Environment, Sustainability and Society
The College of Sustainability at Dalhousie University offers students the opportunity to combine a discipline of their choice and combine it with a Major, Minor or Certificate in Environment, Sustainability and Society (ESS).
As a Major/Honours subject, ESS is always combined with another subject in a Double Major or Combined Honours degree. In ESS, you will develop skills and knowledge in interactive courses that span multiple disciplines and focus on solutions. Sustainability Work-Integrated Learning provides opportunities to apply your skills and knowledge in relevant jobs and sample potential career options. Complete interdisciplinary research with a Combined Honours degree, and consider the many Certificates that add value to your degree.
Your Major Map: Environment, Sustainability and Society
The Environment, Sustainability and Society (ESS) Major Map highlights academic and co-curricular opportunities and provides an overview of how students can customize their degree. Students are encouraged to connect with advising supports at Dalhousie and use the Academic Calendar and Timetable to create their course plan.
< 30 CREDIT HOURS/FIRST YEAR
- Wondering where to start? watch this video to explore ESS program options
- Complete required introductory courses in ESS: SUST 1000.06 or SUST 1400.03, SUST 1001.06, and in other subjects relevant to your degree program. See the first-year course planning worksheet for more information
- Select another subject from the Faculty of Science to combine with ESS in a Double Major
- After selecting your majors, we strongly encourage you to connect with program advisors for course planning and any other questions related to your program
- At the end of your first year, you can declare your majors and register for second-year courses
- Note: course requirements may vary according to your ESS program. Keep track of these by consulting the Academic Calendar and the Academic Advisor in the College of Sustainability (ess.advising@dal.ca)
30-60 CREDIT HOURS/SECOND YEAR
- ESS Double Major students will take core courses in ESS that take an interactive, solutions-oriented approach to deepen their knowledge and develop valuable skills: SUST 2000.06 and SUST 2001.06
- Consider adding a Minor or Certificate to your degree
60-90 CREDIT HOURS/THIRD YEAR+
- ESS Double Major students will take SUST 3000.03 in the fall term of their third year, developing analytical skills to guide sustainable decisions. Pursue your particular interests with any SUST and "ESS Elective" courses at the 3000-level and above
- Make sure you're on track with course requirements using DARS or by consulting with the Academic Advisors from both of your major subjects
- Considering graduate studies? Double Major students should pursue a Combined Honours degree in which they complete an Honours Thesis in either ESS or their other major subject. Discuss program requirements and Honours applications with your academic advisors in third year!
90-120 CREDIT HOURS/FINAL YEAR
- ESS Double Major students will cap off their degree with the ESS Capstone, a multi-term (Fall and Winter) course where students work with real off-campus clients solve sustainability challenges
- Complete any remaining requirements for a Certificate or Minor
- Check your degree audit to ensure you are on track to graduate
- Apply to graduate by Dec 1 for spring convocation and July 2 for fall convocation
< 30 CREDIT HOURS/FIRST YEAR
- Build connections by enrolling in a first-year interest group (FIGS) like Oceans, Climate Change, Earth and Environment and Indigenous Ways of Knowing
- Sign up to be mentored by an upper-year student
30-60 CREDIT HOURS/SECOND YEAR
- Explore the myCareer portal to browse through work and volunteer opportunities on and off campus
- Combine academic study and paid career-related work experience by enrolling in co-op
60-90 CREDIT HOURS/THIRD YEAR+
- There are 70 Faculty-coordinated summer research awards available each year that you can apply for on a competitive basis
- Other opportunities include science communication internships, science innovation and entrepreneurship through SURGE, and student society leadership roles
90-120 CREDIT HOURS/FINAL YEAR
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< 30 CREDIT HOURS/FIRST YEAR
- Attend the Dal Science Welcome Party
- Attend the Faculty of Science Program Fair for help planning your next steps
- Consider joining YESS – Your Environment and Sustainability Society! Meet other like-minded students and participate in fun events that align with sustainability
30-60 CREDIT HOURS/SECOND YEAR
- Reach out to various Department's and their many world-class researchers and faculty to join a research lab as a volunteer
- Attend the ESS Lecture Series and learn from knowledge holders on topics related to environmental sustainability, social justice, indigenous perspectives and the climate crisis
60-90 CREDIT HOURS/THIRD YEAR+
- Consider running for a position with the Dal Science Society's Executive or with your student society
90-120 CREDIT HOURS/FINAL YEAR
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< 30 CREDIT HOURS/FIRST YEAR
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30-60 CREDIT HOURS/SECOND YEAR
- Explore career paths and industries that spark your interest by attending an alumni panel discussion
60-90 CREDIT HOURS/THIRD YEAR+
- See which scholarships might be available to you through the department, on a competitive basis
90-120 CREDIT HOURS/FINAL YEAR
- Time to celebrate your achievements and graduate!
- Connect with the Bissett Student Success Success Centre career supports to get prepared for interviews, and more as your prepare to head out on the job hunt or to apply for graduate school
For any questions about your major, enrolling in a minor or certificate, summer research, or honours, speak with a program advisor!
Where your degree can take you
A BSc double major degree in Environment, Sustainability and Society provides great preparation for a variety of careers. The skills and knowledge acquired through this program can be applied, but are not limited to career paths in:
Conservation, sustainable development, renewable energy, community planning, green business, government and regulatory affairs, ecotourism, environmental law, environmental consulting, education, non-profit organizations, park management and journalism, among many more.
Core competencies and skills gained
Discipline-level competencies:
- Systems competence: an understanding of the environmental, ethical, social and economic perspectives and systems that influence and support sustainable development
- Interdisciplinary competence: applying an interdisciplinary approach to critically assess and provide solutions to some of the major sustainability issues facing human societies at both local and global scales
- Research and strategic competence: knowledge of best practices for conducting fieldwork with diverse non-profit organizations, community engagement and stakeholder management
Transferable skills:
- Academic writing and presentation skills
- Critical, analytical and strategic thinking skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Quantitative and qualitative data analysis
- Time/project management
- Leadership and teamwork
- Research/fieldwork skills
Possible careers and employment
ESS Alumni are employed in a variety of sectors and have diverse career path options. These are influenced by the student's double major subjects, Certificates, elective courses and experiential learning choices. Some of the options below will typically require additional or graduate-level training*, while some can be pursued following the completion of an undergraduate degree.
- Climate Policy Analyst*
- Climate Change Adaptation Consultant
- Conservation Officer*
- Conservation Program Director
- Ecologist
- Economist
- Ecology Field Technician
- Eco-tourism Specialist
- Entrepreneur
- Environmental Assessment Coordinator
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Planner
- Environmental Scientist
- Energy Efficiency Program Coordinator
- Forestry Technician
- Geographic Information Systtems Specialist*
- Habitat Restoration Technician*
- Lawyer*
- Nature Educator
- Outreach/Communications Coordinator
- Sustainability Consultant
- Journalist
- Teacher/Professor*
