York University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

The Faculty of Environmental Studies offers a Bachelor in Environmental Studies program for undergraduate students. Environmental studies at York contain four distinct academic and professional areas of concentration: Environment and Culture, Urban and Regional Environments, Environmental Politics and Environmental management. The areas of concentration reflect the faculty’s broad understanding of environmental studies. Students use the areas of concentration to help define their own path through the program. The Bachelor in Environmental Studies degree contains expected learning outcomes, all of which are approached from a perspective of sustainability. Specific learning outcomes include: • The ability to identify and situate complex environmental issues with a critical interdisciplinary perspective. • The ability to understand, diagnose and engage with complex environmental topics, especially within the area of concentration chosen. • The skills to tackle complex environmental issues, including key research methodologies, analytical tools and essential communication approaches. • The ability to engage effectively in society on pressing environmental challenges.

The Sustainable Energy (SE) certificate encompasses the policy, economic, technological and managerial aspects of sustainable energy and provides students with applied skills in the field. This certificate is completed as part of their Bachelors in Environmental Studies Honours degree. Students completing the certificate program can pursue career paths with government agencies, local energy distribution companies, renewable energy developers and energy service companies.

The Urban Ecologies (UE) certificate is an interdisciplinary program designed to help students learn how many conflicts between the natural and urban environments emerge is represented and can be addressed. The certificate program emphasizes urban ecology as an innovative and interactive approach to critically study the social and biophysical configuration of urban landscapes, places, sites and ecologies. Students will develop practical knowledge to help address complex urban environmental challenges through thoughtful planning, design and ecological action.