May 08, 2024  
PUBLISHED 2024-2025 Credit Catalog 
    
PUBLISHED 2024-2025 Credit Catalog

Environmental Technology

Location(s): In Person (Main Campus)


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Embark on a transformative career with the Environmental Technology program, which blends theory with practical, hands-on training. Designed for those who want to move towards a sustainable future, this program equips you for a professional role in environmental management.

Our program maintains links with industry leaders and associations, ensuring the knowledge and skills you acquire are relevant and valued. This network also opens doors for internships, cooperative work experiences and future employment opportunities.

In this program, you will:

  • learn about a range of environmental processes and practices
  • learn how to collect air, water, soil and biological samples for analysis, an environmental science practice that is essential for detecting contaminants, assessing ecological health and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations
  • perform site reclamation, the process of restoring disturbed or contaminated land to its natural state or to a safe and usable condition, which may involve soil remediation, removal of pollutants, revegetation and long-term monitoring
  • learn about the collection, transport, processing, recycling and disposal of waste materials in a way that minimizes the adverse effects of waste on the environment and human health.

Benefit from experiential learning that prepares you for real-world scenarios, encompassing lab and fieldwork.

This program will prepare you for a career where you can make a tangible impact, with opportunities spanning government, transportation, water treatment, mining and chemical manufacturing. The program also addresses the expanding need for environmental policy, non-profit, planning and environmental resource management. 

Graduates can further their education by pursuing a bachelor’s degree at partner institutions such as Royal Roads University.

If you want a career in sustainability and helping manage and protect the natural environment, this program is for you.

Traits, skills and aptitudes


Those working in the environmental technology field tend to be objective, innovative, and methodical.

You need:

  • patience and perseverance to gather and test field samples
  • innovation and creativity
  • observation and analytical skills
  • communication skills
  • tactful persistence to ensure compliance with environmental laws
  • the ability to work alone or with a team.

You should enjoy working with tools and instruments to perform tasks precisely, analyzing data to find solutions to problems, taking a methodical approach to your work and supervising others.  

Practicum, co-op and work integrated learning opportunities


You’ll participate in a week-long environmental work practicum where you’ll apply the skills you’ve learned in the program to real-world situations with a local employer. 

You’ll also participate in an environmental field school where you’ll travel to various sites in Kananaskis, west of Calgary, to collect and analyze soil and water samples. 

Accreditations, designations or certifications


This program has been accredited by the Environmental Careers Organization of Canada (ECO Canada) based on conformance with the national accreditation standard for post-secondary environmental programs.

This accreditation has been granted through the Canadian Environmental Accreditation Commission (CEAC), an independent body that oversees ECO Canada’s post-secondary accreditation program.

Graduates are eligible for membership in the following professional associations:

  • Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) (by passing the certification exam)
  • ECO Canada as an Environmental Professional in training
  • Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC.) 

Credential


After successfully completing this program, you’ll receive a SAIT Environmental Technology diploma.

Program length


2 years

Accepts international applicants - PGWP-eligible


This program accepts international applicants and meets the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program, as long as the student is registered in on-campus classes or completes more than 50% of the courses on campus (for blended options). 

International students attending all classes online will NOT be eligible for a Post-Graduate Work Permit. International students are responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies. 

Not eligible for CAJG


This program is not eligible for the Canada Alberta Job Grant

Related careers


Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.

Potential careers (NOC):

  • Public and environmental health and safety professionals (21120)
  • Occupational health and safety specialists (22232)
  • Utility maintenance workers (74204)
  • Utilities managers (90011)
  • Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities (92011)
  • Water and waste treatment plant operators (92101)

Admission requirements - Applicants educated in Canada


All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and meet all the following requirements or equivalents:

  • at least 60% in Math 30-1, and
  • at least 50% in English Language Arts 30-1 or 60% in English Language Arts 30-2, and
  • at least 60% in Chemistry 30.

SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside Alberta.

Admission requirements - Applicants educated outside of Canada


All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find accepted educational documents and assessment options

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

Program outline


The Environmental Technology diploma requires 60 credits (33 courses) to complete.

The program spans two years, with two semesters each year.

Required courses


Suggested schedule of study


Year 1


Year 2


Progression


You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program.

To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Review our grading and progression procedure > 

Books and supplies


Books and supplies are approximately $1,800 per full-time year.

This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.

Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore’s website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date. Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn’t receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or if you’re in luck; no textbook purchase is required this term.

Required personal protective equipment (PPE)

The industry-approved PPE you’ll need for labs, including a lab coat and CSA-approved safety glasses (with UVEX and side shields), will be discussed during your first few days of classes. 

Energy program advising


For any questions or to set up an advising appointment, please contact our MacPhail School of Energy.

Phone: 403.284.8451
Email: macphail.students@sait.ca 

Program outcomes


  1. Research, critically analyze, prepare, document, submit and defend a technology report.
  2. Apply the knowledge of algebra, matrix manipulation and introductory calculus to resolve applied science/engineering technology problems.
  3. Apply the knowledge of best statistical processes to resolve applied science/engineering technology problems.
  4. Apply the current project management practices to applied science and engineering technology projects consistent with the discipline requirements.
  5. Apply the principles of physical and natural science, applicable to a discipline, to solve applied science/ engineering technology problems.
  6. Apply knowledge of management principles, ethics, sustainability, contract law, codes and standards.

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