The environment provides the world with the necessities of life: the air we breathe, the water we drink, the natural resources we use for food, heat, light, fuel, and the earth’s life-sustaining climate. These ecosystem functions also support a diversity of other species, which in turn strengthens the resiliency of ecosystems to adapt to a changing environment. Expanding human populations threaten the environment through pollution of air and water, depletion of natural resources, climate change, and degrading the ecosystem functions that are so essential to life on earth. This world urgently needs environmental professionals who can find ways to avert this threat.
The interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science in Environment and Natural Resources (BScENR) degree program will train students to understand ecosystems, the needs of species that depend on them, and how they are affected by human activities. Equipped with that knowledge, students will be challenged to find ways to reduce their footprint across the landscape, wisely use the natural resources and adapt to a changing environment.
Students will take courses across a range of social science, natural science and management subjects including ecology, soil chemistry, environmental economics/sociology & statistics, hydrology, strategic management and many others. Students are equipped to acquire and analyze information about the environment using advanced technologies such as GIS and GPS. Students will integrate this knowledge in these areas with critical thinking and structured problem solving to help students design management plans that meet social, environmental and economic objectives. Throughout the program, students will learn both indoors and outdoors in the classrooms and laboratories. Students will also undertake projects involving research, planning, and implementation for real-world clients such as the cities of Fredericton and Saint John, Parks Canada, Nature Trust NB and others.
The BScENR program prepares students to embark on a challenging and fulfilling career as an environmental professional. In fact, students will become eligible to officially acquire an Environmental Professional in Training (EPt) designation through ECO Canada. This will allow students to be recognized and employed by organizations in the environment and natural resources sector across Canada.
At UNB, students build an education that fits their interests. Choose from these areas of specialization, or combine the three:
