Indigenous Environmental Studies & Sciences

Trent’s exceptional Indigenous diploma programs provide a clear path for self-identifying First Nations, Métis or Inuit students who wish to make the transition into university level studies. In a supportive and inclusive environment, students in the Indigenous Environmental Studies diploma bring their diverse cultures, values, histories and languages to the classroom. Students who complete an Indigenous Diploma Program may choose to continue their education and pursue a Bachelor’s degree, transferring their diploma credits. The majority of students complete a diploma and degree within four years.

• The Diploma is a two-year program open to students who have the equivalent of Ontario Grade 12 or qualify as mature students.
• The Diploma will be awarded upon successful completion of the program. A Trent University transcript will identify all courses undertaken and grades received.
• Students who have earned the Diploma may apply for admission to the BA or BSc program. Credits earned in the Diploma program are transferable to the General or Honours BA and BSc degrees.
• Indigenous students seeking admission to this or other University programs should contact the Aboriginal enrolment advisor in the First Peoples House of Learning to inquire about getting special assistance with the admission process.

Courses

The following 7.5 credits are required to complete the program:

• 2.0 IESS credits consisting of: 
  • IESS 1001H: Foundations in Indigenous Environmental Studies and Science
  • IESS 2601Y: Indigenous Knowledge Systems and the Natural Environment  
  • IESS 3631H: Issues in Indigenous Environmental Studies
• 3.0 INDG credits consisting of: 
  • INDG 1001H: The Foundation for Reconciliation
  • INDG 1002H: Foundations of Modern Indigenous Life
  • INDG 1011H: Foundations of Indigenous Learning: Writing and Reading
  • INDG 1012H: Foundations of Indigenous Learning: Research and Knowledge Communication
  • INDG-ADMN 1500H: Foundations of Indigenous Community Development
  • INDG-ADMN 1510H: Foundations of Indigenous Community Economic Development
• 1.0 ERSC credit consisting of: 
  • ERSC 1010H: Environmental Science and Sustainability
  • ERSC 1020H: Cases in Environment and Sustainability
• 0.5 credit from: 
  • BIOL-ERSC 2260H: Introductory Ecology
  • ERSC 2240H: Ecological Assessment for Natural Resource Management
• 1.0 credit from: 
  • ERST-CAST 2520H: Natural Resource Management: Theory and Comparative Cases
  • ERST-CAST 2525H: Critical Environmental Thinking: Political Economy and Policy Process
  • CAST-ERST-GEOG-INDG 2041H: Canada: The Land
  • CAST-ERST-GEOG-INDG 2042H: Canada in the World