Environment, Sustainability, and Society (BA)(BSc)(BMgmt)(BCD)(BJH)
Promote sustainability and social responsibility.
Why choose this program?
Complex issues like water and energy security, climate change and environmental degradation touch virtually every person, in every profession, in every part of the world. Studying Environment, Sustainability, and Society (ESS) at Dalhousie will allow you to explore the links between complex environmental issues and poverty, globalization, consumption and urbanization. You’ll gain skills that will make you a leader and change-maker in your chosen career path.
Admission requirements
Minimum admission requirements
To be considered for admission to this program, you must meet minimum academic criteria:
- Completion of secondary school (Grade 12)
- Achievement of the minimum average for your program of choice.
- Completion of Grade 12 English (or equivalent course).
Admission to many Dalhousie programs is competitive. This means that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Program-specific admission requirements
Admission requirements of the Faculty offering the chosen degree apply. There are no additional admission requirements for the College of Sustainability and the ESS programs. For example, for the Bachelor of Science Double Major, prospective ESS students would be subject to the admission requirements of the Faculty of Science.
Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences Admission Requirements:
Minimum overall average: 70%
Academic English 12
Four additional academic subjects
Bachelor of Science Admission Requirements:
Minimum overall average: 75%
Academic English 12
Pre-calculus Math 12
Three additional academic subjects
Bachelor of Management Admission Requirements:
Minimum overall average: 70%
Academic English 12
Academic Math 12
Three additional academic subjects
Bachelor of Community Design Admission Requirements:
Minimum overall average: 70%
Academic English 12
Academic Math 12
One academic Science 12 subject
Two additional academic subjects
Bachelor of Journalism Admission Requirements
Financial information
A university education is a significant financial investment. Every student is unique, and so are their financial circumstances. We offer competitive tuition, a robust scholarship and bursary program, and resources and support to help you explore financial options and develop a plan that works for you.
Program options
Environment, Sustainability, and Society (ESS) can be studied with any undergraduate degree at Dalhousie. Students can pursue their passion for sustainability by studying ESS as a Major, Honours, Minor, or Certificate. This diversity of options gathers students from many disciplines to study together and learn from each other.
ESS can be a Major or Honours subject in the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts Double Major and Combined Honours with any subject from the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences or Science
- Bachelor of Science Double Major and Combined Honours with any subject from the Faculties of Science or Computer Science
- Bachelor of Community Design Double Major and Honours
- Bachelor of Management Major
- Bachelor of Journalism Combined Honours
The Minor in ESS is available in the following degree programs:
- Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science (MedSci)
- Bachelor of Management
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Community Design
- Bachelor of Journalism
- Bachelor of Computer Science
- Bachelor of Applied Computer Science
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Engineering (in concurrent BEng/BA degree).
Students in any undergraduate degree may complete the Certificate in ESS and the Certificate in Communicating Sustainability.
Gain relevant work experience with Sustainability Work-Integrated Learning. Apply the knowledge and skills you learn in class to the workplace, test and explore careers, develop professional skills, and establish a network you can tap into after graduation. Plus, earn an income while earning your degree and graduate with experience. Sustainability Co-op involves three work terms alternating with academic study terms, available to ESS Major/Honours students in the BA and BSc degree. Sustainability Work Experience Program involves a single work term, available to ESS Major/Honours students in BA, BSc and BCD degrees.
Connect with the College of Sustainability Academic Advisor to explore your options!
What you will learn
Dalhousie’s ESS program has an interdisciplinary approach, allowing you to explore how ESS topics relate to other industries you may be interested in. The core ESS courses will help you analyze and understand a wide range of concepts relating to energy, water, climate change, population and more.
Sample courses may include:
What is Sustainability?
A Sustainable Future
Exploring Sustainability
Local Governance, Citizen Engagement and Sustainability
Global Environmental Governance
Introductory Conflict Management for Sustainability
Climate Change and Sustainability
Indigenous Perspectives on Resource and Environmental Management
Environmental Decision Making
Food Systems and Sustainability: Feeding the 10 Billion
Coastal Change & Adaptation
Environment, Sustainability, and Society Capstone I
Pathways to Sustainable Energy
Biodiversity Conservation System Design
Conflict Negotiation & Sustainability
This new method of education will change the way you think when you’re in the workplace. You’ll identify, research, and address real-world problems—making you better prepared to meet the challenges of virtually any job in our complex society.
Careers
The unique interdisciplinary approach of the ESS program prepares you for jobs in virtually any area across society: public service, industry, not-for-profit, and the private sector.
Due to the flexibility of combining majors in the ESS program, you’ll have a variety of options for future study. This may include pursuing a Masters degree in topics such as environmental law, management, or sustainable materials architecture. You may also choose to go on to complete a PhD.
