Climate and Environmental Change degree

Climate science for climate solutions.

Get ready to tackle the climate crisis. In this program, you’ll study the science behind the challenges facing our planet’s environment.

You'll combine biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science with human geography to address challenges such as flooding, permafrost thawing, drought and forest fires, peatland degradation, rising sea levels and coastal change, and changing economic opportunities in climate sensitive sectors.

You’ll master practical tools like computer modelling and hone the skills to build a low-carbon future. Enrich your classroom learning with hands-on experience in labs and fieldwork (and paid work experience through co-op).

What courses will you take in Climate and Environmental Change?

First-year courses

September to December

GEOG 181 – Designing Effective Maps
ENVS 195 – Introduction to Environmental Studies
ENVS 178 – Environmental Applications of Data Management and Statistics
EARTH 121 – Introductory Earth Sciences
One course from
- MATH 104 – Introductory Calculus for Arts and Social Science
- MATH 127 – Calculus 1 for the Sciences

January to April

GEOG 102 – Environmental Systems: Processes and Change
GEOG 207 – Climate Change Fundamentals
ENVS 131 – Communications for Environmental Professionals
ENVS 278 – Applied Statistics for Environmental Research
One course from
- PHYS 111 – Physics 1
- CHEM 120 – General Chemistry 1

This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.

After first year

Most of the classes you’ll take will be Geography courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.

View the required courses you'll take in the program.

Sample upper-year courses

ENVS 200 – Field Ecology
GEOG 307 – Societal Adaptation to Climate Change
GEOG 407 – Environmental Hydrology of Terrestrial Ecosystems
GEOG 420 – Ice Sheets and Glaciers

Customize your degree in Climate and Environmental Change

You can add additional areas of expertise to your degree by including one of the specializations within the program.

Geomatics
Economy and Society
Aviation

You can also choose one of the minors available to all Waterloo students.

Faculty:
Faculty of Environment

Degree:
Bachelor of Science in Climate and Environmental Change

Available as a co-op program?
Yes

Available as a regular program?
Yes

Available as a minor?
No

Study your interests. Build hands-on experience through field courses starting in first year, and add an optional international experience in your upper years for an unforgettable perspective on your studies.

Research-led teaching and learning. Attend research seminars or even apply for co-op work terms with professors who are part of Waterloo's Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change.

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

Explore careers that help solve the climate crisis by alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree. You'll gain experience, earn money, and discover which career areas interest you.

You might work as an environmental consultant assistant, water treatment project assistant, environmental services and approvals assistant, or an undergraduate research assistant.

Co-op work-study sequence

Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.

Year	September to December (Fall)	January to April (Winter)	May to August (Spring)
First	Study	Study	Off
Second	Study	Co-op	Study
Third	Co-op	Study	Co-op
Fourth	Study	Study	Co-op
Fifth	Co-op	Study	-

Your first work term will be halfway through second year (January to April 2028).

Learn more about co-op →

What can you do with a degree in Climate and Environmental Change?

Your career path will depend on your interests. You could continue your education in a variety of areas, including Waterloo’s Master of Climate Change degree or choose to go directly into a career with a wide variety of employers.

Possible job titles

Climate modeler
Climate risk scientist
Policy analyst
Carbon market analyst
Renewable energy specialist
Environmental consultant

Possible employers

Federal, provincial, and municipal governments
Local and international NGOs
Consulting firms
Research centres
Colleges and universities

Learn about the future of careers in environment, sustainability, and geography.

Admission requirements

Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Any Grade 12 U Mathematics (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Chemistry or Physics

Recommended courses: Biology, Earth and Space Science, or World Issues

Expected admission range: High 70s

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.

How to apply

Apply directly to this program on your application.

Related programs

Environmental Sciences

Environmental Engineering

Geography and Enviromental Management

Success starts at Waterloo

As home to Canada's largest faculty of environment and the world's leading co-op program, Waterloo is the only place where you can test drive up to five careers before you graduate.