The Environmental Science Bachelor of Science is an interdisciplinary degree in which students take a core curriculum along with a minor. The core curriculum is designed to provide students with knowledge of the fundamental biological, chemical, physical and applied aspects integral to the field of environmental science. In addition, students are exposed to many of the human dimensions that underlie environmental issues. This approach ensures a uniform preparation among students and allows for the development of a diversity of expertise necessary to address the complexity of present environmental problems and future unanticipated ones.

The degree has been designed in part to address educational components of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Environmental Employment set out by Environmental Careers Organization (ECO Canada). The NOS forms the basis of the Canadian Certified Environmental Practitioner (CCEP) accreditation process of the Canadian Environmental Certification Approvals Board (CECAB). In addition, it may be possible to use some courses toward professional designations (i.e. P.Ag., P.Geo.). Students interested in this option are responsible for making themselves aware of the required courses for the professional designations and for planning to take the courses at the appropriate points in their program.