Wilfrid Laurier University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Geography and Environmental Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University is a strong, dynamic and innovative Department that prides itself as a consistent provider of high quality scholarly activity, programs and courses.

Environmental Studies combines natural and social sciences to better understand the human relationship with the natural environment. The focus of the program is issues such as sustainability in management of land and water, the formulation of environmental policy, and how environmental management decisions can be improved to ensure a healthy future for humans and nature.

Global Studies is a multidisciplinary department concerned with the study of the issues, people, and events that shape today's increasingly globalized world. The department offers a four-year BA in a single or combined honours program. We cultivate an environment that fosters high academic achievement, while also preparing students for a range of professional careers after graduation.

Global Studies is organized along three key areas of inquiry: "comparative development," "peace and conflict," and "globalization and cultures." In addition to progressively developing their knowledge in one or more of these areas, Global Studies students are also challenged to apply a multidisciplinary range of theoretical and methodological tools to think in critical, ethical, and creative ways. Students are also required to develop a degree of second language competency, and are encouraged - through the innovative Global Studies Experience (GSE) program - to complement classroom learning with experiential learning through an international volunteer placement.

Honours BSc program with or without co-op:

This program recognizes that an interdisciplinary approach is needed to foster the discovery and application of knowledge about water resources and its related ecosystems to promote a healthy environment, which leads to more sustainable ecosystems for all living things. The BSc in Applied Water Science will train students in not only the underlying scientific principles and theory pertaining to the physical, chemical and biological properties of water, but it will focus on how these scientific principles can be applied to improve the management and conservation of water and land resources. These principles will be reinforced through a co-operative work placement option, in which academically eligible students will be employed by partners in the private, public or academic sectors. Through a combination of theoretical training and practical work experience this program will therefore provide students with an understanding of the physical, chemical and biological processes that occur at the water-atmosphere / soil-plant-atmosphere interface allowing them to contribute to society's quest to improve the availability, security and reliability of human water supplies while ensuring whole ecosystem and human health.

The Applied Water Science program with co-operative education, will provide students with the classroom and hands-on lab and field instruction needed to understand important environmental and community issues such as the science behind the management of water quality and supply, terrestrial ecology and aquatic ecology.

The Sustainability Option offers students an opportunity to: (a) learn how to consider and integrate issues related to environmental resilience, community well-being and economic prosperity; and (b) engage in interdisciplinary critical analysis and thinking by connecting courses across  departments and faculties. Completion of the option requirements will result in a "Sustainability Option" designation on the student transcript.

The Environmental Studies Minor allows students an opportunity to learn the foundations of Environmental Studies focussing on sustainability and enivornmental management.

Global Studies is a multidisciplinary department concerned with the study of the issues, people, and events that shape today's increasingly globalized world. The department offers a four-year BA in a single or combined honours program. We cultivate an environment that fosters high academic achievement, while also preparing students for a range of professional careers after graduation.

Global Studies is organized along three key areas of inquiry: "comparative development," "peace and conflict," and "globalization and cultures." In addition to progressively developing their knowledge in one or more of these areas, Global Studies students are also challenged to apply a multidisciplinary range of theoretical and methodological tools to think in critical, ethical, and creative ways. Students are also required to develop a degree of second language competency, and are encouraged - through the innovative Global Studies Experience (GSE) program - to complement classroom learning with experiential learning through an international volunteer placement.

Honours BA, Combined Honours BA, Specialization, Option and Minor: