The Environmental Science Program at Carleton
Learn and understand the science behind current environmental issues and their management; ranging from biodiversity, water usage and pollution to fisheries and habitats, and invasive species. Along with a variety of courses in biology, chemistry and earth sciences, students will take core Environmental Science courses including two field courses. There are three concentrations options available to choose from in Chemistry, Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation and Earth Sciences, and a range of minors; for example in Geomatics (Geographic Information Systems) Law, Communication Studies, Economics, and more.
The Bachelor of Science Honours Environmental Science, is an ECO Canada Accredited Program to assist with establishing your credibility, it verifies the skills and knowledge required to perform environmental work, and enhances mobility with access to a growing network of environmental professionals.
Experiential Learning
- Environmental Science students participate in a second year fall term field methods course (ENSC 2000) where they gain on hands on experience focusing on quantitative techniques to assess environmental impacts and management approaches while enjoying the outdoors with their core group. In third year of the program there is a fall term field course (ENSC 3000) undertaken at a different location on one day every week, meeting with a variety of local practitioners in broad aspects of environmental science activities.
- Group projects, labs, research, and thesis projects are always connected to real world activities and result in high calibre project work, which could lead to publications, careers, or graduate studies.
- A variety of laboratory courses in Biology, Chemistry, Geology and Geography.
Your Learning Ecosystem
The core classes in Environmental Science (ENSC) are small. Seminar, lectures and field methods classes have usually no more than 40 students. Students receive a level of attention and personalized instruction that it is hard to find elsewhere. Professors in Environmental Science are available to help students, offer encouragement and challenge their students.
Environmental Science students enter the program with a shared passion for science. Students take many of the same classes together. They look to each other for help, taking inspiration from each other’s successes during their time at Carleton and after they graduate. This strong sense of community leads to academic success and life-long friendships.
Brand new facilities for environmental science students enhances the personal learning experience here at Carleton, forming a network of associations and friends. This room can be used for research or study purposes or simply as a focal point for meeting and socializing with others in the program.
The Environmental Science Student Association (ESSA) arranges events, visits, and seminars. Find us on Facebook!
The Capital Advantage
The Ottawa area has considerable environmental work activity including Environment Canada, National Capital Commission, National Museum, the National Research Council and various conservation authorities. This provides students with an unparalleled background for their studies in Environmental Science and invaluable networks for career opportunities after graduation.
Supporting Your Success
Graduates are very successful in their further endeavours, with a good proportion continuing onto graduate school, government, industrial employment, and a variety of consulting opportunities.
Environmental scientists are key participants in a range of fields – with Government in the development of environmental policy, as Consultants working on a wide variety of projects, and working with Conservation and Resource Management organizations throughout Canada and the world. Their work is of great benefit in the development of the field of Environmental Science and in response to a range of important issues.