Environmental Sciences degree

Waterloo Environmental Sciences student in lab coat holds a bird in a lab

Get a science degree. Save the planet.

Get a solid grounding in chemistry and biology and still have lots of room to explore environment-related courses in ecology, aquatic ecosystems, geology, hydrology, and more. You’ll learn about climate change, groundwater flow and contamination, environmental impacts of pollution, responsible extraction of Earth resources, waste disposal, and human engineering of Earth processes.

Specialize in Ecology to address ecological sustainability and biodiversity while learning about the fundamental science of life on Earth. Go the Geoscience route and focus on the interactions among the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere as well as the human activities that encompass the complex and dynamic Earth System.

Or choose the Water Science specialization and investigate the unique properties of water; the distribution and movement of fresh and salt water above, on, and within the Earth; and the quality and quantity of water that humans depend upon to survive and thrive on this planet.

Any route you choose, whether you want to gain paid work experience through co-op or not, you’ll graduate with the scientific knowledge, creativity, and expertise you need to create a more sustainable world.

What courses will you take in Environmental Sciences?

First-year courses (Geoscience specialization)

Programs/majors in the Faculty of Science start right in first year. To select your program with confidence, here’s some handy info to get you started.

September to December

January to April

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

After first year

You'll have the ability to switch between all three specializations (listed below) after first year.

  1. Water Science: most classes you'll take will be Biology and Earth Science courses.
  2. Geoscience: most classes you’ll take will be Earth Science with some Biology and Chemistry courses
  3. Ecology: most classes you’ll take will be Biology with some Earth Science courses.

View the courses required for your degree.

Sample upper-year courses

EARTH 342 – Geomorphology and GIS Applications
EARTH 440 – Quaternary Geology
EARTH 444 – Applied Wetland Science
EARTH 458 – Physical Hydrogeology

Types of courses you'll take

24% earth, 22% biology, 8% chemistry, 8% math, 11% geography and planning, 19% free electivess, 8% other

This is a general guideline. The ratio of courses may change slightly from year to year.

Skills you'll develop with this major

  • Critical thinking
  • Problem solving
  • Communication
  • Fieldwork capabilities, including skills such as groundwater and surface water sampling, as well as geological mapping

This isn't an exhaustive list – rather a glimpse into the skills an Environmental Sciences major can provide.

Your experience will be unique, and the skills you develop will depend on your goals; which courses you take; and your involvement with any clubs, jobs, or research projects.

Customize your degree

You can add additional areas of expertise to your degree by including one of the minors or diplomas available to all Waterloo students. Popular areas of focus for Environmental Sciences students include Biology; Chemistry; and Environment, Resources, and Sustainability.

You can earn a Diploma in Environmental Assessment and gain knowledge in the environmental assessment process in Canada. This is useful when preparing for a career in consulting or government.

Faculty:
Faculty of Science

Degree:
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences

Available as a co-op program?
Yes

Available as a regular program?
Yes

Available as a minor?
No

Learn from a global leader. Waterloo is ranked #2 in Canada for environmental science and engineering. (Shanghai Ranking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024)

25+ field courses. Hone your hands-on skills. We offer a ton of upper-year field courses, from hydrogeology on our north campus to marine biology in New Brunswick.

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

  • Regulatory affairs coordinator
  • Water treatment project assistant
  • Research and development technician
  • Laboratory technician
  • Environmental services and approvals assistant
  • Undergraduate research assistant
  • Science peer tutor

Learn more about co-op jobs in Environmental Sciences.

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).

Learn more about co-op →

What can you do with an Environmental Sciences degree?

Your career path will really depend on your interest. If you're very interested in a specific topic, you might continue on a specialized Master's degree. You can also go directly into your career in fields such as environmental or ecological consulting, industry (such as engineering firms), government research, and not-for-profits. Management of resources, particularly water; policy and legislation; environmental conservation and remediation; and environmental monitoring are some potential career areas.

Graduates

  • Environmental Assessment Coordinator — Environment Canada
  • Environmental Scientist — Summit Environmental Consultant Inc
  • Geochemical Analyst — Activation Laboratories Ltd.
  • Project Manager — Peritus Environmental Consultants Inc.
  • Scientific Support Technologist — Environment Canada

Learn about the future of careers in science.

How is Environmental Sciences different from programs in the Faculty of Environment?

Environmental Sciences takes an analytical (and science-based) approach to understanding systems and interactions in the environment. Programs in the Faculty of Environment generally focus more on social science and impacts to people and communities. Faculty of Environment programs are ideally suited to policy, decision making, and government whereas Environmental Sciences often focuses on environmental processes and the impact of human-related activities on the natural environment.

Not sure which is for you? Learn more about each of Waterloo's environmental programs.

How do I choose between Environmental Sciences and Environment, Resources and Sustainability?

  Environmental Sciences Environment, Resources and Sustainability
Focus of program Provides a background in science and mathematics, while offering the opportunity to take courses in areas such as chemistry, ecology, microbiology, geography, and hydrogeology. A flexible program where you can focus on topics of personal interest, such as natural resource management, ecology, environmental journalism, environmental health, development and environment, waste and water management, environmental philosophy, environmental assessment, and more.
Offered by Faculty of Science Faculty of Environment
Degree granted Bachelor of Science (BSc) Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES)
Co-op available? Yes Yes
Number of required courses Geoscience specialization: 24
Ecology specialization: 26
18
Customize your degree

Students in Environmental Sciences have a common set of courses in their first year.

At the end of the first-year you will be equally prepared to move into either the Ecology or Geoscience specialization.

Courses qualify you to register with the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (APGO) and become a professional geoscientist (PGeo) in Ontario.

Interested in environmental issues but also want to learn about business, parks, or sustainable development?

In the Faculty of Environment, there are many ways for you to customize your degree through options, diplomas, specializations and minors.

Find out more Learn about careers, first-year courses, admission requirements in Environmental Sciences. Learn about careers, first-year courses, admission requirements in Environment, Resources and Sustainability.

Tuition fees for programs in the Faculty of Science

First-year tuition

Type of fees Tuition (8 months of school)
Domestic (Ontario residents) $9,000
Domestic (Out of province students) $9,000
International (visa students) $52,000
     
  • Estimated amounts listed include incidental fees. Fees based on 2024-25 tuition rates.
  • Visit our financing page to learn about scholarships, estimate your total expenses, and see how co-op can help pay for your education.

Admission requirements

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

  • English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
  • Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
  • Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
  • Two of: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, Physics

Admission averages: Low 80s

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.

How to apply

Apply to this program directly on your application.

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Questions about courses, programs, requirements, or careers?

Please contact our Faculty of Science recruitment team who can answer any questions you have.

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