In this Guide
Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.
- Take required courses in Biology, Chemistry, Math, Physical Geography, Geology and Environmental Studies.
- Learn about co-op – apply at the end of your first year.
- Check out classroom info screens and department notice boards and My Learning Space page dedicated to Environmental Science students for important information and events in the department.
- Live in the Faculty of Science Residence Learning Community to extend opportunities for learning and development beyond the classroom.
- Attend departmental seminars to hear about current research from faculty members and invited speakers.
- Learn about undergraduate scholarships, awards and bursaries.
- Enhance your academic experience at Laurier through professional one-on-one, online and peer-to-peer resources available through Academic Advising and Support.
- Complete required courses and study topics including ecology, genetics, organismal biology, environmental chemistry, mapping, soil science, hydrology and atmospheric science.
- Consider applying to complete a thesis or directed studies course in your fourth year.
- Develop a focus in Biology, Chemistry or Geography to match your interests.
- Participate in experiential learning opportunities by enroling in required field courses.
- Apply to take elective field courses in Ontario, Northern Canada, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, British Columbia, Africa or the Caribbean through the Ontario University Program in Field Biology.
- Study abroad on an academic exchange in Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden or South Africa.
- Explore opportunities to get involved in research in a faculty member's lab.
- Consider applying for Instructional Assistant and work-study opportunities in the Department of Biology.
- Continue to attend departmental seminars to engage with faculty and visiting speakers.
- If you’re thinking about applying to graduate school, talk with your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- Complete a fourth-year research thesis if you are interested in the Research Specialization.
- Pursue research, Instructional Assistant and work-study opportunities in the Department of Biology.
- Attend an undergraduate research conference or participate in poster conferences.
- Participate in provincial, national or international scientific conferences in a faculty member-led research team.
- If you’re applying to graduate school, sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop and book a further education application appointment.
As an Environmental Science student, you can:
- Join student clubs such as the Laurier Biology Association, Faculty of Science Students' Association (FOSSA), or Laurier EcoHawks and build leadership skills through joining an executive team.
- Seek a student representative position in the Departments of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, or Geography and Environmental Studies and participate in the Faculty of Science Divisional Council.
- Get involved with the Laurier Centre for Women in Science (WinS).
- Apply for funding for a sustainable initiative on campus through the Sustainable Hawk Fund.
- Get involved with the Sustainability Office activities
Outside of your program, there are many co-curricular opportunities for you to participate in.
- Check out the Experience Catalogue for a full list of co-curricular experiences that are currently offered across campus.
- Volunteer with the Students’ Union (e.g., Laurier Orientation, Hawk Walk, EcoHawks, Food Bank, Emergency Response Team, Shinerama).
- Volunteer on campus with the Accessible Learning, Global Engagement, Sustainability Office, Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, WLU Student Publications and more.
- Get involved in the local community by volunteering off campus.
- Apply for on-campus jobs:
- Check Navigator frequently for job postings or contact individual departments directly.
- Search for job opportunities on the Students’ Union website.
- If you meet eligibility criteria, apply for the Laurier Work Study Program or International Student Work Experience Program.
- Attend Job Fairs to network with employers.
- Explore ways to get involved in research.
- Look into StartUp Lab opportunities for support in launching a new venture.
Job/Volunteer Search Tips
- While on-campus opportunities are posted year-round, recruitment often starts early! Start looking in the winter term for opportunities in the following academic year.
- Have your resumé and LinkedIn profile reviewed by Career Centre staff for both on and off-campus opportunities.
- Laurier offers a variety of co-curricular certificates that you can complete during your studies. Earn certificates in topics including academic development, professional development, wellness, leadership and career development.
- Participate in workshops, programming and events offered by the Career Centre, Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Support, Laurier Library, the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and more.
- Engage in the First-Year Leadership Program including Campus Councils and House Council and the Leadership Certificate.
- Connect with Global Engagement to learn about international options available to you including opportunities abroad and language and culture sharing programs.
Design Your Degree
These are a few popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge. See undergraduate options, minors and courses for more information.
Develop Your Knowledge and Skills
As a Laurier student, you will develop the following competencies through your curricular and co-curricular experiences.
Competency Framework
Competencies are categories of transferrable skills that appear on your online Experience Record to help you reflect on what you've learned from your experiences. The competencies include:
- Adaptability and Resiliency
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Communication
- Creativity and Innovation
- Critical Thinking
- Digital Literacy
- Diversity and Intercultural Understanding
- Functional Knowledge
- Leadership
- Problem Solving
- Professional Attributes
- Self-Awareness
Functional Knowledge
- How to apply the principles of the scientific process - hypothesis making, experimental design, applying modern techniques, observation and data collection, analysis and interpretation - to formulate and test ideas using an objective and analytical approach.
- How to gather, assess, evaluate and interpret biological data, in both the laboratory and in the field, and communicate knowledge to scientific and non-scientific communities.
- How to integrate and apply knowledge from the Natural Sciences for the purpose of identifying, protecting and preserving organisms and ecosystems undergoing environmental changes at local, population and biome levels.
- How to identify major components of biological communities and quantify their use of spatial and natural resources within the context of biological and geochemical processes occurring within the physical habitats of organisms.
- Developing practical skills in a variety of laboratory and field techniques used to quantify biota and the environmental factors they experience.
- Acquiring the tools necessary to understand how physical and chemical processes occurring in air, water, rocks and soils affect the occurrence, distribution, abundance and performance of living organisms.
Discover Career Options
All your experiences at Laurier can help you prepare for your future. Attend Career Centre events and workshops or book a career consulting appointment to explore career and further education options.
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Pursuing Further Education
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950 Faculty of Science respondents from the 2024 Laurier Graduate Survey conducted by the Career Centre. Graduates were surveyed within 12 months of graduation. Other includes those travelling, volunteering or out of the workforce. 5% of graduates were looking for employment when survey data collection ended.
Alumni Careers and Pathways
Sample Further Education Programs Within the First Year After Graduation
- Master’s Degree - Environmental Science, Geography, Transportation and Infrastructure Planning
- College Program - Environmental Field and Lab Technician
Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation
- environmental scientist
- lab technician
- project technologist
- renewable energy advisor
- research assistant
- restoration and infrastructure field staff
- senior consultant
Careers Of Alumni Two to Five Years After Graduation
- conservation research technician assistant
- engineering assistant/terrestrial ecologist
- environmental scientist
- junior ecologist
- policy and programs assistant
- project coordinator
- public health inspector intern
- risk management inspector
Career Options and Resources
Need some guidance on what you can do with your degree? Discover some career options and find resources to help guide you.
Career and Industry Options
- agriculture
- climate change
- conservation
- consulting
- environmental planning
- government
- healthy and safety
- meteorology
- museum/library
- natural resources
- non-profit
- public policy
- research
- scientific writing
- sustainability
- tourism
- transportation
- water resource management
Your Experiences Tell Your Story
Share your story through your Laurier Experience Record. An interactive, shareable and official record of your hands-on experiences and learning opportunities at Laurier – the first of its kind in Canada!
Share Your Feedback
We'd love to hear from you. Complete the Laurier Experience Guide Feedback Survey to share your thoughts.