Introduction
Environmental Science (BSc)
Joint program with the Faculty of Science
While Environmental Science is a broad technical field – integrating biology, chemistry, physics and physical geography – it includes the essential work of understanding the impact human activities have on our planet.
Students explore these critical issues:
Climate change impacts and adaptation
Biodiversity and conservation of species and habitats
Water security and water quality
Pollution
Erosion
Environmental hazards
Through your studies, you will get practical 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, analytic and critical thinking skills while better understanding climate, ecological and biophysical systems.
Our environmental science students gain a scientific foundation in the biological and physical sciences needed to address urgent environmental and urban challenges – and generate and communicate solutions.
You’ll choose one of two streams. Students in the Biodiversity & Conservation stream will specialize in environmental biology to understand how organisms and ecological communities are impacted by environmental stressors and learn to apply this knowledge to protect species and biodiversity. Students in the Environmental Change stream will specialize in physical geography, studying the interactions between land, air, water, and biological organisms to understand how the natural environment responds to stressors.
Sample Courses
Ecology
The Hydrosphere
Conservation Biology
Ecological Climatology
Disaster! The Earth's Extreme Natural Events
Career Paths
Climate scientist
Laboratory or field technician
Environmental pollution assessment and control specialist
Wildlife biologist
Natural-resource conservationist
How to Apply
Deadlines can be found on the York University Future Students website.
Complete an Online Application Form.
Ontario high school applicants must apply online, completing the OUAC 101 application.
All other applicants must apply online using either the OUAC 105 application or the York University application.
No documents will be reviewed prior to the submission of an online application.
Pay the application fee.
Submit supporting documents through the York University online portal, MyFile.
Within four business days of application, you will receive a confirmation email with your nine-digit student reference number, which will allow you to access your MyFile account and upload your documents.
It is important to check your MyFile regularly for any documents you are required to submit and updates to the status of your application.
More information about supporting documents, document processing times and decision processing times is available on the I’ve Applied page.
