Watershed Science Technician
Offered by the Science Division, 541.463.5446
Two-Year Associate of Applied Science Degree
Note This program is being revised for 2015-2016. Students should work closely with their academic advisor and with program contacts in planning their courses.
Purpose The Watershed Science Technician program will train graduates for entry-level positions in environmental sustainability careers related to conserving, enhancing, restoring and protecting ecological processes in watersheds (stream drainage basins). Graduates will be able to work in multidisciplinary fields that survey and assess watersheds and develop strategies and solutions to maintain and restore healthy water resources. This curriculum prepares students to work in the following jobs: watershed resource conservation professionals; stream restoration or water quality technicians; assistant stream ecologists; assistant forest ecologists; environmental technicians; or natural resource specialists for public agencies, non-governmental organizations, nonprofit conservation and restoration organizations, consulting firms, and private restoration companies. 
Learning Outcomes The graduate will:
•	demonstrate use of concepts and principles of ecological processes and their interdisciplinary connections that influence the practice of watershed science, including:
	Hydrologic Processes and Watersheds Erosion, Sedimentation, Water Quality, Ecology of Aquatic and Wetland Environments, Ecology of Terrestrial Environments
•	identify common species, ecosystems and ecological processes relevant to watershed assessments, with an emphasis on the Pacific Northwest.
•	perform field identification, field test procedures and ecological surveys using proper, precise, and safe application of measurement tools and technologies.
•	utilize intermediate algebra skills, computer programs, databases, and basic geographic information systems to collect, organize, interpret and communicate watershed data.
•	apply standard water management approaches and best practices to develop effective conservation and management strategies to meet watershed goals.
•	communicate effectively and accurately with supervisors, colleagues, funding agencies and the public using the spoken and written word and visual representations of information.
•	use appropriate library and information resources to research professional issues and support lifelong learning and job advancement.
Employment Trends Watershed Science Technician is an emerging career. Related occupations such as Forest and Conservation Technicians, Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Conservation Scientists, Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists and hydrologists are estimated to have 9% to 29% growth nationally and 5%  to 19%  growth in Oregon over the next decade. Forest and Conservation Technicians alone are expected to have 15  regional openings per year and 185  annual openings in Oregon as a whole.
Surveys of professionals in the natural resource protection field indicate that jobseekers entering the field of Watershed Science Technician with hands-on experience and relevant field skills will be at an advantage for employment and job advancement. Students must consider the entire Pacific Northwest when seeking employment, as those willing to relocate will have greater opportunities.
Wages A fulltime beginning technician’s salary may range from $28,269  to $39,000  annually.
Costs (Estimate based on 2014-15 tuition and fees. Consult Lane’s website for updated tuition.) 
Resident Tuition and Student Fees		$10,124 
Other Course/Program Costs		$1,665  
	Total Estimate	$11,789  
Watershed Science Technician course fees and other course fees may change during the year - see the online credit class schedule for fees assigned to courses.
Program Admission Requirements A high school diploma (or equivalent); completion or math placement tests scores for Math 065 or Math 070; completion or writing placement tests scores for WR 115 or above; and, a completed Watershed Science Technician Program application form. Application forms will be accepted beginning Aug. 1 and continuing through Nov. 30, annually. Students may begin Fall term courses in the program prior to submitting an application. This is a limited enrollment program.
Program Information Science Office, 541.463.5446, Denise Elder, elderd@lanecc.edu.
Cooperative Education (Co-op) Cooperative Education is a required and important part of the Watershed Science Technician Program. Through Co-op students connect theory and practice, develop skills, expand career knowledge, and make contacts for the future. Co-op learning sites and hours vary. Contact Marvin Clemons , Cooperative Education Coordinator, Bldg. 19, Rm 231D , 541.463.3158.
Prerequisite Courses
CS 120 Concepts of Computing: Information Processing  and MTH 065 Elementary Algebra. Both of these courses are prerequisites to BT 123 MS Excel for Business In the 1st Term of the Program. 
Course Requirements
1. All Watershed Science Technician Program courses are competency based.
2..	Prerequisites are required for some courses. See course descriptions.
3. ENVS, BI and GIS prefix and GS 101 (is GS 101) courses meet the AAS Science/Math/Computer Science discipline studies requirement and are also AAOT transfer courses.
4. Students must meet the grade requirements for the AAS Degree.
5. BT 123 and MTH 095 should be completed before Fall of Year 2.
6. WST 280 Co-op Ed: Watershed Science Technician may also be taken in Summer Term.  ENVS 183 and BI 103J may be offered In the summer.

First Year	Fall
GS 101 General Science: Nature of the Northwest		 4
WST 102 Introduction to Watershed Field Methods		 2
BT 123 MS Excel for Business		4
WR 121 Introduction to Academic Writing		4

WATR 102 Water Careers Exploration		 3
	Total Credits	17 
	Winter
WATR 101 Introduction to Water Resources		3
WST 206 Co-op Ed: Watershed Science Technician 
Seminar		2
GIS 151 Digital Earth		4
MTH 095 Intermediate Algebra or higher		5
Human Relations (see approved list below)		3
	Total Credits	17 
	Spring
ENVS 183 Aquatic Environment		4
BI 103F General Biology: Wildflowers of Oregon		4
GIS 245 GIS 1		 4
WST 205 Soils Field Methods		2
	Total Credits	14
Second Year	Fall
BI 103J General Biology: Forest Ecology		 4
WATR 261 Regional Water Policy		 3
WST 225 Riparian Field Methods		 2
WST 226 In-stream Field Methods		 2
WR 227 Technical Writing		 4
	Total Credits	15
	Winter
WATR 202 Fostering Sustainable Practices		3
WST 230 Watersheds and Hydrology		 4
WATR 222 Stormwater Best Management Practices		4
WST 223 Prairies to Woodlands Field Methods		2
WST 280 Co-op Ed: Watershed Science Technician		3
	Total Credits	16 
	Spring
WST 234 Watershed Best Practices		4
WST 280 Co-op Ed: Watershed Science Technician		 3 
WST 221 Invasive Species Field Methods 		1	
WST 222 Threatened and Endangered Species 		1
WST 224 Wetland Field Methods 		2 
Health / PE Elective		3

	Total Credits      	14 

Approved Human Relations choices
BT 112 Team Building Skills 
CG 100 College Success 
CG 203 Human Relations at Work 
GEOG 142 Introduction to Human Geography 
PS 213 Peace and Conflict Studies: Local 
SOC 204 Introduction to Sociology 
SOC 206 Institutions and Social Change 
SOC 207 Women and Work 
WS 101 Introduction to Women’s Studies

Recommended Health & PE Electives:

HE 251 Wilderness First Aid
HE 252 First Aid
HE 255 Global Health and Sustainability
HE 262 First Aid 2: Beyond the Basics
HE 275 Lifetime Health and Fitness