Planning, Geography, and Environmental Studies
Planning, Geography, and Environmental Studies
Credential:
Bachelor's degree
Duration:
4 years
Format:
Full time
Start date:
September, January, May
Location:
Abbotsford campus
Cost:
(Details)
FEATURES:
UFV’s four-year Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) (Natural Sciences) program prepares you to work in the dynamic field of environmental science and to help organizations and communities reach their sustainability goals.
Your core courses will help you explore the relationship between humans and the environment. You will learn about resource management, sustainability research, and innovative problem-solving. You will also learn how to communicate your research and ideas effectively.
The BES (Natural Sciences) is designed to be interdisciplinary. It will help you create connections between several career-building subjects: geography, biology, philosophy, agriculture, economics, communications, and more. You will specialize in the natural sciences by completing upper-level science courses that include lab and fieldwork across the Fraser Valley region, enabling you to pursue professional accreditation after graduation.
Courses are delivered in both online and face-to-face formats, using lecture, seminar, field-based, and technology-supported classroom experiences.
Your program also includes a practical work experience component. You can meet this requirement through a practicum or by joining the cooperative education program. Gaining such real-world experience will enhance your technical skill sets and help build your job-ready qualifications.
After you graduate, you will be equipped to work in the field of environmental science or as an environmental professional in Canada or abroad. You may also choose to pursue graduate studies.
If you are interested in a program that offers more elective credits, UFV also offers the Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES).
BES (Natural Sciences) graduates will have the skills and knowledge to pursue environmental careers in a variety of settings, including agriculture and food secruity, climate change, land use planning/GIS, conservation, environmental management, and environmental communications.
You may find employment as:
See the Academic Calendar for the program's entrance requirements
This program is open to international students
Note: Students must have B.C. secondary school graduation equivalency, meet the prerequisite for ENGL 105 or CMNS 125, and have completed an equivalent average of B (equated to the UFV grading system) in two academic Grade 12 subjects.
Apply to Qualifying Studies to upgrade your qualifications if you do not currently meet the Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Natural Sciences) entry requirements.
Phone: 604-854-4568
Toll free: 1-888-507-7441, ext. 4568
Email: EnvironmentalStudies@ufv.ca
Enrolling in a geography elective led me to discover an unexpected yet harmonious path in pursuing my BA in Geography with a concentration in Urban Planning. This academic journey immersed me in diverse subjects—land use management, natural sciences, geomorphology, policy and planning, allowing me to blend my appreciation for beauty and the built environment with a deep exploration of the role of place in society. An unforgettable aspect of my degree was having the opportunity to partake in research on Food Security as it relates to refugees in Kenya, examining its connections to COVID-19 and gender dynamics. This experience enhanced my research and analytical skills during a three-month stay in Nairobi. My advice for students would be to take classes that truly ignite your curiosity, and not to neglect the various opportunities to get involved while on campus, as they often lead to the most enriching experiences.