A new educational river overflowing with possibilities runs through Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.
Starting in September 2003, the institution will open its doors to students in the newly created water resource science program. The program was designed by Dr. Philip Fralick, director of the program, who saw the potential of tying several existing courses together and filling in some holes to create a one-of-a-kind program in all of Canada.
“It was a question of putting together a package of water science related courses so that students were capable of taking them and getting a water resource science degree at the end of it,” says Fralick.
“Before, a student could take all the courses, but would not have enough courses in any one discipline to get a degree.”
Biology, earth science (geology) and geography make up the disciplines of the program. In biology, students will study wetland ecology, limnology and fresh water algae.
“This is important because biological communities living in a wetland area are very sensitive to any environmental problems and it is a good way to monitor the health of a wetland,” says Fralick.
In earth science, students will learn about physical processes, such as erosion, sediment transportation and deposition.
“This is important to know because it is the impact erosion and sedimentation have on an area and how it can lead to a drastic impact on man and the environment.”
In geography, students will study human interaction with water systems and proper management of aqueous systems.
“It is important because a balance has to be maintained in the natural environment,” says Fralick. “This balance should permit humans to maintain our lifestyle with minimal damage to natural systems.”
The program is a first in Canada.
“You can take a similar program at a few universities if you pick your courses right, but there is no guidance in what to do,” says Fralick. “In this program, we tell you what courses to take and at the end the student receives a specific degree.”
The new program swept through administration like a tidal wave. The program was well received and the administration realized the need for the program and the faculty’s ability to offer the program, he explains.
“The administration said “Let’s go for it” because we can do it.”
The program fits naturally in with the university.
“It is an area where we have strength and expertise, so it was natural for us to expand into that area,” says Dr. Mary Louise Hill, vice-president of academics and provost. “This is a tremendous program and we should be proud to have it in Northern Ontario.”
With everything in place for a program such as this, the cost was very manageable for the university.
Water resource science will be a four-year program and will have the same tuition as other science degree programs. There has been no new faculty hired as of yet, but the university is in the process of hiring for next fall.
Fralick floated his idea of the program to public and private sectors of the environment beforehand because he did not want to create a program that would not lead to jobs.
“Everybody I talked to liked the program and (said they) would interview someone who had these qualifications.”
Upon graduating, students could expect to get employment in a variety of areas, including provincial environmental departments, environmental engineering companies, insurance companies (to assess flood risks), mine reclamation projects and municipal water systems.
Fralick sees a bright future in municipalities hiring students to manage their reservoir systems.
“This training is a commodity that few people have and will be in greater and greater demand in the future.”
