Environmental Technology (Optional Co-op)

This Environmental Technology program will provide you with theoretical and practical knowledge to succeed in the growing field of environmental technology. 

Courses in this college science program will cover the three foundational disciplines of biology, chemistry and civil engineering — and teach you to understand and manage complex environmental problems. To balance theory, you'll gain hands-on experience using technology and equipment in water and soil quality analysis, ecological field sampling, analytical chemistry, hazardous material management, surveying, municipal engineering, AutoCAD drawing and geographic information systems (GIS) mapping. You'll also acquire the skills to analyze and remediate the urban environment through laboratory practice in water quality testing, groundwater movement, computer aided environmental audits and the chemistry of pollutants.

The unique combination of technical skills in this advanced diploma program will greatly increase your career options.

Co-op Option

This program offers an optional co-op component. During this opportunity, academically-qualified students can put classroom learning into practice and make valuable contacts for future careers.

To participate in programs with optional co-op, you'll typically complete an application process in the second semester of your studies. If you qualify academically, you'll be admitted to the co-op program. When you graduate, your diploma will highlight the co-op credential.

Program Highlights

• You can participate in local conservation and restoration activities.
• Graduates can apply to register with the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT).
• After you complete Semester 4 courses, you can write the Ontario Ministry of the Environment Operator-in-Training (OIT) and Water Quality Analyst (WQA) exams.
• Environmental Technology (and its co-op version) is the recipient of the President's Academic Program Recognition Award for Outstanding Student Satisfaction.
• 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.

Career Outlook

• Junior environmental scientist
• Environmental specialist
• Research specialist
• Technical policy advisor
• Project biologist
• Environmental safety consultant
• Project biologist
• Environmental coordinator
• Junior geomorphologist

Education Pathways

Start in a diploma program, end with a degree! Graduates of this Environmental Technology (Optional Co-op) advanced diploma program have the opportunity to apply learning achieved at Centennial for credits toward further study at the degree level. Listed below are the degrees from partnering institutions that are available for this program.

Please note that each partner has minimum admission requirements in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the receiving partner institution.

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

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 Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.) category as well as the OACETT technology report and language benchmark requirements.

Accreditation

TAC

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 hire program graduates for:

• Materials handling
• Laboratory and field work in water and waste chemistry
• Microbiological and toxicity testing
• Technical sales
• Soil collection and analysis
• Conservation
• Environmental Consulting

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

• English language proficiency

The co-op option in this program will provide you with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while you complete three co-op work terms as an employee in the field. This experience not only allows you to put classroom learning into practice, but will also provide valuable contacts for your future career.

To participate in this co-op option, you will need to complete an application process in the second semester. If academically qualified, you may be admitted to the co-op program. Academically qualified students who are accepted into the program will register for the co-op preparation course as scheduled.

• Minimum of 80% of courses completed from year one
• A minimum C (60%) grade in COMM-170/171
• A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher at the end of Semester 2 (this must be maintained for the duration of the program)
• Students must be legally eligible to work in Canada
• Students who meet the above prerequisites will apply to transfer to the co-op program at the end of Semester 2

Note: Meeting the minimum co-op program requirements does not guarantee admission into the co-op program.

Co-op Model Route

Learn more about co-op programs.

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.

Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters, beginning Fall 2024.

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.

1. Collect, analyze, interpret and report on representative environmental samples. 
2. Use various information technology tools to assemble, analyze and present environmental data effectively. 
3. Apply the concepts of science to environmental processes. 
4. Apply engineering principles to environmental processes. 
5. Participate in the planning, design, implementation, and maintenance of environmental projects. 
6. Apply the principles of ecosystem-based management for sustainability. 
7. Practice principles and ethics associated with environmental management issues. 
8. Ensure that all tasks are completed in compliance with occupational health and safety standards. 
9. Ensure that all tasks are completed in compliance with applicable municipal, provincial, and federal environmental requirements. 
10. Contribute to the development and implementation of environmental systems management. 
11. Apply project management practices to environmental operations. 
12. Communicate technical information accurately and effectively in oral, written, and visual forms.