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Environmental Science and Technology Diploma

Environmental Science & Technology

What You'll Learn in the Environmental Science and Technology Diploma

Note: This program is currently named Land & Water Resource Diploma. 

The two-year Environmental Science & Technology program provides students with a strong foundation in soils, vegetation, water, wildlife and agriculture through both theoretical classroom instruction and hands-on lab and field learning. Field trips to various ecosystems and industry sites complement classroom learning, offering students real-world exposure to the subjects they study. 

Students also gain skills and experience using the technologies required for their future careers, such as geographic information systems, GPS, drones and water and soil sampling equipment. All students will also have an opportunity to participate in a work-integrated learning experience in the middle of their program.

Jump to Program Details

Applications open on the first Wednesday of October

Our easy online application process guides you through each step, making it simple to apply and get started. Start preparing now, and be ready to apply!

Get started — learn how to apply today!

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will receive a diploma in Environmental Science and Technology. 

Accreditation

Graduates are eligible for membership in the Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA) where they can pursue the following professional designations: Agrology Technologist In-Training (ATT) leading to Registered Technologist in Agrology RT(Ag).

Graduates are also eligible for membership in the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists where they can pursue the following professional designations: Biological Technologist in Training (BTT) leading to Registered Technologist in Biology (R.T.Biol.).

Career Outcomes

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology has a solid reputation working with employers in the industry! This directly translates into jobs for our graduates. Opportunities include, but are not limited to entry and mid-level roles in:

  • Land Reclamation Technician
  • Drilling Waste & Remediation Technician
  • Environmental Monitoring Technician
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Rural Planner
  • Water Quality Technician
  • Municipal Development Officer
  • Land-Use Planning Assistant
  • Environmental Technologist

Ready to start your career?

Visit ALIS - Occupational Profiles to discover current wages, industry trends, and more about your future job.

The Olds College Land and Water program is not only a diverse program covering a wide range of environmental topics, but also well recognized as many of my colleagues that I’ve met in my career also received their start in this program. Both the knowledge and credibility I gained from Olds College Land and Water has allowed me to find full time work in the area of municipal government where I have been able to utilize much of my practical knowledge that I have gained from the hands-on learning that Olds College is known for. The field studies and labs were a great introduction to the type of work I would find myself conducting in my career and can honestly say that I’ve felt better prepared having gone through this program. Going to school at Olds College was a great experience where I met dedicated instructors who were passionate about their industries as well as making great lifelong friends from all walks of life.

Jeff Guidolin, Class of 2015

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Program Details

    • 50% or better in English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2
    • 50% or better in Math 20-1 or 20-2
    • 50% or better in Chemistry 20 (Mandatory Requirement)
    • 50% or better in Biology 20 OR Science 30
    • Meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement 

    Academic Upgrading and High School Applicants: Applicants currently in high school or who are completing academic upgrading must submit proof of enrollment and any available interim/midterm marks. Final marks must be submitted within one month following the completion of the course(s) and no later than one month prior to the program start date.

    Alternate Admission: Alternate Admission status may be offered to applicants who have not or will not complete one of the academic admission requirements. To be considered under Alternate Admission Status, applicants will be asked to provide the following:

    1. (Required) Transcript(s) showing any completed high school and post-secondary courses
    2. (Required) Letter of Introduction and Intent, outlining the following:
      • Introduce yourself
      • Indicate why you wish to enrol in the program
      • Elaborate on your career goals
      • Detail your experience relevant to this program and the industry
    3. (Required) A resume of your work history, extracurricular activities, volunteer service, etc. for the last 5 years
    4. (Optional) Include copies of any tickets and/or certificates you currently hold (first aid, safety tickets, etc.)
    5. (Optional) Letter(s) of reference from current or past employers/coaches/etc. (maximum of two letters)

    *Submitting Alternate Admission material does not guarantee admission*

    Out of Province Applicants: Please refer to the Provincial Equivalency Chart for course equivalencies.

    International Applicants: Olds College welcomes applications from International Applicants and those who have completed their high school education outside of Canada. Please note, it is still necessary to meet all of the noted admission requirements, including English Language Proficiency.

    Graduation Requirements

    • Completion of 60 credits
    • Completion of all required courses and credits as per Program of Study
    • Cumulative G.P.A. of 2.00 or better
    • Satisfactory completion of occupational experience and/or assignment, if required
  • Estimated Tuition & Fees for Domestic Applicants

    Year Tuition Fees Books & Supplies Estimated Total
    Year 1 $6,478.23 $1,811.41 $1,585.00 $9,874.64
    Year 2 (*Env. Stew. Mjr.) $5,889.30 $1,593.50 $617.00 $8,099.80
    Year 2 (*Rec. & Rem. Mjr.) $5,889.30 $1,593.50 $280.00 $7,732.80
    • These fees are provided as estimates only based on the current academic year.
    • The estimate only includes tuition, mandatory fees and books & supplies.
    • Refer to the appropriate academic year Fee Schedule  for the most up to date information.
    • International students pay a differentiated tuition rate and should refer to the appropriate academic year   Fee Schedule .

    Tuition, Fees & Payments


    Housing & Meal Plans

    Olds College offers two residence options — Centennial Village and College Courts. Students living on campus are required to choose a meal plan. Housing and meal plan costs are based on the full academic year (September to April), but students in single-term programs will only pay for the corresponding term. 

    For more details, visit Dining at Olds College and Campus Housing.

    Scholarships & Student Awards

    Olds College of Agriculture & Technology offers over 450 awards, valued at $500,000+ in scholarships, bursaries and prizes. Thanks to our industry partners, alumni, and friends of Olds College we are fortunate to offer a generous student awards program to students.

    For additional information on scholarships, bursaries and prizes at Olds College, visit  Scholarships & Awards  

    Student Funding

    For information on how to apply for government student loans, financial aid or for help with financial planning, visit our   Student Funding   page.

    Entrance Awards Available!

    Entrance awards range from $250 - $1,500 for students applying for the upcoming academic year and have paid the   tuition deposit by the deadline.

    Awards are selected randomly from those that have applied and qualify based on the criteria.
    Award will be applied as a tuition credit to the student's account after the add/drop course deadline, confirming full-time attendance.

  • Note: This webpage has been updated to reflect changes that will be effective as of Fall 2025. Please review the 2024/2025 Academic Calendar for current program details. 

    Term 1
    • EVS 1210 - Applied Ecology
    • GPS 1200 - Introduction to GPS and Mapping
    • PLS 1010 - Plant Science Principles
    • SOI 1000 - Fundamentals of Soil Science
    • WTR 1330 - Introduction to Water Resources
    Term 2
    • AGN 1540 - Introductory Pest Management
    • EVS 1730 - Land Conservation and Reclamation
    • LUP 1620 - Contemporary Environmental Issues and Ethics
    • AGF 1330 - Foundations of Agriculture and Agri-Food
    • GIS 1300 - Introduction to GIS
    • Optional Elective: WIL 1600 - Industry Field Placement
    Term 3
    • PLS 2410 - Native Plants of Alberta
    • COM 2050 - Writing for Environmental and Land-use Professionals
    • LUP 2610 - Environmental Land Use Planning and Management
    • WTR 2630 - Watershed Management
    • EVS 2330 - Reclamation Field Methods
    Term 4
    • EVS 2560 - Environmental Statistics and Database Management
    • SOI 2340 - Soil Classification and Management
    • EVS 2730 - Environmental Site Assessment
    • WTR 2330 - Water Quality
    • EVS 2711 - Wildlife Identification and Surveying
  • Program Dates

    Find out when your term start and end dates are, so that you know when you are expected to be in attendance. For more information, please review the Program Dates & Fee Schedule.

    Class Registration

    You will be registered into your classes automatically. This will happen approximately 1 month prior to the start-date for your program. You will be notified once you have been timetabled into your courses. You will be able to see your class schedule in your My Olds College account. If you need to make any changes to your class registration, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

    Technology Recommendation

    It is required that you come to Olds College of Agriculture & Technology with the following technology:

    • A Windows based laptop capable of running Microsoft Office and ESRI ArcGIS Pro 2.5. Students will be using these programs extensively in lectures and classes. The software will be available for installation once you are on campus.
      • The minimum requirements for this laptop are:
      • Operating System: Windows 8.1 (64 bit) or Windows 10 (64 bit)
      • CPU: 2 cores, hyperthreaded (4 cores or more recommended)
      • RAM: 4 GB (8 GB or more recommended)
      • Storage: 32 GB of free space (Solid State Drive recommended

    As part of your student accounts, all students have access to Office 365 for the duration of their time with Olds College. To access this you just need to follow these steps:

    • Go to portal.office.com
    • Enter your Olds College email address and password
    • Once logged in there is a button on the right that says "Install Office Apps"

    This will give you access to the full Office suite on your computer, for both Windows and Mac based platforms.

    Materials & Supplies

    It is recommended that you come prepared with the following items for your field experiences:

    • Waterproof jacket & pants
    • Rubber boots
    • Solid hiking books (no flip flops or sandals)
    • Umbrella
    • Rain poncho
    • Long Pants
    • Sunhat
    • Sunglasses (if desired)
    • Sunscreen & bug spray (if desired)

    Many courses at Olds College require instructor prepared modules as a substitute for textbooks. These modules provide you with the essential course notes and laboratory exercises. They also serve as excellent reference materials for you after you leave school. Modules typically cost between $25 - 40, depending on the size.

    Information on other required textbooks and any further supplies will be provided as you attend each class. All books and supplies will be available during the first few weeks of classes in the College Campus Store.

    Textbook Order Form

    Other Important Information

    Time Requirements: An exciting component to this program is you will participate in an off campus hands-on field school experience.

    Additional Skills: Basic computer skills are recommended for all and it is certainly beneficial to have some prior experience with computers before you arrive at college. A familiarity and comfort in the use of Google products, word processing, spreadsheet and e-mailing software will be a definite asset.

    Student Clubs: The Environmental Science and Technology students have a student club which you are strongly encouraged to join. The club involves both social activities and opportunities for professional networking through their annual career day.

    Opportunities: The Environmental Science and Technology program includes the opportunity to take field trips and attend conferences as part of your studies. These provide real world grounding of subjects learned at the college and allow you to begin to network with industry people.

    Accreditation: Every graduate of the Environmental Science and Technology Program is eligible for membership in the Alberta Institute of Agrology. (Agrology Technologist In-Training -ATT). An ATT must meet the educational requirements and be approved for registration by the Registration Committee. Upon completion of the In-Training Program, an ATT is eligible to become a Registered Technologist in Agrology RT(Ag). Similarly, graduates are eligible for membership in the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists (Biological Technologist in Training - BTT) leading to Registered Technologist in Biology (R.T.Biol.) with several additional experience requirements that need to be met.

The Olds College Experience

Centennial Village at Olds College

Live on Campus!

Living on campus at Olds College offers the ultimate convenience, just a five-minute walk from all buildings. Enjoy a vibrant community, academic support, and exciting activities, all within reach. With cost-effective living, including furnished rooms and inclusive utilities, your campus life is hassle-free. 

Learn About Campus Housing

Students from other universities and post-secondaries walking around the Olds College Campus

Looking to Transfer?

Olds College has agreements with other institutions to help you transfer in or out with ease. These agreements outline how your credits may transfer, saving you time and money on your education.

If you're transferring to Olds College, be sure to apply early—seats are filled on a first-qualified, first-admitted basis. If you're transferring out, connect with your future institution to confirm transfer credits and admission requirements.

Explore Your Transfer Options

Students from other universities and post-secondaries walking around the Olds College Campus

Learn from Industry-Leading Instructors

At Olds College, our faculty bring real-world experience and advanced expertise in fields like veterinary sciences, equine reproduction, horticulture, agricultural technology, and more. They’re passionate educators committed to delivering applied, hands-on learning that prepares students for careers in today’s evolving agri-food industry.

From award-winning instructors to recognized leaders in their fields, our faculty are at the heart of what makes an Olds College education exceptional.

Meet Our Faculty

Students from other universities and post-secondaries walking around the Olds College Campus

Athletics, Fitness & Recreation Opportunities

Our facilities provide practical options for staying active and healthy, featuring three gymnasiums, a racquetball/squash court, a 200-metre running track, and a range of workout equipment. Engage in intramural leagues or explore outdoor adventures with gear rentals through the Outdoor Centre. Whether you're pursuing athletic training, fitness classes, or competitive play, we have something for everyone. Embrace an active, healthy lifestyle with us at Olds College. 

Broncos Athletics CLC Fitness Centre

Students from other universities and post-secondaries walking around the Olds College Campus

Applications open on the first Wednesday of October!

Don’t miss your opportunity to join one of our high-demand programs. With limited seats and first-come, first-served admissions, applying early gives you the best chance to secure your spot. 

Domestic applicants pay an application fee of $90. International applicants pay an application fee of $160. Apply now using the online application portal. If you are applying online, this fee must be paid with a credit card.

Learn About the Application Process

Take the Next Step

Begin your career in agriculture, brewing, livestock, equestrian, horticulture, and related fields with one simple click.

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Program at a Glance

Length: Two Years

Delivery Method: On-Campus

Program Intake: Fall Intake (Sept. start)

Applications Open: October

Program Status: Open

CIP Code: 03.0199

We're here for you!

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out! Our Student Success team is ready to help you navigate your academic journey and provide the support you need.

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