Environmental Science

You want to learn about the world around you, to help it change for the better. You are passionate about science and the environment, and want to put that energy to work.

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science program lets you build on your existing knowledge of environmental science. This team-based degree-completion program brings together theory and practical laboratory and fieldwork skills.

You'll learn about environmental management, economics, law, communications, and sustainable development.

You'll also spend time in our on-campus, state-of-the-art laboratories, giving you experience in laboratory practice and procedures as well as the foundations of environmental science with chemistry, hydrology, ecotoxicology and ecology.

Besides the environmental science learning, you'll cross-train with other disciplines, like social sciences and humanities. This helps you become better able to analyze and solve problems around complex environmental issues.

You'll also learn to to identify the gaps in your knowledge and skills, and to fill those gaps in a way that lets you use your existing knowledge and skills to address the problem at hand.

With environmental and scientific knowledge applied to team-based practice, you'll be well-prepared for leadership in industry, government and environmental consulting.

Hands-on research

If you're enrolled in the 12-month on-campus option, you will work on a hands-on environmental consulting project over 11 months of your program. You'll collaborate with sponsor organizations to design, budget, conduct and report on your research, giving you a suite of practical and in-demand skills.

These projects are the perfect opportunity for students entering the environmental field to graduate with relevant work experience and a project to highlight their abilities to potential employers.

Program outcomes

Once you have completed this program, you'll have a broad range of technical, communication, analytical and interpersonal skills, together with a firm grounding in environmental science.

These skills set you up for success in environmental consulting, environmental management for industry, business, non-governmental organizations and municipal governments, as an environmental policy advisor, mediator for stakeholder groups, or in environmental monitoring or regulatory compliance.

Prerequisite(s)

At a minimum, the following recognized college/university level courses, each with a minimum 'B' (3.00/4.33) grade:

• Six credits (two courses) in chemistry with a laboratory component in at least one course.
• Six credits  (two courses) in biology.
• Six credits (two courses) in math or physics (may include three credits of statistics), with at least one course in linear algebra or calculus.
• Six credits (two courses) in writing or communications.

Standard admission

• Completion of an approved transfer program with a minimum 'B' (3.00/4.33) GPA.

or

• Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum 'B' (3.00/4.33) grade in each.
• Completion of an Arts or Science Diploma (or 60 credits), including a minimum of 24 second-year credits, with a minimum GPA of 'B' (3.00/4.33), from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Flexible admission

Applicants who do not meet the Standard Admission requirements will be considered for flexible admission and assessed as follows:

• Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum 'B' (3.00/4.33) grade in each.
• Significant, relevant experience.

English language proficiency

• If English is not your primary language, please review our English language requirements.

Additional recommendations 

The requirements listed above are the minimum requirements for the program. Before entering the program, well-prepared students typically have completed:

• Inorganic and Organic Chemistry
• Ecology and Microbiology
• Calculus and Linear Algebra

Royal Roads University recognizes that each student has unique characteristics and qualifications. Therefore, students who have questions about their eligibility for this program or wish to discuss flexible assessment options should contact the program office for more information. Contact one of our advisors to learn more about how Royal Roads can help you reach your career goals.

All applications to this program require submission of the following information and supporting documents before your file can be assessed for admission:

Application form

In order to apply online, you will be required to create a log-in account using your email address. You will be required to list all credit courses and/or programs you have completed or are currently enrolled in. An application fee will be required. If your application fees are being paid by a third party, review sponsored student information. Once submitted, you may check the status of your application at any time.

Official transcripts

Applicants are responsible for arranging for the submission of official transcripts from ALL post-secondary (higher education) institutions currently or previously attended, for all credit courses and/or programs. Transcripts are not required for non-credit programs or courses, though some programs may require proof of professional certifications or designations.

Transcripts are considered official only if submitted directly by the Registrar or other recognized authority of the providing institution in the institution's original, sealed envelope. If the envelope has been opened, the transcripts are no longer official and new (official) transcripts will be required to complete your application.

All international transcripts or credentials are subject to an international transcript and/or credential evaluation.

If applicable:

• Applicants declaring permanent resident or Convention Refugee status in Canada, must submit a copy of their Permanent Resident Card (PR card) along with their application.
• Transcript evaluation fee or credential evaluation report, if submitting international transcripts.
• An official English language proficiency score report or other evidence of proficiency if English is not your primary language.
• Other information or documents as may be requested to determine your eligibility.

For information on how and where to send your supporting documents, please refer to the document submission guidelines.

Additional requirements for flexible admission

For applicants who will be reviewed under the flexible admission process the following additional supporting documents will be required:

Personal statement

Your personal statement should be no less than a one-page letter indicating your motivation for seeking entrance to the program. Your statement should comment upon your personal and career goals, the expectations you have for the program in relation to the achievement of your goals, and the strengths you feel you can bring to the program. The statement must be the work of the applicant.

Letters of reference

It is ideal if one reference letter is based on your work experience and the other based on either your academic performance or community service that you have undertaken.

Typically, reference letters are very individual documents that can take any sort of format. In essence, we are looking for the reference letters to confirm that you are a suitable candidate for the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, i.e. that your referee feels you will succeed in such a program (and why), that they feel it will benefit you (and why), and whatever else the referee knows about you that makes you a good fit for the program. The context in which the referee has come to know you should also be mentioned.

Length and level of detail in the letters can vary; there is no set standard.

Detailed resume

Your resume should include the following:

• Education: List all post secondary education, degrees, diplomas, and certificates you have achieved.
• Training/professional development: List career related training and professional development programs completed within the past five years. Include the source of training, and the duration and year completed. List other training and personal development programs not already identified.
• Work experience: Please include name of organization, position, length of service and brief description of duties.
• Voluntary/unpaid work experience: List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include the name of the organization, length of service, and a brief description of duties. List positions you have held in this service.
• Information technology training and experience: Briefly describe your level of training and experience in the use of information technology including computers, software and telecommunications networks as tools for business, education, teaching and personal use.
• Professional memberships/affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, community/volunteer sector.
• Other relevant information: Provide any other information which you believe is relevant to your application and will be of assistance to the review committee.

For information on how and where to send your supporting documents, please refer to the document submission guidelines.