FOREST TECHNOLOGY
selkirk.ca/forestry

Additional Information

Selkirk College’s Forestry Program is known
throughout the country for excellence in forest
technology education. Subject areas include

applied ecology, planning, regeneration, inventory,
hydrology, engineering, harvesting, habitat and
forest protection in a Nationally Accredited Program.
Selkirk College students spend more than 50
percent of their class time in the field learning in
real world projects. The program also emphasizes
advanced technology, including Geographic
Information Systems and Global Positioning
Systems applications. The College's graduates are
benefiting from our training and the recognition

by government, industry and communities of the
importance of better forest management. Students
successfully completing our diploma automatically
qualify to become a trainee forest technologist
(TFT) leading to registered forest technologist (RFT)
in the Association of BC Forest Professionals.

CURRICULUM ADVISORY

The curriculum for this program is developed in
consultation with the Program Advisory Committee
(PAC). The PAC membership includes people who
hire our students and many are past graduates.
Organizations currently having representatives on
the committee include Ministry of Forests, small and
large forest companies, and forest consultants. The
PAC meets regularly and their feedback result in
changes to the program.

DEGREE PROGRAMS

The Forest Technology Program now ladders into the
Selkirk College Bachelor In Geographic Information
Systems and counts as the first two years of this
program. Alternately, there is a long-standing
tradition of our graduates transferring and
successfully completing university degrees. Selkirk's
Forest Technology graduates have successfully
transferred credit towards degrees in universities
throughout Canada and the United States. Selkirk
College also has formal transfer arrangements

with University of Northern BC, Thompson Rivers
University, and Royal Roads University.

COMMON CORE

The first year of Forest Technology, Recreation, Fish
and Wildlife Technology and Integrated Environmental
Planning Technology programs consist of a core

of common courses emphasizing resource skills,
knowledge and professionalism in fish and wildlife
ecology, botany and terrestrial ecology, inventory,
measurement, mapping, communications, math and
interpretation.

The second year of each program synthesizes the
skills, knowledge, and professionalism of first year

94 ‘Selkirk College Academic Calendar 2017-18

with applied management, planning, and advanced
techniques and principles. Integration of learning in
each program is required.

The common core allows students to obtain an
additional diploma in RFW or IEP by completing the
relevant third year.

Admission Requirements

School of Environment and Geomatics (SEG) staff are
committed to helping students prepare for admission
into their chosen program. Applicants that meet the
prerequisites listed below are eligible for direct entry
into the Forest Technology Program.

Applicants who lack one, or more of these
requirements are still eligible to gain admission to
the program through a multi-level entry system which
allows students to take a combination of preparatory
and upgrading courses in the first year. This mode of
entry extends the length of the program, but greatly
enhances success.

PREREQUISITES
Math: (one of the following)

Principles of Mathematics 11 (6096) or

Applications of Mathematics 11 (70%) or
— Pre-Calculus 11 (6096) or

— Foundations of Mathematics 11 (65%)
English:

— English 12 (65%) or

— Three credits of post-secondary English,
Humanities or Social Sciences (67%) from a
recognized institution.

Biology:
— Biology 11, or equivalent science course (6596)

IMPORTANT for the upgrading pathway: Please
apply to SEG to suggest the best options for you.
In individual cases, related work experience may
be considered in the application process at the
discretion of the School Chair.

For any questions related to prerequisites and
support, please contact the SEG Admissions Officer.

NON ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

All applicants must be in good health and reasonably
good physical condition. A demonstrated interest in,
and aptitude for, outdoor work is essential as much of
the work is done in the field, often under adverse and
arduous weather and topographic conditions.

All students are expected to take the College
Readiness Tool (CRT) assessment.

Note that all applicants should meet the general
entrance requirements for admission to Selkirk
College.

Computer competency is an important element

of success in the program. Prior to starting the
program, it is strongly recommended that students
have entry level experience with word processor,
spreadsheet, and web browsing software.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International Students (students who are applying

to Selkirk College from locations outside of Canada)
should follow the application steps required by Selkirk
International.

Careers

Graduates are immediately employable and have
developed careers throughout BC, Canada and
internationally with government, small and large
industry, non-government organizations, First
Nations and the consulting sector. Over 80% of our
graduates find both seasonal and full time forestry
employment within two months of graduation. This
nationally accredited program enables a direct track
for registration with the Association of BC Forest
Professionals. Finally, program staff are committed
to helping students find relevant experience and
employment.

Co-op Education

Environment and Geomatics students have the
opportunity to enroll in Co-op Education. This program
consists of four-month work terms that allow students
to access unique experiential learning. Co-op work
terms are administrated as regular course work

with both cost and reporting requirements. Benefits
include maintenance of full-time student status

as well as access to employment and experience
unavailable outside of the Co-op Program. For more
information contact the Co-op Education Office at
(250) 365-1280. Co-op Education is a process of
education that formally integrates students' academic
study with periods of related work experience in
cooperating employer organizations. Selkirk College's
Co-op Education programs are designed within
guidelines established by the Canadian Association for
Co-operative Education (CAFCE) and in consultation
with federal and provincial government agencies.

CO-OP EDUCATION WORK-STUDY SEQUENCE:

Sept-Dec Jan-Apr May-Aug
StudyTerm1l StudyTerm2 Co-op Ed WorkTerm
StudyTerm3 StudyTerm4 Co-op Ed Work Term
Co-op Ed Study Term 5
WorkTerm University

Bridging

selkirk.ca/programs