College of the Rockies has a range of programs and student experiences. Our staff and students work with companies to develop innovative solutions to R&D needs.

In this program, students will investigate the physical, cultural, economic, and historical characteristics of various provincial regions in British Columbia. They will examine settlement and development patterns, with a focus on industries like forestry, mining, and tourism prevalent in the Columbia Basin region.

Would you like to get creative, innovative and strategic ideas when collecting and processing data in your organization? We invite you to partner with our College of the Rockies students! Student in this class will learn about the theory and practice of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing of Earth system processes, and aerial photography, photogrammetry, and image interpretation.

Looking to elevate your organization, and bring it to the next level? Bring on learners from College of the Rockies to be your learner-consultants, in a project-based experience. Learners will work on one main project over the experience of the semester, connecting with you as needed with virtual communication tools.Learners in this program/experience will investigate Earth history, planetary materials, and examine how the Earth changes during extreme events. Using this information, learners can integrate elements of geography, geology, climate change awareness and environmental science into business websites, handbooks, product information and marketing materials. Geology is an integral part of food chains, since the parent material of a soil is rock, and this provides the basis for biogeochemical cycles and soil fertility. Environmental Geologists study the resilience of food chains and the processes that affect drought, hydrology and water resources.Gemstones are mined in various regions. Gemstone locations are related to geology. For example, most diamonds were brought to the surface of the Earth by ancient volcanoes, and this is the reason why diamonds are often found near areas of former igneous activity.Metals, minerals and commercially-viable ores are mined at a given location, and understanding the principles of exploration geology allows for efficient extraction of materials such as oil and gas. Without geological extraction of materials, products such as your smartphone or most electronic circuits would not be possible.Planetary history influences the lives of all humans, plants and animals on or near the surface of the Earth. An understanding of geology and geological processes is therefore important for all interactions, from tourism to commercial business enterprises.