Conservation Biology

Diploma

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Do you have a love for the outdoors and a desire to help keep Canada’s natural spaces healthy and prosperous? Does the idea of searching for clues and investigating cause/effect interest you?

The Conservation Biology 2-year diploma program will help you develop the skills needed to ensure that our natural resources are used in an optimal way that is sustained for future generations. Your knowledge and technical expertise will also allow you to engage in resource management activities without compromising the integrity or sustainability of the ecosystems in which they work.

Upcoming Intakes

Select your preferred intake to see relevant program information. Program details, including tuition and course information, may vary by intake.

Selection Start Date Delivery Mode Time Campus Length Domestic Status International Status
Sep. 02, 2025 (Fall) Hybrid Weekdays - Daytime Main 2 Years (Full-time) Open Open
 
             
 

Swipe table to view more information for each intake.

Delivery Mode

  • In-person - All your class activity will be delivered in person, on campus.
  • Online - All your class activity will be delivered online.
  • Hybrid - Your classes will be a mixture of in person and online learning. You must be able to come to campus and participate remotely online.
  • Your choice - Your program offers a variety of class delivery options (in person, online, or a mixture of both) and you can select which type of classes to take. If you wish, you can complete your entire program either in-person or online.
  • HyFlex - All your classes are delivered for simultaneous participation in person and online. You can choose daily to attend your classes in person or join remotely online.

Time

  • Your choice - You can select class times and days that fit your schedule. There are a variety of class options for you to choose from including daytime, evening, weekdays or weekends.
  • No set time - No set class days or times, content is access on-demand. You can complete your studies on your own schedule within the scheduled class dates; may have set due dates and deadlines.
  • Evenings & Weekends - Classes are scheduled after 5 p.m. on weekdays or anytime on weekends.
  • Weekdays - Daytime - Classes are scheduled on weekdays, typically start before 6 p.m.
  • Weekdays - Evening - Classes are scheduled on weekdays, typically start after 6 p.m.
  • Weekends - Classes are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays.

Campus

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at this campus location.

View Campus Map

Length

  • Full-Time - This is the standard length to complete the program, with a full course load per term.
  • Part-Time - Students follow a structured schedule of classes so they can progress in their studies part-time while balancing everyday life.

Domestic Status

The program availability status for domestic applications is updated as applications are reviewed and assessed. Program availability is subject to change without notice.

  • Open - Program intake is accepting applications. If you apply and are qualified, you may be offered admission or be waitlisted. Open does not guarantee a seat.
  • Waitlisting - Program intake is accepting applications, but qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
  • Closed - Program intake is not accepting applications.
  • Upcoming - Applications will open soon for this intake. View the upcoming terms for open dates.
  • N/A - Not available for this intake.

International Status

The program availability status for international applications is updated as applications are reviewed and assessed. Program availability is subject to change without notice.

  • Open - Program intake is accepting applications. If you apply and are qualified, you may be offered admission or be waitlisted. Open does not guarantee a seat.
  • Limited - For international applicants, the program intake is now only available if you already have a valid study permit.
  • Waitlisting - Program intake is accepting applications, but qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
  • Closed - Program intake is not accepting applications.
  • Upcoming - Applications will open soon for this intake. View the upcoming terms for open dates.
  • N/A - Not available for this intake.

Credit programs that accept international applicants also meet the eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program, including programs with a Hybrid delivery mode. Each student is responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.

Hands-on, industry-relevant skills

In this program, you’ll acquire skills used in field sampling, environmental education and resource management by studying chemistry, botany and the biology and ecology of birds, fish, mammals, insects, plants, rivers, lakes and soils.

You’ll also explore genetics, wildlife surveys, plant and animal diversity, soil and range management, water quality issues, parks management and environmental education projects.

With the help and support of instructors with years of industry experience, you’ll learn in a combination of classroom, lab and field settings. Our facilities will provide you with practical, job-ready experience using a variety of modern laboratory and field instruments, and simulation and computer applications. You may also learn through work experience, field trips, applied research and other opportunities. 

Woman on a boat
Biological Sciences Team Inspect River Samples

Field Skills

  • collect and identify plants, invertebrates, mammals, birds and fish
  • measure and monitor biodiversity of aquatic and terrestrial systems
  • conduct field studies on ecological systems
  • perform soil, vegetation and water quality analyses
  • working and navigating in remote and adverse conditions
  • conduct environmental site assessments
  • operate and maintain field equipment
  • present information as an interpreter or naturalist
  • collect and analyze water, soil and biological samples for analysis

Laboratory Skills

  • perform necropsies on mammals, birds and fish
  • prepare and age fish structures
  • prepare and identify vascular and non-vascular plant specimens
  • prepare reagents

Additional Skills

  • opportunities to work independently and apply team building skills
  • design and manage a group-based project
  • use legislation and standards related to environmental and park management issues
  • prepare literature searches, oral presentations and written reports
Worksite Presentation

Labs and classrooms

You can expect to spend, on average:

  • 30 hours per week attending classes over the course of a semester
  • 15 to 20 hours per week studying and completing class assignments outside of scheduled class time

We maintain 6 dedicated instructional laboratories for the delivery of program curriculum, supported by a technical support team of 5 skilled and dedicated individuals. These labs contain an extensive inventory of scientific equipment for investigative and instructional purposes.

Recent articles

Students help endangered bats at Cadomin quarry

Partnership with industry produces an award-winning approach to conservation.

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A long trip through the Arctic for a rare bird

Dave Critchley spent his summer vacation in a way that few would consider a vacation.

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NAIT students band together for birdwatching project in isolation

Watching the comings and goings of their local birdfeeders is more than idle daydreaming – it’s gathering important data for an international research project.

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The race to save Alberta's bats

As a deadly disease closes in on the province, Dave Critchley is on a mission to save Alberta's bats.

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Career Outcomes

Job Opportunities

  • Biodiversity Field Technologist
  • Conservation Officer
  • Environmental Educator
  • Fisheries Technologist
  • Independent Consultant
  • Laboratory Technologist
  • Museum Technologist
  • Weed Inspector
  • Wildlife Technologist

Industries

  • Consulting companies
  • Regulatory agencies
  • Analytical laboratories
  • Government agencies
  • Post-secondary institutions

Working Conditions

To be successful as a biological scientist, you must be able to work in a team and communicate effectively with strong interpersonal skills.

Due to the nature of renewable resource industries, employment opportunities are often found in remote or rural areas. To give yourself the best chance for a rewarding career, you must be willing to relocate to various geographical locations within the province or Western Canada.

Median Starting Salary

The expected starting salary for individuals with a(n) Conservation Biology Diploma is $45,760.
This salary information was based on graduate data from the past 3 years and reflects annual salaries for graduates who claimed they were working more than 30 hours per week. Graduates who quoted salaries below $10,000 and above $200,000 per year have been excluded. Note that NAIT publishes the median salary instead of the average to minimize the potential of outlying salaries distorting the mean. Data represented here may differ from other data sources due to differences in definition or differences in timing.

Grad Employment Rate

Employment rates are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and do not guarantee future employment opportunities. Please note that data for newer programs may not be included within this report.

Download report

Take your career planning to the next level

This program can be used as a step toward earning higher credentials and/or certifications.

Further education at NAIT

Once you complete your credential, explore the programs below to specialize further or develop management skills.

Certification(s)

The following professional affiliations and certifications are often required in the conservation biology field in order to prove professional competence and adherence to safe work/research practices:

  • WorkSafeBC Accredited Backpack Electrofishing Crew Member Certification
  • Alberta Hunter Education Instructor Association certification (optional)
  • Alberta Safety Council (ASC) Standard: Alberta Safety Council Bear Awareness Certification
  • Alberta Safety Council (ASC) Standard: All Terrain Vehicles Safety (optional)
  • Industry Canada Restricted Aeronautical Radio Operators Certificate (ROC-A)
  • Pleasure Craft Operators License (optional)
  • Possession and Acquisition License (optional)
  • Standard First Aid (optional)
  • Stream Crossing Assessment (optional)

Other Opportunities

Post-secondary articulation agreements within Alberta are approved by the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer (ACAT). To view the details of specific agreements, please visit transferalberta.ca or contact articulations@nait.ca For questions regarding transfer agreements or to obtain a course description/outline that is no longer available on our website, please contact articulations@nait.ca.

Build your resume before you even graduate

Explore work experience opportunities that help grads get hired even sooner.

View Work Integrated Learning

Work Experience Placements

Students in this program gain valuable work experience with Work Integrated Learning (WIL). WIL is a form of experiential learning that integrates academic studies with relevant work-based learning. The WIL placement in this program is a Co-op.

Co-op

A Co-op provides experience in a workplace setting related to the student's field of study. The number of required work terms varies by program; however, the time spent in work terms must be at least 30% of the time spent in academic study for programs over 2 years in length, and 25% of time for programs 2 years and shorter in length.

Duration 15 weeks
Compensation Yes
International Students Co-op Work Permit required
Placement Identified By Student - Submits resume to employers to apply for WIL positions.
Student Interview Required Yes
Non-academic requirements

Immunization Requirements:
Students are required to have their immunization for Tetanus and Diptheria. A form will be provided that must be filled out by a healthcare professional (a Doctor or a Public Health Nurse).

Benefits of a Co-op
  • Understand more about career opportunities, expectations and requirements of the professional field
  • Gain the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world environment
  • Create networking opportunities in your chosen industry
  • Develop and improve communication, interpersonal and employment skills
  • Gain confidence in your professional skills
  • Practice job placement skills including job search, resume preparation, interviewing
  • Explore career options and program specialization within the industry
  • Improve application for future positions by gaining industry experience and increasing your employability
  • Possibility of employment after graduation
  • Potential financial benefits if the placement is paid
Finding a placement
  • Create a profile on NAIT's job board, Career Connect
  • Create and maintain a current resume, cover letter and list of references
  • Apply for positions on Career Connect
  • Prepare for, and attend, employer interviews
  • Coordinate and communicate with your WIL Coordinator
  • Be flexible, professional, and participate fully in the recruitment process
  • Be aware of the anticipated outcomes of the placement
  • Notify the coordinator for your program once you have an employment offer and sign a WIL Agreement

Courses and Advanced Credit

Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.

Advanced Credit

You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).

Transfer Credit

In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:

  • You must have completed the course or program no more than 7 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
  • You must have a minimum mark of C in the course(s) or program

Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.

Tuition & Fees

This content is specific to the selected Sep 02, 2025 intake.

The tuition and fee amounts are estimates based on current academic year's rates. For financial planning purposes, please use these totals as an approximate estimate of your costs. Actual fees may vary by term and enrolment activities. Please refer to the tuition and fees page for more detailed information.

Tuition

Cost Per Credit: $170.00

View international tuition for upcoming intakes

How much does first year cost?
Domestic cost estimate
International cost estimate

Mandatory Fees

View fee listing and breakdown

Pay Your Tuition & Fees

Books, Supplies & Program Fees (est.)

Level 1 Term 1: $925
Level 1 Term 2: $1,025
Level 2 Term 1: $825
Level 2 Term 2: $675


Scholarships & Awards

NAIT awards over $6 million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 4,000 students each year, with the support of donors and the government. A variety of awards are available, including ones for academics, community involvement, equity/diversity grants, bursaries for financial need, program-specific awards and more!

Learn how to apply for awards

Admission Requirements

This content is specific to the selected Sep 02, 2025 intake.

Minimum entrance requirements

 

The specific academic requirements you must meet to be considered for admission. Where applicable, the minimum accepted Alberta high school courses are listed in round brackets ( ). Equivalent or higher-level courses are also accepted.

  • Grade 12 Language Arts (English 30-2)
  • Grade 12 Mathematics (Math 30-2 or Applied Math 30) or Grade 12 Physics (Physics 30)
  • Grade 12 Biology (Biology 30)
  • Grade 12 Chemistry (Chemistry 30)
  • Proof of English Language Proficiency

Additional requirements & considerations

Alternative entrance pathways

 

If you are missing one or more of the minimum entrance requirements, you may be eligible for an alternative entrance pathway. For any pathway listed below, English language proficiency is also a requirement.

  • Successful completion of minimum 24 post-secondary credits* or 8 post-secondary courses within an accredited or recognized degree or diploma in a related field (natural resources or environmental sciences) with an Admission GPA of 2.0 based on the most recently completed 24 post-secondary credits.

*Please note that acceptance into the program does not guarantee transfer credits. Transfer credits evaluation will take place after the student is accepted into the program.

Post-admission requirements

 

Although not required for admission, you must meet the following requirement(s) in order to progress in your program.

  • Driver’s License Recommendation:

A valid driver’s license is required for most jobs in this industry. It is strongly recommended that students have achieved this prior to, or upon, enrollment into the program.

  • Computer Requirement:

Students are required to have access to a laptop using the Windows operating system throughout the duration of the program. Exact laptop specifications will be provided to the students upon acceptance.

NAIT provides a wireless environment for all students to use. NAIT students can also utilize the virtual environment (VDI) to access coursework and program-related software both on and off campus

  • Immunization Requirements:

Students are required to have their immunization for Tetanus and Diptheria. A form will be provided that must be filled out by a healthcare professional (a Doctor or a Public Health Nurse).

Not sure if you meet the requirements?

Learn more about how NAIT evaluates applications, and find resources on how to satisfy admissions criteria.

How applications are evaluated Submitting required documents

Additional options

This program has courses that are available for Open Studies. Open Studies allows you to explore credit courses without applying to a program. It is an opportunity to get a feel for school and what program you want to be in.

Learn more about Open Studies

Dates & Deadlines

 
International
Applications Open:

Aug 01, 2024

 
International
Applications Deadline:

Once the program is full

 
Domestic
Applications Open:
Oct 01, 2024
 
Application Deadline:
Once the program is full
 
Term Start Date:
Sep 02, 2025

Seats are limited - Apply early! Applications will remain open for at least one month from the open date. If the program/waitlist fill after that date, applications will close.

International Applicants

This program accepts international students.

PGWP Eligibility

This program does not meet eligibility criteria for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) field of study requirement. Students who applied for a study permit before November 1, 2024, are not affected by the new field of study rule and may be eligible for a PGWP.

While graduates are currently ineligible to apply for a PGWP, NAIT still welcomes international students to this program to gain valuable knowledge and skills to pursue your career goals, whether in Canada under another type of permit or in your home country or other international markets.

Co-Op Work Permit

Optional Co-op: Students in this program can choose to move into a co-op pathway, which includes a mandatory co-op work practicum. International students who plan to participate in this option must apply for a co-op work permit and get approval before starting the work placement.

Learn more about PGWP and explore eligible NAIT programs.

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions. If you are a current or recently admitted student you can find program and course information as well as contact details for your program on the My Program page on the MyNAIT Portal.








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