MENU

PLAN YOUR DEGREE

The Faculty of Environment programs will give you an actionable education. This is smart thinking applied to actual doing. We integrate interdisciplinary study and experiential learning as you explore the complex relationships between humans and the natural and built environments. With expansive offerings of major, joint major, double major, minors and certification programs available—you have the opportunity to tailor your studies to your specific interests and goals. 

PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

Are you a prospective student? Explore the Prospective Student page to see our expansive program offerings and answer any questions you may have.

ADMISSIONS

Do you have other questions regarding admissions? Visit the Student Services Admissions page. 

Bachelor of arts

The #1 Archaeology program in Canada and #17 globally. Explore the human past, from Neanderthals to current issues of First Nations heritage. Delve into forensic science and biological anthropology to learn about primates and changes in the human skeleton or examine human/environmental interactions while working in labs, in the field, or travelling to local and/or international destinations.

Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Department: Archaeology

LEARN MORE

WHAT IS ARCHAEOLOGY?

Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology will have you exploring the human past from Neanderthals to current issues of First Nations heritage and its management.  You will delve into forensic science and learn about primates and changes in the human skeleton through biological anthropology. You will examine human/environmental interactions while working in labs, outside in the field, and traveling to local and/or international destinations.

POTENTIAL CAREERS

This degree prepares you for a variety of careers including: forensic scientist, paleoanthropologist, maritime archaeologist, and more working for industry, government, police and coroners, museums, parks and historical sites.

IS ARCHAEOLOGY FOR YOU?

  • Do you like to solve mysteries old and new?
  • Are you interested in biology, forensics or DNA?
  • Does Indigenous knowledge, culture and heritage management interest you?

Explore the complex challenges facing our communities and our planet, learn how social, economic, political and environmental forces shape our daily lives and apply a global perspective to identify practical solutions.

Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Department: Geography

LEARN MORE

WHAT IS HUMAN GEOGRAPHY?

Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Human Geography will have you exploring the complex challenges our communities and our planet face.  You will learn how social, economic, political and environmental forces shape our daily lives.  By applying a global perspective, you will identify practical solutions through a range of research and analysis methods.

POTENTIAL CAREERS

This degree prepares you for a career as an urban planner, tourism developer, government advisor, community development analyst, sustainable programs manager, policy analyst, environmental media coordinator and more.

IS HUMAN GEOGRAPHY FOR YOU?

  • Do social issues like homelessness, addiction, and racism interest you?
  • Are you curious about how we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
  • Are you interested in how we can make neighbourhoods and cities more equitable, sustainable and functional?

Bachelor of Environment

RESOURCE & ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Discover how we manage natural resources like energy, forestry and fisheries. Learn how social and natural sciences, along with urban and rural planning, guide sustainable environmental management and gain an understanding of socio-cultural and Indigenous perspectives, earth processes, environmental impact assessments, analytics in decision-making, conflict resolution and policy, planning and regulation.

Degree: Bachelor of Environment

Department: Resource and Environmental Management

Resource and Environmental Management also offers an accredited Planning Stream that students can apply to in their second year.

LEARN MORE

WHAT IS RESOURCE & ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT?

A Bachelor of Environment in Resource and Environmental Management will have you exploring how we manage natural resources like energy, forestry and fisheries.  You will learn how social and natural sciences, along with urban and rural planning, guide sustainable environmental management.  You will gain an understanding of socio-cultural and Indigenous perspectives, earth processes, environmental impact assessments, analytics in decision-making, conflict resolution and policy, planning, and regulation.

POTENTIAL CAREERS

This degree prepares you for a wide range of careers in the government, industry, and non-profit sectors such as a business sustainability manager, compliance coordinator, parks manager, environmental manager or planner, restoration ecologist, or waste management program coordinator.

IS REM FOR YOU?

  • Will we have enough electricity if we all drive electric vehicles?
  • Do you think it is important to have access to fish, food and water that comes from local sources?
  • Do you want to make industries such as forestry, agriculture and fisheries more sustainable?

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS

Dive into environmental issues, particularly the climate crisis. Learn to use a global perspective to examine the intersection of social and biophysical systems (e.g. housing development and wildlife habitat loss) and discover how to mitigate negative effects of these systems master advanced data analysis and modeling. 

Degree: Bachelor of Environment

Department: Geography

LEARN MORE

WHAT IS GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS?

A Bachelor of Environment in Global Environmental Systems will allow you to focus on environmental issues, particularly the climate crisis. Using a global perspective, you will explore the intersection of social and biophysical systems (e.g. housing developments and loss of wildlife habitat), learn about the consequences of these systems and uncover how their negative effects might be mitigated. Advanced data analysis and modeling will become part of your toolkit. 

POTENTIAL CAREERS

This degree arms you with the ability to support decision-making and communicate scientific and technical information to diverse audiences.  It will prepare you for careers in a variety of settings including government, industry and non-governmental agencies among others.  Career paths include environmental planning analyst, policy advisor, environmental communication specialist, transportation policy analyst, sustainability coordinator, compliance specialist, environmental risk assessor and more.

IS GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS FOR YOU?

  • Do you want to understand climate change and what we are doing about it?
  • Do you want to know what environmental justice is?
  • Are you curious about how to influence environmental legislation based on scientific evidence?

Bachelor of science

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Unpack the relationships between humans and the environment. Examine Earth’s physical, chemical and biological processes, learn how to think critically about how the world works, and use science to address environmental problems.

Degree: Bachelor of Science

Department: Environmental Science

LEARN MORE

WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE?

Pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science will have you exploring the relationships between humans and the environment, drawing on a diverse range of disciplines. By examining Earth’s physical, chemical and biological processes, you will learn how to think critically about how the world works, and use science to address environmental problems.  You will tailor your degree to your interests, by choosing one of six concentrations: Applied Biology, Environmental Earth Systems, Environmetrics (environmental statistics), Environmental Archaeology, Water Science, and Environmental Science General.

POTENTIAL CAREERS

This degree prepares you for a wide range of careers including an Environmental Health and Safety Inspector, Fisheries Technician, Food Safety Coordinator, Water Quality Controller, Air Quality Technician and more with industry, governments and non-profit agencies.

IS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE FOR YOU?

  • Do you like debunking fake news like climate change isn’t real?
  • Have you ever wondered if a water source was safe to drink?
  • Are you curious about how to repair contaminated environments?

Four concentrations: Applied Biology, Environmental Earth Systems, Environmetrics (environmental statistics), Environmental Archaeology, Water Science, and Environmental Science general. Learn more about the concentrations here.

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Discover and analyze spatial data using geographic information system technologies, create and interpret data in the form of maps, figures and models combine computer cartography, remote sensing, and conduct spatial data analysis and geovisualization.

Degree: Bachelor of Science

Department: Jointly administered by the Department of Geography and the School of Computing Science

LEARN MORE

WHAT IS GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE?

Pursuing a Bachelor of Science in GIS will allow you to display and analyze spatial data using geographic information system technologies.  You will learn to create and interpret data in the form of maps, figures and models.  GIScience combines computer cartography, remote sensing, spatial data analysis, spatial theory and geovisualization.

POTENTIAL CAREERS

GIS is a key tool for a number of fields including urban planners, public utility companies, meteorologists, environmental planners, health authorities, crime prevention units, foresters, policy makers and more. This degree will prepare you for a career as an emergency planning coordinator, atmospheric data technician, cartographer, GIS analyst, urban planner, spatial epidemiologist and more.

IS GIS FOR YOU?

  • Do you like digital tools that help you to make informed decisions about traffic routes, energy use, crime prevention and more?
  • Do you find technologies that help warn populations about natural disasters or monitor system malfunctions fascinating?
  • Do you know that spatial data can be used to help address inequities in health care access, pollution exposure, food security and more?

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Explore earth systems science by studying the interactions between air, water, land and the spaces where organisms live, investigate the events that influence our lives and how we are altering the Earth’s environmental systems and tailor your studies to match your interests and career goals. 

Degree: Bachelor of Science

Department: Geography

LEARN MORE

WHAT IS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY?

A Bachelor of Science in Physical Geography will have you exploring earth systems science by studying the interactions between air (atmosphere), water (hydrosphere), land (lithosphere) and the spaces where organisms live (biosphere).  You will investigate the events that influence our lives and how we are altering the Earth’s environmental systems.  You will tailor your studies to match your interests and career goals and be eligible for professional certification in the environmental and resource sectors.

POTENTIAL CAREERS

This degree prepares you for a variety of careers including: climatologist, environmental protection officer or technician, pollution control consultant, water or air quality technician, professional geoscientist, soil scientist, remediation specialist, surveyor, hydrologist, agrologist and more, working for governments, industry and conservation groups.

IS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY FOR YOU?

  • Have you ever wondered what happens when a landslide blocks a river valley or a threatens a highway?
  • Do you want to know why our climate is changing and what our future climate will look like?
  • Do you know that soil resources for food production are threatened?

Questions?

We're here to help!

Thinking about studying in SFU's Faculty of Environment (FENV) but want to learn more?

Connect with Chris for any FENV related questions!