Environmental and Sustainability Science

Why study Environmental and Sustainability Science?

Climate change, loss of biodiversity, severe weather events, pollution and the unsustainable use of the Earth's resources are some of the most pressing challenges of our time. If you are fascinated by the science behind how human activity affects our planet, and passionate about creating a more sustainable future, the Environmental and Sustainability Science program is for you.

Following one of the three program streams (Earth Systems and Climate Science, Environmental Biology or Environmental Chemistry), you will learn to understand and assess the impact of human activity on natural cycles, ecosystems, species and landforms, while specializing in one particular disciplinary approach to environmental issues.

Students in all streams will take courses in geography, geology, biology and chemistry to develop the skills and knowledge needed for a career or further studies in the environmental sciences. You will:

• Learn about the physical and chemical processes that shape our planet
• Study the evolution and conservation of biodiversity on earth
• Study the causes and consequences of climate change and environmental pollution
• Learn to design experiments and gather and interpret statistical data
• Acquire technical knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing
• Learn to develop effective policies for environmental management and the protection of endangered wildlife

After graduation, your knowledge and technical skills will prepare you for careers with environmental consulting companies, natural resource agencies and NGOs, or for graduate studies in each of the three core disciplines (Geography, Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry), in addition to the interdisciplinary field of Environmental and Sustainability Science.

Alumni have established careers in a range of fields including:

• Environmental impact assessment
• Resource conservation
• Environmental analysis and pollutant management
• Environmental consulting
• Geographic Information Systems analysis
• Wildlife and fisheries biology