Explore the science of freshwater and build the knowledge and skills to address water quality challenges in Canada and around the world. Drawing on biology, chemistry, geography and environmental science, this degree combines scientific theory with practical learning in the renowned Trent School of the Environment.
- Learn in a living laboratory featuring wetlands and the Otonabee River, all on Trent’s 1,400-acre campus, with 100 lakes and rivers nearby, offering unprecedented access to diverse aquatic ecosystems.
- Gain hands-on research experience in state-of-the-art facilities, including the Trent Water Quality Centre, alongside internationally recognized water scientists.
- Tackle real-world water challenges through a community-based capstone research project with conservation authorities, environmental nonprofits and other community organizations.
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.
Study alongside internationally recognized water scientists at Trent’s riverside Peterborough campus utilizing the Trent-Severn Waterway as your living lab while gaining hands-on experience in leading facilities including Trent's Water Quality Centre, the most comprehensive mass spectrometry facility in Canada.
Gain valuable career experience while earning academic credit.
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 | 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.
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.
I had a lot of opportunities at Trent from course work to lab work to field work, spanning geography, chemistry, biology, environmental science. It is a very multidisciplinary experience.
- 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 and gaining hands-on experience all as part of your Trent degree.
- Pursue your interests through an honours thesis or senior research project in hydrology, biology, limnology and emerging environmental issues, supported by researchers across Biology, Chemistry and the Trent School of the Environment.
- Apply your expertise to local water challenges through the Trent Community Research Centre and U-Links, contributing to projects such as assessing aquatic organisms as indicators of water quality in Kawartha-area lakes.
- Develop advanced research and field skills in the Trent Water Quality Centre, Canada’s most comprehensive mass spectrometry facility, and outdoor living labs including campus wetlands and the Otonabee River, studying contaminants, river systems, groundwater and water chemistry.
- 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.
- Put your learning into practice through hands-on placement experiences in real-world settings, connecting what you learn in the classroom with opportunities to make connections and gain new skills in your field of study.
- 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.