Do you want to explore and understand the impacts of humans on the environment, and of the environment on humans? Do you want to learn to use the scientific approach to solve environmental problems? Navigating the complex issues involved is a challenge that requires a broad range of skills and perspectives. This type of training is brought together at UNB through our interdepartmental programs in the Environmental Sciences.
Programs
Undergraduate programs in the Environmental Sciences encompass knowledge gleaned from all science disciplines and commence with a common core similar to that of other students in the Faculty of Science. This introduction provides the student with a theoretical and experiential grounding in scientific principles pertaining to earth’s environmental system: its biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere. Students then advance to consider environmental issues from broader ethical, economic, and social viewpoints. At the same time, students are further developing their own scientific interests with a more specific collection of required and elective science courses. These advanced science courses are tailored to graduation as either a Major or Honours (by thesis) in Environmental Sciences with a concentration in one of six streams:
- Biological Responses to the Environment
- Chemical Environmental Perspectives
- Environmetrics
- Responsible Resource Recovery
- Sun-Earth Interaction
- Water-Earth Interaction
There is no Minor program available in Environmental Sciences. Note, however, that a student (who is not in an Environmental Sciences program) can obtain a Minor in Environmental Studies.
General outline
First Year Core
2nd – 4th year general requirements (*see Streams for any specific courses that should be taken, and in what year)
- Lecture and laboratory pairing of BIOL 1001 and BIOL 1006 or PHYS 1051/1061/1071 and PHYS 1091, whichever not counted as 1st year requirements
- BIOL 1012 and BIOL 1017 if not taken as 1st Year requirement
- MATH 1503 or MATH 2213 (Linear Algebra)
- BIOL 2003, BIOL 2008 (Ecology)
- At least one 2000-level lecture and laboratory pairing in Chemistry*
- At least one 2000- or 3000-level course in Earth Sciences*
- At least one 2000- or 3000-level course in Statistics*
- PHYS 2902 (Environmental Physics)
- ESCI 3442 (Geohydrology)
- ESCI 4452 (Environmental Impact Assessment)
- SCI 4999 (capstone course, to be taken in final year)
- One course in Field Studies if not taken as 1st year requirement*
- One course in Climate Change*
- One course in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)*
- Four courses in 'environmental studies', typically electives from the Faculty of Arts, including: one course in Indigenous Studies* e.g. INDG 1002 Introduction to Indigenous Studies (3 ch); INDG 3684 Wolastoqey & Mi'kmaq Culture (3 ch)
- One course in Ethics* e.g. PHIL 2201 Intro to Ethics (3 ch); PHIL 3208 Ecological Ethics (3 ch)
-Two (additional) environmentally related 3 ch courses typically from the Faculty of Arts e.g. ANTH 1003 Environment and Infrastructure; CCS 3405/MAAC 3405 Media and Environment; ECON 1013 Principles of Microeconomics; ECON 3755 Environmental Economics; PHIL 3422 Philosophy of Science; POLS 1803 Politics of Climate Change; POLS 3217 Canadian Environmental Policy; POLS 4725 Climate & Energy Policy; SOCI 3553 Sociology & the Environment.
- For the Major program, approximately 11 environmentally related science courses; this can include any prerequisites for the environmental courses themselves (32 ch minimum). These courses should come from those listed in one of the six streams below, or permission from an advisor.
- For the Honours program, take the Thesis course* in addition to the requirements of the Major program.
Streams in Environmental Sciences
Students choose one of the six streams offered. Note: students with an interest in physics (concentration in sun-earth interaction) should take 1st year courses in Physics (PHYS 1051, PHYS 1052 and PHYS 1091, PHYS 1092) in place of the biology courses (BIOL 1001, 1006, 1012, 1017).
A1) Biological Responses to the Environment
A2) Chemical Environmental Perspectives
A3) Environmetrics
B4) Responsible Resource Recovery
B5) Sun-Earth Interaction
B6) Water-Earth Interaction
A1) Stream in Biological Responses to the Environment
Living organisms are constantly interacting with their environment and changing in response to it. At relatively small time scales, individuals do this biochemically, physiologically and behaviourally; at larger time scales, populations do this by adapting. At a time when our planet is being transformed by human activities, it is important to understand how living entities can or cannot respond to such changes. The “Biological Responses to the Environment” stream, supported by a strong science foundation and an examination of the environment from different perspectives, focuses on a deep knowledge of the various life forms on our planet and their responses at all levels (molecular, cellular, organismal, population and community) to the environment.
Major program (135 ch)
1st Year (19 ch + 20 ch)
Fall: BIOL 1001, BIOL 1006; MATH 1003 or MATH 1053; CHEM 1001, CHEM 1006; ESCI 1012 or ESCI 1041, ESCI 1017 or ESCI 1046; SCI 1001.
Winter: BIOL 1012 or ESCI 1041, BIOL 1017 or ESCI 1046; MATH 1013 or MATH 1063; CHEM 1012, CHEM 1017; ESCI 1001, ESCI 1703; SCI 1002.
2nd Year (18 ch + 18 ch)
Fall: BIOL 2003, BIOL 2008; BIOL 2023, BIOL 2028; CHEM 2401 or CHEM 2421; CHEM 2416.
Winter: BIOL 2053, BIOL 2103; BIOL 2063, BIOL 2068; STAT 2264; one Arts elective
3rd and 4th Year (minimum of 60 ch for a Major; see your academic advisor for optimal timetabling and any alternatives that may be available)
-
PHYS 1051 or PHYS 1061 or PHYS 1071,
PHYS 1091;
MATH 1503 or
MATH 2213;
-
ESCI 2272/
BIOL 2372;
ESCI 3442;
ESCI 4452;
PHYS 2902;
SCI 4999;
-Climate Change: one of
BIOL 4351,
ESCI 3292;
SCI 1911;
-GIS:
FOR 2281,
FOR 5281,
GGE 3423;
-Indigenous Studies: one course: see general outline for example courses;
-Ethics: one course: see general outline for example courses.
-One other Arts elective, see general outline for example courses.
-Normally, at least one course from each of the following 5 biology subgroups; minimum 21 ch:
(Molecular & Cell Subgroup): BIOL 3013, BIOL 3033,
BIOL 3043,
BIOL 3073,
BIOL 3162,
BIOL 3241,
BIOL 3261,
BIOL 3311,
BIOL 3323(Organismal Subgroup): BIOL 1846,
BIOL 3083,
BIOL 3261,
BIOL 3493,
BIOL 3603,
BIOL 3673,
BIOL 3703,
BIOL 3802,
BIOL 3812,
BIOL 3873,
BIOL 4732,
BIOL 4741,
BIOL 4823
(Population, Community and Ecosystem Subgroup): BIOL 3113,
BIOL 3293,
BIOL 3633,
BIOL 4393,
BIOL 4652 or ESCI 4282, BIOL 4773,
BIOL 4863,
BIOL 4973 (Analytical Skills Subgroup): BIOL 3058,
BIOL 3113,
BIOL 3207,
BIOL 3293,
BIOL 3908,
BIOL 3933,
BIOL 3943,
BIOL 4182,
BIOL 4393,
BIOL 4523,
BIOL 4533,
BIOL 4563,
BIOL 4746,
BIOL 5473,
CHEM 2121 and
CHEM 2136(Applied Biology Subgroup): BIOL 4191,
BIOL 4233
Note that a student can take the Marine Block semester; the 5 courses fit into the five subgroups: BIOL 4211, BIOL 4221, BIOL 4641, BIOL 4691, BIOL 4991 (or BIOL 4981).
Honours program (144 ch)
Same courses as for a Major program, plus BIOL 4090 (Honours Thesis Project, 9 ch). Students must have (and maintain) a minimum CGPA of 3.0 to be accepted in and remain in the Honours program. Students interested in Honours by Thesis must make arrangements to complete their dissertation research with a Faculty member in the Department of Biology before applying to the program. Students must submit their application to biohonours@unb.ca before the end of Year 3. Consult the course description for BIOL 4090 for further information and specific procedures. The Honours student must achieve a minimum final CGPA of 3.7 to obtain First Class Honours standing upon graduation. A student completing all course requirements for Honours but with a CGPA below 3.0 will be given a Majors degree.
A2) Stream in Chemical Environmental Perspectives
Understanding the properties and reactivity of molecules, in addition to their identification and quantification, is at the heart of understanding and mitigating human impact on the environment. This knowledge is essential for monitoring industry, investigating and solving environmental problems, and creating paths for human activity that are less harmful to the environment. The stream in “Chemical Environmental Perspectives”, supported by a strong science foundation and an examination of the environment from different perspectives, focuses on training in chemistry.
Major program (137 ch)
1st Year (19 ch + 20 ch)
Fall: MATH 1003 or MATH 1053; CHEM 1001, CHEM 1006; ESCI 1012 or ESCI 1041, ESCI 1017 or ESCI 1046; BIOL 1001, BIOL 1006; SCI 1001.
Winter: MATH 1013 or MATH 1063; CHEM 1012, CHEM 1017; ESCI 1001 or ESCI 1052, ESCI 1703 ; BIOL 1012, BIOL 1017; SCI 1002.
2nd Year (36 ch)
Two of the following pairs: CHEM 2421, CHEM 2422; CHEM 2201, CHEM 2222; CHEM 2121, CHEM 3122;
Two of CHEM 2416, CHEM 2237, CHEM 2136;
Also:
BIOL 2003, BIOL 2008;
MATH 1503 or MATH 2213; STATS 2264.
Two Arts elective (6 ch, see general outline for example courses);
3rd and 4th Year (minimum of 62 ch for a Major, see your academic advisor for optional timetabling and any alternatives that may be available)
-
PHYS 1051 or PHYS 1061 or PHYS 1071,
PHYS 1091;
-One lecture and laboratory pairing from CHEM 3000-4000 (4-5 ch): recommend
CHEM 4112 and
CHEM 3137;
-
BIOL 2023;
BIOL 2053; BIOL 2103;
-One of
ESCI 2272,
ESCI 2211 or
ESCI 3631;
-ESCI 3442
-
ESCI 4452
-
PHYS 2902 -
SCI 4999
-Climate Change: one of
BIOL 4351,
ESCI 3292, SCI 1911;
-GIS: one of
FOR 2281,
FOR 5281,
GGE 3423;
-Indigenous Studies: one course: see general outline for example courses;
-Ethics: one course: see general outline for example courses;
-Five stream courses from the following (minimum 15 ch):
BIOL 1846,
BIOL 2028,
BIOL 2063 and
BIOL 2068,
BIOL 3013,
BIOL 3033,
BIOL 3043,
BIOL 3073,
BIOL 3113,
BIOL 3162,
BIOL 3261,
BIOL 3311,
BIOL 3633,
BIOL 3802,
BIOL 3812,
BIOL 3933,
BIOL 3943,
BIOL 4302,
BIOL 4773,
CHEM 2321,
CHEM 2601,
CHEM 3137,
CHEM 3201,
CHEM 3422,
CHEM 3523,
CHEM 3601,
CHEM 4112,
CHEM 4212, CHEM 4222,
CHEM 4422,
CHEM 4416,
ESCI 4282,
ESCI 3631
Honours program (144 ch)
Same courses as for a Major program, plus CHEM 4000 (Senior Research Projects, 9 ch). Students must have (and maintain) a minimum CGPA of 3.0 to be accepted in and remain in the Honours program. Students who choose this path will conduct a research project in collaboration with a Faculty member. A minimum of 9 hrs per week is required to successfully accomplish the goals of a senior research project, and a thesis, and presentation of thesis work to the department, are required at the end of the academic year. The Honours student must achieve a minimum final CGPA of 3.7 to obtain First Class Honours standing upon graduation. A student completing all course requirements for Honours but with a CGPA below 3.0 will be given a Majors degree.
A3) Stream in Environmetrics
The amount of data collected in sampling and monitoring the environment is on the rise, as many different monitoring technologies are developed and used. Consequently, there is a need for trained personnel to develop and use mathematical, statistical, and other quantitative methods in the environmental sciences, environmental engineering, and environmental monitoring and protection. The “Environmetrics” stream, supported by a strong science foundation and an examination of the environment from different perspectives, focuses on in-depth mathematical and statistical training.
Major program (133 ch)
1st Year (19 ch + 19 ch)
Fall: MATH 1003 or MATH 1053; CHEM 1001, CHEM 1006; ESCI 1012 or ESCI 1041, ESCI 1017 or ESCI 1046; BIOL 1001, BIOL 1006; SCI 1001.
Winter: MATH 1013 or MATH 1063; CHEM 1012, CHEM 1017; ESCI 1001 or ESCI 1052, ESCI 1703; BIOL 1012, BIOL 1017; SCI 1002.
2nd Year (20 ch + 18 ch)
Fall: MATH 2003; STAT 3083; PHYS 1051 or PHYS 1061, PHYS 1091; one Arts elective (3 ch, see general outline for example courses)
Also, one of the following pairs: CHEM 2121 and CHEM 2136; CHEM 2201 and CHEM 2237.
Winter: MATH 2213; STAT 3093; PHYS 1052 or PHYS 1062; PHYS 1092; CS 1073; one Arts elective (3 ch, see general outline for example courses).
3rd and 4th Year (minimum of 57 ch for a Major, see your academic advisor for optimal timetabling and any alternatives that may be available)
-BIOL 2003, BIOL 2008; BIOL 3933; ESCI 2211 or ESCI 2272 or ESCI 3621; ESCI 3442; ESCI 4452; PHYS 2902; SCI 4999;
-Climate Change: one of BIOL 4351, ESCI 3292, SCI 1911
-GIS: GGE 3423;
-Indigenous Studies: one course: see general outline for example courses;
-Ethics: one course: see general outline for example courses;
-One free elective (can be from the stream’s list below);
-Five stream courses from the following (minimum 15 ch): MATH 2013, MATH 3043 or MATH 3503, MATH 3003, MATH 3103, MATH 3113, MATH 3073, MATH 3413, MATH 3473, MATH 4142, MATH 4563, STAT 3373, STAT 4043, STAT 4053, STAT 4073, STAT 4083, STAT 4293, STAT 4443.
Honours program (142 ch)
Same courses as for a Major program, plus MATH 4100 or STAT 4100 (Honours Project, 6 ch), plus one 3rd or 4th year Math/STAT course (3 ch). Students must have (and maintain) a minimum CGPA of 3.0 to be accepted in and remain in the Honours program. Students normally choose an Honours or a Majors degree in the Third Year. Students must apply to the Department Chair for admission to the Honours program. The Honours degree is the normal prerequisite for graduate study in the mathematical sciences. The Honours student must achieve a minimum final CGPA of 3.7 to obtain First Class Honours standing upon graduation. A student completing all course requirements for Honours but with a CGPA below 3.0 will be given a Majors degree.
B4) Stream in Responsible Resource Recovery
For society to continue to function, extraction of our gradually depleting geological resources will remain a necessity (e.g., aggregate, fertilizer, metal, petroleum and water for agriculture, communications, construction, lubricants, plastics, renewable energy, transport). The next generation of scientists must not only carefully manage these dwindling resources, but also explore and extract them with much greater awareness and consideration of both the risk of environmental degradation and pollution, and the subsequent management of waste material. The “Responsible Resource Recovery” stream provides the student with knowledge and understanding of a broad range of environmental and socio-economic issues and how such issues relate to the science of geological resources.
Major Program (138 ch)
(Students may alternatively schedule 1000-level Biology courses in 1st year and 1000-level Physics courses in 2nd year.)
1st Year (19 ch + 20 ch)
Fall: ESCI 1012 or ESCI 1041, ESCI 1017 or ESCI 1046; CHEM 1001, CHEM 1006; MATH 1003 or MATH 1053; PHYS 1051 or PHYS 1061, PHYS 1091; SCI 1001.
Winter: ESCI 1001 or ESCI 1052, ESCI 1703; CHEM 1012, CHEM 1017; MATH 1013 or MATH 1063; PHYS 1052 or PHYS 1062, PHYS 1092; SCI 1002.
2nd Year (16 ch + 17 ch + 5 ch field school)
Fall: ESCI 2131, ESCI 2211, BIOL 1001, BIOL 1006, STAT 2264
Winter: ESCI 2142, ESCI 2321; ESCI 2602; BIOL 1012, BIOL 1017.
And: ESCI 2703 (Field School 2 weeks) after April exams.
3rd and 4th Year (minimum of 61 ch for a Major; see your academic advisor for optimal timetabling and any alternatives that may be available)
-BIOL 2003, BIOL 2008; CHEM 2121, CHEM 2136; ESCI 3442; ESCI 4452; MATH 1503 or MATH 2213; PHYS 2902; SCI 4999
PHYS 2902; SCI 4999;
-Climate Change: ESCI 3292;
-GIS: ESCI 4422
-Indigenous Studies: one course: see general outline for example courses;
-Ethics: one course: see general outline for example courses;
-Two other Arts electives, see general outline for example courses;
-One of: ESCI 3482 or ESCI 3492;
-Three stream courses from the following (but not to include any courses already taken above, minimum 11 ch): ESCI 2272; ESCI 3131; ESCI 3322; ESCI 3411; ESCI 3492; ESCI 3621; ESCI 3631; ESCI 3703; ESCI 3713; ESCI 4212; ESCI 4282; ESCI 4412; ESCI 4461; ESCI 4472; ESCI 4501; ESCI 4512; ESCI 4612
Honours program (146 ch)
Same courses as for a Major program, plus ESCI 4900 (Thesis Project, 8 ch). Students must have (and maintain) a minimum CGPA of 3.0 to be accepted in and remain in the Honours program. In the second term of a student’s next-to-last year of undergraduate study, a student should approach a faculty supervisor to arrange a thesis topic and schedule. A written request for admission to the program then must be submitted to the Chair of Department prior to the last day to add classes in the Fall (Winter) term of the student’s final year. The Honours student must achieve a minimum final CGPA of 3.7 to obtain First Class Honours standing upon graduation. A student completing all course requirements for Honours but with a CGPA below 3.0 will be given a Majors degree.
B5) Stream in Sun-Earth Interaction
Among the many challenges that humanity faces at this beginning of the 21st century are concerns arising from climate change and various impacts on societies resulting from the interaction of Earth with the Sun. To face these challenges requires advancement of our knowledge and understanding of the dynamics of the Sun and its effects on the Earth’s magnetosphere, ionosphere and atmosphere. The goal of the "Sun-Earth Interaction” stream is to provide a curriculum that will focus on the study of various physical processes taking place in the solar-terrestrial environment, and quantify the energy transport mechanisms that drive life on planet Earth.
Major program (144 ch)
1st Year (19 ch + 20 ch)
Fall: PHYS 1051 or PHYS 1061 or PHYS 1071, PHYS 1091; CHEM 1001; CHEM 1006; ESCI 1012 or ESCI 1041, ESCI 1017 or ESCI 1046; MATH 1003 or MATH 1053; SCI 1001.
Winter: PHYS 1052 or PHYS 1062 or PHYS 1072, PHYS 1092; CHEM 1012, CHEM 1017; ESCI 1001 or ESCI 1052, ESCI 1703; MATH 1013 or MATH 1063; SCI 1002.
2nd Year (17 ch + 17 ch)
Fall: PHYS 2311; PHYS 2331; PHYS 2351; MATH 2003; BIOL 1001, BIOL 1006.
Winter: PHYS 2312; PHYS 2342; MATH 2013, MATH 2213; BIOL 1012, BIOL 1017.
3rd and 4th Year (minimum of 71 ch for a Major; see your academic advisor for optimal timetabling and any alternatives that may be available)
-PHYS 3331, PHYS 3351; PHYS 3883; PHYS 2372, PHYS 2902, PHYS 3321 PHYS 3342, PHYS 3752;
-BIOL 2003, BIOL 2008; CHEM 2416, CHEM 2421; ESCI 2272 or ESCI 4501; ESCI 3442; ESCI 4452; CI 4999;
-Climate Change: one of BIOL 4351, ESCI 3292, SCI 1911
-GIS: one of FOR 2281, FOR 5281, GGE 3423;
-Indigenous Studies: one course: see general outline for example courses;
-Ethics: one course: see general outline for example courses;
-Two Arts electives: see general outline for example courses.
Honours program (152 ch)
Same courses as for a Major program, plus PHYS 4338 (Advanced Research Project, 8 ch). Students must have (and maintain) a minimum CGPA of 3.0 to be accepted in and remain in the Honours program. Students must have arranged with the Department for an appropriate project by October of their final year and must submit a report to the Department. The deadline for the report is decided and circulated each year, but is usually late in March. Honours student must achieve a minimum final CGPA of 3.7 to obtain First Class Honours standing upon graduation. A student completing all course requirements for Honours but with a CGPA below 3.0 will be given a Majors degree.
B6) Stream in Water-Earth Interaction
Across our environment, water has the capacity to dissolve solids from the earth’s surface and substrate, transport the solutes, and precipitate new materials. The solutes can be essential nutrients for life, or toxic contaminants. When flowing as surface- or ground-water, it may also remove, move, and deposit solid material. The “Water-Earth Interaction” stream provides the student with the relevant science underpinning the global water supply and water quality, river and coastal erosion, and siltation. Electives allow students to further investigate any interest in hydrogeochemistry, biosphere interactions, or water management.
Major program (138 ch)
1st Year (19 ch + 20 ch)
(Students may alternatively schedule 1000-level Biology courses in 1st year and 1000-level Physics courses in 2nd year.)
Fall: ESCI 1012 or ESCI 1041, ESCI 1017 or ESCI 1046; CHEM 1001, CHEM 1006; MATH 1003 or MATH 1053; PHYS 1051 or PHYS 1061, PHYS 1091; SCI 1001.
Winter: ESCI 1001 or ESCI 1052, ESCI 1703; CHEM 1012, CHEM 1017; MATH 1013 or MATH 1063; PHYS 1052 or PHYS 1062, PHYS 1092; SCI 1002.
2nd Year (19 ch + 19 ch)
Fall: ESCI 2131, ESCI 2211; BIOL 1001, BIOL 1006; two Arts electives - see general outline for example courses.
Winter: BIOL 1012, BIOL 1017; ESCI 2272; ESCI 2602; MATH 1503 or MATH 2213; PHYS 2902; STAT 2264.
3rd and 4th Year (minimum of 61 ch for a Major; see your academic advisor for optimal timetabling and any alternatives that may be available)
-BIOL 2003, BIOL 2008; CHEM 2121, CHEM 2136; ESCI 3631; ESCI 3442; ESCI 4282; ESCI 4452; PHYS 2902; SCI 4999;
-Climate Change: ESCI 3292;
-GIS: ESCI 4422
-Indigenous Studies: one course: see general outline for example courses;
-Ethics: one course: see general outline for example courses;
-At least four stream courses from the following (but not to include any course already taken above, minimum 15 ch):ESCI 2142; ESCI 2321; ESCI 2703; ESCI 3482; ESCI 3492; ESCI 4212; ESCI 4501; ESCI 4512; BIOL 2063 and BIOL 2068; BIOL 4773; BIOL 4973; CHEM 2201; CHEM 2401 or CHEM 2421; CHEM 2416; CHEM 3122; CHEM 3137; ENVM 2114.
Honours program (146 ch)
Same courses as for a Major program, plus ESCI 4900 (Thesis Project, 8 ch). Students must have (and maintain) a minimum CGPA of 3.0 to be accepted in and remain in the Honours program. In the second term of a student’s next-to-last year of undergraduate study, a student must approach a faculty supervisor to arrange a thesis topic and schedule. A written request for admission to the program then must be submitted to the Chair of Department prior to the last day to add classes in the Fall (Winter) term of the student’s final year. The Honours student must achieve a minimum final CGPA of 3.7 to obtain First Class Honours standing upon graduation. A student completing all course requirements for Honours but with a CGPA below 3.0 will be given a Majors degree.