Certificate Program

Environmental Analyst Certificate

The purpose of the Environmental Analyst Certificate is to certify students as having proficiency in occupational skills in land and water resources interpretation, assessment, inventory, and management- skills required for planning, resource management, and related positions with employers such as township and county planning agencies, county zoning departments, soil and water conservation agencies, state departments of natural resources, planning and engineering firms, and firms engaged in landscape architecture.

Minimum Course Requirement

a. One course in land resources, land stewardship ecology, biosphere science or field geology with a minimum of 90 contact hours.

b. One course in water resources, limnology or environmental chemistry with a minimum of 90 contact hours.

c. One course in ecology with a minimum of 90 contact hours.

d. One of the following: 303, 304, 306, 308, 309, 343, 375, 403, 457, 471, 482, 487, 489 with a minimum of 90 contact hours.

Minimum Occupational Techniques Requirement
This requirement is met through coursework and proficiency tests administered by the faculty of the Institute.

a. Sampling and Measurement Techniques
Must demonstrate proficiency in aquatic resources sampling techniques including use of grab samplers, plankton nets, seines, conductivity, pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen meters, transparency and light apparatus, and electronic thermometer.

b. Remote Sensing and Photographic Interpretation Techniques
Must demonstrate proficiency at using satellite and aircraft imagery in interpretation and mapping of land forms, water bodies, vegetation types, and urban development. Must demonstrate proficiency in the use of equipment employed in such mapping.

c. Field Techniques
Must demonstrate proficiency in use of topographic and bathymetric maps, nautical charts and aerial photographs for orientation and other purposes under field conditions. Must demonstrate proficiency at dominant species identification and classification of biotic communities and ecosystems.

d. Laboratory Techniques
Must demonstrate proficiency in overlay mapping techniques applied to land and water resources planning, management, and decision-making. Must demonstrate proficiency in standard methods of water resources analysis including microscopy, titrimetric methods, spectrometric methods, gravimetric methods of treatment, storage, and disposal of chemical and hazardous wastes.

e. Literature and Information Techniques
Must demonstrate proficiency in identification, location, procurement, and use of planning and management documents of public and private agencies. Must demonstrate proficiency in preparing analog and digital land and water resources maps and integrating them with non-technical but accurate text for use in policy-making and planning. Must demonstrate proficiency in the use of EPA Standard Methods and the latest edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, published by the American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association and Water Pollution Control Federation, including thorough knowledge of its General Introduction (Parts 100-108).

f. Computing and Information Processing Techniques
Must demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers in ecological and geographic and geo-referenced data management and analysis, spreadsheet modeling, and word-processing.

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