Diploma in Northern Science - Environmental and Conservation Sciences Stream

at Yukon University - Whitehorse Campus Canada

In collaboration with the University of Alberta (U of A), Yukon University (YukonU) offers years three and four of a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Northern Environmental and Conservation Sciences (ENCS), with a major in Northern Systems. 

The ENCS curriculum offered at YukonU integrates natural and social sciences as related to issues such as:

• Wildlife conservation
• Land use
• Resource management under modern treaties
• Energy
• Global climate change
• Northern and aboriginal studies,
• Local environmental, economic and social context

The program provides students with the knowledge and skills to understand environmental conditions and evaluate impacts on plants, soils, water and animals. The structure and function of ecosystems are explored as students learn to develop, assess and implement conservation and restoration measures for natural and managed ecosystems.

The Aviation Management diploma trains in a unique northern climate that offers variable topography and an increased number of acceptable flying days.

The Aviation Management diploma comprises a block transfer of pilot training credentials earned at Alkan Air (or other recognized flight school) that equals one year or 30 credits and an additional 30 credits earned at Yukon University. Students are expected to earn a commercial pilot license while concurrently earning academic credits. However, students may enter the program with some pilot training (a private pilot license for example) or a completed commercial license.

Students may complete the ground school and flight training component of the Aviation Management diploma in a flexible manner. The majority of ground school courses will occur during the evening at Alkan Air and flight training must take place during daylight hours (exception is night time flight training). Students may participate in ground school courses and flight training throughout the calendar year and these components are completed on an individualized basis. All flight training components are organized directly with Alkan Air Flight School.

In order to attain a Commercial Pilot License, students must first be endorsed with a Private Pilot License (included in the Aviation Management program). The Private Pilot License component consists of 45 flight training hours (minimum). The Commercial Pilot License component consists of 200 hours (minimum) of total flight time. The Private License and Commercial License components involve a number of Transport Canada regulated flight training courses and exams.

Students receive a Diploma of Aviation Management after successfully completing Transport Canada's Commercial Pilot License, Yukon First Nation core competency, a total of 10 academic courses (30 credits) over a two-year period, as well as a 40-hour, non-credit course in Advanced Wilderness and Remote First Aid/CPR-Ca

The School of Science offers university-transfer courses in mathematics and in the earth, life and physical sciences. Students can complete a one-year Certificate of Science, a two-year Diploma of Northern Science or a four-year Bachelor of Science degree.

The Diploma of Northern Science is designed for those who wish either to enter a scientific profession or to work in the North at the technical level. A wide choice of electives enables students to concentrate on a particular field of study or to construct a general science program with a strong northern focus.

In the first year, students have two options:

• Complete the Yukon College Certificate of Science (or equivalent) OR
• Complete a first-year program comprised of Chemistry, English and selected electives.

Building on this base, in their second year, students take the Northern Studies Core as well as northern-oriented science electives and develop practical expertise by attending the Northern Studies Field Camp.

Our Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) aims to create business leaders who will increase prosperity where they live and work.?Many northern rural and remote areas of Canada and the world are well positioned to expand, develop and provide rich and rewarding places to live and work.?This degree is created for those interested in making a difference in these places.?Students will be exposed to values, knowledge and skills that prepare them to work well and collaboratively within the business and governance context of the North.?

This BBA is distinctive in that it has been created from a de-colonial perspective.? The curriculum is rooted in the context of our unique identity and circumstances that are common to much of the world.? Our identity is closely tied to the land and wilderness, and to First Nations’ traditions and cultures. However, many of the circumstances that define us are not unique to Yukon; low population densities, vast distances and remoteness, higher costs, and operating environments that often require people to work independently while fulfilling broad roles are common beyond urban centres.?

The programs balance the academic rigor necessary for baccalaureate-level training while fostering communal growth through experiential learning and creating a supportive learning community.? Graduates leave prepared to create and sustain prosperity in places and circumstances akin to ours, but wherever they call home. 

Criminology is the multidisciplinary study of crime, criminal behaviour, and social reactions to crime and criminal behaviour.

The northern justice emphasis of criminology means that southern-based criminology courses are "northernized" and "regionalized" through integration of relevant course content and the assignment of coursework to better reflect the environment in which northerners live, work and study.

The certificate option is designed for those students who do not intend to transfer directly to a Bachelor of Arts (Criminology) degree program but are interested in taking criminology courses to increase their knowledge of this field of study.

The diploma is fashioned to meet the Yukon College Northern Studies requirements as well as the first- and second-year university transfer requirements to a Bachelor of Arts (Criminology) degree program at major Canadian universities. The program presents an ideal continuing education opportunity and is useful for those seeking entry-level employment in justice related fields.

Geological technology programs in Canada have produced a class of highly-skilled workers whose knowledge base reflects an integral balance between classroom learning and practical skills.

The strong background in the physical sciences will enable students to succeed in an increasingly technical discipline, while the comprehensive introduction to field and laboratory techniques equips students with the practical skills needed to work efficiently in remote and industrial settings.

Program Pathways and Duration

The full Geological Technology diploma program consists of 29 courses delivered over regular academic semesters, plus 3 block field courses taught outside of the normal semester schedule. There are both two-year and three-year pathways through the diploma program to help match students’ timelines, schedules, and academic preparation.

• Standard Pathway (2-year completion; 4 semesters)
• Extended Pathway (3-year completion; 6 semesters)
• Extended Pathway with GeoTech Bridging Program (3-year completion, 6 semesters)

Combining theory and practice, the Heritage and Culture certificate (HCC) prepares students for work in the heritage and culture management field, with a specific focus on Yukon First Nations heritage and culture management.

Topics covered in the HCC include:

• Yukon First Nations history
• Public administration
• Archives and collections management
• Preservation of traditional knowledge
• Language and culture
• Anthropology

Students develop a foundation of professional ethics and values, self-awareness and critical thinking, and an understanding of heritage issues within their communities.

The Northern Science diploma, ENCS stream, prepares students for transfer to the Bachelor of Science in Northern Environmental and Conservation Sciences (ENCS) program, offered at Yukon University in partnership with the University of Alberta. The diploma program provides two years of university transferable courses that fulfill the requirements to enter the third year of the ENCS program with a Major in Northern Systems.

The Diploma of Northern Science, ENCS stream, is awarded for the completion of the equivalent of 60 credits. Courses are selected from Core and Elective options, as well as two additional three-credit "free electives".  These free electives can be chosen from a variety of disciplines (discuss with a Program Advisor).

Northern Outdoor and Environmental Studies is a multidisciplinary exploration of contemporary environmental issues and human-environment relationships, with particular emphasis on northern systems.

Drawing upon the natural and social sciences, humanities and the arts, and integrating experiential learning opportunities to bridge classroom, community and Yukon wilderness, the program critically examines a variety of environmental issues, including:

• Land use and interpretation
• Resource depletion and stewardship
• Wilderness protection and fragmentation
• Biodiversity
• Pollution and contaminants
• Climate change

The complex nature of environmental subject matter is addressed through ecological, socio-cultural, political, economic and philosophical inquiry.

The program is sufficiently broad to be of interest to students seeking vocational opportunities after completing their studies at Yukon University or preparing for transfer to a university degree program.

It also presents an exciting continuing education opportunity for individuals currently employed in or interested in fields such as education, environmental policy or management, recreation and tourism.