University of Toronto Mississauga
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

The Environmental Science programs (Specialist, Major, Minor and Combined MScSM ) offer an opportunity to study the interdisciplinary sciences that are required to understand complex environmental problems involving the natural world and human impacts. Students can tailor the scientific focus of the program to their own interests, by choosing courses from Geographical and Earth Science Perspectives, Biological/Ecological Perspectives and Physical/Chemical Perspectives.

For example, one possible pathway through Environmental Science focuses on the relationships among biota, land, water and air, the structure and function of natural and managed ecosystems, and processes in the biogeochemical environment. This pathway would rely mainly on courses chosen from the Geographical and Ecological Perspectives. An alternative, more analytical pathway is better suited to students with a strong interest in laboratory sciences, who wish to apply their knowledge to problems of chemical, physical and biotechnical remediation and the control of environmental problems. This pathway would involve more course choices in the Physical and Chemical Sciences. Fieldwork, experiential learning and research opportunities are important to all of the Environmental Science programs.

No matter which pathway is followed, some courses on Social and Policy Perspectives are also part of the program. The premise is that those who will develop our scientific knowledge and technological capacities must also have a basic understanding of environmental management, policy and the human-environment relationship.

The Environmental Management programs (Specialist, Major, Minor, Sustainability Minor, Environmental Law and Policy Minor and Combined MScSM) focus on environment, society, and public policy. The cornerstone second-year course, ENV201H5 Environmental and Resource Management, provides students with an introduction to the political and socioeconomic framework of environmental management. Students then have the opportunity to develop specialized skills in resource management, environmental assessment and the social, economic and policy aspects of environmental change.

The Department of Geography, Geomatics and Environment offers both BA and BSc programs in Geography, as well as a BSc program in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and it is closely integrated with the spectrum of Environment programs.

The Geography BA programs (Specialist, Major and Minor) bring together many subjects of interest, ranging from community health issues, urban form and globalization to electoral politics, transportation and economic development. The program emphasizes the development of quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, including cartography, analysis of spatial data, social theory and archival work, which it supplements with fieldwork and collaborative research opportunities.

The Geography BSc programs (Specialist, Major and Minor) offer a broad perspective on physical geography. In-depth studies include climatology, hydrology and ecosystems, with possible specialization in biogeochemistry, glaciology, landscape ecology, natural resources and urban climate.

The goal of this program is to give students an opportunity to explore the theory and practice of sustainability and sustainable development. There is growing interest in Sustainability among students from across the disciplines at UTM. The program speaks to the Mission and Values of UTM, which identify us as an institution that values sustainability as a core value. Courses address both the theoretical aspects of sustainability and its practical applications.

The Minor in Environmental Law & Policy is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the environmental issues, ethical principles, practices, and case studies relevant to legal, political, and social applications, both in Canada and internationally. The program is intended to prepare students for career paths in law, but also more broadly in the private sector, such as establishing and enforcing environmentally responsible business practices, and in the public sector, such as advising decision-makers and developing and assessing new environmental regulations.

The Certificate of Completion in Global Sustainability offers a greatly expanded opportunity for all UTM undergraduate students to learn about global sustainability, which is not limited to environmental conservation and includes all aspects of human wellbeing covered by the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs include poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, social equities, clean water, clean energy, decent work, sustainable cities and communities, sustainable consumption, economic growth, climate change, peaceful societies, and environmental conservation.

The main objectives of the Certificate of Completion are: (i) to provide an intellectual and practical understanding of the holistic nature of global sustainability to transform the student’s ability to engage in systems and integrative thinking; (ii) to develop applied and managerial skills to address real-life sustainability issues; and (iii) to enhance the opportunities for summer as well as regular full-time employment after graduation.

The Certificate of Completion will be available to all actively enrolled UTM undergraduate students who have completed 4.0 credits. Completion of the Certificate of Completion in Global Sustainability will require successful completion of 3 required modules and 3 elective modules. Each module will be approximately 10 hours (most will be five 2-hour sessions), and will include a set of workshops, group discussions, analyses of real-life sustainability problems/ issues, and exploration of diverse approaches to potential solutions. Students must participate in all 10 hours to receive credit for the module. Most modules will be offered on evenings or weekends or during special events (such as UTM’s Sustainability Week) to reduce scheduling conflicts. Students can plan their own schedules to complete the six modules over their program length.