Why Environmental Studies at King's?
Learn how to be proactive in sustaining the Earth’s natural systems, both locally and globally. Gain broad knowledge about ecological and social dimensions of environmental issues, such as climate change, food security, land conservation, water quality, and environmental justice. Experience a highly participatory program where students gain hands-on experience through classroom and laboratory activities as well as on annual field trips and a summer internship. Explore principles and practices for building environmentally sustainable societies and lifestyles that support the restoration and flourishing of our planet and our societies.
The Environmental Studies program offers either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. Within Environmental Studies core courses, students gain practical skills in community engaged research, geographical information systems (GIS), environmental impact assessment, policy analysis, lab and field research, statistical analysis, and develop strong oral and written communication abilities. The Environmental Studies program is accredited by ECO Canada.
Program Highlights
- Be connected to one of the fastest growing employment sectors in Canada.
- Participate in an internship and apply coursework to real-life situations through work integrated learning as you prepare for future careers
- Explore solutions to worldwide environmental challenges through social, ecological, economic and spiritual avenues
- Specialize in an area of environmental studies that you find most interesting. Study the environment from natural science, social science, or arts and humanities perspectives.
- Think critically about how human societies impact the environment and how we can develop more restorative ways of living on the planet.
Off-Campus Studies
Field Trips
There is no better way to learn about the environment than by spending time exploring it! In addition to short day trips to programs and initiatives around Edmonton, several courses feature overnight trips to national parks, natural resource sites, and unique geographical features around Alberta.
Regular field trips include:
- Edmonton: River valley and ravine system (hikes, rafting, etc.); Wastewater Treatment Plant; Waste Management Centre; net-zero church and social housing project; urban social justice walk
- Fort McMurray: Oil sands and pulp mill
- Banff & Canmore: Town planners, park wardens, local environmental agencies
- Jasper: Physical geography of mountains and glaciers
- Drumheller: Physical geography of badlands
- Crowsnest Pass/Cypress Hills: Ecology of plants, mammals, and birds
Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies
King's partnership with Au Sable opens 22 additional field-based environmental studies courses to students. With campuses located in Tiruchirappalli, India; Great Lakes in northern Michigan; Vera Blanca, Costa Rica; Pacific Rim Institute, Whidbey Island; and Chicago, Illinois, Au Sable offers courses in topics ranging from marine biology to tropical agriculture and alpine ecology.
Au Sable is dedicated to inspiring and educating people to serve, protect and restore God's earth.
Internships
After completing their third year, all Environmental Studies students participate in a 13-week summer internship. Students have held internships in a wide variety of positions in municipal, provincial and federal government, small and large-scale industry, and non-governmental organizations. Interns put into practice the skills and knowledge they are learning within the program and gain valuable work experience. The job-searching skills students practice and the internship work experience greatly enhance job-readiness after graduation. Internships include:
- Sustainability Officer, The King’s University
- Student Wildlife Technician, Canadian Wildlife Services, Environment Canada
- Conservation Educator, City of Okotoks
- Laboratory Technologist, Imperial Oil
- Summer Technician, Parsons Consulting,
- Conservation Site Officer, Alberta Conservation Association
- Education and Outreach, North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance
- International Environmental Research Assistant: Conservation Agriculture, Kenya
- Seasonal Parks Ranger, BC Parks
Program Details
Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary degree, which means that we address environmental issues from multiple perspectives and areas of expertise. Students can either complete a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies.
The Bachelor of Arts is ideal for students who are interested in the social or human aspects of environmental issues such as government policy, human behaviour, social change, sustainable business practices, and environmental communications. Within the program, students choose from 15 disciplinary concentrations, such as Psychology, Sociology, Business Administration, English, Kinesiology, and more.
The Bachelor of Science is ideal for students who are interested in the natural sciences, both in the lab and in the field. Within the program, students choose from three disciplinary concentrations: Biology, Chemistry, or Computing Science.
Core Courses
Within both the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts programs, students take a set of core environmental studies and geography courses that give a broad overview of environmental issues and tie everything together. All students in both the BA and the BSc programs get a strong grounding in the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities, providing graduates with a diverse set of skills.
Program Options
Available as a major
- 4-Year Bachelor of Arts
- 4-Year Bachelor of Science
Available as a minor
- 4-Year Bachelor of Arts
- 4-Year Bachelor of Science