The two-year 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.
Students 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.
Field trips to various ecosystems and industry sites complement classroom learning, offering students real-world exposure to the subjects they study.
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will receive a diploma in Environmental Science and Technology.
Graduates are eligible for membership to the following:
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.
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:
*Submitting Alternate Admission material does not guarantee admission*
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.
| Year | Tuition | Fees | Books & Supplies | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,400.00 | $1,600.00 | $1,300.00 | $9,300.00 |
| Year 2 | $7,400.00 | $1,700.00 | $500.00 | $9,600.00 |
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.
For course descriptions and requisites, view the Academic Calendar.
Academic Calendar: Environmental Science and Technology
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
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 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.
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:
Visit ALIS - Occupational Profiles to discover current wages, industry trends, and more about your future job.
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.
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.
It is required that you come to Olds College of Agriculture & Technology with the following technology:
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:
This will give you access to the full Office suite on your computer, for both Windows and Mac based platforms.
It is recommended that you come prepared with the following items for your field experiences:
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.
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.
Connect directly with the recruitment team at Olds College to get personalized support as you explore your pathway to post-secondary study. Whether you have questions about programs, admission requirements, campus life or next steps in your application journey, our recruitment specialists are here to help you make informed decisions and plan with confidence.
This program includes lab work, field trips to varied ecosystems and industry‑site visits, plus a work‑integrated learning placement where students gain real‑world experience with environmental sampling, monitoring, GIS mapping, soil and water testing, and land reclamation work.
Graduates can work as environmental technicians, land reclamation technicians, water quality or environmental monitoring technicians, municipal planning or land‑use assistants, or environmental consultants.
Yes. Students are trained to use GIS and GPS technology, drones, water and soil‑sampling equipment, and other tools used in environmental monitoring, land‑use planning and remediation.
Graduates are eligible to apply for designation as an Agrology Technologist in‑Training or Biological Technologist in‑Training through relevant professional associations, opening pathways to Registered Technologist status.
Applications for 2027-28 open Oct. 1, 2026, 9 a.m.
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