Undergraduate
Environmental & Resource Science / Studies
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- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
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- Peterborough
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- Paid Co-op Available
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- Fall & Winter & Summer
- Environment & Sustainability
At a glance:
- Degree Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Campus Peterborough
- Work Experience Paid Co-op Available
- Program is Offered Fall & Winter & Summer
- Study Options Part time/Full time
- OUAC Codes RSV - Peterborough B.Sc. RAV - Peterborough B.A.
- Apply Now Stay in Touch
The Trent Advantage
Study in one of Canada’s top environmental programs and the only ECO Canada accredited environmental science program in the country, with access to 100+ environmental courses through Trent’s nationally recognized School of the Environment.
Understand environmental challenges from scientific and human perspectives at one of Canada’s leading environmental institutions. Choose Environmental & Resource Science (B.Sc.) to develop advanced scientific and industry-level competencies, or Environmental & Resource Studies (B.A.) to explore environmental law, policy, planning and business. Both pathways offer the flexibility of joint majors and specialized study, preparing you to turn environmental knowledge into action.
- Shape your studies from 100+ environmental courses, exploring topics from ecology, pollution and wetland management to environmental law, policy and sustainability.
- Take your learning into the field through Trent’s extensive network of on-campus nature areas and projects in surrounding communities.
- Learn alongside leading researchers, including Canada Research Chairs studying climate change, carbon sequestration, geoscience, ecology and evolution.
- Build real-world research and professional experience through undergraduate and community-based research, internships and international research placements.
Accelerated Masters
Fast-track your education, by earning your M.Sc. in Environmental & Life Sciences in only 12-20 months of graduating from your Honours B.Sc.
Program Possibilites
Specialize your studies in Environmental & Resource Science / Studies with a focus on a specific field within your degree
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Climate Change
This specialization gives students the opportunity to explore Geography through the lens of climate change, considering the science, policy, and human implications and connections. You will gain first-hand experience developing climate solutions through research and internship opportunities.
Add an Option to your Environmental & Resource Science / Studies 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 Environmental & Resource Science / Studies 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
- Lead an undergraduate research project or thesis, exploring environmental issues in settings like wetlands, forests and farms from social, cultural, political, and humanitarian contexts.
- Learn alongside leading environmental researchers, including Canada Research Chairs with expertise in climate change, carbon sequestration, geoscience, ecology, evolution and carbon culture.
- Put your research into action through a community-based research project, working with an organization in the Peterborough or Haliburton area under faculty and community supervision.
Field Schools and Hands-On Courses
- Take your learning into the field through Canada’s broadest range of environmental courses, with hands-on experiences in Trent’s nature areas, local communities and spring/summer field courses.
- Build technical skills in GIS and remote sensing, using real urban and rural environmental data for mapping, monitoring, and analysis.
- Tackle real-world resource management challenges with community partners through group projects focused on fisheries, forestry, wildlife, and other natural resources.
- Put sustainability into action on campus through initiatives such as growing food in Trent’s gardens and contributing to sustainability projects.
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 gaining experience with a government agency, industry, NGO, laboratory or related work unit and producing technical reports or presentations for stakeholders.
Internships
- Gain professional workplace experience by working within a business or organization on a paid internship, building career-ready skills, making industry connections, and exploring potential career paths.
Career Paths
- Environmental Scientist
- Environmental Consultant
- Energy Analyst
- Sustainability Researcher
- Environmental Manager
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, SCH4U and 4U math for B.Sc | 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
- Cyril and Jenny Carter Scholarships in Environmental Studies
- Howard Darling Scholarship
- TD Green Undergraduate Scholarships
- Environmental & Resource Studies Program Prize
- Heather J. Glendinning McMurter Memorial Prize
- Mathew Russell Ferguson Memorial Award in Environmental & Resource Science/Studies
- Peterborough Horticultural Society Award
- TD Green Undergraduate Awards
- WB Family Foundation Award in Environmental & Resource Science/Studies