Programs in Environmental Science

The program in Environmental Science is available at both a BSc and BSc (Honours) level. While the professional practice of environmental science is not (yet) codified, the Acadia program satisfies proposals for professional registration and has been accredited by the Canadian Environmental Accreditation Commission. It includes a core of courses at the first and second-year levels in Biology, Geology and Chemistry, with a central theme of Environmental Science courses that provide a thread tying the other courses together. Focus areas in the four-year program may be designed to address individual needs but can be selected from:
    - Ecology
    - Conservation Biology
    - Environmental Geology/Terrain Analysis
    - Environmental Policy
    - Sustainable Development

Community Involvement is a primary consideration for the program, which uses a variety of means to go beyond the university setting. The degree requires an intensive field course in environmental science and a thesis project for Honours students. A Co-op Option is also available to enable students to alternate work terms with their study terms.

Acadia's research environment provides extensive opportunities for community-based projects. The Acadia Centre for Estuarine Research, the Centre for Analytical Research on the Environment, and the Centre for Wildlife and Conservation Biology have pioneered approaches for enhancing community involvement in environmental action. Students in the environmental courses have also participated in and made submissions to public discussions regarding the proposed Nova Scotia Environment Act, the Nova Scotia Waste Management Strategy, and other issues of local, provincial, and national concern.

Acadia's Environmental Science program also offers an opportunity to study abroad under an exchange program with universities such as the University of Plymouth, UK, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, University of South Queensland, etc..

HONOURS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Graduation Requirements
In addition to the program requirements listed below, students must also satisfy the Bachelor of Science with Honours requirements outlined in the previous section of this calendar. A minimum program GPA of 3.00 is required for graduation. In addition, 54h of courses offered to fulfill requirements 1-10 outlined below must be completed with a minimum grade of B-.

Program Requirements
Students must complete 87 credit hours (87h) in the Honours Program as follows:
1. 9h from Biology: BIOL 1113, BIOL 1123, BIOL 2053.
2. 3h from BIOL 2033, BIOL 3373 or BIOL 4543.
3. 3h of Biology at or above the BIOL 3000-level.
4. 6h of CHEM 1013/CHEM 1023 or CHEM 1113/CHEM 1123.
5. 3h of Organic Chemistry: CHEM 2513.
6. 3h of Analytical Chemistry from CHEM 2813 or CHEM 2853.
7. 24 h of the following Environmental Science courses: ENVS 1013, ENVS 1023, ENVS 2523 (or an approved alternative field course), ENVS 3423, ENVS 4423, ENVS 4613, ENVS 407T/ENVS 408T.
8. 3h of Environmental courses from ENVS 3113; ENVS 3503; ENVS 3513; HIST 2283; ESST 2013; POLS 3213; or POLS 3883.
9. 9h from Geology: GEOL 1013, GEOL 1023, GEOL 2703.
10. 6h of Geology Electives from GEOL 2043, GEOL 2133, GEOL 2753, GEOL 3723, GEOL 3843, GEOL 4713.
11. 9h of “Advanced Science ” from any GEOL, BIOL, CHEM, ENVS at the 2000+ level, as well as the following course s POLS 3213, POLS 3883, POLS 4843 HIST 2283, ESST 2003, ESST 2013, ESST 3523 or APSC 3413.
12. 6h of Statistics from MATH 1253/MATH 2243 or MATH 1253/ MATH 2253 or MATH 2233/MATH 2243 or MATH 2213/MATH 2223.
13. 3h of Physics from PHYS 1013, PHYS 1053, PHYS 1563.

MAJOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Graduation Requirements
In addition to the program requirements listed below, students must also satisfy the Bachelor of Science with Major requirements outlined in the previous section of this calendar. A minimum program GPA of 2.00 is required for graduation. In addition, 48h of courses offered to fulfill requirements 1-10 outlined below must be completed with a minimum grade of C-.

Program Requirements
Students must complete 81 credit hours (81h) in the Major Program as follows:
1. 9h of Biology: BIOL 1113, BIOL 1123, BIOL 2053.
2. 3h from BIOL 2033, BIOL 3373 or BIOL 4543.
3. 3h of Biology at or above the BIOL 3000-level.
4. 6h of CHEM 1013/CHEM 1023 or CHEM 1113/CHEM 1123.
5. 3h of Organic Chemistry: CHEM 2513.
6. 3h of Analytical Chemistry from CHEM 2813 or CHEM 2853.
7. 18h of the following Environmental Science courses: ENVS 1013, ENVS 1023, ENVS 2523 (or an approved alternative field course), ENVS 3423, ENVS 4423, ENVS 4613.
8. 3h of Environmental courses from ENVS 3113; ENVS 3503; ENVS 3513; HIST 2283; ESST 2013; POLS 3213; or POLS 3883
9. 9h of Geology: GEOL 1013, GEOL 1023, GEOL 2703.
10. 6h of Geology Electives from GEOL 2043, GEOL 2133, GEOL 2753, GEOL 3723, GEOL 3843, GEOL 4713.
11. 9h of “Advanced Science ” from any GEOL, BIOL, CHEM, ENVS at the 2000+ level, as well as the following courses POLS 3213, POLS 3883, POLS 4843 HIST 2283, ESST 2003, ESST 2013, ESST 3523 or APSC 3413.
12. 6h of Statistics from MATH 1253/MATH 2243 or MATH 1253/MATH 2253 or MATH 2233/MATH 2243 or MATH 2213/MATH 2223.
13. 3h of Physics from PHYS 1013, PHYS 1053, PHYS 1563.

DOUBLE MAJOR: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AS SECOND MAJOR

Graduation Requirements
In addition to the program requirements listed below, students must also satisfy the Bachelor of Science (Double Major) requirements outlined in the previous section of this calendar. A minimum program GPA of 2.00 is required for graduation.

Program Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours (30h) in Environmental Science as follows:
1. 12h from ENVS.
2. 18h from two of BIOL, CHEM, GEOL, excluding BIOL 1813, BIOL 1823, CHEM 1053, GEOL 1033, GEOL 1073.

MINOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

The requirements for a minor vary by faculty and program(s) of study. BA students are required to complete a minimum of 24h in the minor program, while BSc students completing a minor are required to complete a minimum of 18h in the minor program. Any ENVS courses will be accepted, as well as environment-related courses in other disciplines including GEOL 2703, GEOL 2753, GEOL 3723, GEOL 3843, GEOL 4713, HIST 2283, ESST 2013, POLS 3213, POLS 3883, BIOL 2033, BIOL 2043, BIOL 2053, BIOL 3293, BIOL 3363, BIOL 3373, BIOL 3573, BIOL 3753, CHEM 2513, CHEM 2853. A minimum of 6h must be ENVS coded courses and a minimum of 6h must be at the 2000 level or higher. Students pursuing a minor should consult with their Academic Advisor to ensure that they will meet the requirements for their specific program of study.

MINORS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MAJORS

Environmental Science majors may declare a minor in one subject in which 18h of courses are complete.

See flowchart for normal progression through the degree program

Information session by Dr. O'Driscoll for ENVS course registration