Environmental Sciences

University of Guelph

Environment and Sustainability: blue ink subject illustration

5 years
Co-op duration (years)
5 years (co-op)
Environmental Sciences · official programme information
Co-op option
Work experience
Co-op option
Environmental Sciences · official programme information
~75–80%
Entering average
Published approximate guidance: 75–80%. Fall 2027. Ontario high-school entry across BSc Environmental Sciences majors. Co-op can require a higher average.
Guelph guidance counsellors: Fall 2027 Ontario estimated cut-off ranges

Deadlines

November 2026

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Next deadlineThursday, November 19, 2026

OUAC. Ontario high schools report midterm/final 4U/M grades
2027 entry
School deadline, not a student task. Universities receive these grades by November 26. Verbatim: "Deadline for the OUAC to receive all midterm or final grades available for 4U/M courses from Ontario high schools. Schools may report in-progress grades for full-year courses as soon as they are available." Universities receive these by the target date of November 26, 2026. This is a deadline on the high school, not on the student, but it governs which grades a university sees in the first round.
Official deadline

Other deadline details

No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by programOUAC Undergraduate application, applicants who are not Ontario high school students (Group B)2026 entry

No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by program
No single OUAC deadline
University, program, transcript, portfolio, interview, and audition dates still apply

Full source wording

Verbatim: "There is no specific Undergraduate application deadline if you are a Group B applicant. Deadlines vary at each university and sometimes depend on the program. Visit the university websites or contact the universities directly for their deadlines. If you are interested in a program but the deadline has passed, you may contact the university's admission office for help. Be aware of university-specific deadlines for submitting transcripts and portfolios, if required, and for arranging interviews and auditions. You must ensure the OUAC has enough time to process your choices before the universities' program deadlines." OUAC defines Group B as anyone who does not meet the Group A criteria, e.g. not currently taking an Ontario high school course, a Canadian outside Ontario, an international applicant, a postsecondary transfer student, or a mature applicant.

SourceChecked Aug 14, 2026

Requirements

Admission requirements

High-school prerequisites

ENG4UENG4U
MHF4UMHF4U

Application steps

Step 1Check the admission requirements
- Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
Guelph university-contributed OUInfo Environmental Economics and Policy (BSc [Env]) (co-op option) admission requirements, 2027/28Guelph university-contributed OUInfo Environmental Economics and Policy (BSc [Env]) (co-op option) admission requirements, 2027/28
Step 2Apply through OUAC
- Create your application and select this program.
OUACOUAC
Step 3Secondary records and all postsecondary transcripts
- Provide the applicable school diploma or equivalent, secondary school marks and official records for all attempted postsecondary academic work. Official transcripts must come directly from the issuing institution. Any supplementary information requested for your application must also be submitted.
Guelph undergraduate calendar: submission of documentsGuelph undergraduate calendar: submission of documents
Step 4Apply through OUAC to the appropriate first-year entry programme or gateway; submit the required academic records.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
Guelph university-contributed OUInfo Environmental Economics and Policy (BSc [Env]) (co-op option) admission requirements, 2027/28Guelph university-contributed OUInfo Environmental Economics and Policy (BSc [Env]) (co-op option) admission requirements, 2027/28

Applicant pathways

Environmental Economics and Policy (BSc [Env]) (co-op option): Prerequisites

Ontario high-school applicants entering Environmental Economics and Policy (BSc [Env]) (co-op option) (GEA) in 2027/28. Applies only to the named entry route; later major declaration is separate.

ENG4U
MHF4U
2 4U Science courses
2 additional 4U/M courses
Acceptable 4U science courses include Biology (SBI4U), Chemistry (SCH4U) and Physics (SPH4U). Completion of Biology and Chemistry is recommended.

Environmental Economics and Policy (BSc [Env]) (co-op option): Basic Requirements for Admission

Ontario high-school applicants entering Environmental Economics and Policy (BSc [Env]) (co-op option) (GEA) in 2027/28. Applies only to the named entry route; later major declaration is separate.

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
Six 4U/M courses including the required courses for your chosen degree.
ENG4U (required for all degree programs)
We use your top 6 completed 4U/M (or equivalent) courses, including required courses, to calculate your admission average. Where not available, we use a combination of the top 6 completed or in-progress 4U/M and completed 3U/M courses, including required subjects.
Visit our website to view admission requirements by program, including supplementary forms.
All offers are conditional upon completion of the OSSD, required courses for your program of interest, and a final admission average as outlined in your offer.
All admission conditions must be fulfilled by July 16, 2027 .

Environmental Economics and Policy (BSc [Env]) (co-op option): Timing and Process for Admission Decisions

Ontario high-school applicants entering Environmental Economics and Policy (BSc [Env]) (co-op option) (GEA) in 2027/28. Applies only to the named entry route; later major declaration is separate.

If you are applying directly from high school, you will be considered for admission on an ongoing basis, beginning in November. Offers will be released on an ongoing basis from November to May.
Exceptions: Offers to the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program will be made in March and April.

Optional admission context forms

Only applicants choosing contextual consideration; Only the exact degree/major entry route named in this programme’s admission evidence

The Student Profile Form is optional and strongly recommended; the April 1, 2027 deadline is separate from applying.
High-school applicants whose disability affected their grades may submit the optional SIF-D by April 1, 2027. Mature/transfer applicants should contact Admission Services about a support letter.
Complete an Education Declaration only if it appears in the WebAdvisor document checklist.

Ontario students taking IB

Ontario OSSD students taking IB; Guelph undergraduate degree entry

Ontario students in the IB Diploma program have IB courses translated into Ontario curriculum equivalents. Their high school converts IB results to percentages and submits them through OUAC.
Guelph determines admission and scholarships using those school-submitted conversions. Keep the Ontario prerequisites for your chosen degree and major.

Full IB Diploma credential route

Applicants presenting the full IB Diploma rather than an Ontario-converted IB record

Complete six unique subjects, three HL and three SL, including the degree/major prerequisites. Predicted grades may support conditional offers; the linked calendar separately states the required score and treatment of bonus points. This packet does not alter any score minimum.
The calendar waives English proficiency for a completed IB Diploma taught in English. Ontario students taking IB remain assessed on their school-submitted Ontario equivalents already held; these two credential routes are not merged.

Canadian credentials outside Ontario

Applicants educated in another Canadian province/territory or Québec CEGEP

The calendar lists Grade12 for Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Yukon. Required senior-course counts vary by province; exact programme subjects still apply.
For Québec, present the secondary-school leaving certificate plus12 academic credits from an appropriate CEGEP programme. The university assesses preparation equivalent to Ontario and considers whether a named senior subject is available in the issuing jurisdiction. No unlisted equivalence is assumed.

United States secondary-school route

Applicants presenting a regionally accredited U.S. high-school record

Include the chosen degree/major prerequisites in senior-level study and provide the school profile with its grading scale. The source separately sets the native unweighted GPA threshold, which this packet does not change.
SAT/ACT results are optional and are considered when they benefit and strengthen the application. Diploma and offer conditions remain required; optional testing is not an admission guarantee.

Mature-student category

Applicants meeting the calendar’s mature definition before the starting Fall term

Normally have been out of secondary school for at least two years, have not attended another postsecondary institution, and hold a secondary diploma or equivalent. Mature admission is available in Fall only.
Meet the degree’s specific mature-applicant subject list or equivalents, and provide official records from every secondary/postsecondary institution by the document deadline. The mature subject lists differ by degree; the ordinary Ontario six-course package is not universally substituted for them.
The Academic Transition Programme is a separate preparatory option. Its calendar entry says admission was suspended for Fall2026; no reopening for2027 is inferred.

Ontario Environmental Sciences subject requirements

Ontario high-school applicants

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
At least six Grade 12 4U/M courses, including the required subjects.
English ENG4U and Advanced Functions MHF4U.
Two of Biology SBI4U, Chemistry SCH4U or Physics SPH4U, plus two additional 4U or 4M courses.

Degree requirements

Required courses and electives

1.00 electives or restricted electives 1.00
0.50 electives or restricted electives 0.50
2.00 electives or restricted electives 2.00
Restricted Electives 6.50
Free Electives 3.00
1.50 electives or restricted electives 1.50

References

Credits and degree requirements

Select 0.50 credits from the following:
Select 0.50 credits from the following: 2
Total Credits 20
Total Credits 22
Select 0.50 credits from the following: 4
The BSc(Env) degree requires at least 6.00 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level and allows at most 7.00 credits at the 1000 level.

References

Work and practical requirements

The Environmental Sciences major schedule places ENVS*4001 in semester 7 and ENVS*4002 in semester 8 for both the regular and co-op versions.

References

Program facts

Entering average~75–80%

Ontario high-school entry across BSc Environmental Sciences majors. Co-op can require a higher average.

Co-opCo-op option

The Environmental Science co-op is a five-year program with four work terms.

Check work experience options

Majors & specializations

Earth Observation and Geographic Information Science

BSc(Env)

Study geographic information science, remote sensing and spatial analysis.

Published requirements Published courses

Courses

Named courses across the published program requirements, including alternatives and elective banks. This is not a timetable or a list every student takes.

First year: Semester 1 core4 listed

Published regular and co-op major foundation.

BIOL*1070Discovering Biodiversity0.5 credits
Explore biodiversity, evolution, organisms and ecological interactions.
CHEM*1040General Chemistry I0.5 credits
Study bonding, reactions, stoichiometry, equilibria and introductory organic chemistry.
ENVS*1030Introduction to Environmental Sciences1 credits
Develop critical approaches to environmental problems, scientific evidence and decisions.
MATH*1080Elements of Calculus I0.5 credits
Apply single-variable calculus and mathematical modelling to biological sciences.

First year: Semester 2 core4 listed

Published regular major foundation; the co-op route also requires COOP*1100.

BIOL*1090Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology0.5 credits
Study cells, genes, energy and regulation, connecting molecular biology with everyday problems.
CHEM*1050General Chemistry II0.5 credits
Study chemical transformations through thermodynamics, kinetics and electrochemistry.
FARE*1040Introduction to Environmental Economics, Law and Policy1 credits
Explore environmental economics, law and policy through exercises in environmental disputes.
GEOG*1300Introduction to the Biophysical Environment0.5 credits
Study climate, landforms and vegetation using maps, satellite imagery and field observations.

First year: co-op preparation1 listed

Required only in Semester 2 of the co-op route. Its published credit value is 0.00.

COOP*1100Introduction to Co-operative Education0 credits
Develop co-op job-search, interview and workplace skills and learn programme policies.

Mapped terms

Only the regular Environmental Sciences route’s first two semesters. The separate co-op route and its preparation/work terms are excluded. Choice slot coverage is partial.

Published first year

Semester 1

Published regular and co-op major foundation. This map follows the regular route. COOP*1100 is a zero-credit Semester 2 requirement only for the separate co-op route, which is not merged here. Unnamed elective and alternative slots remain partial; the named rows do not supply a complete choice denominator.

BIOL*1070Discovering Biodiversity0.5 credits
Explore biodiversity, evolution, organisms and ecological interactions.
CHEM*1040General Chemistry I0.5 credits
Study bonding, reactions, stoichiometry, equilibria and introductory organic chemistry.
ENVS*1030Introduction to Environmental Sciences1 credits
Develop critical approaches to environmental problems, scientific evidence and decisions.
MATH*1080Elements of Calculus I0.5 credits
Apply single-variable calculus and mathematical modelling to biological sciences.

Semester 2

Published regular major foundation; the co-op route also requires COOP*1100. This map follows the regular route. COOP*1100 is a zero-credit Semester 2 requirement only for the separate co-op route, which is not merged here. Unnamed elective and alternative slots remain partial; the named rows do not supply a complete choice denominator.

BIOL*1090Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology0.5 credits
Study cells, genes, energy and regulation, connecting molecular biology with everyday problems.
CHEM*1050General Chemistry II0.5 credits
Study chemical transformations through thermodynamics, kinetics and electrochemistry.
FARE*1040Introduction to Environmental Economics, Law and Policy1 credits
Explore environmental economics, law and policy through exercises in environmental disputes.
GEOG*1300Introduction to the Biophysical Environment0.5 credits
Study climate, landforms and vegetation using maps, satellite imagery and field observations.

Additional published courses

ENVS*2030Meteorology and Climatology0.5 credits
Study atmospheric radiation, winds, weather systems and applied meteorology, using environmental data in labs.
ENVS*2060Soil Science0.5 credits
Study soil formation, classification and changes under agriculture, forestry, recreation and urban use.
ENVS*2240Fundamentals of Environmental Geology0.5 credits
Study environmental geology and develop rock, mineral, map-interpretation and site-characterization skills.
BIOL*2060Ecology0.5 credits
Study organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems and assess evidence from field and laboratory research.
ENVS*2080Introduction to Environmental Microbiology0.5 credits
Explore microbes in soils, water and sediments and their roles in biotechnology and bioremediation.
ENVS*2310Introduction to Biogeochemistry0.5 credits
Study biological controls on element cycles across water, air and Earth materials and their links to environmental change.
STAT*2040Statistics I0.5 credits
Analyze scientific data using probability, estimation, hypothesis tests, regression and statistical software.
ECON*2100Economic Growth and Environmental Quality0.5 credits
Use economic analysis to examine relationships between economic growth and environmental quality.
FARE*2700Survey of Natural Resource Economics0.5 credits
Apply economic concepts to allocation, use and misuse of natural resources such as land, water, forests and fisheries.
GEOG*2210Environment and Resources0.5 credits
Examine human relationships with resources and environmental change through contemporary Canadian cases.
ENVS*3150Aquatic Systems0.5 credits
Apply quantitative methods to aquatic systems and their physical, chemical, biological and human dimensions.
ENVS*4001Project in Environmental Sciences0.5 credits
Begin a group environmental research project integrating prior skills, knowledge and policy issues.
ENVS*4002Project in Environmental Sciences0.5 credits
Complete the second part of the group environmental research project begun in ENVS*4001.
ENVS*2330Current Issues in Ecosystem Science and Biodiversity0.5 credits
Explore current ecosystem and biodiversity issues and their scientific, economic and policy connections.
PHYS*1070Physics for Life Sciences II0.5 credits
Explore waves, optics, electricity and radiation with life-science applications.
PHYS*1080Physics for Life Sciences0.5 credits
Apply mechanics, fluids, diffusion and heat concepts to life sciences.
PHYS*1300Fundamentals of Physics0.5 credits
Apply introductory mechanics, electricity, waves and radiation to biology; intended for students without Grade12 Physics.
BIOL*3130Conservation Biology0.5 credits
Study conservation genetics and ecology for endangered species, restoration and sustainable resource management.
CHEM*3360Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology0.5 credits
Study environmental chemistry, pollutants and how pollutants enter and leave natural environments.
CIS*1500Introduction to Programming0.5 credits
Develop introductory programming and data-organization skills; students needing further CIS courses require CIS*1300 instead.
ENVS*2120Introduction to Environmental Stewardship0.5 credits
Explore resource management, planning, land stewardship and sustainable development through environmental cases.
ENVS*2210Apiculture and Honey Bee Biology0.5 credits
Study honey-bee biology, beekeeping, hive products, pests and agricultural pollination.
ENVS*2230Communications in Environmental Science0.5 credits
Develop environmental research, statistical interpretation and written, oral and poster communication skills.
ENVS*3000Nature Interpretation0.5 credits
Design environmental interpretation materials and lead a community interpretive walk using communication and learning theory.
ENVS*3010Climate Change Biology0.5 credits
Examine known and uncertain effects of climate change on organisms, communities and ecosystems.
ENVS*3020Pesticides and the Environment0.5 credits
Study pesticide use and environmental biological effects and prepare a research proposal.
ENVS*3040Natural Chemicals in the Environment0.5 credits
Examine natural chemicals in organism relationships and their agricultural and medicinal uses.
ENVS*3050Microclimatology0.5 credits
Study near-surface microclimates, energy budgets and heat and mass transport with measurement instruments.
ENVS*3060Groundwater0.5 credits
Study groundwater processes, aquifers, water quality and hydrogeological aspects of waste disposal.
ENVS*3080Soil and Water Conservation0.5 credits
Analyze soil and water deterioration and conservation methods using systems-based approaches.
ENVS*3090Insect Diversity and Biology0.5 credits
Study insect diversity and biology, identify insects in labs and develop a specimen collection.
ENVS*3180Sedimentary Environments0.5 credits
Interpret ancient and modern sedimentary environments and deposits through laboratory skills and field trips.
ENVS*3210Plant Pathology0.5 credits
Study plant diseases, causes, biology, epidemiology, management and their social importance.
ENVS*3220Terrestrial Chemistry0.5 credits
Analyze soil and sediment chemical reactions, element cycling, contamination and environmental remediation.
ENVS*3230Agroforestry Systems0.5 credits
Study agroforestry systems, their benefits, science, management and adoption through development cases.
ENVS*3240Creative Writing for Environmental Science0.5 credits
Connect creative writing with environmental science through texts, research and communication techniques.
ENVS*3250Forest Health and Disease0.5 credits
Study forest microbes, tree disease, host-pathogen relationships and management in natural and urban ecosystems.
ENVS*3270Forest Biodiversity0.5 credits
Examine forest biodiversity across scales and evaluate conservation and biodiversity-measurement methods.
ENVS*3290Waterborne Disease Ecology0.5 credits
Study waterborne diseases, environmental change, pathogen detection and protection of drinking water.
ENVS*3300Introduction to Controlled Environment Systems0.5 credits
Study controlled-environment agriculture and its commercial, research and space-exploration applications.
ENVS*3310Soil Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function0.5 credits
Study soil organisms, microbial ecology, nutrient cycles and plant-microbe relationships.
ENVS*3340Environmental Data Analysis0.5 credits
Analyze environmental databases, investigate measurement error and numerically model and visualize environmental phenomena.
ENVS*3370Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology0.5 credits
Study ecosystem energy, nutrient cycles and succession and the effects of human activity and global change.
MICR*3220Plant Microbiology0.5 credits
Study plant-microbe interactions, defenses, nodulation, mycorrhizae, decay and decomposition.
TOX*2000Principles of Toxicology0.5 credits
Study toxic substances, uptake, metabolism, modes of action, safety evaluation and risk assessment.
BIOL*4350Limnology of Natural and Polluted Waters0.5 credits
Assess natural and polluted waters using biological, chemical and physical field and laboratory methods.
ENVS*4000Toxicological Risk Assessment0.5 credits
Characterize toxicological risk through problem definition, effects, exposure, assessment and management decisions.
ENVS*4030Ecohydrology0.5 credits
Analyze interactions between water cycles and ecosystems through quantitative tools, literature and a project.
ENVS*4050Predicting Impacts of Environmental Change0.5 credits
Model atmospheric processes and climate-data impacts from urbanization, pollutants and greenhouse gases.
ENVS*4070Pollinator Conservation0.5 credits
Evaluate pollinator declines and conservation strategies across ecological, geographic and economic contexts.
ENVS*4090Soil Management0.5 credits
Apply soil-fertility, nutrient, drainage, irrigation and erosion-management practices with economic and environmental considerations.
ENVS*4100Integrated Management of Invasive Insect Pests0.5 credits
Apply integrated pest-management concepts to invasive agricultural and forest insects.
ENVS*4160Soil and Nutrient Management0.5 credits
Study soil management with additional nutrient-regulation laboratory work and practical NMAN software use.
ENVS*4180Insecticide Biological Activity and Resistance0.5 credits
Study insecticide actions, resistance, detoxification, discovery and environmental distribution.
ENVS*4190Biological Activity of Herbicides0.5 credits
Study herbicide actions, resistance, detoxification, discovery and environmental behavior.
ENVS*4210Meteorological and Environmental Instrumentation0.5 credits
Design environmental measurement systems using atmospheric and soil sensors, data interpretation and quality control.
ENVS*4230Biology of Aquatic Insects0.5 credits
Study adult and immature aquatic insects and prepare a collection identified to genus.
ENVS*4260Field Entomology0.5 credits
Sample, identify and experiment with insects in field settings, producing a collection, logbook and research paper.
ENVS*4320Laboratory and Field Methods in Soil Biodiversity1 credits
Use field, laboratory and molecular techniques to investigate soil functions, microbes and nutrient and contaminant transformations.
ENVS*4350Forest Ecology0.5 credits
Study forest energy, nutrients, succession and ecological principles for forest management.
ENVS*4360Glacial Environments0.5 credits
Interpret glacial deposits and environments and their connections to resources, groundwater and climate change.
ENVS*4370Natural and Anthropogenic Compounds in the Environment0.5 credits
Study environmental chemical processes, natural organic matter, pollutants and contaminant analysis and degradation.
ENVS*4390Soil Variability and Land Evaluation0.5 credits
Gather and interpret soil information through field, laboratory, survey, sensor and modeling techniques.
ENVS*4440Advanced Controlled Environment Systems0.5 credits
Manipulate controlled environments for crop growth and research while examining broader environmental and social implications.
PBIO*4290Cannabis Production0.5 credits
Study cannabis biology, cultivation, harvest, technologies, environmental impacts and legislative contexts.
PBIO*4530Plants and Environmental Pollution0.5 credits
Analyze pollution effects on plants and their use in improving air, water and soils through research literature.
ENVS*4410Introduction to Advanced Independent Research0.5 credits
Develop supervised independent environmental research, hypotheses and preliminary experiments.
ENVS*4420Advanced Independent Research0.5 credits
Complete research-intensive environmental work based on the proposal developed in ENVS*4410.
ENVS*4430Advanced Independent Research1 credits
Complete an expanded supervised environmental research project as a 1.00-credit alternative to ENVS*4420.
ENVS*4510Topics in Environmental Sciences0.5 credits
Complete an approved literature-based environmental-science research project with faculty supervision.
IAEF*3500Experiential Education0.5 credits
Develop an instructor-approved food, agriculture or environment employment-learning experience; unavailable to co-op students.
IAEF*3510Interdisciplinary Flexible Internship0.5 credits
Complete an unpaid 40-hour food, agriculture or environment internship; unavailable to co-op students.
GEOG*2420The Earth From Space0.5 credits
Explore Earth-observation platforms and sensors, using imagery and remotely sensed data in labs.
GEOG*2480Mapping and GIS0.5 credits
Use GIS to manipulate and display spatial data, including mapping, projections and vector encoding.
GEOG*3420Remote Sensing of the Environment0.5 credits
Process satellite imagery and LiDAR data to analyze environmental systems and integrate remote sensing with GIS.
GEOG*3480GIS and Spatial Analysis0.5 credits
Use raster and vector GIS for queries, overlays, interpolation, decision analysis and terrain models.
COOP*1000Co-op Work Term I0.5 credits
Complete a paid work semester with work-report and performance evaluations; timing varies by degree and major.
COOP*2000Co-op Work Term II0.5 credits
Complete a further paid work semester with work-report and performance evaluations; timing varies by programme.
COOP*3000Co-op Work Term III0.5 credits
Complete a further paid work semester with work-report and performance evaluations; timing varies by programme.
COOP*4000Co-op Work Term IV0.5 credits
Complete a further paid work semester with work-report and performance evaluations; timing varies by programme.

Elective choices

1.00 electives or restricted electives 1.00
0.50 electives or restricted electives 0.50
2.00 electives or restricted electives 2.00
Restricted Electives 6.50
Free Electives 3.00
1.50 electives or restricted electives 1.50
The Environmental Sciences major requires 0.50 credits each from restricted Lists A and B. The calendar requires PHYS*1300 for the List B choice if a student lacks Grade 12 Physics or equivalent.
The Environmental Sciences major lists ENVS*3150 in semester 6. Students planning BIOL*4350 must substitute BIOL*3450, placed in semester 5 in the regular schedule and semester 4 in the co-op schedule.

Study locations

Published academic-unit location: The Ontario Agricultural College lists its Dean’s Office in Johnston Hall, 50 Stone Road East, at the Guelph campus. This is the college contact office; Environmental Sciences course rooms and field sites are separate.Guelph: named envsci academic-unit location