Be ready to make a difference in our natural world.
Using skills you learned in Environmental Assessment and Restoration, build further proficiency in and out of the classroom as you work in one of two steams within the program: remediation and restoration, or fish and wildlife management. Prepare for an outdoor career with a view, or change further your knowledge by pursuing graduate studies in conservation biology, environmental management or other conservation-related fields.
Grab and Go InformationWhy should you study for a Bachelor of Ecosystem Management at Lethbridge Polytechnic?
At Lethbridge Polytechnic, learn industry-relevant technical and field skills you’ll get to test in the forests, mountaintops and rangelands that will one day be your workplace. This program is the only kind in Western Canada and stands to equip you for an engaging environmental management, restoration, or fish and wildlife management career. Learn from experienced instructors who know your name in smaller class sizes and supportive learning environments both in and out of doors. Develop essential connections with industry professionals and fellow students as you walk the path of protecting our world for a better tomorrow.
100+ specimens
in the Hubbard Collection, one of Canada’s largest collections of full-body taxidermy mammals
2 distinct program streams:
Remediation and Restoration, and Fish and Wildlife Management
1
Bachelor of Ecosystem Management is the only program of its kind offered in western Canada
Career Opportunities
Your degree will prepare you for a career in a wide range of fields, which, depending on your concentration, could include:
- Agrologist
- Environmental consultant
- Environmental scientist
- Fisheries biologist
- Wildlife biologist
$94,886
the average annual salary of a biologist working in Alberta
82%
of Ecosystem Management grads had a related job less than one year after completing the program
Visit ALIS website for more career information.
At-a-Glance
Starts-in
September
Credential / Accreditation
Degree
Duration
2 years (post-diploma)
International Eligibility
This program is available for International Students.
Application Deadlines
Visit the Program Application Status page for more details.
Academic Centre
Program Availability
Admissions
Apply NowNew third-year applicants, or transfer applicants with advance standing through completion of a related diploma are accepted into the program in Fall (September) of each year for on-campus study.
General Admissions Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge Polytechnic programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.
Academic Requirements
Students who have completed either the Environmental Assessment and Restoration or the Renewable Resource Management diplomas from Lethbridge Polytechnic will be accepted directly into the Bachelor of Ecosystem Management program. A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required for admission.
Transfer students are required to have a diploma in Environmental Sciences or equivalent, or a related bachelor’s degree in an area such as Resource Management, Biology, Environmental Studies or a similar area of study. Transfer students with related credentials will be accepted into the program after being assessed on an individual basis to determine whether they are required to take bridging courses to meet degree outcomes. A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required for admission.
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are awarded a Bachelor of Ecosystem Management degree.
| Partner Institution | Partner Program | Incoming/Outgoing | Effective Dates and Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora College | Environmental and Natural Resource Technology Diploma | Incoming |
July 2021 - June 2029
Environmental and Natural Resource Technology DiplomaGraduates of Aurora College's Environmental and Natural Resource Technology Diploma, with a minimum GPA of 2.00, are eligible for direct entry into the third year of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Bachelor of Ecosystem Management. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at Lethbridge Polytechnic for further information. |
| Lakeland College | Environmental Sciences - Environmental Conservation and Reclamation Diploma | Incoming |
July 2022 - June 2030
Environmental Sciences - Environmental Conservation and Reclamation DiplomaGraduates of the Lakeland College's Environmental Sciences - Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Diploma, with a minimum GPA of 2.00, are eligible for direct entry into the third year of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Bachelor of Ecosystem Management. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at Lethbridge Polytechnic for further information. |
| Lakeland College | Environmental Sciences - General Environmental Sciences Diploma | Incoming |
July 2022 - June 2030
Environmental Sciences - General Environmental Sciences DiplomaGraduates of Lakeland College's Environmental Sciences - General Environmental Sciences Diploma, with a minimum GPA of 2.00, are eligible for direct entry into the third year of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Bachelor of Ecosystem Management. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at Lethbridge Polytechnic for further information. |
| Lakeland College | Environmental Sciences - Land Stewardship and Conservation Diploma | Incoming |
July 2022 - June 2030
Environmental Sciences - Land Stewardship and Conservation DiplomaGraduates of Lakeland College's Environmental Sciences - Land Stewardship and Conservation Diploma, with a minimum GPA of 2.00, are eligible for direct entry into the third year of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Bachelor of Ecosystem Management. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at Lethbridge Polytechnic for further information. |
| Lakeland College | Environmental Sciences - Renewable Resource Reclamation Diploma | Incoming |
July 2022 - June 2030
Environmental Sciences - Renewable Resource Reclamation DiplomaGraduates of Lakeland College's Environmental Sciences - Renewable Resource Reclamation Diploma, with a minimum GPA of 2.00, are eligible for direct entry into the third year of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Bachelor of Ecosystem Management. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at Lethbridge Polytechnic for further information. |
| Lakeland College | Environmental Sciences - Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Diploma | Incoming |
July 2022 - June 2030
Environmental Sciences - Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation DiplomaGraduates of Lakeland College's Environmental Sciences - Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Diploma, with a minimum GPA of 2.00, are eligible for direct entry into the third year of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Bachelor of Ecosystem Management. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at Lethbridge Polytechnic for further information. |
| Medicine Hat College | Environmental Biology and Reclamation Diploma | Incoming |
July 2022 - June 2029
Environmental Biology and Reclamation DiplomaGraduates of Medicine Hat College's Environmental Biology and Reclamation Diploma, with a minimum GPA of 2.00, are eligible for direct entry into the third year of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Bachelor of Ecosystem Management. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at Lethbridge Polytechnic for further information. |
| Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) | Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Diploma | Incoming |
July 2022 - June 2029
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment DiplomaGraduates of NAIT's Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Diploma, with a minimum GPA of 2.00, are eligible for direct entry into the third year of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Bachelor of Ecosystem Management. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at Lethbridge Polytechnic for further information. |
| Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) | Conservation Biology Diploma | Incoming |
July 2022 - June 2029
Conservation Biology DiplomaGraduates of NAIT's Conservation Biology Diploma, with a minimum GPA of 2.00, are eligible for direct entry into the third year of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Bachelor of Ecosystem Management. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at Lethbridge Polytechnic for further information. |
| Selkirk College | Applied Environmental Science and Planning Technology - Integrated Environmental Planning Diploma | Incoming |
July 2021 - June 2028
Applied Environmental Science and Planning Technology - Integrated Environmental Planning DiplomaGraduates of Selkirk College's Applied Environmental Science and Planning Technology - Integrated Environmental Planning Diploma, with a minimum GPA of 2.00, are eligible for direct entry into the third year of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Bachelor of Ecosystem Management. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at Lethbridge Polytechnic for further information. |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| See the Environmental Assessment and Restoration diploma or Renewable Resource Management diploma. | 30 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| See the Environmental Assessment and Restoration diploma or Renewable Resource Management diploma. | 30 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Term I | ||
| ENV-3372 | Environmental Policy | 3 |
| ENV-3381 | Environmental Water Quality 1 | 3 |
| ENV-3397 | Environmental Assessment and Auditing 1 | 3 |
| Select 1 of the following options: | 6 | |
| Option A - Remediation and Restoration concentration | ||
| ENV-3383 | Environmental Soil Physics 1 | |
| GEO-3380 | Hydrology 1 | |
| Option B - Fish and Wildlife Management concentration | ||
| RRM-3368 | Wildlife Field Techniques 1 | |
| RRM-3369 | Fishery Management Techniques 1 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term II | ||
| GEO-3376 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems 1 | 3 |
| HUM-3370 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| STS-3355 | Inferential Statistics | 3 |
| Select 1 of the following options: | 6 | |
| Option A - Remediation and Restoration concentration | ||
| CHM-4455 | Analytical Chemistry | |
| GEO-3382 | Contaminant Hydrogeology 1 | |
| Option B - Fish and Wildlife Management concentration | ||
| BIO-3350 | Comparative Animal Biology 1 | |
| RRM-4463 | Population Ecology and Management 1 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Term I | ||
| BIO-3352 | Applied Biotechnology 1 | 3 |
| ENV-3355 | Environmental Quality | 3 |
| ENV-4450 | Senior Project I | 3 |
| Select 1 of the following options: | 6 | |
| Option A - Remediation and Restoration concentration | ||
| ENV-4452 | Contaminated Site Management | |
| RRM-4454 | Restoration Ecology 1 | |
| Option B - Fish and Wildlife Management concentration | ||
| BIO-4462 | Mammalogy 1 | |
| RRM-4460 | Species At Risk Management 1 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term II | ||
| ENV-4451 | Senior Project II | 3 |
| GEO-3383 | Geomorphology 1 | 3 |
| RRM-3350 | Integrated Resource Management | 3 |
| Select 1 of the following options: | 6 | |
| Option A - Remediation and Restoration concentration | ||
| CHM-4456 | Ecotoxicology | |
| ENV-4453 | Stream Reclamation and Remediation 1 | |
| Option B - Fish and Wildlife Management concentration | ||
| BIO-4461 | Field Ornithology 1 | |
| GEO-4464 | Applied Limnology 1 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
1 Courses with a field study component.
Note: Students may complete non-credit environmental field techniques courses to enhance their employability. Courses such as firearms safety, ATV operation, chain saw operation, loading and backing trailers, and basic first aid may be offered by third-party businesses. Students will be responsible for the fees associated with these courses.
Special note about field studies: Students are off-campus completing field studies during most of September and April. In the Fall term, field studies are in September, while in the Winter term, field studies are scheduled in April. Field study schedules are dependent on many variables and may require students to participate on weekends. All program field studies are mandatory.
View course timetablesTuition costs are estimates for the 2025/2026 year.
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 3
|
$7,200.00
|
$2,017.50
|
$950.00
|
| Year 4
|
$7,350.00
|
$2,180.00
|
$400.00
|
View detailed program cost estimates
International Students
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 3
|
$17,700.00
|
$2,017.50
|
$950.00
|
| Year 4
|
$20,085.00
|
$2,180.00
|
$400.00
|
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
- hiking boots
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 Polytechnic Bookstore:
- 16X hand lens
- dissection kit
- lab coat
Available from sporting, hardware and office supply stores:
- 4 GB or higher USB memory stick
- 30 cm metric steel ruler
- chest waders (rubber soled)
- clipboard
- scientific calculator ($15 - $30 range)
- soil bulk density sampler (optional)
For additional information concerning supplies, contact the lab coordinator at 403.320.3202 ext. 5594.
Budget Wizard
Our Budget Wizard is a free self-service tool that can help you make sense of your finances and the cost of your education. Give it a try!
The Bachelor of Ecosystem Management program is delivered through an on-campus format.
On Campus
This program is delivered in a face-to-face format on the main Lethbridge Polytechnic campus. Lectures, labs and hands-on training opportunities will all take place on campus in Lethbridge.
With just one online application, you can apply for all the Lethbridge Polytechnic awards and scholarships - visit our Awards and Scholarships page for more information.
Featured Graduates
Luiz Madeira
Caxambu, Minas Gerais, Brazil
“I chose Lethbridge College because of its location, smaller class sizes and the hands-on component of the Ecosystem Management program. The best parts of the program are the outdoor aspect and the opportunity to learn from instructors with industry experience who care about students’ well-being and academic performance."
Monica Bartha
“When I actually returned for my third year and did the fisheries management [stream], we had to go through how to complete a fish habitat assessment and that’s something that you do do in the field. Any company that you’re going to work for or not-for-profit organization, if you can say you’ve done a fish habitat assessment in school, they’ll probably hire you before somebody else.”
Cayden Olstad
“This photo is one of many taken in Glacier National Park, Montana, on a Mammalogy field trip, one of the most memorable trips of my college career. This trip gave our class a chance to bond while camping in Montana and doing what we love in the outdoors.”