Environmental Studies Courses
(updated version – 10 November 2011)
ENVI 1006 - Introduction to Environmental Studies
This course provides a framework for understanding Environmental Studies. The first part of the course
focuses on different ways of defining, conceptualizing, planning and managing the environment. The
second part discusses resource and environmental issues in Canada focussing on climate change,
resource extraction and the built environment and health. (LEC. 3) cr 3
ENVI 1206 – Earth’s Environmental Systems
This course introduces to the physical environment using an integrative earth systems approach as a
basis for understanding normal environmental function and environmental problems arising from
human activities. Topics include the atmosphere, weather and climate, earth materials and earth
surface processes, landscape and soil development, water resources, the biosphere, and environmental
change. Students cannot retain credit for ENVI 1206 and GEOG 1026. Exclusion: GEOG 1026 (LEC. 3) cr 3
ENVI 2037 - Remote Sensing of the Environment
This course introduces remote sensing (RS), image analysis and interpretation, as applied in the earth
and environmental sciences and for resource evaluation. Topics include the use of various forms of
electromagnetic energy for characterizing earth's surface features, an overview of modern RS systems
for collection of data at a variety of spatial, temporal, and radiometric scales, and a survey of
applications of RS. Lectures and practical work. Prerequisites: ENVI 1206 EL and at least one second
year science course or GEOG 1026 EL and one GEOG techniques course. Students may not retain credit
for GEOG 2037 EL and the former GEOG 3037 EL. (LEC. 3) cr 3
ENVI 2106 - Geomorphology I
This course introduces the study of landforms and landscapes, with an emphasis on process and on the
effect of varying environmental conditions. Topics include geologically controlled landforms,
weathering, mass wasting and slope development, the effects of runoff, stream flow and wave action,
and humans as geomorphic agents. A one-day field trip is required. Prerequisites: ENVI 1206 EL or
GEOG 1026 EL. (LEC. 3) cr 3
ENVI 2137 - Watershed Hydrology
This course covers the hydrologic cycle and hydrologic processes occurring at or near the earth's surface including precipitation, interception, evaporation, soil water movement and storage, runoff and streamflow. Emphasis is placed on the measurement and simple modelling of water and energy flux at the watershed scale. A field trip plus independent field data collection is required. Prerequisites: ENVI 1206 EL and at least one second year science course or GEOG 1026 EL and one GEOG techniques course. Students may not retain credit for GEOG 2137 EL and the former GEOG 3136 EL. (LEC. 3) cr 3
ENVI 2616 - Cultural Representations of the Environment
This course illustrates that different cultures, their lifestyles and their perceptions of the environment
impact the environment in various ways. Selected works of art, music, film and literature are surveyed
to identify cultural-environmental perspectives to frame assessments of cultural impacts on the
environment. Comparisons of perspectives of the environment are made using selected works from
Indigenous, Western and Eastern cultures. PREREQ: Students must have completed a minimum of 6
credits in ENVI courses to enrol in this course. (LEC. 3 ) cr 3
ENVI 2646 - Ecological Footprints and Demographic Change
This course introduces demographic measurements, perspectives on demographic change, impacts of
various population trends on the environment, and the concept of ecological footprints. The course
surveys population trends, the evolution of demographic perspectives and demographic transition
theory. In addition, the ecological footprint of existing lifestyle expectations is used to challenge the
concept of sustainable development. PREREQ: Students must have completed a minimum of 6 credits in
ENVI courses to enrol in this course. (LEC. 3) cr 3
ENVI 3006 - Field Camp for Environmental Studies
This field course is taught in the last week of the summer before classes begin for the fall. Students must
be prepared to live for several days and nights in lodges or tents at a nearby provincial park. Course
work involves studying biota from meadows, forests, wetlands, lakes, streams, and ponds in order to
learn about sampling methods and how to identify a broad range of different organisms. Course work is
also done in city where students participate in planning exercises, survey design, and public education
activities. Prerequisites: students must have a minimum of 15 ENVI credits or permission of the
instructor. (exp 1 week fall, cr 3)
ENVI 3107E - Geomorphology II
This course covers additional landform/landscape types with an emphasis on phenomena characteristic
of cold environments. Topics include alpine and continental glaciation, glacial and periglacial landscapes,
and soil/sediment analysis. A one-day laboratory session is required. Prerequisite: ENVI 2106 EL
(Geomorphology I) or GEOG 2106 EL or permission of the instructor. Students may not retain credit for
GEOG 3107 EL and the former GEOG 2107 EL. (LEC. 3) cr 3
ENVI 3636 - The Living City
This course introduces the concept of cities as an eco-system to frame assessments of urban sprawl,
energy consumption, waste, and the built environment. A major focus of the course is to investigate
ways in which the built environment can have environmental impacts both inside and outside city
boundaries. In addition, existing urban behaviours are shown to challenge the concept of the
sustainable city. PREREQ: Students must have completed a minimum of 15 credits in ENVI courses to
enrol in this course. (LEC. 3) cr 3
ENVI 4105 - Thesis in Environmental Studies
This course the completion of a research project with a substantial primary or secondary data analysis
component. Completion of the final project will help develop skills in proposal development, managing
expectations and timelines, data collection and analysis, and writing a research report. PREREQ: at least
15 ENVI cr and a average grade of at least 75% in these credits, or permission of Department chair. (SEM
2) cr 6
ENVI 4606 - Reaching Sustainability with Incremental or Massive Change
This course introduces the concepts of sustainability and lifestyle changes. Various definitions of
sustainability are identified and critically analyzed to determine the changes necessary to achieve
human-environment relationships and lifestyles that are sustainable. Social, cultural and environmental
impacts of adopting incremental versus massive changes in lifestyles to achieve sustainability are
conceptualized and assessed. PREREQ: Students must have completed a minimum of 15 credits in ENVI
courses to enrol in this course. (LEC. 2 and SEM. 1) cr 3
ENVI 4616 - Environment and Health
This course explores the complex relationship between health and physical and built environments. In
addition to examining the changing ways that health (physical, social, mental and emotional) and the
environment (social, built, physical) are theorized, the course explores differences in people’s
understandings and experiences of healthy and unhealthy environments. PREREQ: at least 15 ENVI cr or
instructor’s permission (LEC 1.5, SEM 1.5) cr 3
ENVI 4626 - Vulnerabilities and the Environment in Developing Countries
This course examines how population and environmental inequities are conceptualized, measured and
constructed in developing countries. The concept of vulnerability is used to investigate why
environmental change, impacts and disasters disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable
in society. PREREQ: at least 15 ENVI cr or instructor’s permission (LEC 1.5, SEM 1.5) cr 3
ENVI 4656 - Critical Perspectives of Canadian Resources
This course critiques the various values, attitudes and perspectives that shape how individuals, industry,
governments, and organizations use and think about Canadian resources. Topics such as water security,
forestry and mining are used to critique the dichotomy between renewable and non-renewable
resources. PREREQ: at least 15 ENVI cr or instructor’s permission (LEC 1.5, SEM 1.5) cr 3
ENVI 4695 - Environmental Community Research
This course discusses research in environmental studies with a particular emphasis on community-based
research that is designed to meet the needs of community groups, environmental non-governmental
organizations, government agencies, or businesses. Hands-on experience in community-based research
will develop students’ skills in negotiating with community partners, assessing their research needs,
developing a professional collaborative relationship, conveying realistic expectations to research
partners, managing projects, and developing effective strategies for sharing results with community
partners. PREREQ: at least 15 ENVI cr or instructor’s permission (SEM 3) cr 6