The ACE certificate requires the completion of 24 credits of ACE or UC courses of which 12 must be ACE.  

The ACE Diploma requires the completion of a total of 70 credits according to the categories shown below. The list of recommended courses outline a typical program for students, however additional courses may be available depending on scheduling and the student's area of specialization. Full-time students can complete this program in a minimum of 2 years but may take longer depending on how many prerequisites are required.  All course prerequisites are on a course by course basis. Due to course scheduling and the student’s area of interest, prospective students are advised to develop a personalized study program in consultation with the ACE Program Coordinator or an Educational Advisor.

ACE Program Questions? Email Us

ACE diploma requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
First Year Sciences
18 Credits First Year Sciences: 1		18
BIOL 101 & BIOL 102	Introductory Biology I and Introductory Biology II
4 of the following First Year Sciences: 2
CHEM 111	Fundamentals of Chemistry I
CHEM 122	Principles of Chemistry II
GEOG 110	People and the Environment
GEOG 150	Physical Geog: Weather and Climate
GEOG 160	Physical Geography II: Geology, Geomorphology and Soils
or GEOL 157	Intro to Northwest Geology
PHYS 101	Introductory Physics I
PHYS 102	Introductory Physics II
PHYS 121	Advanced Physics I
PHYS 122	Advanced Physics II
SUST 120	Permaculture Design
Computer Science
3 Credits of Computer Science:		3
CPSC 111	Introduction to Computer Science
English
6 Credits of the following First Year English:		6
ENGL 101	Introduction to Composition
ENGL 102	Introduction to Literature
ENGL 151	Technical Writing I
ENGL 152	Technical Writing II
Second Year Courses
15 Credits of Second Year Courses:		15
GEOG 204	Spatial Analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
4 of the following:
BIOL 211	Principles of Ecology
OCGY 208	Intro Physical, Chemical and Geological Oceanography
OCGY 209	Introduction to Biological Oceanography
ENV 201	Environmental Work Placement
BIOL 2XX	(When available)
ANTH 2XX	(When available)
GEOG 2XX	(When available)
CHEM 2XX	(When available)
ACE Courses
22 Credits of the following ACE Courses:		22
ACE 101	Applied Service Learning
ACE 121
ACE 134	Fishes of the Pacific Northwest Rearing
ACE 141	Monitoring & Measuring Aquatic and Intertidal Zone Habitats
ACE 142	Coastal Forest Measurements
ACE 154	Surveying
ACE 170
ACE 175	Wildlife Conservation & Monitoring Population Management
ACE 182	Stream Habitat Assessment & Restoration
ACE 190	Temperate Rainforest Ecology
Other Ace courses as available
ACE 197	Environmental Monitoring Techniques
Electives
6 Credits of the following Electives:		6
MATH 101	Calculus I: Differential Calculus
MATH 115	Precalculus
MATH 131	Introduction to Statistics
ECON 150	Micro Economics
ECON 151	Macro Economics
ANTH 1XX
GEOG 1XX
SOCI 1XX
BIOL 2XX
Others as available
Total Credits		70

¹

Min 6 credits lab biology 

²

12 credits 1st year

*

English proficiency is required for all students entering CMTN programs.  Please visit our English Language Alternatives page to see how this requirement can be met. 

Need help with the application process?  Contact an Educational Advisor.

ACE Diploma

1. Apply direct to Applied Coastal Ecology (ACE)
2. Submit proof of English 12 or equivalent
3. Life Sciences 11, Chemistry 11, Foundation of Math 11 or Equivalent are required to complete the program. Students can be admitted without all three however, students will be required to upgrade throughout the program

The ACE program has multiple entry and exit points depending on your prior studies.  Students with Life Sciences 11, Chemistry 11, Foundation of Math 11, and English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12 or equivalents meet all of the course prerequisites and can complete the Diploma within 2 years. Course registration and program planning is on a course by course basis, depending on the student meeting the pre-requisites of each course. Students missing these courses can enter the program and upgrade in the Career and College Prep (CCP) program. 

ACE Diploma program fees

Students should note that the most common academic schedule is 35 credits per year to complete the diploma; which requires successful completion of 70 credits. The certificate may be completed in 24 credits, and those fees are not displayed.  Please contact the ACE Program Coordinator for details.

Fees Vocational/Applied Programs

Fees	Domestic	International
Full-time:	35 credits	35 credits
Tuition:	$3,671.15	$15,602.30
Student Union Fees:1	$163.92	$163.92
Mandatory Fees (includes 24 credits of required lab fees):	$700.00	$776.22
Health and Dental Insurance:	$285.00	$604.02
Tuition and Mandatory Fees Total:	$4,820.07	$17,144.48
Books:2	$800.00	$800.00
Tools/ Equipment/ Supplies:2	$600.00	$600.00
Field School Fees (Cost will vary):2	$1,000.00	$1,000.00
Estimated Program Cost:	$7,220.07	$19,544.48

Fees are effective as of August 1, 2024 for the 2024/25 academic year.

¹

These fees are term based and may vary due to the length of the program.

²

Please note that these are approximate costs and may vary depending on courses taken.

* The Coast Mountain Students Union (CMSU) is pleased to offer Extended Health and Dental Insurance to all qualifying members. The plan is mandatory for all students enrolled in 6 or more credits or a trades program of 26 weeks or longer. Some students, including those studying overseas and those with existing extended health coverage, are eligible to opt out. Visit https://cmsu.studenthealthbc.ca/ to learn more about the plan or request to opt out. You will also receive a detailed introductory email no later than 6 weeks after your semester starts. For any inquiries about the plan, please contact the Students’ Union Organiser : Golnoosh Namazi, organiser@mycmsu.ca

* Basic Health insurance is mandatory for all international students. Health insurance costs will be charged every term until students provide proof of MSP.

University transfer agreements

Start here, finish anywhere!

ACE Diploma graduates are able to move onto University Degree completion with a number of transfer pathways.  The majority of courses within the program transfer directly to colleges and universities in British Columbia through the BC Transfer System.  The ACE program also has a number of specific transfer agreements with institutions that facilitate a seamless transfer between programs. 

Explore our pathways to degree completion:

BC Transfer System

The BC Transfer Guide is the main resource to look up the transfer of courses between institutions within the province.

Royal Roads Transfer Agreement

The Applied Coastal Ecology Diploma transfers directly to Royal Roads University (RRU) where you can complete an additional 60 credits and obtain either a Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Practice, a Bachelor of Science, Environmental Practice or a Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science from Royal Roads University.

In addition to these pathways, more general agreements exist for degree completion within Canada and internationally.  Prospective and currents students should check out the Degree Partnership page for more specific details and consult with the ACE Program Coordinator in planning their program.

Career opportunities

Students gain the knowledge and practical skills to acquire employment with a large variety of employers including, Environmental Organizations, Federal Government (i.e. Fisheries and Oceans Canada and others), Provincial Government, Environmental Consulting Firms, First Nations Governments, Government Funded Programs, Mariculture and Forestry Industries, Eco-tourism, and International Development projects.

Example jobs:

• DFO Stock Assessment Technician
• Nisgaa Fisheries Management
• Northcoast Skeena First Nations Stewardship Society Creel Survey
• Oona River Fish Hatchery
• Archipelago Marine Research
• Babine Lake Stock Assessment
• Assistant Forester
• SFU Fisheries Environmental Toxicology Lab

Program graduates

The ACE program was first initiated in 1996, under the name Coastal Integrated Resources Management (CIRM). It was created in response to growing demands from employers for locally trained experts in the environmental field. In the fall of 2005, the program was expanded and renamed Applied Coastal Ecology to better reflect the new program model.

The ACE program has attracted students from as far away as Japan and Africa, as well as a host of Canadian cities and provinces spanning from coast to coast. A significant portion of of our enrolment comes from outside of Prince Rupert.

ACE graduates are generally well-known for their passion and commitment to the environment and the sustainable management of the great wealth of natural resources found in coastal ecosystems across the planet.

Employment & career prospects

Graduates have had exceptional professional and academic opportunities.

• 100% of graduates have found meaningful employment or have gone on to further their education following completion of the program
• 83% of graduates who found employment did so in a field related to their studies

We find our graduates engaged in employment across a wide range of related fields:

Consulting Firms:

• Archipelago Marine
• J.O. Thomas and Associates
• Oona River Resources Association
• Triumph Timber
• First Nations
• Self-employed contracting

Consulting firms generally look for employees that have both the foundational academic training needed to solve problems, as well as the practical hands-on skills needed to carry out consulting contracts in both field and office settings. Many consulting firms have stated that they prefer to hire graduates who possess hands-on experience/skills as well as the necessary academic training The ACE program has deliberately included a well-integrated mix of both academic and hands-on courses which together create a balance and prepare graduates to be effective and efficient and hit the ground running.

Government:

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Ministry of Air, Land and Water
• First Nations governments
• Local municipal governments
• Teaching institutions

The ACE program utilizes various government agencies. Government representatives are used as guest lecturers and also serve as expert advisors on the program’s advisory committee. The committee has representation from several levels of government - from local to federal. This ensures the program’s curriculum remains up to date with governmental policies and procedures and makes ACE grads an attractive prospect to these agencies.

Private Industry:

• Technologists and biologists at mariculture operations ranging from Marine Harvest Canada to smaller-scale private operations
• BC Hydro and any other organization that requires environmental monitoring as part of their business
• Wildlife protection and fish-stream enhancement offices
• Non-governmental environmental organizations such as World Wildlife Fund, T Buck Suzuki Foundation, and EcoTrust Canada
• Guiding or working as wildlife interpreters for eco-tourism operations
• Various forestry operations
• Laboratory technicians
• A variety of international placements

The growth of coastal ecology-related opportunities with private industry has experienced a significant increase in recent years. Graduates have done exceptionally well in these settings, and in some cases make up the bulk of the technical expertise for such employers.