Environmental Science explores the impact of human activities on our planet through an integrated study of fundamental and applied science paired with courses in sustainability and ecosystem management. You will gain comprehensive training in the theory and practice of the science needed to address urgent environmental and urban challenges, and practical experience generating and communicating solutions.
The field of environmental science is broad but is distinguished by focusing on applying scientific knowledge and tools to environmental issues such as climate change and loss of habitat. We aim to ensure students achieve proficiency in fundamental basic sciences (chemistry, physics, or biology) and math, and in the upper years, students broaden this scope in the fields of physical geography (e.g., soils, water, and climate) and applied ecology. 91亚色 Environmental Science offers a solid grounding in the scientific approach and practical experience while building interpersonal and communication skills. These are skills and talents that are currently highly valued and therefore sought in the Environmental Science field.
In your studies, you will get first-hand experience in data collection, research, and scientific analysis in the field and in the laboratory. You will learn to work collaboratively and develop effective communication, analytical, and critical thinking skills while better understanding climate, ecological, and biophysical systems.听 Students have the opportunity to combine this scientific foundation with an understanding of how environmental science is applied in environmental policy, management, and decision making, and practical experience generating and communicating solutions to pressing environmental challenges. Our graduates are prepared to make transformative environmental change in careers within the private and public sector.
Program Overview
In your Environmental Science program, you will get first-hand experience in data collection, research, and scientific analysis in the field and in the laboratory. You will learn to work collaboratively and develop effective communication, analytical, and critical thinking skills while better understanding climate, ecological, and biophysical systems. Our graduates are prepared to make transformative environmental change in careers within the private and public sector.
You have a variety of options on the types of degrees you wish to pursue. For example, you may wish to complete a 90-credit Bachelor of Science (BSc) which typically takes three years to finish, or a 120-credit degree (Honours BSc) which typically takes four years to complete. You have several choices on how to complete the Honours BSc program; for instance, you can double major or major/minor in two different programs.
Topic of study includes:
- Climate change impacts and adaptation
- Water security/availability and water quality
- Environmental pollution
- Soil and sediment erosion
- Land-use development, urbanization, and habitat loss
The environmental sector is one of the fastest growing in the world. With issues of climate crisis, loss of biodiversity, and equity at the forefront of the public conscious, more organizations and businesses are looking to hire environmental professionals. By developing technical, hands-on scientific experience in research and analysis along with transferrable skills in communication, critical thinking, and leadership, our graduates are working in both the public and private sector in a variety of fields such as science, technology, education, government, and business.
To help you succeed, our Experiential Education Coordinator provides a variety of career support services to our students including resume help, interview prep, and career planning workshops, and maintains an exclusive job board just for our students.
Sample Career
- Aquatic Scientist
- Conservationist
- Environmental Control Specialist
- Laboratory Technician
- Climate Change Scientist
- Hydrologist
- Wildlife Biologist
- Environmental Consultant
Program Curriculum
The Environmental Science program offers two streams of study, and you select your stream in Year 2 of the program:
- In the Environmental Dynamics stream, you will explore the interactions between land, air, water, and biological organisms to understand how the natural environment responds to stressors.
- In the Biodiversity and Conservation stream, you will learn how organisms and ecological communities are impacted by environmental stressors and become familiar with applying this knowledge to protect species and biodiversity.
This list of General Education Courses contains some of the options that can be used to meet your general education requirements. The courses in green are offered within the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. The remaining courses are offered within a different faculty at 91亚色 and may require students to gain permission from that faculty or department. Please note that not all of the courses will be available every year and in every term, make sure to consult the to learn more.
As part of your degree, you may want to add one of 2 certificates that are offered within EUC. Adding a certificate will provide you with additional knowledge and skills-sets to help level up and accelerate your career. Learn more about adding either the Certificate in Climate Solutions and Sustainable Energy or the Certificate in Geomatics: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing or set up an appointment with your Academic Advisor to learn more.
Want to complete an undergrad AND a masters in 5 years? Check out our 3+2 program to learn more and set up an appointment with your Academic Advisor to see if you meet the requirements.
Do you want to become a teacher? Check out the Direct Entry Bed program and complete two university degrees at the same time to become a qualified teacher in Ontario.
Lastly, you may want to add a Double Major or Minor to your program to increase your learning while completing your degree. Check out the to see what鈥檚 on offer and consult with your Academic Advisor to learn more about the requirements and next steps.
Turn learning into action. Cities, Regions, Planning students gain hands-on experience tackling the challenges facing communities today鈥攆rom housing and transportation to climate resilience and urban growth. Through applied projects, community partnerships, and real-world planning experiences, students build the skills needed to shape more sustainable, inclusive, and livable places.
Some examples include:
- 91亚色 Co-op Program provides students in environmental science with an opportunity to integrate their classroom learning with hands-on, paid, work experiences.
- Students measure and analyze environmental samples in multiple field course options with the same equipment and techniques used in professional settings.
- The many woodlots on campus, as well as nearby Black Creek just a 10-minute听walk away, serve as living laboratories where students can observe听the processes they are learning about in lecture, and gain hands-on experience conducting environmental fieldwork.
- The Aquatic Biogeochemistry Lab provides hands-on training on lab analytical equipment under the supervision of a dedicated technician. Students routinely use the facility to conduct independent projects for course work.
- In our Flume Lab students use a research-grade hydraulic flume to model river dynamics for course work and career-readiness training.
- Semester Abroad at the Las Nubes EcoCampus in Costa Rica
The Official Environmental Science Playlist
Have you ever wondered... which songs represent #91亚色UEUC programs the best? Listen to The Official Environmental Science Playlist 馃幎
Testimonials
Ready to turn your passion into a profession? At EUC, our students and alumni are channeling their passion for the environment and social justice into meaningful careers that drive positive change.听From hands-on learning experiences to real-world research projects, discover how EUC is empowering the next generation of changemakers. Hear their stories and get a glimpse of the exciting path that could await you!
The experiential learning opportunities offered within EUC have enabled me to build valuable connections with esteemed faculty and likeminded peers. These immersive experiences have not only equipped me with strong research skills but also instilled in me a passion for environmental stewardship, preparing me to make a tangible impact in the field.
Through the Cities, Regions, Planning and Schulich PMMP (4+1 Pathway) program, I aim to integrate urban planning principles with sustainable practices to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship, ensuring healthy ecosystems andvibrant communities.
My time at the EUC has been transformative, making me feel like a true changemaker. As an international student, the welcoming 听community, experiential education courses, and networking听 opportunities have made me feel valued and helped bring my ideas, goals, and career plans to life.
Through the Cities, Regions, Planning and Schulich PMMP (4+1 Pathway) program, I aim to integrate urban planning principles with sustainable practices to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship, ensuring healthy ecosystems andvibrant communities.
My EUCURA research investigated the ways in which Indigenous people do not have the same ability to forget, and it found that polishing the chain could be used pedagogically to expose non-Indigenous Canadians to their luxury of forgetting and it may create daily 鈥渞adical reminders鈥 of the ongoing colonization of this land.
The SHSM program has provided me valuable experience, training and certifications, which has strengthened my resume and developed skills related to my field of study. Through SHSM, I was able to feel more aligned
with my ambitions and commitment to succeed. Furthermore, the program鈥檚 benefits have made me a stronger candidate for financing opportunities by showcasing my dedication and preparation for university-level work.
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I chose to study Environmental Arts and Justice because this program combines my interests of sustainability and environmental issues with the arts and human rights. I wanted to learn how to incorporate my creative skills as an artist and a musician into my passion for the environment, all while advocating for social and environmental change.
I picked EAJ because I knew it would give me the foundations in how to apply a more creative aspect in my teaching style when I would become a teacher. Also because I was curious in how art can help drive environmental, social and political change (climate justice)听 during our climate crisis.
Katherine Tse is a recipient of EUC's Undergraduate Research Award (EUCURA) in Summer 2024. She was part of the study on Lake Scugog where 91亚色 undergraduate students in the Environmental Science program partnered with the Scugog Lake Stewards to investigate lake ice decline.
The experiential learning opportunities offered within EUC have enabled me to build valuable connections with esteemed faculty and likeminded peers. These immersive experiences have not only equipped me with strong research skills but also instilled in me a passion for environmental stewardship, preparing me to make a tangible impact in the field.
Claire O'Hagan is one of the recipients of the inaugural EUC Undergraduate Research Awards (EUCURA) in 2022.听As part of the award, she worked with听Professor Joshua Thienpont听on a project titled听Assessing a potential tool for rapid assessment of shoreline permafrost thaw impacts to lake sediments.
With geography, we learn of the absence of neutrality in space, as there is always more to it than meets the eye. Every corner of the world bears historical struggles and inspirations for future possibilities. As a future geography and history teacher, my goal is to educate people on the importance of making and understanding connections between the two disciplines.
My time at the EUC has been transformative, making me feel like a true changemaker. As an international student, the welcoming 听community, experiential education courses, and networking听 opportunities have made me feel valued and helped bring my ideas, goals, and career plans to life.
My favourite part of the program is its diverse curriculum. Economic, Environmental, and Global Political Problems and their possible solutions and many more interesting concepts are part of this curriculum.
Jesse Hughes is a recipient of the听EUC Undergraduate Research Award (EUCURA)听and worked with听Gail Fraser听on the project 鈥楺uantifying predator type and abundance of nesting common terns at Tommy Thompson Park.
Through the Cities, Regions, Planning and Schulich PMMP (4+1 Pathway) program, I aim to integrate urban planning principles with sustainable practices to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship, ensuring healthy ecosystems andvibrant communities.
My time at the EUC has been transformative, making me feel like a true changemaker. As an international student, the welcoming 听community, experiential education courses, and networking听 opportunities have made me feel valued and helped bring my ideas, goals, and career plans to life.
Las Nubes was a life changing academic experience. It gives you such a personal, unique, intimate travel experience that regular travel doesn鈥檛 provide, and I would recommend it for any student who is eligible.
My favourite part of the program is its diverse curriculum. Economic, Environmental, and Global Political Problems and their possible solutions and many more interesting concepts are part of this curriculum.
Katherine Tse is a recipient of EUC's Undergraduate Research Award (EUCURA) in Summer 2024. She was part of the study on Lake Scugog where 91亚色 undergraduate students in the Environmental Science program partnered with the Scugog Lake Stewards to investigate lake ice decline.
Jasper Wong is a recipient of the听EUC Undergraduate Research Award (EUCURA)听and worked on the project on Land use/Land cover dynamics and land surface temperature within the Humber River Catchment using Remote Sensing and GIS with听Professor Adeyemi Olusola.
My time at the EUC has been transformative, making me feel like a true changemaker. As an international student, the welcoming 听community, experiential education courses, and networking听 opportunities have made me feel valued and helped bring my ideas, goals, and career plans to life.
The field of planning resonates with me on a personal level, and the prospect of creating meaningful connections within a community and environment has always fascinated me.
My experience at EUC has been truly transformative鈥攆ar exceeding my expectations as an international student. The supportive community, close-knit connections, and the confidence I鈥檝e gained have made EUC an unforgettable part of my journey.
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My journey has been driven by a passion for addressing climate change impacts, advocating for vulnerable communities and shaping international climate policy. From coordinating national climate strategies to negotiating on behalf of small island states, I鈥檝e dedicated myself to environmental justice and sustainable development. I鈥檓 proud to have played a role in influencing global climate targets and continuing to champion critical issues in international discussions.
[Getting involved within faculty-student programs] can be incredibly beneficial. These programs offer opportunities to build meaningful relationships beyond just academic acquaintanceships. Especially during stressful times, like navigating university life, having a supportive community can make all the difference. It's reassuring to know that others are facing similar challenges and that genuine connections can be formed.
As a student, I recommend you explore opportunities beyond what academia can offer. Take advantages of opportunities outside of the classroom. If your program offers you an opportunity to take courses abroad or if there is a learning opportunity outside of classes 鈥 go for it!
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Key Contact Information
| Name | Title | Extension | Office No. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Thienpont | Assistant Professor | 22002 | HNES 241 | eucenvsci@yorku.ca | |
| Juanita Muwanga | Recruitment & Admission Officer | 22671 | HNES 125 | eucapply@yorku.ca | |
| Sharrieffa Sattaur |
|
30397 | HNES 130 | EUAdvise@yorku.ca | |
| 听 | 听 | 听 | 听 | 听 |