The ERS Program offers several degree options:
Introduction
The Environmental and Resource Studies (ERS) Program offers many undergraduate degree options for students. We provide opportunities for students to get a degree in the sciences or in the arts, and a degree that bridges the two.
View our degree chart (at right, pdf) and/or read the options and descriptions of the various undergraduate degrees (below) to find out more.
Many ERS Program graduates continue their studies at the graduate level at Trent, and there are several graduate degree options available, such as the Environmental and Life Sciences M.Sc. and Ph.D., and Sustainability Studies M.A. Programs. See the Trent Graduate Studies web page to find out more.
Undergraduate degree requirements can be found in the Trent University Academic Calendar.
UPDATE June 2009: ERS Program degree requirements for 2009-10 have been updated.
They are posted (PDF) at the beginning of the ERS section in the web-based Academic Calendar.
Bachelor of Environmental Science/Studies (B.E.S.S.)
Taken as a 4-year honours single major, this new degree requires courses in both science and studies disciplines. Interested students choose this option when applying from high school.
The B.E.S.S. degree is an intensive degree for exceptional students that requires full integration of science and policy, ecological and political, preventive and interventionistic approaches to environmental problems.
Note this degree has a minimum entrance and performance requirements.
Bachelor of Arts Program (B.A.)
This 4-year honours degree can be completed in a couple of ways:
- ERS B.A.
This option involves taking primarily ERS Program studies courses, and is very flexible. Students can tailor this degree to their interests and needs. It can be taken as a single major, or as a joint major or major-minor with any of over 30 Trent disciplines (e.g., an ERS-Canadian Studies joint major). In addition, this degree can be focussed on any of several different topics (see Emphases, below).
- Indigenous Environmental Studies B.A.
The Indigenous Environmental Studies (IES) degree is designed to give students the necessary skills and knowledge to work in the growing field of Indigenous environmental issues. The Program uses Indigenous knowledge systems, science and information from the social and environmental sciences to explore local, regional, national and international environmental issues impacting Indigenous People. This degree can only be taken as a single major, and can also be taken as a science degree (see below).
For more information, see the Indigenous Environmental Studies' web site devoted to this degree.
Bachelor of Science Program (B.Sc.)
This 4-year honours degree can be completed in any of several ways:
- ERS B.Sc.
This option involves taking primarily ERS Program science courses, and is very flexible. Students can tailor this degree to their interests and needs. It can be taken as a single major, or as a joint major or major-minor with any of over 30 Trent disciplines (e.g., an ERS - Canadian Studies joint major). In addition, this degree can be focussed on any of several different topics (see Emphases, below).
Ecological Restoration B.Sc.
This joint degree is the result of a unique collaboration between Sir Sandford Fleming College and the ERS Program at Trent University. Students take the first two years at Fleming, and the final two years at Trent University.
Many environmental issues seem overwhelming in their nature, with few solutions available. This degree offers hope through approaches, based on the collective experience of faculty and external associates, for rehabilitation of contaminated sites, remediation of polluted waters, recovery of stressed fish and wildlife populations, revitalization of eroded and denuded landscapes.
There are a limited number of spaces for this single-major degree.
For further information click on the image above right to view a PDF brochure, and check out the following web sites:
- Environmental Chemistry B.Sc.
This single major degree is focussed on chemistry that is used in environmental investigation and research, especially analytical chemistry.
This degree reflects the unparalleled expertise and facilities associated with the Worsfold Water Quality Centre for addressing issues such as site and water contamination by mercury and other heavy metals, synthetic organic pollutants and pharmaceutical residues, widespread atmospheric pollutants and carcinogenic and other health effects, modeling and predicting contaminant impacts.
- Indigenous Environmental Studies B.Sc.
The Indigenous Environmental Studies (IES) B.Sc. degree is a science degree that provides scientific skills and knowledge to work in the growing field of Indigenous environmental issues. The Program is enhanced by Indigenous knowledge systems, to broaden social and environmental sciences that explore local, regional, national and international environmental issues impacting Indigenous People. This degree can only be taken as a single major, and can also be taken as a studies degree (see above).
For more information, see the Indigenous Environmental Studies' web site devoted to this degree.
Foundations for Indigenous Learning Diploma
The Foundations for Indigenous Learning diploma is a 2-year Program offering an opportunity to study indigenous environmental issues. Indigenous students who believe that they may benefit from studying in an academic atmosphere that provides a high level of Indigenous cultural support can pursue university level studies. Students can continue to pursue an undergraduate degree after the diploma.
For more information see the Indigenous Studies Program page about this Diploma.
Degree Completion Programs
These Programs are offered to allow students with specific educational backgrounds to obtain an ERS Program B.Sc. Honours degree in a 2 years.
This option is available for students who have completed the following Programs:
- Fleming College Diploma in:
- Ecosystem Management
- Fish and Wildlife
- Environmental Technology
- Durham College Diploma in:
Emphases: Focussing a Degree
Trent has available several emphases that serve to focus a Trent Degree. Each emphasis requires certain courses, in various disciplines, covering a particular subject area as part of the requirement.
There are many Emphases available that are related to environmental studies and science, including:
- for the ERS B.A. Degree:
- Global Studies
- Globalization: Communities and Identities
- International Political Economy
- Law and Policy
- Northern and Polar Studies
- Sustainability Studies (pending USC approval)
- Teacher Education (leads to Consecutive Teacher Education Program)
- for the ERS B.Sc. Degree:
- Food and Agriculture
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
