Environmental Science

Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change

Environmental Science

BSc

At a Glance

Offered by

Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change

Offered at

Keele Campus

Degrees offered

BSc

Ways to study

Full-Time, Part-Time

Entry

  • Fall - Yes (first and upper year)
  • Winter - Yes (first and upper year)
  • Summer - Yes (first and upper year)

OUAC Code

  • YBS (BSc)

About the Program

Environmental Science explores the impact of human activities on our planet through an integrated study of fundamental and applied science paired with courses in sustainability and ecosystem management. You will gain comprehensive training in the theory and practice of the science needed to address urgent environmental and urban challenges, and practical experience generating and communicating solutions.

 

The field of environmental science is broad but is distinguished by focusing on applying scientific knowledge and tools to environmental issues such as climate change and loss of habitat. We aim to ensure students achieve proficiency in fundamental basic sciences (chemistry, physics, or biology) and math, and in the upper years, students broaden this scope in the fields of physical geography (e.g., soils, water, and climate) and applied ecology. York Environmental Science offers a solid grounding in the scientific approach and practical experience while building interpersonal and communication skills. These are skills and talents that are currently highly valued and therefore sought in the Environmental Science field. 

 In your studies, you will get first-hand experience in data collection, research, and scientific analysis in the field and in the laboratory. You will learn to work collaboratively and develop effective communication, analytical, and critical thinking skills while better understanding climate, ecological, and biophysical systems.  Students have the opportunity to combine this scientific foundation with an understanding of how environmental science is applied in environmental policy, management, and decision making, and practical experience generating and communicating solutions to pressing environmental challenges. Our graduates are prepared to make transformative environmental change in careers within the private and public sector.

Students explore these critical issues:

  • Climate change impacts and adaptation
  • Water security/availability and water quality
  • Environmental pollution
  • Soil and sediment erosion
  • Land-use development, urbanization, and habitat loss

Requirements

BSc

Requirements for admission:
  • Alberta High School Diploma
  • ELA30-1 or English 30
  • Senior-level math
  • Senior-level science
  • And two additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31
    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

    BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • British Columbia Secondary School Graduation Diploma
  • English 12 or English 12 First Peoples
  • Senior-level math
  • Senior-level science
  • And two additional Grade 12 Academic subjects
    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

    BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • Baccalauréat Général
  • Première Spécialité mathématiques
  • Terminale science (Terminale physique/chimie OR Première and Terminale biologie)

    • BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • Successful completion of the final year of senior studies
    • Minimum overall result of “Bien/Buena/Bueno/Good” on all academic courses.
    • Some programs require a higher GPA.
  • Senior-level math
  • Senior-level science

    • BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • Diploma with a total of at least six units, including prerequisites, and grades of 1, 2 or 3 in each unit.
  • 2-unit math
  • 2-unit science

    • BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • One year of CEGEP
  • 2 semesters of English (code 603) / Français (code 601)
  • Senior-level math
  • Senior-level science
  • And eight additional academic courses (high-school equivalent courses not accepted)
    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

    BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate
  • Grade 12 math
  • Grade 12 science

    • BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • Lise Diplomasi
  • Senior-level math
  • Senior-level science

    • BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • General Certificate of Education (GCE) Examinations
  • A-level math
  • A-level science
    • To gain admission to this program, minimum average of C is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of C.
    The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.

    BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
  • Twelfth Year math
  • Twelfth Year science

    • BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma
    • IB Diploma with passes in six subjects: three passes at the Standard-level and three passes at the Higher-level, or two passes at the Standard-level and four passes at the Higher-level
  • One of the following math subjects
    • Analysis and Approaches higher-level
    • Analysis and Approaches standard-level
    • Applications and Interpretations higher-level
    • Applications and Interpretations standard-level
  • One Standard or higher-level science
    • To gain admission to this program, minimum IB diploma point scores of 28 is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires minimum IB diploma point scores of 28.
    The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.

    BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • Completion of one of the following:
    • All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSCE)
    • Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
    • Indian School Certificate (ISC)
    • Intermediate Examination Certificate
    • Pre-University Examination Certificate
  • Grade XII math
  • Grade XII science

    • BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • Manitoba High School Diploma
  • English 40S
  • Senior-level math
  • Senior-level science
  • And two additional 40S level academic subjects (no more than one at the 40G level)
    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

    BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • New Brunswick High School Graduation Diploma
  • English 120, 121 or 122
  • Senior-level math
  • Senior-level science
  • And three additional Grade 12 academic subjects (college preparatory 120, 121 or 122)
    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

    BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • Newfoundland and Labrador High School Graduation Diploma
  • English 3201
  • Senior-level math
  • Senior-level science
  • And five additional credits at the 3000 level
    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

    BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma
  • English 12
  • Senior-level math
  • Senior-level science
  • And two additional Grade 12 academic subjects (university preparatory academic or advanced)
    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

    BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • Nunavut High School Graduation Diploma
  • ELA30-1 or English 30
  • Senior-level math
  • Senior-level science
  • And two additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31
    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

    BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • Northwest Territories High School Graduation Diploma
  • ELA30-1 or English 30
  • Senior-level math
  • Senior-level science
  • And two additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31
    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

    BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
  • ENG4U
  • 4U math
  • 4U science
  • And three additional 4U or M courses
    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.
    OUAC code YBS

    BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • Completion of a diploma program or at least two full semesters or one year of full-time academic study at an accredited college
  • Overall average of 3.0 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)
  • 4U math*
  • 4U science

    • BSc

    To be considered a mature student, you must:
  • be at least 21 years old by the end of the calendar year of admission to the University;
  • have been out of full-time high school studies for at least two years; and
  • have attempted less than one full year of studies at an accredited college or university.
    • Requirements for admission:
  • 4U math*
  • 4U science

    • BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • Completion of at least four full-year courses or one year of full-time degree studies at an accredited university
  • Overall average of 2.3 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)
  • 4U math*
  • 4U science

    • BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • Prince Edward Island Senior Secondary School Diploma
  • English 621
  • Senior-level math
  • Senior-level science
  • And two additional Grade 12 academic subjects (numbered 611 or 621)
    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

    BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • Quebec Grade 12 Certificate of Graduation
  • Grade 12 English
  • Senior-level math
  • Senior-level science
  • And three additional academic (university preparation level) subjects
    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

    BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement
  • English Language Arts 30 or English Language Arts A 30 or English Language Arts B 30
  • Senior-level math
  • Senior-level science
  • And two additional Grade 12 academic subjects numbered 30
    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

    BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • General Secondary Education Certificate
  • Senior-level math
  • Senior-level science

    • BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • High School Diploma
  • Senior-level math
  • Senior-level science

    • BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or National Examinations Council (NECO)
  • Senior-level math
  • Senior-level science

    • BSc

    Requirements for admission:
  • British Columbia Secondary School Graduation Diploma
  • English 12 or English 12 First Peoples
  • Senior-level math
  • Senior-level science
  • And two additional Grade 12 Academic subjects
    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

    Start Your Application

    • Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
    • Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
    • Fall 2027 (September) entry - January 15, 2027
    • Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
    • Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
    • Fall 2027 (September) entry - March 24, 2027
    • Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
    • Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
    • Fall 2027 (September) entry - March 24, 2027
    • Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
    • Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
    • Fall 2027 (September) entry - March 24, 2027
    How to 51
    Required Documentation for Undergraduate Applicants
    Language Requirements
    Deadlines for Undergraduate Study

    Applied Learning Opportunities

    Gain real-world experience, build marketable skills and apply theories learned in the classroom through Experiential Education (EE) at York. These hands-on learning experiences can occur within a course, community, or work/professional setting and include opportunities such as co-op, internships, practicums, placements, capstone projects, field courses, community-based research or case competitions that happen in a class. During your degree, you will deepen the learning objectives of a course or program, apply knowledge and be better prepared for the job market after graduation.

    Recent grad Nawshin chats with us about her experience with the Career Centre and how she secured a full-time role within two months of graduating.

    Potential Career Paths

    • aquatic or wildlife scientist
    • environmental control specialist
    • natural-resource conservationist
    • climate change scientist
    • laboratory technician
    • hydrologist
    • environmental consultant
    Request more information