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment and the Walkerton Clean Water Centre.
Certification
As an Environmental Technician program graduate, you'll be able to write the Ontario Ministry of the Environment Operator in Training (OIT) and Water Quality Analyst (WQA) exams. You'll also be able to apply to register with the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT).
Program Overview
The Environmental Technician program will prepare you for work in the growing field of environmental technology. Courses will cover the three foundational disciplines of biology, chemistry and civil engineering while teaching you to understand and manage complex environmental problems. The program will include hands-on training as you'll learn to use the tools and equipment needed in water and soil quality analysis, ecological field sampling, analytical chemistry and surveying. Opportunities will exist for participation in local conservation and restoration activities.
A unique combination of technical skills will greatly increase your career options once you graduate from this applied science program, which is the recipient of the President's Academic Program Recognition Award for Quality of the Learning Experience.
Drinking Water Operators
If you successfully complete the entry-level course for drinking water operators, you'll meet the requirements of the Ministry of the Environment's entry-level course for drinking water operators. Centennial College delivers this course in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment and the Walkerton Clean Water Centre.
Certification
As an Environmental Technician program graduate, you'll be able to write the Ontario Ministry of the Environment Operator in Training (OIT) and Water Quality Analyst (WQA) exams. You'll also be able to apply to register with the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT).
Courses
Career Options and Education Pathways
Program Highlights
- Graduates are qualified to write the Ontario Ministry of the Environment Operator-in-Training exam.
- Program graduates may be eligible to apply credits towards university degree programs.
- Transfer credits/advanced standing may be awarded for previous science or engineering education.
- The Biotechnology, Environmental Technology, and Food Science Technology programs share a common first semester, which provides the flexibility to transfer between programs before starting the second semester.
- Opportunities exist for participation in local conservation and restoration activities.
Career Outlook
- Environmental specialist
- Technical policy advisor
- Junior environmental scientist
- Environmental safety consultant
Education Pathways
Graduates of the Environmental Technician diploma program have the opportunity to apply learning achieved at Centennial for credits toward further study at the degree level. These pathway programs allow you to receive degree credit for learning obtained at Centennial College.
Please note that each pathway has minimum admission requirements in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the partner institution.
| Partner Institution | Degree Program |
|---|---|
| Algoma University | Honours Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science |
| Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology | |
| Bachelor of Computer Science in multiple majors | |
| Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple majors | |
| Griffith University | Bachelor of Environmental Science |
| Guelph, University of | Bachelor of Science in Bio-Resource Management with major in Environmental Management |
| Lakehead University | Honours Bachelor of Environmental Management |
| Honours Bachelor of Science in Forestry | |
| Bachelor or Honours Bachelor degree in any major | |
| Laurentian University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple majors |
| Nipissing University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple majors |
| Ontario Tech University | Honours Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies |
| Royal Roads University | Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science |
| Bachelor of Science in Environmental Practice | |
| Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Practice | |
| Seneca Polytechnic | Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies |
| Trent University | Honours Bachelor of Science - Environmental and Resource Science |
| Honours Bachelor of Science - Indigenous Environmental Science | |
| Western University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science |
| Wilfrid Laurier University | Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple majors |
| Windsor, University of | Honours Bachelor of Environmental Science - Applied Environmental Science Stream |
| York University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor degree in any major |
| Honours Bachelor in Environmental Studies (BES) - Sustainable Management | |
| Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Science in multiple majors | |
| Honours Bachelor of Computer Science |
Please visit our website at centennial.adv-pub.moveonca.com/outgoing-home/ for more information on articulation agreements.
For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please visit ONTransfer.
Educational Partners
Please visit our website at www.centennialcollege.ca/admissions/applying/education-pathways/outbound-pathways for more information on education partners.
Recognitions
OACETT
The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) recognizes this TAC nationally-accredited program as meeting the academic standard for certification in the Certified Technician (C.Tech.) category as well as the OACETT language benchmark requirement.
Accreditation
This program has met the national educational standards of Canada’s engineering technology and applied science profession, as such, has received national program accreditation by Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC).
Please note: The qualification requirements and costs for each external accreditation, designation, certification or recognition are set by the granting body — not by Centennial College. In order to qualify for any external accreditations, designations, certifications or recognition, students and graduates will need to follow the processes and meet the applicable requirements listed on the websites and in the materials of those external bodies.
Areas of Employment
Environmental companies and government organizations hire Centennial graduates for:
- Laboratory and field work in water and waste chemistry
- Microbiological and toxicity testing
- Soil collection and analysis
- Conservation
- Technical sales
- Materials handling
- Environmental Consulting
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older)
- Grade 12 English (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required), or take the Centennial English Admission Test
- Grade 11 Mathematics (M or U) or Grade 12 Mathematics (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required), or take a Centennial College Engineering Math Skills Assessment for Admission
Additional Requirements
How to Apply
1. Apply Online
Domestic Students
If you are applying through the Better Jobs Ontario Program, please apply at the Employment Training Centre (Progress Campus). The Better Jobs Ontario Program is a funding initiative for those who have been laid-off and are in need of training. For more information go to Better Jobs Ontario Program.
If you have previously attended a full-time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.
All other applicants must apply online at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee of $125 must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in-person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.
International Students
Apply directly to Centennial College here.
2. Submit Documents
Domestic Applicants
Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.
Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.
Domestic applicants who attended school outside of Canada: If you are submitting transcripts to meet admission requirements, you must have the transcripts assessed by an independent credential assessment agency such as World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS). For more information go to Submitting your Transcripts.
International Applicants
Please refer to the International Education Application Guide.
3. Confirm Your Offer of Admission
Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.
You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.
You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.
When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.
4. Pay Fees
Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.
You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement or your seat may be given to another applicant.
5. Build Your Timetable (Register for Courses)
Build your timetable (web-register for courses) at my.centennialcollege.ca.
Fall registration begins mid-July
January registration begins mid-December
May registration begins mid-April
Your web-registration will not open if:
You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
You received a Conditional Offer of Admission and you have not met the conditions of your offer.
Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.
Tuition and Fees
Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters, beginning Fall 2024.
| Student | Tuition (2 Semesters) | Ancillary Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | $2,721.00 | $1,424.69 | $4,145.69 |
| International | $17,722.00 | $1,912.87 | $19,634.87 |
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.
- Collect, and perform routine tests on, representative environmental samples.
- Employ various information technology tools to assemble and use environmental data effectively.
- Apply the basic concepts of science to environmental processes.
- Apply basic engineering principles to environmental processes.
- Follow standard procedures for conducting environmental projects including the use of appropriate equipment and materials.
- Take into account basic principles of ecosystem-based management for sustainability*.
- Practice principles and ethics associated with environmental management issues.
- Work safely in adherence to occupational health and safety standards.
- Complete all work in compliance with applicable municipal, provincial, and federal
- Contribute to the implementation of environmental systems management*.
- Perform basic project management support techniques.
- Communicate technical information accurately and effectively in oral, written, and visual forms.
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Dhaval Dadhania, Engineering, GraduateWe learned a lot, like real-world applications, and how to put what we learned in the labs into real life.