The Bachelor of Applied Conservation Enforcement degree integrates the principles of renewable resource management, law enforcement techniques and work experience to provide graduates with the necessary competencies required for employment in natural resource law enforcement, environmental protection, and industry compliance with environmental legislation.Graduates are knowledgeable and skilled to undertake the diverse duties expected of resource officers throughout North America.

In the first year students acquire foundational skills in law, ecology, communication, computing and biology.

The second year focuses on the development of knowledge and skills in the area of renewable resources.

The third year applies the first two years of study to the development of resource management and enforcement capabilities.

Directed field studies, which can start after the completion of the first two years of the program, provide a practical application of the curriculum and consists of two terms.

Employers supervise students within these work experience settings, while LCC monitors and evaluates student progress toward completion of learning outcomes. Students obtain academic credit by completing specific field courses.

The six terms of on-campus instruction are delivered by lectures, laboratory training and significant fieldwork exercises - a major strength of the program. Fieldwork is conducted in the Fall and Spring in association with and co-sponsored by provincial and national wildlife conservation agencies. Individuals representing these agencies may accompany the field groups in advisory and supervisory capacities which enrich the students educational experiences.

The Bachelor of Applied Conservation Enforcement is the only program of its kind in Canada offering a degree credential exclusively designed for natural resource law enforcement.

• IMPORTANT DATES
• ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• PROGRAM FEES
• PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT
• GRADUATION
• EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
• TRANSFER AGREEMENTS
• CURRICULUM
• COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

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IMPORTANT DATES

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ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

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New entry level students are accepted into the Bachelor of Applied Conservation Enforcement degree program for the Fall term only.

Transfer students with advanced standing may be accepted into the degree program for both the Fall and Winter terms. LCC Renewable Resource Management students nearing graduation may be allowed to take courses in this program on a space available basis for one term.

Admission to the Bachelor of Applied Conservation Enforcement program or permission of the LCC Centre for Environmental Science and Agriculture team leader is a requirement to continue. (Not given priority over other new applicants).

Academic Requirements
Entry level applicants are required to have an Alberta high school diploma or equivalent, with a minimum of 60 % in each of Biology 30, English 30, Chemistry 20, Math 30 or 33 and Social Studies 30.

Applicants are also required to achieve a minimum 65th percentile in Reading, Sentence Skills and Arithmetic and 70th percentile in Elementary Algebra sections of the Computerized Placement Test or equivalent.

Transfer students are required to have a Diploma in Renewable Resource Management or equivalent, or a related Bachelor¹s degree in an area such as Resource Management, Biology, Environmental Studies or similar area of study. A minimum Grade Point Average of 2.50 or equivalent or permission of the Environmental Science Program Leader is required for admission.

1. Transfer students are required to complete a qualifying entrance exam.
2. Transfer students must submit three letters of reference that address personal and professional suitability of the student for employment in the conservation enforcement field.
3. Applicants with post-secondary credentials and significant work experience will have their skills assessed according to their employment and educational history and are required to fulfil all course requirements to meet curriculum standards. In most cases, transfer students will need to enrol in a minimum of 3 full semesters of on-campus instruction to meet the degree requirements. Non-academic Requirements Applicants are required to submit additional background information including a resume stating their work experiences, additional education and/or training plus certification / qualifications in special fields.

PROGRAM FEES

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All fees are approximate and are based on a full credit load for each program (the number of credits may depend upon the elective courses selected) and is subject to change. Costs of books and supplies are estimated. Supply costs include only the specialized materials and equipment needed for the program and not basic stationery supplies. The LCC Students¹ Association fees are subject to change. For more detailed information on tuition fee calculation and other fees, students are advised to consult the FEES section of this Calendar.

PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT

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Students accepted into this program have the opportunity to apply related employment, volunteer, educational or training experiences toward the completion of the program. For information on Prior Learning Assessment, students should contact the Registrar¹s Office.

GRADUATION

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Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are awarded a Bachelor of Applied Conservation Enforcement degree.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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Most employment is found with provincial and federal government conservation and resource management agencies such as Parks, Fish and Wildlife, Environment, Forestry and Fisheries. Non-government employers include environmental consulting firms, resource development companies and private conservation organizations.

• Transfer students entering the Bachelor of Applied Conservation Enforcement who receive advance credit must complete LCC¹s minimum residency requirements. Students may not receive advance credit for work completed at another institution(s) in excess of 75% of the total credits required for graduation from Lethbridge Community College.
• Conservation Enforcement Officer positions often have very specific physical requirements such as vision, hearing and weight. The specific requirements differ with each agency. It is the applicant¹s responsibility to confirm that they meet the physical requirements of the agencies they hope to work for.
• Persons with a criminal record may have difficulty competing for jobs as Conservation Enforcement Officers in Canada. € Employers often require that students hold a valid Standard First Aid or Wilderness First Aid Certificate and/or a CPR Certificate to be eligible for seasonal and/or permanent employment. Students are encouraged to obtain these certificates either prior to entering the program or during the first term.
• A number of workshops and short courses sponsored by various agencies are available on evenings and weekends. Students are encouraged to attend these sessions to enhance their credentials for employment.

TRANSFER AGREEMENTS

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Not applicable.

CURRICULUM

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Year I Term I Hours/Week Credits
BIO 158 Vertebrate Zoology (2-2) 4
CJP 166 Criminal Law and Procedure (5-0) 5
ENG 155 Scientific and Technical Writing (3-0) 3
RRM 172 Foundations of Conservation (3-0) 3
RRM 196 Map & Aerial Photo Interpretation (3-2) 5
RRM 266 Physical Geology (3-2) 5
Total 25 credits

• Many courses within the program require computer competency to complete assignments. Where students lack these skills on entry, enrolment in CPU 151 becomes mandatory.

Year I Term II Hours/Week Credits
BIO 154 Plant Taxonomy (2-2) 4
BIO 255 Ecology (3-2) 5
CJP 267 Fish, Wildlife and Parks Acts (5-0) 5
COM 150 Communications for Resource Managers (3-0) 3
PSY 160 Psychology (3-0) 3
STS 251 Statistical Methods (3-1) 4
Total 24 credits

Year II Term I Hours/Week Credits
BIO 159 Aquatic Biology (2-2) 4
CJP 170 Criminalistics (1-2) 3
PED 270 Defence and Aquatics (0-3) 3
RRM 264 Forest Management (3-2) 5
RRM 272 Issues in Canadian Renewable Resource Policy (3-0) 3
RRM 285 Water and Soil Monitoring (3-2) 5
Total 23 credits

Year II Term II Hours/Week Credits
CJP 182 Enforcement Techniques (3-0) 3
RRM 254 Range Resources (3-2) 5
RRM 258 Principles of Wildlife Biology (3-2) 5
RRM 259 Principles of Fishery Science (3-2) 5
RRM 294 Forest Protection (2-2) 4
RRM 298 Conservation Biology (3-0) 3
Total 25 credits

Year III Term I Hours/Week Credits
CJP 287 Crisis Intervention (3-0) 3
CJP 357 Environmental Compliance Techniques (3-0) 3
CJP 359 Conservation Law Investigation (3-2) 5
CJP 379 Case Management (3-0) 3
COM 263 Interpersonal Skills in Enforcement (3-0) 3
DCE 352 Parks Operations (5-0) 5
DCE 390 Special Topics (3-0) 3
Total 25 credits

Year III Term II Hours/Week Credits
CJP 282 Evidence and Court Procedures (5-0) 5
CJP 369 Patrol Procedures (3-2) 5
DCE 350 Administrative Procedures (5-0) 5
DCE 377 Environmental Law (3-0) 3
DCE 388 Problem Wildlife Management Techniques (3-0) 3
SOC 363 Diverse Cultural Communities (3-0) 3
Total 24 credits

Year IV Students must obtain a minimum of 30 credits through completion of the following courses in directed field studies:
Year IV Required Courses Hours/Week Credits
DCE 455 Field Enforcement (5-0) 5
DCE 460 Community Involvement (3-0) 3
DCE 480 Administrative Techniques (3-0) 3
DCE 490 Senior Enforcement Project (3-0) 3
or
DCE 491 Senior Enforcement Project (5-0) 5
DCE 495 Independent Study (3-0) 3
or
DCE 496 Independent Study (5-0) 5

Year IV Electives Hours/Week Credits
DCE 456 Investigations (5-0) 5
DCE 470 Habitat Protection (3-0) 3
DCE 475 Problem Wildlife Techniques (5-0) 5
DCE 465 Public Safety (3-0) 3
DCE 476 Commercial Fisheries (3-0) 3
DCE 485 Program Management (5-0) 5
DCE 486 Advanced Enforcement Planning (5-0) 5
DCE 487 Mentorship (3-0) 3
Minimum total 30 credits

SPECIAL NOTES
During the second and third years, students are off-campus completing field courses most of September and April. It is extremely difficult to take Year I and Year II courses simultaneously.

Students are advised to complete all Year I courses before proceeding to Year II, and all Year II courses before enrolling in Year III courses. The following courses have a field component. In the Fall term, field trips are in September, while in the Winter term, field trips occur in April.

BIO 159 Aquatic Biology
CJP 369 Patrol Procedures
DCE 352 Park Operations
RRM 253 Soil Resources
RRM 254 Range Resources
RRM 258 Principles of Wildlife Biology
RRM 259 Principles of Fishery Science
RRM 264 Forest Management
RRM 294 Forest Protection

Students enrolled in the above courses are expected to provide their own equipment and supplies. This may include: warm sleeping bag, ground sheet and pad, tent (may be shared with other students), ruck sack or duffle bag for gear, adequate clothing for cold/wet weather, hiking boots, binoculars, cooking and eating gear (may be shared), food, field notebook, compass, and hip or chest waders. Fieldwork schedules are dependent on many variables and often require students to participate on weekends. All program fieldtrips require mandatory attendance. Lab and class schedules are also extended when related to field activities.