Environmental Studies Major Map
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS (SPECIALIZATION) │ BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS (MAJOR) │ BACHELOR OF ARTS (MEDIAL) │
BACHELOR OF ARTS/SCIENCE (MINOR)
Get the
Courses
You Need
1st Year
2nd Year
3rd Year
Final Year
Take BIOL 111 or 102, GEOL
104, GPHY 101, 102, CHEM
112, 6.0 units from MATH.
Take ENSC 203, ENSC 201
and ENSC 290 (if offered)
Take ENSC 301 and ENSC
390.
Take 3.0 units of CLST 214,
PHIL 154, PHIL 293, or
RELS 235
Take 9 units from the
integrative science list.
Take remaining units of
integrative science and
interdisciplinary social science
and humanities lists.
For details on plan
requirements or thresholds, go
to the Arts and Science
website. See an academic
counselor at the Arts and
Science Office or speak with
the Undergraduate Chair for
help.
Get
Relevant
Experience
Join teams or clubs on campus
such as ASUS Committee for
the Environment, the Earth
Centre or Queen’s Backing
Action on Climate Change.
See Queen’s Sustainability
For course information on
specializations, see the online
Environmental Studies degree
plan list.
Take ENSC 430 or ENSC 501
Take 6 units from
or ENSC 502. Apply to
interdisciplinary social science graduate on SOLUS.
and humanities list. See the
department website for more
details.
Look into summer jobs by
talking to the dept. or Career
Services about work through
SWEP or Work-Study.
Stay during the summer as an
assistant to a faculty member
or apply for an external
summer research opportunity.
Take more responsibility
If interested apply for an
Undergraduate Student Summer
Investigate full-time jobs or
other opportunities related to
careers of interest. If
interested, look for
environmental opportunities
through Planet Friendly.
1st Year
2nd Year
3rd Year
webpage, the Co-Curricular
Opportunities Directory or
AMS Clubs Directory for
more ideas.
within different clubs or
extracurriculars.
Research Fellowship
Volunteer on or off-campus
Get
Connected with different community
organizations.
with Your
Community
Get
Thinking
Globally
Volunteer at organizations
like the AMS Commission of
Environment and
Sustainability.
Get involved with the
Departmental
Student Council (DSC).
See community organizations
listed by the department,
including SWITCH Ontario
and the City of Kingston.
Watch for events in the
School of Environment
Studies through the
department website. Start or
continue volunteering with
organizations.
Queen’s University
International Centre is your
first stop to internationalizing
your degree. Speak to a
QUIC advisor or get involved
in their many programs,
events and training
opportunities.
Is an exchange in your future?
Start thinking about where
you would like to study
abroad. Applications for a 3rd
year exchange are due in
January through the
International Programs Office.
Consider studying abroad in
the summer: look into taking
BIOL 307, a China-Canada
field course, or ENSC 311 at
the Castle.
Final Year
(USSRF).
Consider entrepreneurial
opportunities at programs like the
Queen’s Summer Innovation
Initiative (QSII).
Assess what experience
you’re lacking and fill in gaps
with volunteering, clubs, or
internships.
Do targeted networking with
people working in careers of
interest (with alumni or using
LinkedIn)
Consider joining professional
associations like the
Ontario Environment
Industry Association and the
Canadian Institute for
Connect with professors at
Environmental Law and
events or workshops hosted by Policy.
the DSC.
Build your intercultural
competence by getting
involved with other cultures or
by practicing or improving
your language skills. Stop by
QUIC for ideas to go abroad,
volunteer at QUIC or attend
one of their events.
Consider taking courses
abroad.
Prepare yourself to work in a
multi-cultural environment by
taking QUIC’s Intercultural
Competency Certificate and
start thinking about work or
further studies abroad.
Think about Internship
Opportunities abroad related
to Environmental Studies.
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©Career Services, Queen’s University, 2014-2015
Get Ready
for Life
After
Graduation
1st Year
2nd Year
3rd Year
Final Year
Grappling with program
decisions? – go to Major
Nights from different
departments or get some help
deciding by visiting Career
Services.
Explore different careers of
interest by reading books in
the Career Services
Information Area, such as
Career Opportunities in
Conservation and the
Environment, talking to
people whose jobs interest
you, or connecting with
alumni on LinkedIn.
Learn about the requirements
for careers of interest– do they
need additional schooling? If
so, prepare to take the
required tests (like GMAT,
LSAT).
Apply to jobs or future
education, or make plans for
other adventures. Prepare
reference letters if you’re
applying to graduate school.
Make sure you take your 100level courses in your first
year, since scheduling
becomes difficult in later
years.
Check out careers at the
department website.
Attend Grad School
workshops at Career Services
if interested.
Check out what some of our
grads are doing at our website.
Make an appointment with
Career Services for help with
future plans.
Caution: *This map is meant as a guide to provide suggestions throughout your university career. The activities, resources, and careers mentioned are possibilities – you are not
restricted to them and you don’t have to follow this exact timeline. Every person (including you!) will find their own unique path through their degree at Queen’s and beyond.
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©Career Services, Queen’s University, 2014-2015
Where could I go after graduation?
Agriculture
Air quality
Architecture
Bioethics
Biotechnology
Cartography
Communications
Ecology
Education
Energy
Environmental management
Fisheries and wildlife
Forestry
Geographic information systems
Health administration
Horticulture
Human and environmental health and safety
International development
Land quality
Landscape Architecture
Law
Meteorology
Mining
Oceanography
Parks and natural reserves
Policy and legislation
Public administration
Research and development
Restoration and reclamation
Sustainable development
Toxicology
Transportation
Urban and regional planning
Waste management
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©Career Services, Queen’s University, 2014-2015
Water quality
*some careers may require additional training
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©Career Services, Queen’s University, 2014-2015
Environmental Studies at Queen’s
Why study Environmental Studies?
In the Environmental Science program, you will acquire an appreciation of the scope and complexity of environmental systems, the
ability to deal with the socio-economic dimensions of an issue, and the fundamental knowledge to adapt to changes in the future. If
you are interested in a science concentration, you will study environmental systems from the perspective of the natural and physical
sciences, while recognizing the human and cultural dimensions of the issues.
The Environmental Studies program provides disciplinary strength in a humanities and social science discipline plus
interdisciplinary environmental courses on the science side. Students acquire a basic science background, an understanding of the
complexity of environmental issues and their solutions, and an in-depth knowledge of a discipline in the humanities or social
sciences.
WHAT PROGRAM OPTIONS ARE THERE?
•
Specialization – Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Earth System Science, Environmental Biology, Environmental Chemistry,
Environmental Geology, Environmental Life Sciences, or Environmental Toxicology
•
Major (Science) – Bachelor of Science (Honours)
•
Medial in Environmental Studies – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
•
Minor in Environmental Studies with Bachelor of Arts or Science
See the department website for course requirements: queensu.ca/ensc
Getting what you need to succeed in the workplace
What do employers want?
In a recent survey from the Canadian Council of Chief Executives the top 6 skills sought by employers were:
1 People skills
2 Communication skills
3 Problem-solving skills
4 Analytical abilities
5 Leadership skills
6 Industry-specific Knowledge
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©Career Services, Queen’s University, 2014-2015
How do I get the skills I need?
It is important to develop a balanced skill set – many of which you will develop during your studies. To stand out from the crowd, gain experience
outside the classroom through the multitude of clubs and activities in and around Queen’s. Check out ideas in the Get Relevant Experience section
of this map.
What can I learn studying Environmental Studies at Queen’s?
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Interdisciplinary perspective – understand environmental topics from a scientific, philosophical and ethical point of view
Understand natural and human factors related to environmental problems
Knowledge of local, national, and global environmental problems and issues
Analytical skills – analyze data for trends and apply statistical tests
Ability to interpret data from scientific experimentation and make conclusions based on research
Experience with laboratory equipment
Critical thinking – form, defend, and evaluate arguments and propose solutions
Oral and written communications - create reports and give presentations
Teamwork - work as a team on a long-term project
Resource and time management
What makes ME special?
You have a unique set of skills and experiences. Take the time to think about the skills you have personally developed at Queen’s.
Explaining your strengths with compelling examples will be important for applications to employers and further education. For
help, check out the Career Services skills workshop.
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©Career Services, Queen’s University, 2014-2015
Environmental Studies Major Map
How to use this map
• Got
questions about careers and classes?
• Feeling a little lost or overwhelmed by choices?
• Wondering what you are “supposed” to be doing?
Use this map to plan for success in five overlapping areas of career and academic life. Each map helps you explore possibilities, set
goals and track accomplishments. To make your own custom map, use the My Major Map tool.
Don’t stress if you haven’t done all of the suggested activities. The map is not a prescription – it’s a tool for finding your own way at
Queen’s.
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©Career Services, Queen’s University, 2014-2015
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See queensu.ca/studentaffairs for details
School of Environmental Studies
Faculty of Arts and Science
BioSciences Complex, Room 3134
116 Barrie Street
613.533.6602
queensu.ca/ensc
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©Career Services, Queen’s University, 2014-2015