Sustainability meets profitability
Smart businesses know that sustainability must be a core part of their plan. In Environment and Business — the only program of its kind in North America – you’ll develop an in-depth knowledge of environmental issues and the business world.
You'll get the foundations of a business degree with courses in economics, finance, marketing, and management, and you'll get an environmental education including field ecology and human geography. Plus, you'll learn how to integrate environment and business knowledge through specialized courses in corporate sustainability, social marketing, and more.
When you graduate, you’ll be ready to make a difference, whether that’s developing business plans for renewable energy suppliers, analyzing the environmental record of a Fortune 500 company, or helping businesses reduce their ecological impacts.
Faculty:
Faculty of Environment
Degree:
Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Environment and Business
Available as a co-op program?
Yes
Available as a regular program?
No
Available as a minor?
No
Grow your own green business. Have an idea for an environmental business or social enterprise? Take a course in green entrepreneurship. Or drop by Entrepreneurship at Environment (E@E) to work on your business plan with one-on-one coaching from an experienced advisor.
20 months of job experience. You’ll get plenty of hands-on experience through 20 months of paid co-op work experience, plus a fourth-year capstone project where you’ll do sustainability consulting for real-world clients.
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
Waterloo's co-op program, the largest in North America, is an amazing way to explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience — and make money!
Sample co-op job titles
- Assistant environmental planner
- Sustainability coordinator
- Air quality and climate change coordinator
- Research associate
- Junior policy analyst
- Operations and logistics analyst
- Environmental technician
- Sustainability business outreach, education, and marketing coordinator
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 | Co-op | Co-op |
| Fifth | Study | Study | - |
Your first work term will be halfway through second year (January to April 2027).
Admission requirements
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- Any Grade 12 U English (final grade of 70% is required)
Recommended courses: one Grade 12 U Mathematics, one Grade 12 U Science, Grade 12M Principles of Financial Accounting, Analysing Current Economic Issues (where offered)
Admission averages: High 70s
Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.
How to apply?
Apply directly to this program on your application.
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Questions about courses, programs, requirements, or careers?
Please contact Shannon Cary, our Faculty of Environment recruitment co-ordinator who can answer any questions you have.