Restoration of Natural Systems Diploma

Grow Your Commitment To Sustainability

This accredited program of environmental courses in Restoration of Natural Systems provides much of the theory and practice needed to conduct environmental restoration activities. Leading to an environmental diploma in Restoration of Natural Systems, each course has been designed to meet the needs of professionals and suit the busy schedules of people who work full time in areas related to the restoration of natural systems. The environmental diploma program takes an approach that recognizes the importance of both the social and biophysical dimensions of environmental restoration

The Restoration of Natural Systems (RNS) program is offered by the School of Environmental Studies and the Division of Continuing Studies, and is guided by an advisory committee. The program’s distinction has been recognized with two accolades: the Award of Excellence from the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education (2001) and the Ecostar Award for Environmental Education from the Capital Regional District (2005).

Objective

While each environmental course has its specific curriculum and objectives, all of the courses in the program are expected to contribute in varying degrees to the student’s knowledge and skill areas in:

Designing restoration projects that consider knowledge areas outside your current area of expertise;
Evaluating and adjusting projects in an ongoing manner;
Using scientifically rigorous approaches to restoration projects;
Analyzing critically and synthesizing relevant primary information sources, such as technical reports and scientific publications;
Understanding of ethics, laws, and policies governing restoration work;
Resolving disputes, consulting, and consensus building;
Improving clarity of oral and written presentations;
Recognizing the role of personal values in decision making;
Including traditional ecological knowledge in restoration planning;
Incorporating social and scientific knowledge in restoration planning.

Format

Courses are offered in either an on-campus immersion format or through distance education.

Through careful program planning, it is possible for students to complete their environmental diploma in Restoration of Natural Systems program entirely at a distance other than the two field courses (ER312A and ER312B). Contact us to discuss the distance option.

Entrance Requirements

The program is offered at the 3rd and 4th year undergraduate level. Applicants should have a minimum of two years of post-secondary studies or an equivalent preparation developed through work and life experience.

A first year ecology or biology course is recommended.

Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in the environmental field, indicated by courses taken, positions held, volunteer work or hobbies.

Applicants interested in the diploma option must submit an application to both the program and the University of Victoria.

Completion Requirements

Students must complete 12 courses (18.0 credit units) in order to obtain their diploma - 6 core (required) courses and 6 electives. With prior permission from the Academic Administrator, students may take up to 4 of these electives from outside of the program. Courses considered for transfer into the program should be at the 3rd or 4th year undergraduate level and should focus on a topic related to the field of restoration.

The 6 core courses are:

ER311 – Principles and Concepts of Ecological Restoration (Distance)
ER312A – Field Study in Ecological Restoration I (5 Day Intensive)
ER312B – Field Study in Ecological Restoration II (5 Day Intensive)
ER313 – Biodiversity and Conservation Biology (Distance)
ER314 – Ethical, Legal and Policy Aspects of Environmental Restoration (Distance)
ER390 – Selected Project (Independent Capstone Project)

Register or Apply Today!

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Call 250-721-8206

Details

Start Dates:

Students can apply to the program at any time. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Courses are offered all three terms – Fall (September – December), Spring (January – April) and Summer (May – August).

Students should submit their program application and their University of Victoria application at least one month prior to the term in which they would like to begin their studies.

Fees:

Application to the RNS Program: $120.00

Application to the University of Victoria: $60.00

(Note: there is a $200.00 acceptance fee payable to the University of Victoria at the time of the student’s acceptance into the program. Providing a student takes a course in the session in which they are accepted into the program, this fee will be applied to the tuition of their first course.)

Annual Fee: $60.00

Payable every year that the student is in the program and taking courses, other than the academic year in which the student enters the program.

Per Course Fee to Continuing Studies: $100.00

Per Course Fee to the University of Victoria: $476.61

Per Course Fee to the University of Victoria (International Students): $1542.18

There are occasional field trip fees for individual courses.

Students should expect course readings to cost in the $50.00 - $100.00 range per course.

Messages

In order to perform maintenance on the UVic servers, there will be intermittent outages this Thursday, May 24 from 6:00-8:00 am (Pacific Time). You may not be able to log in to your courses during this period.

If you experience any problems after 8:00 am on Thursday, May 24, please contact the Onlinehelp Desk at 250-721-8476 (toll-free 1-888-721-8476 in North America) or by email at dehelp@uvic.ca.