Earn a Post-Degree Diploma in 1 year
The Applied Coastal Ecology (ACE) program readies students for careers in coastal natural resources management, ecosystem restoration, environmental monitoring, and many others. ACE balances foundational learning in areas such as biology, geography, chemistry and oceanography with applied courses in areas such as salmon, ground fish and shellfish management, stream habitat restoration, rainforest ecology, wildlife management, and more.

ACE students get important technology training in computer database management, GIS mapping, surveying, technical writing, and presentation. Students participate in real-world, community-based projects to gain employment-ready experience and ultimately gain a strong sense of how coastal ecosystems react to the stresses imposed on them by human activity, and how to apply procedures to mitigate impacts and restore healthy ecosystems.

ACE field studies
At Coast Mountain College we are always exploring new ways to move our courses into the field. Our rugged geography and variable climates enhance our classrooms. Learn about our collaborative field day on Digby Island, view samples of our project work and check out the Applied Coastal Ecology photo gallery.

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:

Consultant 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.