Geography & Earth and Environmental Science

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New Program

Diploma in Environmental Studies

The Diploma in Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary program offering students the opportunity to obtain both an understanding of the physical principles governing the environment and the social and cultural aspects that influence human behaviour towards the environment, interaction with and impact on the environment. Students will gain a holistic knowledge of the environment through courses from the sciences, social sciences and humanities. The interdisciplinary model will equip students with the critical and analytical skills to think through the many complex factors that influence our understanding of the environment. The diploma has three options, one in Interdisciplinary Environmental Arts, one in Environmental Management and one in Environmental Science. All courses have university transfer credit providing students with the option of further study in either environmental studies or other disciplines. Students can also move directly into the workplace for there is a growing demand for labour in the environmental sector.

Welcome from the chair,

Do you like Google Earth? GPS? Going on fieldtrips? Are you interested in working outside? Learning how the world works? If you are, then read on…..

This is an exciting time to study Geography & Earth and Environmental Science. Our courses teach students about the world around them and how they fit into it. We look at both the natural environment and how people live within their environment. Understanding these factors will become increasingly important as we manage our resources, our cities grow and our climate changes.

“In geography, there's this conception that everything is related, and that we're all trying to figure out how we fit in, as a society on the planet”. Justin Trudeau

Come learn with us. Our faculty are excellent teachers who care about student success. Our class sizes are small enough that students get to know their professors. Students have enjoyed a number of fieldtrips within and outside of the Okanagan valley. We offer courses at both the first and second year level that allow students to transfer to university following their second year. We offer a number of lab science and arts based courses in both Geography and Earth and Environmental Science for students pursuing associate degrees in arts and science and you can take our courses at all four campuses. We welcome students from all backgrounds.

Graduates in Geography & Earth and Environmental Science get jobs. They work a number of fields including environmental and resource management, land planning and management, research and teaching. Our department teaches students skills that are needed in the workforce. One important skill is a type of computer mapping called Geographical Information Systems (GIS) that is used in a number of fields. Some students of geography go on to teach, while earth science students often work in mining and mineral exploration.

Interested?  Check out our admissions page.

We hope to see you in class,

Stephanie Bunclark