Climate and Environmental Change at University of Waterloo

Programme overview

Leads to the Bachelor of Science in Climate and Environmental Change. You'll address challenges such as flooding, permafrost thawing, drought and forest fires, peatland degradation, rising sea levels and coastal change, and changing economic opportunities in climate sensitive sectors by combining biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science with human geography. You’ll master practical tools like computer modelling and hone the skills to build a low-carbon future. Enrich your classroom learning with hands-on experience in labs and fieldwork (and paid work experience through co-op). Available in the regular system of study or the co-op system.

Faculty: Faculty of Environment | Study mode: full-time | Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

What you will study

Most of the classes you’ll take will be Geography courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from the 100 subject areas at Waterloo. Sample upper-year courses include Field Ecology, Societal Adaptation to Climate Change, Environmental Hydrology of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Ice Sheets and Glaciers.

Career pathways

Your career path will depend on your interests. You could go directly into a career with a wide variety of employers or continue your education in a variety of areas, including Waterloo’s Master of Climate Change degree.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Ontario applicants: Six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required); Any Grade 12 U Mathematics (minimum final grade of 70% is required); Chemistry or Physics; Expected admission range: High 70s; Recommended courses: Biology, Earth and Space Science, or World Issues. How to apply: Apply directly to this program on your application.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the courses you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

First-year students are admitted for the September (fall) term only. Terms: fall (September to December), winter (January to April), spring (May to August). Part-time, online, post-degree and non-degree studies can start in the winter, spring or fall term.

Applications for September 2027 entry close on 1 February 2027 for programs other than Engineering (documents due 15 February 2027) and on 15 January 2027 for Engineering programs other than Architecture (documents due 1 February 2027). International students have the same deadlines. Full-time applicants apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC).

Part-time, online, post-degree and non-degree studies: winter 2027 applications close 30 October 2026 for degree and non-degree (13 November 2026 for post-degree); spring 2027 applications close 26 February 2027 for degree and non-degree (12 March 2027 for post-degree). Optometry closes 12 November 2026 and Pharmacy closes 6 January 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/admissions/how-to-apply

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