Today, smart businesses know that sustainability has to be a core part of their plan. Be the expert that makes it happen.
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.
Study finance and field ecology, entrepreneurship and environmental ethics, plus a whole lot more. 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.
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.
Ranked #1 in Canada for combining business and sustainability by Corporate Knights magazine, Waterloo’s Environment and Business program gives you the unique combination of skills to help the corporate world shrink its footprint.
About Environment and Business
- Available as a co-op program only
- Starts in first year so apply directly to this program on your application
- Earn a Bachelor of Environmental Studies
- Offered by the Faculty of Environment
Admission requirements
- Ontario students: 6 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: Low 80s
- An Admission Information Form is necessary.
- Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements database.
First-year courses
September to December
AFM 131 - Introduction to Business in North America
ENBUS 102 - Introduction to Environment and Business
ECON 101 - Introduction to Microeconomics
INDEV 100 - Introduction to International Development
1 elective
January to April
ENVS 131 - Communications for Environmental Professions
ENVS 178 - Introduction to Environmental Research Methods
ENVS 195 - Introduction to Environmental Studies
AFM 123 - Accounting Information for Managers
ENBUS 112 - Operationalizing Sustainable Development within Business
What other courses will you take?
Most of the classes you’ll take will be Environment and Business courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.
You can also add additional areas of interest and expertise by including a minor (or minors) as part of your degree.
View a list of the courses required for your degree.
Co-op
By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.
Sample co-op positions
- Partner Marketing Associate, Microsoft Canada Corporation
- Policy Analyst, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Business Analyst, Canadian Tire Corporation Limited
- Capital Projects Assistant, Barrick Gold Corporation
- Environmental Officer, Transport Canada
- Sales & Marketing Coordinator, Samsung
- Assistant Environmental Planner, Ontario Ministry of Transportation
- Sustainability Coordinator, Minto Group Inc.
Co-op work/study sequences
| Fall | Winter | Spring | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First year | School | School | Off |
| Second year | School | Co-op | School |
| Third year | Co-op | School | Co-op |
| Fourth year | School | Co-op | Co-op |
| Final year | School | School | |
|
Fall = September to December, Winter = January to April, Spring = May to August |
|||
Careers
Graduates pursue careers in areas such as waste management, environmental consulting, sustainability assessment, business analysis, project management, and environmental affairs.
Recent graduates
- Social Compliance Coordinator, Hudson's Bay Company
- Environmental Health & Safety Consultant, Stantec Consulting
- Manager, Environmental Stewardship & Compliance, Home Depot of Canada
- Marketing Specialist, TELUS
- Sustainability Analyst, Sun Life Financial
- Sustainability Environmental Manager, MTS Allstream
- Sustainable Design Specialist, Mindscape Innovations
- Energy Consultant, City of Toronto
- Environmental Advisor, Toronto Transit Commission
- Environmental Protection Officer, Ministry of Environment, BC
Learn more about Environment and Business
- Email Christina Pope, our Environment recruitment co-ordinator, who can answer any questions about Environment and Business
- Visit the Environment and Business website
- Join us for a campus tour
- Request a Faculty of Environment brochure
