Monitor and protect the health of the environment
Work outdoors and make a difference by gaining the skills to monitor the environment. You'll train to monitor important aspects of the environment – air, water, soil, ecology – with a focus on ecosystems impacted by the mining industry. Learn from professors active in the field while getting the knowledge, reporting, and hands-on skills you need to address environmental issues and support environmental site and impact assessments.
Our graduates can be found working at top environmental and engineering consulting firms such as Golder and Associates, Wood/AMEC and Blumetric, government ministries, as well as in smaller firms and non-governmental organizations.
Program highlights
- Unique focus on environmental monitoring (air, water, soil, ecology) with an emphasis on ecosystems impacted by the mining industry
- Learn skills to support environmental site and impact assessments
- Opportunities to earn certifications related to the environmental field
- Prepares you to write the Water Operator-in-Training (OIT) exam
- Hands-on work experience with four-week placement in semester three
- Housed in Glencore Centre for Innovation, a green building that is LEED gold-certified
Program of study for 2025-26 Academic Year
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| EMI 7100 | Air Quality Assessment 1 | 3 |
| EMI 7105 | Hydrology & Water Quality Assess 1 | 3 |
| EMI 7125 | Experimental Design & Data Analysis | 3 |
| EMI 7235 | Ecological Monitoring 1 | 3 |
| EMI 7120 | GIS Applications | 3 |
| EMI 7205 | Water Remediation Techniques 1 | 3 |
| EMI 7135 | Industrial Impact Management 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 21 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| EMI 7200 | Environmental Impact Assess & Model | 3 |
| EMI 7225 | Air Pollution Abatement 1 | 3 |
| GIS 7000 | Geomatics | 3 |
| TEC 7001 | Site Assessment and Reporting | 3 |
| ECO 7000 | Hydrology II 1 | 3 |
| ECO 7240 | Ecological Monitoring II 1 | 3 |
| EMI 7101 | Environmental Toxicology 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 21 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| EMI 7500 | Work Placement | 4 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 46 | |
- 1
Course with Lab component.
Admission requirements
Applicants must be graduates of an Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma, Degree or equivalent in an environmental, mining, engineering, or science-related field or equivalent.
OR
Applicant must possess five years of work experience in a related field (or combination of education and work experience) as judged by the college to be equivalent. Applicants must submit a resume detailing their related experience and a cover letter outlining their competencies and preparedness for the program (any and all post-secondary transcripts must still be submitted).
Program delivery
2025-2026
Fall term start
SEMESTER 1: Fall 2025
SEMESTER 2: Winter 2026
SEMESTER 3: Spring 2026
Specific program pathways
College or university degree opportunities
If you are a graduate of this program, you may continue your studies at a college or university and you may receive credit(s) for your prior college education. Refer to Cambrian's college and university agreement details for further information.
Employment opportunities
Graduates may find employment in various environmental monitoring, auditing, and assessment roles with:
- Private environmental consulting and engineering firms
- Government (Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines)
- Municipalities (conservation authorities, water treatment facilities)
- Non-governmental organizations
- Educational institutions (university and college technicians/technologists, instructors, research assistants)
- Industry (mining, pulp and paper, logging, construction)
Please note: Cambrian College strives to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website. Please note that the academic curriculum is continually reviewed and revised to ensure that Cambrian's programs and courses remain relevant. The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.
