Program Overview

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Environmental Studies (BEnvST)

Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the social, institutional, political, and legal aspects surrounding environmental issues and concerns.

Program Details

• Expected Duration:
  • Honours: 4 years (120 credit hours)
  • Honours co-op option: 4 years (120 credit hours)
  • Major: 4 years (120 credit hours)
  • Major co-op option: 4 years (120 hours)
  • General: 3 years (90 credit hours)
  • Minor: 18 credit hours
• Program Options:
  • Honours
  • Major
  • General
  • Minor
• Faculty: Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources
• Degree: Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BEnvST)

Develop Valuable Skills

Many employers are interested in the skills possessed by environmental studies majors. Depending on the focus area and courses taken, graduates will have the ability to:

• Understand the need for environmental sustainability and interconnection of environmental systems
• Develop and implement environmental communications and awareness programs
• Engage the public and consult with stakeholders about environmental issues and solutions
• Implement environmental management systems within an organization's strategic plan
• Understand environmental legislation and develop or enforce environmental policies, programs, and/or procedures
• Undertake environmental impact assessments of natural resource development projects

Answering Needs in Government and Industry

Government and industry studies have identified the need for qualified environmental experts who can collaborate with other specialists to solve practical environmental problems. Government and industry are looking for experts whose training is holistic, multi-disciplinary, and employs a 'big picture' approach.

Career Opportunities

Areas of employment include:

• Environmental boards and commissions
• Environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGO's)
• Educational institutes
• Scientific foundations and policy institutes
• Municipal, provincial, and federal government
• Environmental consulting firms
• Environmental education centers
• Agricultural companies and agencies
• Engineering, architecture, and land use planning firms
• Manufacturing and retail companies
• Parks and outdoor recreation agencies
• Mineral resources/mining companies
• Oil and gas, energy, and utilities companies

The Relationship Between Environmental Studies and Environmental Science

The Environmental Studies and Environmental Science programs in the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources provide a rigorous interdisciplinary undergraduate education. The two programs share courses, field experience, co-op opportunities, and focus areas but support different career trajectories.

Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the social, political, cultural, and legal aspects surrounding environmental issues and concerns. Students enrolled in Environmental Studies use a social science approach to understand environmental issues and solutions. The program is often of interest to those who want to develop skills in communication, program development, and policy analysis.

Environmental Science

Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary program for students who want to understand and develop scientific solutions to environmental problems. Students in this program will develop strong quantitative skills with grounding in ecological, biological, agricultural, and chemical sciences, depending on core interests. The Environmental Science degree programs are accredited by the Canadian Environmental Accreditation Commission and strive to meet human resource demands for the environmental industry. Students in Environmental Science are prepared for ECO Canada's Environmental Practitioner (EP) certification.

Program Details

• Expected Duration:
  • Honours: 4 years (120 credit hours)
  • Honours co-op option: 4 years (120 credit hours)
  • Major: 4 years (120 credit hours)
  • Major co-op option: 4 years (120 hours)
  • General: 3 years (90 credit hours)
  • Minor: 18 credit hours
• Students in environmental studies explore environmental issues relating to human populations, sustainable resource development, pollution, and conservation, environmental health, and endangerment and preservation of species. Students work to understand alternative conditions that have the potential to reverse current environmental trends and contribute to ecological sustainability.
• Students have access to undergraduate courses offered by the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources as well as the Faculties of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Arts, Law, Engineering, Architecture, and Science to complete their education. They are expected to take many courses outside the Riddell faculty, enabling them to obtain a truly interdisciplinary education.
• Students have the opportunity to specialize in one of a diverse range of focus areas, along with access to unique experiences, including:
  • Field courses on ecological and environmental topics
  • Access to the Centre for Earth Observation Science
  • Exposure to the work of the federal government's Freshwater Institute researchers, including nearby ecosystem research at the Experimental Lake Area

Sample Course Offerings

• ENVR 1000: Environmental Science 1 - Concepts
• ENVR 2000: Environmental Science 2 - Issues
• GEOG 1280: Introduction to Human Geography
• GEOG 1290: Introduction to Physical Geography
• ECON 1010: Introduction to Microeconomic Principles
• ENVR 2350: Technical Communication in the Environmental Sectors
• ENVR 3160: Environmental Responsibilities and the Law
• ABIZ 2390: Introduction to Environmental Economics
• GEOG 3810: Quantitative Research Methods in Geography
• ENVR 4110: Critical Thinking and the Environment

Focus Areas

• Natural resource management
• Conservation and biodiversity
• Environmental assessment
• Sustainable development
• Environmental health
• Wildlife management
• Sustainable building
• Northern studies
• Water resources
• Land systems
• Policy and law
• Stewardship
• Toxicology

Learning Outside the Classroom

Co-op Opportunities

The cooperative education program is designed to provide bright and motivated students with an opportunity to gain practical work experience.

Experiential Learning

The program strongly emphasizes experiential learning and offers a variety of field courses.

Admission Requirements

The following are minimum requirements for entry into the Bachelor of Environmental Studies program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Direct Entry

Applicants are those who have not attended a post-secondary institution or have completed fewer than 24 credit hours at a recognized university or college.

Advanced Entry

Applicants are those who have completed one year (24 credit hours) or more of studies in another faculty at the University of Manitoba or another recognized post-secondary institution.

Annual Application Deadlines

• Domestic Students:
  • Fall (September): March 1
  • Winter (January): October 1
  • Summer (May): February 1
• International Students:
  • Fall (September): March 1
  • Winter (January): July 1
  • Summer (May): November 1

Academic Calendar

Explore program requirements and detailed descriptions for required and elective courses throughout the Bachelor of Environmental Studies.

Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources

The faculty was established nearly 20 years ago to combine the resources of Earth, Environment, and Resources studies, with a strong focus on research. In addition to the environment, climate change, and resource development, the faculty is focused on geography and earth sciences, as well as environmental science and environmental studies.

Programs of Study

• Bachelor of Environmental Science (BEnvSC)
• Bachelor of Geological Sciences (BScGSc)
• Bachelor of Geography (BA)

Student Experience

Be adventurous, challenge yourself, and make a difference.

Research

World-leading environment and climate change research right here at the University of Manitoba.

Community and Partners

Discover more about the community and partners of the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources.