Objectives of the Program

The Environmental Sciences program is designed to provide a strong interdisciplinary grounding in specific environmental sciences including the socioeconomic context in which environmental issues are resolved.

There is an emphasis on management and decision-making skills for the application of scientific knowledge to environmental problems, and the evaluation of appropriate environmental policies. A practical problem solving perspective is central to the program, and this is often done in the context of group work.

Substantial emphasis is placed on communication skills, including the development of both good writing ability and oral communication ability. This is emphasized particularly in the Environmental Sciences core courses, starting in first year, and running through to fourth year. Students in the final years of their program will be expected to take part in more intensive communication skill development.

Graduates will seek employment in a range of fields, from government agencies to private industry and research.

Academic Counselling

General information on the degree program is available from the Program Counsellor, Faculty of Environmental Sciences. Advising for each major is available through the assigned faculty advisor responsible for the major. Students are encouraged to seek the advice of the faculty advisors when choosing restricted electives and planning course selections.

Degree

The degree granted for the successful completion of the program will be the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences--B.Sc.(Env.).

Continuation of Study

Students are advised to consult the regulations for Continuation of Study in Section VIII--Undergraduate Degree Regulations and Procedures of this Calendar.

Conditions for Graduation

In order to qualify for graduation from the B.Sc.(Env.) program, the student must have completed successfully the stated course requirements for the program.

Environmental Sciences (Co-op)

Office of the Associate Dean, Faculty of Environmental Sciences.

A 4-year Honours Program in Environmental Sciences is offered as a Co-operative Education Program. This option is offered within the B.Sc. (Env.) degree and is available to all majors. The program requirements are the same as those listed for the regular B.Sc. (Env.) program, by the Co-operative Education Program and as outlined in the Continuation of Study policy (Section VIII--Undergraduate Degree Regulations & Procedures).

Two streams are available (A and B) with entry to Stream A directly from high school and entry to Stream B after completion of semester 2. In Stream A, 3 co-op work terms (COOP*1000, COOP*2000, COOP*3000) are required. In Stream B, an optional 4th co-op work term (COOP*4000) is available. COOP*1100 must be completed during the semester preceding COOP*1000 (ie. in semester 2 in Stream A and semester 4 in Stream B).

The recommended work/study semester sequence for Streams A and B are given below. Work / Study Semesters:

Since some of the program requirements in the degree program (core, major, area of emphasis) are not offered each semester, careful planning and program consultation with the Environmental Co-op Advisor is essential.

The Environmental Sciences Program

The degree in Environmental Sciences consists of 20.00 credits, as follows:

1. 5.00 First Year Curriculum

2. 3.00 Environmental Sciences Core

3. 7.00-8.00 Environmental Sciences Major

4. 2.50 minimum Area of Emphasis

5. free electives

Within these courses, students must include at least 6.00 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level, and no program may include more than 7.00 credits at the 1000 level.

First Year Curriculum

The first year courses have been selected to provide students with sufficient background and knowledge to enter any one of the Environmental Sciences majors.

Semester 1

BIOL*1030 [0.50] Biology I

CHEM*1300 [0.50] Introductory Environmental Chemistry

ENVS*1010 [0.50] Introduction to Environmental Sciences

MATH*1080 [0.50] Elements of Calculus I

PHYS*1110 [0.50] Introductory Physics with Applications I

Semester 2

BIOL*1040 [0.50] Biology II

CHEM*1310 [0.50] Introductory Environmental Chemistry II

ECON*1050 [0.50] Introductory Microeconomics

GEOG*1300 [0.50] Introduction to the Biophysical Environment

PHYS*1130 [0.50] Physics with Applications

Environmental Sciences Core

In addition to the common first year curriculum, students are required to take the following core Environmental Sciences courses in the semesters recommended below:

BIOL*2060 [0.50] Ecology

ENVS*2010 [0.50] Decision-making and Communication Skills

ENVS*4011/2 [0.50] Colloquium/Project in Environmental Sciences

PHIL*2070 [0.50] Philosophy of the Environment

Note: BIOL*2060 is to be taken in Semester 3 or 4, ENVS*2010 is to be taken in Semester 4, ENVS*4011/2 is to be taken in Semester 7 or 8, and PHIL*2070 is to be taken in Semester 4 or 6.

One of:

AGEC*2700 [0.50] Survey of Natural Resource Economics

ECON*2100 [0.50] Economic Growth and Environmental Quality

Note: AGEC*2700 is to be taken in Semester 4 and ECON*2100 is to be taken in Semester 3.

One of:

GEOG*3210 [0.50] Management of the Biophysical Environment

POLS*3370 [0.50] Environmental Policy Formation and Administration

ZOO*4050 [0.50] Natural Resources Policy

Note: GEOG*3210 and POLS*3370 are to be taken in Semester 5 or 6 and ZOO*4050 is to be taken in Semester 7 or 8.

Environmental Sciences Majors

Earth and Atmospheric Science

Ecology

Environmental Economics and Policy

Environmental Geography

Environmental Monitoring and Analysis

Environmental Protection

Environmetrics

Natural Resources Management

Requirements for each of these majors are described in the detailed schedules of studies below.

Area of Emphasis Requirements

All students must choose an area of emphasis consisting of a minimum of 2.50 credits in a particular topic area. These are listed after "Schedules of Studies". The sequence of courses normally begins in third year. With the approval of the Program Counsellor, students may develop their own area of emphasis. All areas of emphasis must be approved by the Program Counsellor. Students should note that entry to certain areas of emphasis is restricted by the student's choice of major. Thus program approval should be gained before registering in courses to count towards their area of emphasis.