Our Programs

Our Minor in Climate Change Studies provides students with interdisciplinary pathways, theories, and concepts with which to understand climate change as a complex, interconnect set of issues. Students will have the opportunity to engage in experiential, action-focused climate-related learning within the community, and will be equipped with the analytical and practical tools to act on climate change.

The Minor can be paired with any of our existing programs, and also many others offered at the St. George campus to provide an important breadth dimension in their studies. It is notably relevant for students who plan to engage directly in sustainability, environmental, and climate change work beyond graduation, as well as for students who desire to bring a foundation of climate change knowledge to other fields.

Academic Calendar:

• Coming in May 2025!

Our Environmental Science BSc Major and Minor programs provide students with a breadth of knowledge spanning scientific disciplines, and the tools to understand and integrate scientific principles from across the physical and biological sciences. Students are exposed to disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge and research skills necessary to function as an environmental scientist.

These programs recognize the multi-scale and multidisciplinary nature of the field and reflect the fact that most environmental issues are complex and involve aspects drawing from many different areas of science. At its core, environmental science is concerned with the scientific analysis and development of creative solutions to environmental problems.

Students are exposed to disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge, and research skills necessary to function as an environmental scientist. They are encouraged to combine the Environmental Science Major or Minor with a specialist or major in a science or social science discipline (e.g., physics, biology, political science, sociology), with the objective of applying the skills and knowledge of that discipline to understanding and addressing environmental issues.

Academic Calendar:

• Environmental Science Major
• Environmental Science Minor

Our Environmental Studies BA Major and Minor programs are interdisciplinary programs intended for students interested in studying and working in an environmental area, primarily within the social sciences or humanities. It offers rigorous academic study of the economic, social, cultural, and political forces that drive issues such as species extinction, loss of biodiversity, air and water pollution, and climate change.

The interdisciplinary structure of the program provides grounding in scientific literacy while advancing critical thinking skills that will help students to evaluate complex environmental problems and sustainable solutions for improved environmental health and well-being. The major program provides a more in-depth exploration of this field of study.

Students can combine Environmental Studies with other programs (for example, in a double major) in related academic fields. Programs in Architecture, Economics, Human Geography, Political Science or Women and Gender Studies are examples of programs highly complementary to Environmental Studies.

Academic Calendar:

• Environmental Studies Major
• Environmental Studies Minor

Jointly offered with the Department of Philosophy.

Our Environmental Ethics BA Major and Minor programs explore how value judgements and worldviews affect environmental decision-making. These programs require a combination of courses offered at the School of the Environment and Philosophy.

Academic Calendar:

• Environmental Ethics Major
• Environmental Ethics Minor

Jointly offered with the Department of Human Biology.

Our Environment & Health BSc Specialist and Major programs are designed to provide a basic understanding of behaviour of planet Earth, the workings of the human body, and the relationship between the two. These programs also introduce students to the economic, political, and cultural influences that govern the choices that we make about the environment, and the implications of those choices for human health.

Academic Calendar:

• Environment & Health Specialist
• Environment & Health Major

Jointly offered with the Department of Psychology.

Our Environment & Behaviour BSc Minor program focuses on understanding issues of psychological motivation and attitudes that underlie environmental decision-making. Little positive environmental change can occur in the absence of broad-based behaviour changes.

Note: Only students enrolled in a Psychology Major, Minor, or Specialist are considered for enrolment into this Minor.

Academic Calendar: Environment & Behaviour Minor

Jointly offered with the Department of Geography.

This interdisciplinary BSc minor program addresses the scientific, technological, environmental, and policy aspects of energy use and supply, with a focus on the reduction of environmental impacts.

Academic Calendar: Environment & Energy Minor