Society has become more aware of the seriousness of environmental problems the world faces today and at the same time people have realized that solutions are not simple. No environmental issue can be treated in isolation from the society in which it exists. Therefore, to work in the environmental field, students need knowledge on the cause and magnitude of environmental problems, as well as expertise in planning, policy and other solutions within this complex socioeconomic-cultural world.

The Environmental Studies programs require a concentration in the Sciences or the Social Sciences and the Humanities. Environmental courses include core introductory science courses in areas such as Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Geological Sciences and Mathematics, plus Integrative courses in subjects including Environmental History, Sociology, Economics, and Policy.

Top 5 Reasons to study Environmental Studies/Science:

1. Hands-on lab and field work. Get dirty, see results.
2. Students will gain transferable skills that employers want, while learning how to prepare arguments and solve problems.
3. Graduates help create the future world in which they want to live.
4. The best way to find solutions: combining both the arts and the sciences.
5. Research-focused courses in upper years contribute to projects happening across Canada and around the world.

Note: Students in this program are also eligible for the Queen’s Undergraduate Internship Program (QUIP) which provides 2nd or 3rd year students with a 12-16 month work experience. The internship normally occurs following the student’s third year of study, after which the student completes the final year of the honours degree. The internships are paid, professionally supervised, career-related positions offering students the opportunity to learn about current advances, practices, and technologies in business and industry.