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Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences [B.Sc.(Env.)]

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Environmental Sciences (ENVS:C)

School of Environmental Sciences, Ontario Agricultural College

This major combines a foundation in the breadth of environmental science while giving students practical experience in integrating the basic science in environmental problem solving. The integration of biophysical sciences with real-world applications provides students with a unique skill set for engaging with current and future environmental issues. The many opportunities in the major for experiential learning and independent research give students an ability to collect, analyze and interpret environmental data, and propose solutions that account for both the biophysical science and the socio-economic context. The second year core curriculum develops a cross-disciplinary understanding of the biophysical environment, while the third and fourth years allow students to engage more deeply with issues of interest to them. Students will graduate from this major ready to address diverse problems such as pollinator conservation, soil and water conservation, greenhouse gas mitigation, plant disease management and chemical movement in the environment. It provides a solid background for careers in environmental protection, resource management and research, in both the public and private sectors.

Major

Semester 1 - Fall
BIOL*1070 [0.50] Discovering Biodiversity
CHEM*1040 [0.50] General Chemistry I
ENVS*1030 [1.00] Introduction to Environmental Sciences
MATH*1080 [0.50] Elements of Calculus I
Semester 2 - Winter
BIOL*1090 [0.50] Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology
CHEM*1050 [0.50] General Chemistry II
COOP*1100 [0.00] Introduction to Co-operative Education
FARE*1040 [1.00] Intro to Environmental Economics, Law & Policy
GEOG*1300 [0.50] Introduction to the Biophysical Environment
Semester 3 - Fall
ENVS*2030 [0.50] Meteorology and Climatology
ENVS*2060 [0.50] Soil Science
ENVS*2240 [0.50] Fundamentals of Environmental Geology
ENVS*2310 [0.50] Current Issues in Earth Surface Processes
0.50 restricted electives from List A or B
Winter Semester
COOP*1000 [0.00] Co-op Work Term I
Semester 4 - Summer
STAT*2040 [0.50] Statistics I
2.00 electives or restricted electives
Fall Semester
COOP*2000 [0.00] Co-op Work Term II
Semester 5 - Winter
BIOL*2060 [0.50] Ecology
ENVS*2320 [0.50] Current Issues in Microbial and Molecular Science
0.50 restricted electives from List A or B
1.00 electives or restricted electives
Summer Semester
COOP*3000 [0.00] Co-op Work Term III
Semester 6 - Fall
ENVS*4001 [0.50] Project in Environmental Sciences
One of:
ECON*2100 [0.50] Economic Growth and Environmental Quality
FARE*2700 [0.50] Survey of Natural Resource Economics
GEOG*3210 [0.50] Management of the Biophysical Environment
1.50 electives or restricted electives
Students wishing to register in BIOL*4350 must substitute BIOL*3450 in Semester 6 for ENVS*3150 in Semester 7.
Semester 7 - Winter
ENVS*3150 [0.50] Aquatic Systems
ENVS*4002 [0.50] Project in Environmental Sciences
1.50 electives or restricted electives
Summer Semester - (Optional)
COOP*4000 [0.00] Co-op Work Term IV
Semester 8 - Fall
2.50 electives or restricted electives
Restricted Electives

Students must take a total of 6.50 restricted elective credits as prescribed by the following lists.

Students must take 0.50 credits from each of List A & B

List A

One of:
ENVS*2330 [0.50] Current Issues in Ecosystem Science and Biodiversity
ENVS*2340 [0.50] Current Issues in Agriculture and Landscape Mgmt

List B

One of:
PHYS*1080 [0.50] Physics for Life Sciences
PHYS*1130 [0.50] Physics with Applications
PHYS*1300 [0.50] Fundamentals of Physics

Students lacking 4U Physics or equivalent must take PHYS*1300.

Students are required to choose a minimum of 5.50 credits from Lists C, D, E, and F. Students must take a minimum of 1.50 credits from List C, a minimum of 1.00 credits from List D, and students may not count more than 1.00 credits from List F towards their restricted electives. Students should note that many restricted electives, particularly in List D, require other courses as prerequisites. Students should consult the most recent Undergraduate Calendar for specific requirements.

List C

Students must take a minimum of 1.50 credits from the following list:

BIOL*3130 [0.50] Conservation Biology
CHEM*3360 [0.50] Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology
ENVS*2040 [0.50] Plant Health and the Environment
ENVS*2120 [0.50] Introduction to Environmental Stewardship
ENVS*2210 [0.50] Apiculture and Honey Bee Biology
ENVS*2230 [0.50] Communications in Environmental Science
ENVS*3000 [0.50] Nature Interpretation
ENVS*3010 [0.50] Climate Change Biology
ENVS*3020 [0.50] Pesticides and the Environment
ENVS*3030 [0.50] Conservation Field Course
ENVS*3040 [0.50] Natural Chemicals in the Environment
ENVS*3050 [0.50] Microclimatology
ENVS*3060 [0.50] Groundwater
ENVS*3080 [0.50] Soil and Water Conservation
ENVS*3090 [0.50] Insect Diversity and Biology
ENVS*3180 [0.50] Sedimentary Environments
ENVS*3210 [0.50] Plant Pathology
ENVS*3220 [0.50] Terrestrial Chemistry
ENVS*3230 [0.50] Agroforestry Systems
ENVS*3250 [0.50] Forest Health and Disease
ENVS*3270 [0.50] Forest Biodiversity
ENVS*3290 [0.50] Waterborne Disease Ecology
ENVS*3310 [0.50] Soil Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function
ENVS*3340 [0.50] Use and Management of Environmental Data
ENVS*3370 [0.50] Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology
MICR*3220 [0.50] Plant Microbiology
TOX*2000 [0.50] Principles of Toxicology

List D

Students must take a minimum of 1.00 credits from the following list:

BIOL*4350 [0.50] Limnology of Natural and Polluted Waters
ENVS*4070 [0.50] Pollinator Conservation
ENVS*4090 [0.50] Soil Management
ENVS*4100 [0.50] Integrated Management of Invasive Insect Pests
ENVS*4130 [0.50] Chemical Ecology: Principles & Practice
ENVS*4160 [0.50] Soil and Nutrient Management
ENVS*4180 [0.50] Insecticide Biological Activity and Resistance
ENVS*4190 [0.50] Biological Activity of Herbicides
ENVS*4210 [1.00] Meteorological and Environmental Instrumentation
ENVS*4230 [0.50] Biology of Aquatic Insects
ENVS*4260 [0.50] Field Entomology
ENVS*4320 [1.00] Laboratory and Field Methods in Soil Biodiversity
ENVS*4350 [0.50] Forest Ecology
ENVS*4360 [0.50] Glacial Environments
ENVS*4370 [0.50] Environmental Organic Chemistry
ENVS*4390 [1.00] Soil Variability and Land Evaluation
PBIO*4530 [0.50] Plants and Environmental Pollution

List E

ENVS*3100 [0.50] Internship/Externship in Environmental Sciences
ENVS*3410 [0.50] Independent Research I
ENVS*3420 [0.50] Independent Research II
ENVS*3430 [1.00] Independent Research
ENVS*3510 [0.50] Independent Study I
ENVS*3520 [0.50] Independent Study II
ENVS*3530 [1.00] Independent Study
ENVS*4410 [1.00] Advanced Independent Research I
ENVS*4420 [1.00] Advanced Independent Research II
ENVS*4430 [2.00] Advanced Independent Research
ENVS*4510 [0.50] Advanced Independent Study I
ENVS*4520 [0.50] Advanced Independent Study II
ENVS*4530 [1.00] Advanced Independent Study

List F

Students may count up to 1.00 credits from the following list towards their 6.50 credit restricted electives.

GEOG*2420 [0.50] The Earth From Space
GEOG*2480 [0.50] Mapping and GIS
GEOG*3420 [0.50] Remote Sensing of the Environment
GEOG*3480 [0.50] GIS and Spatial Analysis
Credit Summary (20.00 Total Credits)

7.00 credits - Environmental Sciences core

4.50 credits - Required Courses for the Major

5.50 credits - Restricted Electives

3.00 credits - Free electives

Students are encouraged to seek advice from their faculty advisor and are reminded that 6.00 credits of their B.Sc.(Env.) degree must be at the 3000-4000 level. With prior approval, students may be able to use courses not on Lists C, D, E or F toward their restricted electives

University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Canada
519-824-4120