Environmental Science (BSc)

Identify environmental challenges driven by human activities and develop solutions to address them. Master fundamental principles of how organisms interact with biological, geochemical, and physical environments. Understand how physical and chemical processes impact rock, soil, air, and water, influencing living organisms. Gain proficiency in analytical tools, including lab and field methods, preparing you for careers in environmental science, sustainability, and resource management.

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Program Details

Degree Highlights

Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on:

  • Career-Ready Curriculum: Develop familiarity with a broad range of techniques that will allow you to identify and devise solutions to environmental problems caused by human activities. 
  • Extensive Lab and Field Experience: There’s nothing like hands-on experience to solidify your learning and round out your resume, so you’ll spend lots of time in the lab and complete a minimum of one mandatory field course. 
  • Research Specialization: Specialize your degree by doing an honours thesis or a research specialization requiring a two-term research project that includes data collection, analysis and reporting.

Top Experiences

Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more!): 

  • Co-op: You can apply to co-op at the end of first year, and complete three four-month work terms over the course of your four-year degree. 
  • Honours Thesis Option: Complete a capstone experience through an honours thesis or directed studies, working closely with a faculty member who will mentor you through the research process. 
  • Global Learning Experience: Immerse yourself in a two-week field experience through the Ontario Universities Program in Field Biology. Courses are based in Ontario, Canada's north, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, British Columbia, Africa and the Caribbean.

Courses, Options and Pathways

First-Year Core Courses

  • Biological Diversity and Evolution
  • Calculus I for the Natural Sciences
  • Environment, Sustainability, and Society
  • Fundamentals of Chemistry I
  • Fundamentals of Chemistry II
  • Introduction to Physical Geography
  • Introductory Calculus for the Natural Sciences
  • The Anatomy of Earth
  • Unifying Life Processes
  • 0.5 elective credit

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Astronomy I: Our Place in the Cosmos
  • Foundations for Community Engagement and Service 

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Field Surveying
  • Global Biogeography and Conservation Biology
  • Environmental Aquatic Chemistry
  • Environmental Impact Assessment
  • Plant Ecology
  • Global Issues in Water and Environmental Health 

Options and Minors

These are a few of the many popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:

  • Communication Studies Minor
  • Global Studies Minor
  • History and Philosophy of Science Minor
  • Water Science Option

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

Management Option

The Management Option is for students interested in adding management-specific education to their degree. This is a direct-entry, 4.0-credit option that includes courses covering all the core pillars of business and economics. Apply directly to Environmental Science (BSc) with Management Option on OUAC.

Medical School Pathways

We prepare you for a clinical career in Canada. Laurier students apply to med school with a competitive edge and gain preferential status with internationally accredited medical schools, including the American University of the Caribbean and St. George’s University.

Admissions

  • Format: full time or part time
  • Duration: four years
  • Start: September (fall term) or January (winter term)
  • OUAC codes: UES; UMZ (ES with Management Option)

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • agricultural consultant
  • environmental scientist
  • laboratory technician
  • landscape consultant/planner
  • meteorologist
  • natural resources analyst
  • public policy analyst
  • science writer
  • surveyor/mapping scientist
  • water resource specialist

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Your Co-op Experience

Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network, and graduate with work experience.

You can apply for admission to co-op in your first year and may be eligible for an admission interview early in your second year. As a student in this program, you will be eligible to complete paid work terms lasting 12 to 16 weeks.

Interested? Learn more about co-op.

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98%employment rate for co‑op students – 2023 / 2024

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Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

 

Laurier is among the top 6 percent in the Global 2000 World University Ranking

 

Laurier students engaged in hands-on learning in 2023

 

Laurier graduates employed or in post-graduate studies in 2023

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

Chat with Current Students

Want to know what it’s really like to be in this program? U Community is our Discord server where future Golden Hawks like you can connect with current students to get their first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.

Connect with Us

Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.


You Belong Here

Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?