uwloo

ERS 340Ecosystem Assessment

Units
1.50
Faculty
Environment
Subject
Environment, Resources and Sustainability

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

An applied ecology course for those interested in becoming professional ecologists. In keeping with the Ecological Society of America's Professional Ecologist Certification and the Society for Ecological Restoration's Certification Programme, intensive, multiple-weeks of field skill exercises are undertaken including advanced ecological sampling and experimental design, ecological sample analysis, use of provincially recommended protocols such as Vegetative Sampling Protocol (VSP), and intermediate to advanced taxonomic identification skills. May include certification and accreditation opportunities such as the Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network (OBBN) and the Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol and training in Electrofishing and Boating (for research). Location of the course will be within southern Ontario.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Students must be in level 2B or higher
    • Obtained all of the following milestones: Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Milestone

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Reviewed on UW Flow

100% liked it50% easy100% useful

From 15 ratings and 3 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • By far the most useful course I've taken in my undergrad. You get a bunch of legitimate field experience and certifications you can put on your resume. It's 8:30Am-4:00Pm every day but only for 2 weeks, and the course is worth 1.5 units. Pretty great deal because you have the rest of your spring term open.

    Nov 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Fantastic course!! One of my favourite classes and would highly recommend this course for students looking to gain a variety of certifications and field skills. The course was highly engaging and organized to ensure students are successful

    Aug 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • I think all the certifications will be useful for say getting a co op job or a position later on. It was full days of learning together and I really liked that format. Took me two tries to pass the electrofishing theory tests and the OBBN manual test - it took a lot of people multiple tries so don't be weary if that happens to you! It was nice to be joining skills outside during the spring term than being in a classroom! The prof and TA were great, very good at teaching and made sure we understood everything and wanted to see us do our best!

    Jul 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

6 posts and comments in 6 threads mention ERS 340, February 2015 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Spring 2021

Fall 2020

Three core courses as first year student 11 points, 27 comments

“Hello y'all. I am rn in first year in environmental faculty. I just dropped 2 courses cuz imma not gonna make it with huge workloads, so im now taking 3 courses. …”

u/Neshwoo: “It's fine for the most part but it may affect your osap and your stream. What program are you in? If you dropped core courses, some programs in env only offer them once a year.”

u/Fickle_ficus: “… Courses like ERS 340, ERS 341, & ERS 342 are each worth the equivalent to 3 courses during non-covid years (I think ERS 340 was worth 2 courses over the summer). …”

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Spring 2019

SO CONFUSED ABOUT MAJOR - environment 1 point, 7 comments

“hey im in ERS and although i like it i have no idea what ways in which i can specialize this degree, i was thinking of either having environmental law as one of my options to study further or i have …”

u/5nothing: “… ers 340/341 I think) course was am investment but having certifications is really great to stand out and also important for consulting. …”

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Winter 2018

Fall 2015

ERS Huntsville course? 8 points, 5 comments

u/envnewbie: “Hi, i'm in 1A environment and resource studies (co op) and i was just wondering how the huntsville courses (ers 341/340) fit into our schedules. i'm interested in doing one (or both) but they are hard to find information on. …”

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Winter 2015

I'm considering switching out of the Faculty of Environment because I don't feel like it gives me enough qualifications. 6 points, 14 comments

“Hi /uwaterloo, lurker turned newbie here. TLDR - ERS is too easy for me, not sure if I can get the career that I want. I'm in 2A Env and Resource Studies. …”

u/Quock: “… continuing with ERS, given that you end up with skills that would lead you up to it (like ERS 340/341 in Huntsville, which I described to you) You're correct. ERS alone does not qualify you to work in the field that you would like to work in. …”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar