Environmental Technician Co-op Overview

Co-op Format (Fall Intake)

Co-op Format (Winter Intake)

Learn more about Environmental Technician

Co-op Delivery and Fees

This program has an optional co-op, as part of the program of study. The annual co-op fee structure can be found on the Tuition and Fees page.

For questions, please contact the Co-op Specialist listed at the bottom of the webpage.

Driver’s License and Vehicle

Please note that the majority of co-op positions for this program require that students have a valid driver’s license ('G' class preferred) and access to a vehicle.

Co-op Designation

This program offers three co-op work term opportunities but requires two completed co-op work terms for the co-op designation. 

Work Term Capabilities

(which do not reflect individual work experiences & exposures)

Classroom instruction, combined with hands-on laboratory experience, have provided the student with sufficient knowledge to perform tasks in the following areas:

• Basic laboratory skills in balance use, solution preparation
• Titrimetric analysis such as argentometric, acid/base, redox titrations
• Use and maintenance of volumetric equipment
• UV/Vis spectrophotometric analysis
• Solid waste analysis
• Recycling Initiatives
• Environmental compliance and risk assessment analysis
• Wastewater analysis
• Analysis surrounding occupational hygiene and safety
• Microsoft Office software applications
• Introductory skills in interfacing lab equipment
• Introductory programming in VBA and Microsoft Excel including Macros
• Drinking water analysis
• Drinking water operations with MOE Entry-Level Drinking Water Course completed
• GPS and GIS
• ISO 14000 concepts
• Analytical methods of analysis (gravimetric analysis, titrimetric analysis, auto-titration)
• Instrument use (balances, thermocouple, and barometer)
• Water and Watewater Analysis (pH measurement, hardness testing, turbidity and jar testing, BOD/COD testing, microscopic analysis, sample collection)
• Air Quality Monitoring and noise measurements
• Material balances and audits
• Sensor calibration
• PC data acquisition
• Excel/macro programming
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) modeling
• Statistical Analysis

Program Objectives

The objective of the Environmental Science Technician program is to train students in the basic theory, skills and techniques of environmental technology. Emphasis is placed on water and wastewater treatment and plant operations, air pollution monitoring and control, environmental regulations and audits, ISO14000, solid and hazardous waste management, sampling and analysis, and occupational hygiene and safety.

The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians (OACETT) conditionally recognizes this program as meeting all the academic requirements for certification in the Certified Technician (Ctech) category.

Opportunities

The environmental science technician is the "hands-on" member of the environmental, applied chemistry or occupational hygiene and safety team. They carry out tests and perform a wide range of laboratory functions, operate chemical process and environmental control equipment and conduct field studies.