COURSE CURRICULUM

The Forestry Technician: Ecosystem Management program at Confederation College is a comprehensive two-year co-op diploma designed to prepare students for careers in various forestry fields, including forest management, conservation, silviculture, fish and wildlife, fire management, and forest operations. In the first year, students build foundational skills through courses like College Writing, Applied Math for Technology, Microsoft Office, Natural Resource Measurements, Tree and Shrub Identification, Soils and Geomorphology, and an immersive Fall Field School. The second year deepens technical expertise with courses in Forest Operations, a mandatory 640-hour Forest Tech Co-op Work Term I, People and the Forest, Applied Math II, Geographical Information Systems I, Plant Biology, and Introductory Ecology. The third semester continues with Forest Inventory, Geographical Information Systems II, Silviculture, Natural Resources Economics and Business, Forest Health, Harvesting and Wood Products, Supervisory Skills, and another Fall Field School, providing a balance of theory and practical experience. In the final semester, students focus on advanced topics such as Photogrammetry and Mapping, Forest Fire Ecology and Management, Forest Management Planning, Fish and Wildlife Management, and a Capstone project. They also complete a second 640-hour Forest Tech Co-op Work Term II, reinforcing hands-on skills in real-world settings. This robust curriculum equips graduates with the knowledge and experience to contribute effectively to sustainable forestry practices, supported by strong co-op placements and opportunities to transfer credits toward further education, including Lakehead University’s natural resource management degree program.