2010 BC Environmental Articulation Committee Annual - bccat

68 Pages·2010·2.11 MB·English

2010 BC Environmental Articulation Committee
Annual Business Meeting

Location: Royal Roads University, Victoria
Date: May 18 – 19, 2010

In attendance:
Allison MacMillan, Okanagan College
Brian Heise, Thompson Rivers University
Dave Dick, College of the Rockies
David Blundon, Camosun College
Frank Williams, Langara College
Heather Wanke, Royal Roads University
John Morgan, Vancouver Island University
Ken Shaw, Northwest Community College
Kerry Reimer, University of Northern British Columbia (May 19 only)
Lorne Sampson, BCIT (May 19 only)
Matt Dodd, Royal Roads University
Michael Rutherford, University of Northern British Columbia
Michelle Rhodes, University of the Fraser Valley
Paul Brown, Trinity Western
Rob McGregor, Douglas College
Steve Gormican, Camosun College
Susan Purdy, Thompson Rivers University
Tara Ivanochko, University of British Columbia
Val Schaefer, University of Victoria

Regrets:
Rob MacRae, Selkirk College

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

In the absence of the Chair, Matt Dodd hosted and chaired the meetings.

I. Agenda approved with the addition of Location of Next Meeting.

Location of Next Meeting – UNBC in 2011

II. Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting

Minutes of 2008 meeting
MOVED by Frank Williams, seconded by Michelle Rhodes that the minutes of the 2008 meeting be
approved as circulated. CARRIED

Minutes of 2009 meeting
Reports missing: UNBC, RRU, TRU Biology.
Names misspelled: Rob McGregor, Tara Ivanochko
Moved by Rob McGregor, seconded by David Blundon that the minutes of the 2009 meeting be
approved as amended. CARRIED

III. Action Items from 2008 and 2009 Minutes

2008 – BC Environmental Articulation Committee Website
The current website is hosted by RRU. There was discussion about whether there was any merit
in keeping the site, what was the goal of the site, and what information needed to be included
and/or updated on the site.

MOVED by Tara Ivanochko, seconded by Michelle Rhodes that BCEAC keep the RRU site, update the
membership information on the site, delete the “Grid”, discuss with BCCAT including a link to the
site on their “field of study” page, and apply for funding to upgrade the “Grid” and re-post .
CARRIED
2009 – no outstanding action items.

IV. Guest Speaker, Linda Stordeur, RPBio Registrar, College of Applied Biology

Linda provided an overview of the RPBio designation. There are currently around 1900 members. In
order to qualify for the designation, applicants must have a BSc with 25 science courses, 15 of which
must be in Biology. The College does not approve applicantions on the basis of programs as
programs change over time. Applicants are approved based on their individual courses presented.
They have a worksheet available on their website (http://cab-bc.org) to help applicants prepare for
the designation. She noted that often the applicants have already completed their education and
find they are missing a course or two, whereas if they complete the worksheet early enough in their
program of studies, they can make sure that courses/program they are taking will fulfill the
requirements of the designation.

Linda offered their services in providing information sessions for students. Please contact her if you
wish to schedule something at your institution ([email protected]).

V. Tour of Castle and Grounds and Dinner

Members participated in a tour of Hatley Castle and Hatley Park Gardens, followed by dinner in the
Drawing Room of Hatley Castle.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

VI. Institutional Welcome

Dr. Tom Chase, VP Academic and Provost welcomed the group to Royal Roads University and
provided a short overview of the history of the institution and some of the goals the University has
set for itself over the next five years. Dr. Jim Bayer, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Applied
Science added his welcome and accepted thanks from the group for hosting last evening’s dinner.
VII. Institutional Reports

Members took turns doing an overview of their respective reports. A copy of each report is appended
to these minutes as the official record of information shared.

A. University of Northern British Columbia – presented by Mike Rutherford and Kerry Reimer
B. College of the Rockies – presented by Dave Dick
C. Trinity Western University – presented by Paul Brown
D. BCIT – presented by Lorne Sampson
E. UBC Okanagan – presented by Ian Walker
F. University of British Columbia – presented by Tara Ivanochko
G. Thompson Rivers University – presented by Susan Purdy and Brian Heise
H. Vancouver Island University – presented by John Morgan
I. Okanagan College – presented by Allison MacMillan
J. Douglas College – presented by Rob McGregor
K. Langara College – presented by Frank Williams (no report attached)
L. University of the Fraser Valley – presented by Michelle Rhodes
M. Northwest Community College – presented by Ken Shaw
N. Camosun College – presented by Steve Gormican
O. University of Victoria – presented by Val Schaefer
P. Royal Roads University – presented by Matt Dodd

VIII. Guest : Linda Kaivanto, Education Officer, Regional Colleges and Institutes, Ministry of
Advanced Education and Labour Market Development

Linda provided a short update on some changes in the Ministry of Advanced Education, including
the appointment of a new Assistant Deputy Minister, Mark Zacharias, who has a background in
remediation. Discussion with Linda focused on the transfer processes, where she indicated that
business process review is underway and one of the outcomes of that review might be a more
common numbering system for courses.

There was discussion about linking to environmental programs through the BCCAT Field of Study
web page. Linda agreed to look agreed to look into the possibility of funding for the creation of a
list of environmental programs/courses to replace the Grid being removed from the current BCEAC
website.
Follow-up required.

Linda provided information on the Employment Skills Access Program and noted that there would
be an invitation going out very soon to institutions who can submit proposals for offering programs
for under skilled workers (not connected to Employment Insurance programs).

There was discussion around the updating of the BCCAT website. Institutions were advised to
communicate directly with BCCAT website editors to ensure updates are done for their individual
institutions.

MOVED by Michelle Rhodes, seconded by Rob McGregor that the BCEAC Chair write a letter to
BCCAT requesting link to Environmental Programs from the Field of Study webpage on the
Education Planner site.
CARRIED

MOVED by Frank Williams, seconded by Tara Ivanochko that BCEAC formally supports the concept
of imbedding the teaching of sustainability across the curriculum.
CARRIED

IX. RRU Campus Sustainability Plan , Dr. Steve Grundy

Dr. Steve Grundy, Associate VP Program Development, Registrar & CIO gave an overview of the
recently adopted Campus Sustainability Plan for Royal Roads University. The plan calls for the
University to be energy independent by 2018. RRU has seen a 10% decrease in greenhouse gas
emissions this year compared to last year, largely due to boiler retrofits to some of the older
buildings. Royal Roads University has signed up as one of the charter members of the STARS
(Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System) program and currently has a group of BSc
students working on the information required for certification under this program.

He provided an overview of some the academic activities in the Environmental sector at RRU,
including the Certified Environmental Practitioner, a partnership program with ECO Canada, and
recently approved proposals for MSc, MA and a BSc degree completion programs in Environmental
Practice. The last three programs will be partnership programs done entirely online.

X. Adjournment

The business meetings adjourned at 3:00 pm with some attendees making a mad dash for the ferry.

XI. Invited Presentation – Canada Neptune Project

Dr. Kim Juniper, BC Leadership Chair in Marine Ecosystems and Global Change, University of Victoria
gave a presentation on the Neptune Project (http://www.neptunecanada.ca/about-neptune-canada/)
from 7:00 -9:00 PM in the Quarter Deck. This talk was well attended by the remaining members of the
and the Royal Roads BSc Environmental Sciences and BSc Environmental Management students.
Update on UNBC Environmental Engineering Program
for the
2010 BC EAC Meeting at Royal Roads University
May 18-19, 2010

The Joint UBC/UNBC Environmental Engineering Program comprises two years of science, math, and
introductory engineering at UNBC, followed by two years of engineering at UBC (predominantly civil
and chemical engineering courses), culminating in a half year at UNBC when students work on a
capstone design project. Last year’s capstone design projects were a landfill closure plan for the
Mackenzie Landfill, sponsored by AMEC and the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, and an air
pollution control system for the Husky refinery in Prince George. This year’s industry sponsored
design projects include brewery wastewater treatment, biogas collection & utilization, stormwater
outfall erosion control, transportation emission modeling, pulp mill waste energy utilization, and water
system chlorination.

The Environmental Engineering Program has been in operation since September 2002 and has received
6 years CEAB accreditation in 2009. The enrolment cap is 40 students per year. The fourth
graduating class of 8 completed the program in December 2009. 19 students are entering their final
semester September 2010. Enrollment into 1st & 2nd year was up in 2009 (53 new students started
September 2009). As of April 2010, applications are down slightly from last year.

There are three paths of entry into the program: 1) straight from high school into 1st year; 2) from UBC
general 1st year engineering into 2nd year; and 3) transfer from other colleges & universities into 2nd
year. Approximately 1/3 of the applicants and 1/2 of those who are accepted and attend are transfer
students. Curriculum revisions to increase the engineering content taught at UNBC took effect
September 2009 simplifying transfers from engineering transfer programs. Our 1st year is now
predominantly chemistry, math, physics, computer science, and english. A typical student transferring
into the Environmental Engineering program from an engineering transfer program will take the
standard second year curriculum with the exception of replacing linear algebra (linear algebra is in the
second year at UNBC) with the introductory fundamentals of environmental engineering course.

Steve Helle, P.Eng.
Assistant Professor
Environmental Engineering Curriculum Chair, UNBC
Environmental Science and Environmental Engineering
UNBC
[email protected]
Update on UNBC Environmental Science Program
for the
2010 BC EAC Meeting at Royal Roads University
May 18-19, 2010
Submitted by Mike Rutherford ([email protected])
Program Overview
There are four Environmental Programs at UNBC: Environmental Studies (BA), Environmental
Planning (BPl), Environmental Science (BSc) and jointly with UBC, Environmental Engineering
(BASc). Faculty within Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering and Chemistry are
housed within the same administrative unit. For all practical purposes, faculty within
Environmental Science and Environmental Engineering are part of the same academic unit and
share many teaching, research and administrative activities.
The BSc (major) in Environmental Science offers an interdisciplinary curriculum focused on
aquatic, atmospheric and terrestrial systems. It is designed to provide students with a depth of
knowledge and skills within the environmental sciences that is built upon a solid foundation of
basis sciences: chemistry, mathematics, biology, earth science and physics. Students have an
opportunity to specialize within an area of their choice: aquatic systems, atmospheric systems,
ecological systems, terrestrial systems, environmental chemistry and environmetrics. A BSc
(honours) in Environmental Science is available.
Enrollments
Currently, we have ~ 20-25 declared students (FTE) for the 2010/2011 entry within the
Environmental Science (exact numbers available later). Environmental Science BSc graduates
have numbered 8, 9, 10 and 6 for 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. This year, 4 students will graduate
with the BSc in Environmental Science.

Transfer Agreements
UNBC has 2+2 transfer agreements with Douglas College and Kwantlen; Stephen Déry (UNBC)
is looking into updating these. Lisa Verbisky (NLC) and Mike Rutherford have developed a draft
transfer agreement between the Northern Lights College Land Reclamation Diploma and the
UNBC Environmental Science Major; it still needs to be circulated and approved at both
institutions. Our program is currently developing a transfer agreement with Wenzhou University,
China. Discussions for a transfer agreement with Okanagan College (Phil Owens-ENSC, Kathy
Lewis-UNBC Biology-Forestry) have been initiated. Phil Owens and Ellen Petticrew (UNBC-
Geography) have been involved in talks of articulation between NWCC and UNBC BSc
Integrated Sciences. Some of the courses offered at the UNBC Prince George may be offered at
our Terrace campus (to both UNBC and NWCC students).

New Soils Minor and Courses
The Environmental science program has a new minor entitled “Soils and the Environment” that
will provide students with knowledge of the biological, chemical and physical processes
occurring in this critical environmental zone and how these processes affect environmental
quality and global sustainability. Three new soils courses will be offered (biannually) from 2011
onward (ENSC 325, soil physical processes; ENSC 435, soil biological processes; ENSC 460,
soil chemical processes). Students are required to take the above 3 courses in addition to FSTY
205 (introduction to soils) and FSTY 425 (soil formation and classification), and a related
elective (e.g. ENSC 452 remediation, ENSC 404 waste management, FSTY 425 forest soils,
ENSC 451 groundwater). We would like to offer several of these courses through distance
delivery; Paul Sanborn (UNBC-Forestry) will offer FSTY 425 through distance delivery over the
next year (contact for more details: [email protected]). Note that all of the 400-level courses
have 600-level (i.e. graduate level) offerings.

Academic Breadth Requirement
UNBC used to have an academic breadth requirement of all students that was eliminated a few
years ago. A recent senate motion (early 2010) was passed bringing back the “University
Breadth Requirement”. Programs at UNBC are currently reviewing the motion and deciding
how to accommodate the breadth requirement into their degrees.

Self-Study and External Review
The Environmental Science program conducted a self-study during the Fall 2009/Winter 2010
semesters which was followed by an external program review conducted by Dr. Diane Draper
(Geography, U of Calgary) and Dr. Les Lavkulich (Professor Emeritus, UBC) on March 30 and
31. The external reviews submitted their report to UNBC in late April. The review committee’s
recommendations included: consider reducing number of areas of focus, consider introduction of
more minors, reduce number of courses (and, make more use of special topics courses), ensure
curriculum congruent with professional accreditation requirements, improve visibility and
information about program through an improved web site.
Faculty Members
Kerry Reimer, Associate Professor and Program Chair
Ron Thring, Professor (chemical engineering, waste management, environmental engineering)
Lito Arocena, Professor: CRC chair, (environmental soil science, waste management)
Stephen Déry, Assistant Professor: CRC chair (northern hydrometeorology)
Peter Jackson, Professor (atmospheric science and modeling)
Jianbing Li, Associate Professor (groundwater and remediation)
Michael Rutherford, Associate Professor (soil science, remediation, waste management)
Jueyi Sui, Associate Professor (surface water engineering and processes)
Youmin Tang, Associate Professor: CRC chair, Associate Professor (climate prediction)
Phil Owens, Associate Professor: Landscape Ecology chair (soil and fluvial geomorphology)
Steve Helle, Assistant Professor (chemical engineering, waste and wastewater treatment)
Belinda Larisch, Senior Lab Instructor
Jean Wang, Senior Lab Instructor (high performance computing, modeling and statistics)
Key Contacts
Phil Owens ([email protected] ) is the Environmental Science Curriculum Chair. Jennifer
Hollands ([email protected]) is the student advisor and Sandra Leson ([email protected]) is our
articulation officer.
Report on the BA Environmental Studies
University of Northern British Columbia
May 2010
For more info, contact Dr. Annie Booth (250-960-6649 or at [email protected].)

What is New?
The curriculum revision from last year are in place fully and are proving to be of interest to
students.

This year we are working on transfer articulations with Okanagan College and the College of
Rockies which will enhance students with 1 and 2 year degrees completing in a timely way a
four year degree if they choose. We welcome other institutions to discuss potential articulation
agreements with us for their students.

General Information about the Degree

For students tired of the BS options around environmental issues, the BA offers an exciting
alternative. Offering both a Major and a Minor option, the Environmental Studies degree offers
students the opportunity to develop their knowledge base, critical thinking skills and build a
toolkit of relevant applied skills that will prepare them to understand and work towards solving
critical environmental issues facing Canada and the world.

This degree was significantly revised and revamped in 2008. Students have started the revised
degree as of September 2008. We are looking forward to seeing what students accomplish with
this revised degree.

The BA in Environmental Studies Major now has as its focus the development of environmental
citizenship within its students. Environmental citizens are interested in and curious about
environmental and ecological challenges in the world and the roles they might play in solving
these challenges. The Major offers students an interdisciplinary foundation for understanding the
complex social roots of environmental issues, and the interactions and intersections of politics,
social theory, ethics and worldviews as they impact ecological systems. Several foci offer
students the opportunity to develop an expertise in one of several areas, including Global
Perspectives, Indigenous Worldviews, an introduction to Environmental Sciences, and
Community Development. Students also take courses to develop practical skills in the use of
GIS, social research, public engagement and consultation and working with Indigenous peoples.
A required Internship in the fourth year of study offers the opportunity to both apply acquired
skills and knowledge and to gain experience in a relevant work environment. A significant
number of Elective credits allow the student to either round out their educational experiences or
to add a Minor to their degree.

The opportunity to study environmental issues and their social basis in a smaller northern
community surrounded by a largely natural setting is an unparalleled opportunity in Canada,
offering both a beautiful setting and hundreds of opportunities for hands-on study.

The Minor in Environmental Studies
Designed for students in other disciplines wishing to add a set of social and ethical perspectives
on environmental issues, the Minor offers a number of course options that will both introduce
Environmental Studies as a discipline and build an understanding of how humans affect the
natural world. A maximum of two courses (six credit hours), chosen from the Minor’s options,
used to fulfill requirements for a major or another minor may also be used to fulfill requirements
for the Minor in Environmental Studies. The Minor in Environmental Studies requires the
completion of 18 credit hours, 12 of which must be at the upper division level.

Employment Opportunities

Students with a BA in Environmental Studies will have a knowledge base ad skills of interest for
many positions in a rapidly growing field of environmental job opportunities, including

$ Governments, including federal, provincial, regional and municipal governments;
$ Non-Government and Non-Profit Organizations;
$ First Nations governments and agencies;
$ Environmental Education;
$ Environmental Consulting.

Students are also prepared for undertaking post graduate work in several disciplines.

Website address: http://www.unbc.ca/environmentalstudies/index.html

We would be very interested in discussing options for laddering two year diplomas in
appropriate environmental studies related disciplines into this four year degree with interested
colleges and institutions. We would envision arranging block transfer of credit to allow students
two years towards completion of the BA, dependent upon your requirements. If interested in
pursuing discussions of this option, please contact Dr. Annie Booth, Ecosystem Science and
Management Program, UNBC at 250-960-6649 or at [email protected].
BCEAC Articulation Report May 2010
College of the Rockies

In addition to our Environmental Science Diploma (http://www.cotr.bc.ca/university/) and Associate
Degree in Environmental Sciences, a new program, Certificate in Environmental Studies was offered for the first
time in September, 2009. Details of this certificate and its transferable courses are listed below.
New environmental programs in the sciences are being considered currently, and applied learning would
be a significant component in these new offerings.

Certificate in Environmental Studies
(http://www.cotr.bc.ca/enviro/)

Program Overview This certificate provides an interdisciplinary approach to the full breadth of today’s global
environment. Students could study ecosystems, human populations, social, cultural, philosophical, political and
economic issues. Students are able to explore their interests, for there are many different courses to select from.
This certificate can be a stepping stone to a job, a diploma, an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree.

One of:
ENGL 100 Composition
COMC 101 Technical and Professional Writing

One of:
MATH 101 Finite Mathematics I
MATH 103 Differential Calculus
MATH 106 Statistics
MATH 113 Calculus for Commerce and Life Sciences I
COMP 105 Introduction to Programming in the C and C++ Language
COMP 153 Introduction to Data Processing

Four of:
CHEM 100 Introduction to Environmental Chemistry
GEOL 105 Introduction to Geology
GEOL 106 Physical and Historical Geology
GEOG 101 Introduction to Physical Geography
ENST 200 Environmental Studies
BIOL 151 Biology of the Environment

Three of:
POLI 100 Introduction to Politics and Government
ECON 250 Environmental Economics
SOCI 102 Introduction to Sociology II
ANTH 101 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
PHIL 201 Social and Political Philosophy
PSYC 207 Environmental Psychology
FNST 102 First Nations Studies
COMC 102 Advanced Professional Communications

ESCS 107 Environmental Project + one elective