Environmental Science

To qualify for the degree, students must complete core requirements as well as major requirements.

Students may choose to specialize in the biology stream or the chemistry stream.

The environmental science core ensures a broad education in not only scientific but also cultural, ethical and political issues concerning the environment.

In the third and fourth years, students take in-depth environmental biology or environmental chemistry courses that provide expertise in their chosen stream.

Environmental science is also excellent preparation for students intending to study education and teach science.

Sample first year

Each student is on their own individual learning path. The bachelor of science with a major in environmental science is comprised of 120 credit hours (40 courses). It is important that students work with an advisor to ensure suitable course selection and determine an appropriate course load as students have the option of doing up to 15 credit hours (5 courses) per semester.

Biology stream

If you choose to specialize in the biology stream you will normally take the following courses in your first year:

FALL SEMESTERWINTER SEMESTER
Mathematics 1090 or 1000 Mathematics 1000 or elective
English 1000 English 1001
Biology 1001 Biology 1002
Chemistry 1200 (or 1810)1 Chemistry 1001 (or 1200)
Physics 1020 or 10502 or Earth Sciences 1000 or elective Physics 1021 or 1051 or Earth Sciences 1002 or elective
  1. Students taking Chemistry 1810/1200 in the Fall and Winter semesters must take Chemistry 1001 in Intersession to complete first-year requirements. Students who complete their first year at the St. John’s campus should complete Chemistry 1050/1051 before transferring to Grenfell Campus.

  2. Students who are required to take mathematics 1090 before entry to mathematics 1000 are recommended to take mathematics 1001 during intersession.  Students in the biology stream may choose to take physics and/or earth science after their first year (recommended in the second year).

Chemistry stream

If you choose to specialize in the chemistry stream you will normally take the following courses in your first year:

FALL SEMESTERWINTER SEMESTER
Mathematics 1090 or 10001 Mathematics 1000 or 10011
English 1000 English 1001
Physics 1020 or 10501 Physics 1021 or 10511
Chemistry 1200 (or 1810)2 Chemistry 1001 (or 1200)
Earth Sciences 10003 or elective elective
  1. Students should complete Mathematics 1001 and Physics 1021 or 1051 in their first year.

  2. Students taking Chemistry 1810/1200 in the Fall and Winter semesters must take Chemistry 1001 in Intersession to complete first-year requirements. Students who complete their first year at the St. John’s Campus should complete Chemistry 1050/1051 before transferring to Grenfell Campus.

  3. Students in the chemistry stream may choose to take Earth Science 1000 after their first year (recommended in the second year).

Career opportunities

Possible career opportunities for graduates:

  • environmental chemistry technician
  • environmental consultant
  • aquaculture specialist
  • food inspection or laboratory technician
  • park warden

Contact information

For additional information, visit the School of Science and the Environment or contact Dr. Julie Sircom.