Undergraduate
Ecological Restoration
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- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
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- Peterborough
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- Fall & Winter & Summer
- Environment & Sustainability
At a glance:
- Degree Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
- Campus Peterborough
- Program is Offered Fall & Winter & Summer
- Study Options Part time/Full time
- OUAC Codes RET - Peterborough
- Notice
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The Trent Advantage
Move beyond studying environmental problems to restoring ecosystems through this ECO Canada-accredited degree built around professional restoration practice, field experience, and applied ecological science.
Environmental restoration requires more than understanding ecosystems. It takes the knowledge and practical skills to repair them. At Trent, you'll study ecological restoration through a balance of science, fieldwork, and professional practice, preparing to assess degraded environments, develop restoration strategies, and support more resilient ecosystems.
- Benefit from a curriculum aligned with International Society for Ecological Restoration standards and the skills sought by restoration professionals.
- Build expertise in restoration ecology, soil science, hydrology, environmental chemistry, GIS, and field assessment while applying your skills in forests, wetlands, and aquatic ecosystems in Trent’s 11 on-campus nature areas.
- Develop the practical experience employers and conservation organizations are looking through field courses, community-based research projects, biomonitoring assessments, and hands-on restoration work.
- Graduate prepared to lead the restoration of ecosystems locally and globally, ready to pursue your Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner In-Training status.
Accelerated Masters
Fast-track your education and earn your M.Sc. in Environmental & Life Sciences in only 12-20 months within graduating with your Honours B.Sc.
Program Possibilites
Add an Option to your Ecological Restoration degree to explore an additional area of interest
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Climate Communication
Leveraging Trent’s academic and research strengths in arts-based and environmental education, the Option in Climate Communication blends courses across disciplines to teach you a new storytelling approach that examines how to better understand media's effect on audiences’ morals, values, and behaviours. Equipped with this knowledge, this new offering at Trent University aims to use more effective climate change communications and environmental storytelling to foster a more sustainable and equitable world where our collective well-being is at the heart.
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Planning
Ideal for future urban planners, this career-focused option will challenge you to develop and design healthy, sustainable and efficient urban communities. With plenty of hands-on intensive field work, you’ll acquire advanced knowledge about urban planning and position yourself as an excellent candidate for grad school.
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Circumpolar Studies
One of only a few programs of its kind in the world, the Circumpolar Studies option offers you a unique opportunity to broaden your knowledge and understanding of the lands, peoples, and critical issues of the Arctic. The Circumpolar Studies Option is open to all undergraduate students at Trent.
Career experience while you learn
Every Ecological Restoration student has a guaranteed route to paid, credited experience before they graduate.
Paid Co-op Available
- Put your skills and knowledge to work in a paid co-op stream, launching fall 2027. You’ll graduate with a distinct career advantage – building valuable connections, gaining hands-on work experience all as part of your Trent degree.
Research Opportunities
- Conduct research through a Trent School of the Environment capstone course, with options including an Honours thesis, community-based research and applied research/project courses.
- Apply for the BMO Future Green Leaders Undergraduate Student Research Award, and participate in a 16-week paid, full-time summer research project related to the green economy and environmental issues.
Field Schools and Hands-On Courses
- Participate in field courses and field camps, helping solve ecological challenges alongside leading scientists, in a variety of terrestrial and aquatic environments, such as forests and wetlands – many right here on campus.
- Travel and explore different ecosystems as part of international study opportunities and field courses. Study coral reef loss off the coast of Barbados, or choose your own expedition
Study Abroad
- Take your Trent education global. Spend a semester or year studying at one of Trent’s 50+ international partner universities, participate in a summer field course, or gain international experience through a placement or internship.
- With opportunities in more than 35 countries, you can broaden your academic perspective, experience new cultures, and build skills that prepare you for a global career.
Placements
- Complete a placement-based capstone option through the Trent School of the Environment to earn academic credit and hands-on experience.
- Match with a local organization and undertake a community-based research project to build practical experience and apply your knowledge to the real-world – all for course credit.
Internships
- Gain paid professional workplace experience by working within a business or organization, building career-ready skills, making industry connections, and exploring potential career paths.
Career Paths
- Landscape Restoration Ecologist
- Stewardship Assistant
- Shoreline Naturalization Biologist
- Watershed Planning Technician
- Wetland Habitat Ecologist
In Their Own Words
“Trying to be environmentally optimistic can sometimes be an uphill battle, but restoration ecology can be a beacon of light in a dark world.”
Colin Cassin
Admissions
Whether you're graduating from an Ontario high school, looking to study in Canada, or training for a second career, Trent has clear pathways for students to apply and be admitted to study at either of our campuses.
Requirements
If you are coming straight from high school in Ontario or are a recent grad, the general admission requirements are:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- A minimum of six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses, including program-specific prerequisites
- ENG4U with a minimum of 60%
| Admission Requirements | Recommended Admission Requirements | Estimated Admission Average | Co-op Admission Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG4U, SBI4U and any 4U Math | 70-75% | 80-85% |
Requirements
Students from across Canada can use their grades from their home province to apply to Trent.
Requirements
International students from outside Canada can apply based on the curriculum of their home country.
Requirements
Mature students can apply to Trent based on previous education and professional or volunteer experience.
Requirements
With many transfer agreements and flexible pathway options, Trent University makes it easy for students to make the most of the credits you have already earned.
Tuition Estimate
Estimate your tuition, ancillary fees, and potential entrance scholarships based on your program, residency status, and academic average.
Tuition
Base Tuition Fee
$6,240.85
Ancillary Fees
Ancillary Fees (non-tuition costs supporting student services, such as athletics, campus safety, college fees, etc.)
$2,122.22
Total:
$ 8,363.07
* The tuition details and scholarships listed are for domestic students only. International applicants should contact the financial aid office directly for equivalent guidance.
Scholarships
If you’re a top scholar with an average of 80% or higher, you qualify to automatically receive an entrance scholarship to Trent. Scholars with 95% or higher? You earn free first-year tuition – no application required.
| Entrance Average | Maximum Scholarship Potential | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 95%+ | $18,241 | $6,241 first year Full Tuition + $4,000 x 3 years |
| 90-94.9% | $12,000 | $3,000 x 4 years |
| 85-89.9% | $8,000 | $2,000 x 4 years |
| 80-84.9% | $6,000 | $1,500 x 4 years |
* Available to Domestic students only. Based on 2026/27 tuition for a general arts and science program
Explore additional funding for domestic and international students
- TD Green Undergraduate Scholarships
- Ecological Restoration Achievement Prize
- TD Green Undergraduate Awards