X. Degree Programs
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences [B.Sc.(Env.)]
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.
Program Requirements
The Co-op program in Environmental Sciences is a four and a half year program including four work terms. Students must complete a Fall, Winter and Summer work term, and must follow the academic work schedule as outlined below (also found on the Co-operative Education website: https://www.recruitguelph.ca/cecs/). Please refer to the Co-operative Education program policy with respect to adjusting this schedule.
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Academic Semester 1 | Academic Semester 2
COOP*1100 |
Off |
| 2 | Academic Semester 3 |
COOP*1000 Work Term I |
Academic Semester 4 |
| 3 | COOP*2000 Work Term II | Academic Semester 5 | COOP*3000 Work Term III |
| 4 | Academic Semester 6 | Academic Semester 7 | COOP*4000 Work Term IV |
| 5 | Academic Semester 8 | N/A | N/A |
To be eligible to continue in the Co-op program, students must meet a minimum 70% cumulative average requirement after second semester, as well as meet all work term requirements. Please refer to the Co-operative Education program policy with respect to work term performance grading, work term report grading and program completion requirements.
For additional program information students should consult with their Co-op Co-ordinator and Co-op Faculty Advisor, listed on the Co-operative Education web site.
Credit Summary (21.50 Total Credits)*
7.00 - Environmental Sciences core
4.50 - Required Courses for the Major
5.50 - Restricted Electives
3.00 - Free electives
1.50 - Co-op Work Terms
Note: A minimum of three Co-op work terms including a Summer, Fall, and Winter are necessary to complete the Co-op requirement. *COOP*4000 is optional and if completed the total number of credits will equal 22.00.
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.
The recommended program sequence is outlined below.
Major
Semester 1 - Fall
Semester 2 - Winter
Semester 3 - Fall
Winter Semester
| COOP*1000 | [0.50] | Co-op Work Term I |
Semester 4 - Summer
| STAT*2040 | [0.50] | Statistics I |
| 2.00 electives or restricted electives | ||
Fall Semester
| COOP*2000 | [0.50] | Co-op Work Term II |
Semester 5 - Winter
Summer Semester
| COOP*3000 | [0.50] | Co-op Work Term III |
Semester 6 - Fall
| ENVS*4001 | [0.50] | Project in Environmental Sciences | |||||||||
| One of: | |||||||||||
|
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| 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
Summer Semester - (Optional)
| COOP*4000 | [0.50] | 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: | ||||||||
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List B
| One of: | |||||||||||
|
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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*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*3300 | [0.50] | Introduction to Controlled Environment Systems |
| 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*4000 | [0.50] | Toxicological Risk Assessment |
| ENVS*4070 | [0.50] | Pollinator Conservation |
| ENVS*4090 | [0.50] | Soil Management |
| ENVS*4100 | [0.50] | Integrated Management of Invasive Insect Pests |
| 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 | [0.50] | 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*4410 | [0.50] | Introduction to Advanced Independent Research |
| ENVS*4420 | [0.50] | Advanced Independent Research |
| ENVS*4430 | [1.00] | Advanced Independent Research |
| ENVS*4510 | [0.50] | Topics in Environmental Sciences |
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 |