Overview
Since 1969, the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation program has been preparing students for rewarding careers in the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, parks, and outdoor recreation. The program is designed to give students a broad range of applied skills, experiences, and knowledge.
A significant amount of learning is done in the field where students learn to identify, inventory, and monitor BC’s fish and wildlife species, the habitats they use, and the natural areas set aside for conservation and recreation. Students in the program will also learn how parks and protected areas are established, designed, and managed. Upon completion of the FWR program, graduates will be ready to work in the dynamic and diverse field of resource management.
Fish, Wildlife and Recreation
The FWR program provides students with relevant and practical hands-on learning through field labs and classroom experiences. Learning outcomes are aligned with current needs of government, the conservation and stewardship community and private industry. Faculty liaisons and partnerships with industry, and input from the FWR Program Advisory Committee, ensure that learning outcomes reflect the needs for managing natural renewable resources in urban, rural, and wild land environments.
In Year One (first and second terms), the program provides students with a solid academic foundation and basic field skills for careers in renewable resources. The overall objective of course content and assignments in the first year is to create an understanding of the ecosystems in BC, renewable resource assessment, management, and inventory methods and standards.
This sets the foundation for Year Two (third and fourth terms) where students focus primarily on fish, wildlife, natural landscapes and parks and outdoor recreation management. During this second year, students spend as much time in the field as they do in the classroom.
A significant part of the second year is centered on a year-long applied research project. The project is done in groups of three and is normally undertaken for an external client (e.g., government agency, NGO). Upon completion of the diploma, graduates receive a Diploma of Technology and with work experience, can apply for a professional designation as a Registered Professional Biology Technologist (RPBTech) with the BC College of Applied Biology. Graduates of the FWR Diploma program are also eligible for entry in the BCIT two-year Bachelor’s Degree in Ecological Restoration.
Testimonials
“Studying Fish, Wildlife and Recreation at BCIT was one of the best decisions I ever made. The small class sizes, hands on nature of the courses, and exceptional faculty made for an outstanding educational experience. This program gave me the skills, experience, and connections I needed to launch myself into a career in fisheries.”
Tyler Thibault, Community Advisor, Fisheries and Oceans Canada – 2017 FWR Grad
“Going back to school in my late 20’s and studying FWR was the best career move I have ever made. I was not engaged in typical post-secondary settings, so to learn about fish ecology while standing in a river, park management while in provincial parks, and wildlife habitat while in a forest was a huge reason, I was so motivated to do well. Beyond the amazing field trips and meeting amazing industry professionals, I also had the chance to develop critical reading, technical writing, and engaging presenting skills from a very passionate and knowledgeable faculty. Without a doubt, I would not have the amazing career and life I have now if I had not gone through the FWR program.”
Tyler Farley, Municipal Park Manage, 2015 FWR Grad
“Not only did BCIT’s Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation program open my mind up to the many exciting career paths that I could take, it also led to unique experiences, lasting friendships, and valuable skills that I use every day. I can draw a direct link between where I currently am in my career and the skills and connections that I gained from BCIT’s Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation Program.”
Kristi Owen, PhD candidate at the University of New Brunswick and Acadia University looking at how wetland birds use human-created landscapes, 2013 FWR Grad
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Applications are accepted:
- October 1st* to January 30th*
- February 1st* to May 1st*
The program area will accept students after each deadline date. Applicants not accepted after the January deadline will be considered at the May deadline if space remains.
We recommend that you apply early. All supporting documents must be submitted by the application deadline.
*or next business day
Entrance requirements
Admission to this program is highly competitive. Successful applicants exceeded entrance requirements. They also showed a strong understanding of the field and careers opportunities. Many noted paid or volunteer experience in their cover letter.
Competitive Entry: Two-step process
Preference will be given to applicants with:
- Academic grades above the minimum
- Related experience and/or volunteer experience*
- Additional post-secondary academic courses*
*Applicants with preferred entrance requirements are to submit transcripts and supporting documentation with their online application.
Step 1: Meet the following entrance requirements
- English language proficiency: Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent
- Math: one of the following:
- Pre-Calculus 11 (67%) or
- Foundations of Math 11 (73%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses
- Biology: one of the following:
- Life Sciences 11 (67%) or
- Anatomy and Physiology 12 (67%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses
Life Sciences 11 is strongly preferred due to the coverage of topics of Ecology, Taxonomy, Evolution, Plant Biology, and Animal Biology.
- Science: one of the following with minimum high school grade 11 (60%):
- Chemistry (preferred) or
- Physics (preferred) or
- Earth Sciences or
- Environmental Science
- Complete the following form for submission with your online application:
- Mandatory Applicant Questionnaire [PDF]: This form will be used with other entrance requirements in the competitive selection for the program.
Applicants who have completed post-secondary studies outside of Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand will require a comprehensive evaluation of their credentials by the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). Credential evaluation reports from other Canadian services may be considered. These reports must include course-by-course evaluations and GPA calculations.
Read more about how to meet BCIT’s entrance requirements
Step 2: Department assessment
All applications will be reviewed by the program area at the application deadline. Admission is competitive and will be offered to the most qualified applicants.
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Students enrolled in this program must complete the mandatory work component to qualify for graduation. A co-op work permit is required prior to starting the work component.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
September each year.
Technology entry
The Technology Entry (TE) program is a full-time, day school program which provides academic upgrading to students wishing to enroll in Computing, Engineering, Electronic, and Health Sciences programs at BCIT.
The TE program provides courses in chemistry, communication, mathematics, and physics that meet program prerequisites for selected programs at BCIT. The TE program also includes an introductory course in computer applications and a learning skills course. The program is supportive to those who require English-language training.
myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT email addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We will send you an email when a new message is posted. It is important to watch for these emails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
Advanced Placement
Conditions
You may be eligible to apply to an advanced level of the program through either re-admission or direct entry. Please note that applications are considered based on:
- Complete applications: you must show proof that you have completed (or are registered in) all requirements to be considered.
- Competitive entry: if the number of applicants exceeds available seats, BCIT will accept those deemed to have the best opportunity for success.
- Seat availability: confirmation may not be available until approximately one week before the term begins.
Re-admission
You can apply for re-admission if you:
- were previously admitted to this program and completed part of it at BCIT and
- want to re-enter the program at an advanced level.
Submit the Course-by-Course Self-Assessment Form [PDF] with your application.
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Ready to submit your application? Apply now.
Direct entry
You can apply for direct entry if you:
- are a new applicant to this program but already completed an equivalent part of it at BCIT or elsewhere and
- want to apply to an advanced level.
BCIT accepts complete applications starting:
- February 1st* for level 2 (January start)
- October 1st* for level 3 (September start)
*or next business day
Submit the following with your online application:
- Proof of meeting all general entrance requirements
- Course-by-Course Self-Assessment Form [PDF] showing that you have completed (or are registered in) all level 1 courses (applicants to level 2 or 3) and all level 2 courses (applicants to level 3 only) or equivalents*
- Official transcripts of previous education**
- Resume
*Detailed course outlines/syllabi may be required.
**Applicants who completed post-secondary studies outside of Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand will require a comprehensive evaluation of their credentials by the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). Credential evaluation reports from other Canadian services may be considered. These reports must include course-by-course evaluations and GPA calculations.
Ready to submit your application? Apply now.
Direct entry FAQs
It is recommended that you apply when you have met all of the entrance requirements. If you are currently registered in a course(s), please indicate this on the self-assessment form.
Once your application has been assessed and has been approved for direct entry, a seat must become available in the program you have selected. The Admissions department must wait until the current students obtain their final grades in either December or May to determine how many seats will become available for direct entry applicants.
Print your timetable one day prior to class start by logging into my.bcit.ca and going to Student Self-Service. You must be registered in your courses in order to access this feature.
It is recommended that you wait until the first week of classes before buying textbooks. Your instructors will tell you which books to buy.
If you have already completed a course either at another institution or through part-time studies at BCIT, you must apply for course credit/exemption as soon as you have been accepted to the program. You should attend classes until you receive formal written notice that you have been granted course credit. Please note that this will not reduce your tuition fees.
To register for a Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) course, visit Register for Flexible Learning courses or contact Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Use our tuition estimator to find tuition and fees for this program.
For more information on full-time tuition and fees, visit:
Books & supplies
Year 1: $800–$1000; Year 2: $200–$400
(general estimated cost, subject to change)
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
Courses
Program matrix
| Level 1 (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 1155 | Professional Communications and Practices for Resource Management | 3.0 | |
| MATH 1455 | Technical Mathematics for Natural Resources | 3.0 | |
| RENR 1105 | Natural Resource Measurements | 4.0 | |
| RENR 1125 | Plant Identification and Perspectives | 4.0 | |
| RENR 1300 | Field Navigation | 4.0 | |
| RENR 1310 | Introduction to Earth Science and Hydrology | 3.0 | |
| RENR 1320 | Identifying and Describing Soils | 3.0 | |
| Level 2 (16 weeks) | Credits | ||
| RENR 2111 | Digital Field Data Collection for Natural Resources | 4.0 | |
| RENR 2240 | Environmental Law and Policy | 3.0 | |
| RENR 2300 | Ecosystem Principles and Identification | 3.0 | |
| RENR 2310 | GIS for Natural Resource Applications | 4.0 | |
| RENR 2320 | Wildlife Ecology and Physiology | 4.0 | |
| RENR 2330 | Fish Ecology and Physiology | 4.0 | |
| RENR 2340 | Habitat Assessment | 4.0 | |
| Level 3 (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
| COMM 2155 | Technical Writing and Communication | 3.0 | |
| RENR 3230 | Field Project in Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation 1 | 7.0 | |
| RENR 3300 | Terrestrial Field School | 3.0 | |
| RENR 3310 | Parks, Protected Areas, and Recreation | 4.0 | |
| RENR 3320 | Wildlife Management and Stewardship | 4.0 | |
| RENR 3330 | Freshwater Fisheries Management and Stewardship | 4.0 | |
| RENR 3340 | Indigenous Perspectives in Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation | 3.0 | |
| Level 4 (16 weeks) | Credits | ||
| CHEM 1150 | Environmental Chemistry | 4.0 | |
| MATH 2453 | Statistics for Natural Resources | 5.0 | |
| RENR 3350 | Environmental Monitoring | 3.0 | |
| RENR 3360 | Field Data Analysis for Natural Resource Applications | 3.0 | |
| RENR 4230 | Field Project in Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation 2 | 8.0 | |
| RENR 4300 | Aquatic Field School | 3.0 | |
| RENR 4310 | Integrated Ecosystem Mgmt | 4.0 | |
| RENR 4320 | Trail Design and Management | 4.0 | |
| Total Credits: | 112.0 | ||
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
Program Details
- The Fish, Wildlife and Recreation program is a two-year, full-time day school program.
- Lectures and labs are offered on campus and/or in the field Monday to Friday, from 8:30 to 17:30, except on Wednesdays when classes end at 14:30.
- Academic Year 1 consists of levels 1 and 2. Academic Year 2 consists of levels 3 and 4.
- Each academic year has two terms. Each term is 15 weeks long. Levels 1 and 2 are from September to December. Levels 3 and 4 are from January to April with 15 weeks of classes and a one-week Spring Break in March.
- Part-time entry into the program is not an option.
Program length
Two years, full-time
Accreditation
The BCIT Fish, Wildlife and Recreation program curriculum is accredited at the technologist level and meets the academic requirements to allow graduates to register as Registered Biology Technologists (RB Tech) with the College of Applied Biology (CAB) of British Columbia.Program delivery
Blended: This program will be delivered on campus, online, and in the field.Graduating & Jobs
Your skills have widened, and your experience has grown. As a graduate, you are ready to work in this dynamic and diverse industry.
Graduates of the program are eligible to register for the professional designation of a Registered Biology Technologist or RB Tech with the College of Applied Biology of British Columbia.
Job Opportunities
The job opportunities for graduates in Fish, Wildlife and Recreation are in both government agencies (local, regional, provincial, and federal) and in the private sector, primarily with environmental consultants.
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2021-2023 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2020-2022 graduates and for Degree 2019-2021 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Laurie Stott, Dipl Tech BA MET
Program Head
604-451-6860
Ale Gonzalez Menjivar
Program Assistant
604-432-8539
Alex Tait
Faculty
Alexia Constantinou, MSc, BSc
Faculty
Bridget McClarty, B.Sc. (Hons), B.Ed., M.Ed.
Faculty
Jason Pon, DipIT, BSF, FIT
Faculty
Julia Alards-Tomalin, DiplT, BTech, MEd
Faculty
Kim Ives, MSc, RPBio
Faculty
Advisory committee
- M. Bartel-Sawatzky, Pacific Salmon Commission
- C. Gillespie, City of Surrey
- J. Gray, City of Vancouver
- K. Hagmeier, EBB Environmental Consulting
- M. Merkens, Metro Vancouver Regional Parks
- J. Moore, BC Parks
- S. Nelson, Stantec Environmental Engineering Consulting
- R. Worcester, Metro Vancouver Regional Parks (Chair)
Contact Us
Please contact Program Advising if you have questions about:
- Application process
- Entrance requirements
- Applying for transfer credit and advanced placement
- Program costs
- Job placement and graduate outcomes
program_advising@bcit.ca | 604-434-1610
TBA
Program Assistant
Tel: 604-432-8539
Email: fwr@bcit.ca
Questions or comments?
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