Program Description
Create solutions for global and local water issues with a career in water management. This program will prepare you for various roles such as water management specialist, water quality technician, watershed planner, flood planning technologist or junior hydrologist.
Get the training to become a water management expert and develop a strong understanding of the complex solutions and decisions required to balance the preservation of water-related ecosystems. Learn water management best practices to manage hazards, safeguard human health and well-being, and support economic activities. You’ll gain applied knowledge and market-sought skills developed through a final capstone project working directly with industry, as you specialize in either Water Environmental Technologies or Advanced Industry Applications. Your expertise will develop through a combination of classroom and hands-on learning including field school and virtual reality labs.
Some of the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll gain in this program include:
- development of a water monitoring program
- conducting key field measurements in hydrology, hydrogeology, soils, and vegetation using commonly used and emerging equipment and technology
- water data acquisition, management, and analysis to inform design and decision-making
- performing hydrological and hydrogeological calculations to inform design such as surface flow, stormwater control or restoration measures
- fundamental applications of GIS, Excel, HEC-RAS, and historical imagery
- stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution
- project planning and management
- selecting appropriate water management strategies and applications using multi-criteria analysis and systems thinking
- supporting water-related permitting applications and reporting, such as wetland assessments and Water Act approvals
- comprehensive understanding of the social, cultural, health, safety, and environmental aspects of water management, including Indigenous water stewardship
- developing emergency response and recovery plans incorporating increasing risks of extreme events and climate change
- conducting an emergency response adhering to incident command structure protocols
- applying tools, approaches, and resources for both climate adaptation and mitigation to water management.
What is integrated water management?
Integrated water management is the coordinated management of water in an integrative, cross-sectoral, participatory and adaptive manner. This is a widely adopted management approach endorsed by the United Nations and utilized globally. SAIT, in combination with a multi-stakeholder advisory group and Imperial, has created the Integrated Water Management diploma program to give students the tools and expertise they need to work on solutions for both local and global water issues.
This is the first integrated water program diploma in Canada. Once you graduate, you’ll have transferable skills to work in a multitude of industries such as energy, government, non-profit, consulting, health, agriculture, education, food and beverage, manufacturing, transportation, engineering and construction.
Abbreviated Program Description
Progression
The progression requirement for students taking credit courses is a Term GPA and Total Institutional GPA of 2.0, with the exception of English Language Foundations and Academic Upgrading programs.
Your Career
Graduates of this program find work in industries such as water quantity and quality monitoring, environmental health and safety, and natural resource management and planning. Possible career opportunities include: - water management specialist
- water quality technician
- watershed planner
- junior hydrologist
- engineering technical assistant
- junior planner/policy analyst
- field inspector
- environmental scientist
- flood planning technologist
Student Success
Students with an aptitude and interest in science and mathematics tend to excel in this program. This program promotes interdisciplinary perspectives and includes work across various energy sectors; diversity and different perspectives are encouraged. Students should be prepared to spend as many hours studying and completing course work as they do in class.
Credentials
After successfully completing this program, graduates will receive a SAIT diploma in Integrated Water Management.
Accreditation
Graduates are eligible for membership in the following professional associations:
- Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) through certification exam.
- ECO Canada as a Professional in-training.
Costs
Books and Supplies* This program primarily uses open-source books and most required supplies are provided. Thus, books and supplies are approximately $200 per year. Admission Requirements
Completion of the following courses or equivalents: - At least 60% in English Language Arts 30-1, OR 60% in English Language Arts 30-2, AND,
- At least 60% in Math 30-1, OR Pure Math 30, AND,
- At least 50% in Chemistry 20, AND,
- At least 50% in Physics 20, AND
- At least 50% in Biology 20.
All applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada. Program Outcomes
Program Outcome 1 Water Fundamentals: Describe fundamental concepts of integrated water management. 2 Policies and Regulations: Demonstrate how policies, frameworks, and regulatory processes influence decision making in water management. 3 Water Cycle Monitoring: Explain water quality, quantity, availability, and how they inform decision-making across sectors. 4 Plan Development: Support the development of an integrated water management plan. 5 Water Management Influences: Identify influences on water management including economic, environmental, health, human interaction, climate change, extreme events, policy, and others. 6 Processes and Forecasting: Incorporate interdisciplinary science in determining and forecasting how water moves through a watershed and a water management system. 7 Watershed Risks: Predict risks to watershed resiliency (economic, social, climate). 8 Data: Manage data acquisition, organization, formatting, and reporting 9 Infrastructure: Plan, install, operate, and maintain field equipment for hydrometric monitoring and related environmental variables. 10 Global Drivers: Differentiate global climate, geopolitical, and economic drivers of water management.
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