Climate Change Science & Policy
Climate change is the leading global environmental issue, but its impacts extend beyond the natural world, into business operations, politics and policy development, social justice movements, law and more. If you find yourself trading the car for public transit, reviewing a company’s environmental initiatives or participating alongside millions of others in global climate marches, this specialization is for you. Trent’s Climate Change Science & Policy specialization draws on faculty specialties in Trent’s School of the Environment and from affiliated departments, providing students with a robust, well-rounded education that could lead to a variety of careers supporting climate solutions that can have profound impacts on societies for future generations.
Courses:
Graduating students who have fulfilled the requirements for degrees in Geography, Environmental Science/Studies, or Environmental & Resource Science/Studies can graduate with a Specialization in Climate Change Science & Policy if they have successfully completed 4.0 credits from the following:
Prerequisite Courses
ERSC 1010H: Environmental Science and Sustainability
ERSC 1020H: Cases in Environmental Science and Studies
GEOG 1040H: Earth’s Physical Processes and Environments
BIOL ERSC 2260H: Introductory Ecology
Required Courses
ERSC 2300H: Energy Science and Technology
ERSC-GEOG: Apocalypse Now - NEW
GEOG 2460H: The Global Climate System
ERSC 4350H: Climatic Change
GEOG 3410H: Climate Change: The Physical Basis OR GEOG 3440H: Microclimatology*
ERST-GEOG 4140H: Climate and Energy Policy
Two additional courses to be selected from:
ERST-POST 2100H: Environmental Science and Politics
ERSC-ECON 3810H: Environmental Economics
ERSC 3551H: Pollution Ecology
ERSC-PSYC 3710H: Environmental Health
*GEOG 3410H Climate Change: The Physical Basis OR GEOG 3440H: Microclimatology
ERSC-BIOL 4330H: Global Change of Aquatic Ecosystems (BIOL)
ERST-IDST-POST-SAFS 4610H: Global Environmental Policy
Program Coordinator:
- Stephen Hill, associate professor and associate director, Trent School of the Environment
- Brendan Hickie, associate professor, Trent School of the Environment
Degrees Offered:
- B.A.
- B.Sc.
Locations:
- Peterborough
Resume Boosters:
- Graduate from one of only two climate change-focused programs in Canada
- Develop a broad-base of skills and background in the science of climate change and policy perspectives related to it
- Learn from and work alongside professors who are experts in their field and practicing climate change practitioners, such as the first-ever Canada research chair in environmental geoscience
- Study in the Trent School of the Environment, a research-intensive unit that nurtures collaboration with diverse faculty specialties and expertise as well as opportunities for applied learning
- Benefit from access to state-of-the-art labs and facilities in Trent’s DNA, Life & Health Sciences Building and Water Quality Centre
Career Paths:
Career Opportunities
- Public Service and Government Employment
- Municipal Climate Adaptation Programs
- Climate Consultant
- Carbon Budget Analyst; Carbon Accountant
- Environmental Modelling
- Environmental Lawyer
- Research Scientist (Graduate Degrees)
- Climate Change Coordinator
Popular Courses:
- Apocalypse Now
- Climate and Energy Policy
- Environmental Economics
- Pollution Ecology
- Environmental Health
- Microclimatology
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Requirements:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- A minimum of six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses, including program specific prerequisites
- A minimum 70% overall final average (unless otherwise specified below)
- ENG 4U with a minimum of 60%
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