Integrated Resource Management

Program Overview

The Integrated Resource Management Diploma Program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic equips students with the knowledge and skills to manage natural resources sustainably. Through hands-on learning, field exercises, and work experience, graduates are prepared for careers as fish and wildlife technicians, forestry technicians, park rangers, and environmental consultants.

Program Outline

Integrated Resource Management Diploma Program

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Integrated Resource Management (IRM) program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic is a two-year diploma program designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to manage natural resources in a sustainable way. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through labs, camps, field exercises, and work experience.

• This IRM diploma can be leveraged into a Bachelor of Applied Management degree at Saskatchewan Polytechnic with only two years of additional study.
Remote classes and part-time options are available.
• The program can also ladder into a degree at the University of Regina (Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology), Lakeland College (Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Management) or University of Regina/First Nations University of Canada (Bachelor of Arts in Resource and Environmental Studies).

Objectives:

The IRM program aims to develop graduates who are able to:

• Integrate ecological, economic and social considerations in the decision-making process
• Work effectively with other professionals and stakeholders
• Communicate effectively about natural resource management issues
• Utilize geospatial technologies for resource planning and analysis

Outline:

Program Content:

Fish and Wildlife management Forestry Park Management Sustainability Environmental Science and Technology Geospatial Technologies Remote Sensing

• Structure:
• The IRM program is delivered over two academic years.
Each year is divided into two semesters, with each semester lasting 15 weeks. Students are required to take 25-27 credit hours of courses per semester.
• Students have opportunities to attend field camps at the Hannin Creek Education and Applied Research Centre.
• The program also includes a six-week work experience placement.

Course Schedule:

The curriculum of the IRM program includes numerous courses, with some listed below:

Year 1

• Indigenous Cultural Awareness (CLTR-119)
• Introduction to Microsoft Excel 1 (COMP-174)
• Work Preparation For Resource Managers(EMPS-109)
• Introduction to Environmental Science and Technology (ENVR-104)
• Small Motors (EQPT-401)
• Introduction to Forestry (FORE-102)
• Basics of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) (GPS-110)
• Introduction to Mapping and Compassing (MAPS-101)
• Introduction to Resource Legislation (RLAW-104)
• Landscape, Soils and Ecoregions (RSRC-102)
• Introduction to Ecology (RSRC-104)
• Plant Taxonomy and Identification (TAXO-100)

Year 2

• Winter Camp (CAMP-102)
• Winter Aquatic Surveys (CAMP-305)
• Technical Report Writing (COM-106)
• Botany (FEMT-301)
• Wildland Fire Fundamentals (FIRE-101)
• Aquatic Ecology (FISH-301)
• Advanced Forestry (FORE-400)
• Wilderness Survival (SFTY-106)
• Stats for Resource Managers (STAT-102)
• Ecology, Biology and Management of Saskatchewan Wildlife (WILD-101)
• Wildlife Anatomy and Systematics (WILD-301)

Work Experience

Year 3

• Aquatic Field Surveys (CAMP-412)
• Natural Resources Field Technician-Forestry (CAMP-415)
• Natural Resources Field Technician-Wildlife (CAMP-416)
• Aquatic Surveys (FISH-402)
• Advanced Aquatic Surveys (FISH-403)
• Forest Health (FORE-200)
• Forest Access Techniques (FORE-405)
• Geographic Information Systems 1 (GIS-101)
• Wildlife Management Field Techniques (WILD-404)
• Wildlife Habitat Assessment (WILD-409)

Year 4

• Environmental Science and Technology 2 (ENVR-401)
• Fisheries Management (FISH-404)
• Current Topics in Fisheries (FISH-405)
• Urban Forestry (HORT-400)
• Park Programs (PARK-400)
• Applied Research in Resource Management (PROJ-401)
• Indigenous Resource Rights(RLAW-105)
• Remote Sensing 1 (SYST-401)
• Wildlife Population Assessment and Regulation (WILD-405)
• Assessment of Wildlife Physiological Condition (WILD-406)

Assessment:

• Assessment methods in the IRM program vary depending on the course but may include assignments, quizzes, exams, presentations, and field reports.
• Some courses may also have a practical component that requires students to demonstrate their skills in the field.

Teaching:

The IRM program is delivered by a team of experienced instructors with expertise in their respective fields. The program employs a variety of teaching methods including lectures, labs, field exercises, guest speakers, group work and case studies. Students have access to the Hannin Creek Education and Applied Research Centre which is located on the north side of Candle Lake.

Careers:

Career Opportunities:

Graduates of the IRM program are well-qualified for a variety of positions in the natural resource management field. Potential career paths include:

• Fish and wildlife technician
• Forestry technician
• Plant specialist
• Park ranger
• Environmental consultant
• Research scientist
• Policy analyst

Career Outcomes:

Graduates of the IRM program have a high employment rate. According to a 2020 graduate survey, 95% of graduates were employed in their field of study six months after graduation. The average starting salary for IRM graduates was $47,000 per year.

• This program is a two-year diploma program that gives you a unique perspective on balancing the environmental, economic and social factors of natural resource development.