Why York?

Studying Environmental Science at York equips you with a unique set of multidisciplinary science and technical skills that will prepare you to understand and resolve complex environmental problems in Canada and throughout the world. York’s Environmental Science program offers a rigorous science education based on the four objectives of providing a solid scientific training in the environmental sciences, building strong communication skills to deal with complex environmental issues, offering hands-on experience in environmental research, and developing strong technical skills. Your studies in Environmental Science at York will help prepare you for leadership roles in environmental fields of critical and increasing global demand.

Program Overview

York’s Environmental Science program offers a multidisciplinary four-year Specialized Honours degree organized around the major interacting systems of the atmosphere, water, living organisms, landforms, and the effects of human activities on these systems. The rigour and structure of the Honours program ensure that students graduate with the breadth of knowledge and in-depth skills and expertise required to understand complex, interrelated environmental problems and function as environmental scientists at high levels of responsibility and expertise. With these objectives in mind, your studies in Environmental Science at York will begin with foundation courses in science which will prepare you for advanced study in one of the two streams offered: Life Sciences or Physical Sciences.

Studies in the Life Sciences stream integrate physical geography with ecology and population biology, and focus on the environmental problems which affect water, air, aquatic sediments and soils, and plants and animals. Because environmental issues involve complex interactions between biotic and physical environments, studies in the Life Sciences stream build knowledge and field expertise on the biological dynamics of plant and animal communities and their relationships with landforms, soils, and energy, water and nutrient movement in the landscape. Students choosing the Life Sciences stream typically begin with courses in Physical Geography, Calculus, Biology, Chemistry or Earth & Atmospheric Science, and Computer Science, and move on to studies in Plant and Animal Biology, Vegetation and Soils, Climate, Hydrology, Geomorphology, and Ecology, before tackling advanced courses which might include Terrestrial Ecosystems, Ecological Climatology, Laboratory Analysis of Ecological Materials, and Water Quality and Stream Ecosystems. The Life Sciences stream offers significant opportunities for field study, including field courses, as well as mapping, surveying, and GIS and RS (Geographical Information Systems & Remote Sensing).

The Physical Sciences stream integrates atmospheric sciences with surface water hydrology, hydroclimatology, and landforms. Because environmental problems such as climate change, ozone depletion, acid rain, and the pollution of rivers and lakes involve interactions between the atmosphere and the land surface, studies in the Physical Sciences stream focus on the linkages between atmospheric processes and surface physical geography. Students choosing the Physical Sciences stream typically begin with courses including Physical Geography, Physics or Physical Sciences, Calculus, move on to studies including Meteorology, Hydrology, Fluid and Solid Mechanics, Inorganic Chemistry, and finally advance to senior-level courses in subjects such as Remote Sensing, Hydrometeorology, Atmospheric Chemistry Dynamics of Snow and Ice and Fluvial Geomorphology. Like the Life Sciences stream, the Physical Sciences stream emphasizes field work, and offers multiple opportunities for field study and the development of technical expertise.

As part of pursuing your degree in Environmental Science at York, you may also choose to complete a Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyse and display diverse types of environmental data in interactive maps, while remote sensing uses data gathered by instruments mounted on orbiting satellites or aircraft to measure and monitor environmental change. Both GIS and remote sensing are powerful tools for environmental analysis and management, and completion of the Certificate will significantly augment your Environmental Science studies at York and your ultimate career prospects.

Facilities and Opportunities

In addition to offering challenging and useful academic courses in the physical and environmental sciences, York’s Environmental Science program offers numerous opportunities to gain laboratory experience and develop your hands-on field work expertise. Outstanding Environmental Science students also have opportunities to participate in the diverse research projects of our faculty members, who conduct research on Arctic climate, hydrology and nutrient cycling, bees, forest and agricultural hydrology, invasive species, plant evolution, and atmospheric dynamics and air quality, among other areas. Above all, your Environmental Science studies at York equip you to make a difference to understanding and managing environmental conditions in Canada and the world. Environmental Science graduates go on to a diverse array of environmental careers in both the public and private sectors, including environmental assessment and risk management, natural research conservation, environmental planning and policy work, and academic careers in teaching and research.

You may also obtain certification in the following area:

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing