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) program provides you with the skills to shape business, industry, and government practices using economically and environmentally-sound principles.
Developed as an integrated and interdisciplinary program, the BES builds connections between fields such as environmental studies, art, natural sciences, and communications. The program also incorporates a regional focus by addressing the environmental needs of the Fraser Valley, including agriculture and food security, climate change, land use planning/GIS, and environmental communications.
The Bachelor of Environmental Studies is structured around a primary core of courses that engage you on questions related to human-environment relationships, resource scarcity and allocation, innovation and problem solving, environmental research, and communication of ideas and results. 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.
Upon graduation, you are prepared to work as an environmental professional in Canada or abroad. Alternatively, you may also choose to pursue graduate studies or another professional designation.
If you plan on working in the environmental science field and seek additional professional accreditation after graduation, you may consider the Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Natural Sciences).
Bachelor of Environmental Studies graduates are well equipped to work as environmental professionals in a variety of fields (forestry, agriculture, urban and commercial transportation planning, conservation).
You may find employment as:
See the Academic Calendar for program 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 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.