New Minor in Soils and the Environmental be implemented Fall 2010
Processes
and their dynamics at the interface between the biosphere, atmosphere,
hydrosphere and lithosphere are critical to the regulation of environmental
quality from the micro-scale of mm to macro-scale climatic conditions. The minor in Soils and the Environment
provides students with an opportunity to focus on the Earth’s “Critical Zone”,
the thin outer layer which supports all terrestrial life on the planet. Focus
is on key biological, chemical and physical processes active in soils, and how
they influence environmental conditions.
Students
are required to take 26 credit hours. Of
these, 8 credit hours are prerequisites to FSTY 205, 15 credit hours are
required soils courses, and 3 credit hours are selected from a list of
suggested elective courses. In addition to the 8 credit hours of prerequisite
courses at the 100 level, an additional 6 credit hours can also be used to meet
the requirements of a Major or another minor.
Photo of May 2010 Graduates
Dustin Blake, Ekaterina Daviel, Irene Hart
An agreement with Kwantlen University College and UNBC allows these students to also benefit from the similar requirements as Douglas College. (Link to the agreement)
Students completing the two- year Associate Degree in Environmental Science at Douglas College may obtain a UNBC Degree in Environmental Science (BSc Major) by meeting all the requirements of the current calendar, or, by completing a modified third and fourth year program. Entrance to the modified program at UNBC requires successful completion of selected courses at Douglas College that also meet the requirements of the Douglas College Associate Degree in Environmental Science. Students considering entrance into this program at UNBC should consult with the Environmental Science Academic Advisor before applying for admission. Please contact Jennifer Hollands (Environmental Science Academic Advisor) by telephone at 250-960-6677 or by email at hollands@unbc.ca for more details. (Link to the agreement)
The Challenge
Environmental
and ecological problems are of increasing concern to Canadians. In
northern British Columbia, the concerns are especially acute in
resource based economies. As one of the undergraduate Environmental
degrees at UNBC, Environmental Science seeks to train scientists
who will understand how the environment functions, and how to mitigate
effects on the environment when functions and processes are disrupted.
Taking advantage of a spectacular
natural laboratory and state of the art facilities, the program is
problem and process oriented with a strong practical focus related to
the challenges, context and environment of the North and beyond.
Our Educational Approach
The
interdisciplinary Environmental Science degree is built around a core
curriculum. These courses ensure an understanding of fundamental
biological, chemical and physical aspects of environmental science and
a uniform student preparation.
In
addition, students receive exposure to realistic questions, problems,
and the human dimensions that underlie many of these issues.
Specializing in the area of their choice, students develop a diversity
of expertise necessary to address present environmental problems and
future unanticipated ones. Students are propared for graduate studies,
employment in government, industry, and the growing environmental
sector.
The
interdisciplinary Environmental Science degree is built around a core
curriculum. These courses ensure an understanding of fundamental
biological, chemical and physical aspects of environmental science and
a uniform student preparation.