Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Geoscience

at Trent University Canada

As a B.E.S.S. student at one of Canada’s top postsecondary environmental institutions, develop a strong understanding of solutions to natural resource and environmental problems and learn how to combine scientific and social knowledge effectively in this interdisciplinary joint arts-science degree. You will gain an understanding of the scientific aspects of contemporary environmental issues that are linked to policy and planning decisions leading to an environmentally sustainable future. Your studies will address environmental challenges, science, policy and politics from multiple perspectives.

Accelerated Master's Degree:-
Earn your M.Sc. in Environmental & Life Sciences (ELS) in only 12-16 months after graduating from your B.Sc.

Resume Boosters:-

• Conduct hands-on research in state-of-the-art labs and Trent’s extensive “living laboratory” of nature reserves right here on campus
• Minimum entrance and performance requirements challenge you to maintain a high standard of academic performance throughout your degree
• Pursue a capstone or community-based research project or write and defend an undergraduate Honours thesis

Many aspects of modern culture - from the literary elements of comedy and tragedy to our laws and ideals of democratic government - have their origins in Ancient Greece and Rome. Trent’s Ancient Greek and Roman Studies program gives students the opportunity to examine human behaviour and culture in the Ancient Mediterranean. Explore compelling topics surrounding warfare, class struggles, economy, religion, gender, cultural heritage, and the genius of the human spirit - issues as relevant today as they were in antiquity. 

Greek and Latin (Specialization):-
Take your studies of archaeology, history, and literature even further by heading back in time to study writings by the original thinkers. Through language training in Greek and Latin, students pursuing a degree in Ancient Greek & Roman Studies will be able to read foundational texts in their original formats and gain insight into the way these languages cascade into every field of study.

Interested? Consult the program coordinator of Ancient Greek & Roman Studies as early as possible and make sure you begin studying at least one of the languages in your first year. The availability of the Specialization in Greek & Latin, and of Greek and Latin courses beyond the 2000 level, is subject to program staffing conditions.

Resume Boosters:-

• Participate in one-of-a-kind extracurricular activities and projects, like student productions of ancient Greek plays and archaeological excavation in the Mediterranean.

Trent’s B.E.S.S. degree is perfect for students who want to bring science and arts together to understand and solve key environmental issues. You’ll gain an understanding of the scientific aspects of contemporary environmental issues, how they’re linked to policy and planning decisions, and how that can lead to an environmentally sustainable future.

Climate Change Science & Policy (Specialization):-
Dive into the challenges and solutions for climate change—environmental, economic, political, social—and build a strong foundation of knowledge and skills that equip graduates for the growing number of climate-related careers.

Climate change is the leading global environmental issue, but its impacts extend beyond the natural world, into business operations, politics and policy development, social justice movements, law and more. If you find yourself trading the car for public transit, reviewing a company’s environmental initiatives or participating alongside millions of others in global Climate Marches, this specialization is for you.

Trent’s Climate Change Science & Policy specialization draws on faculty specialties in Trent’s School of the Environment (TSE) and from affiliated departments, providing students with a robust, well-rounded education that could lead to a variety of careers supporting climate solutions that can have profound impacts on societies for future generations.

Resume Boosters:-

• Graduate from one of only two climate change-focused programs in Canada
• Develop a broad-base of skills and background in the science of climate change and policy perspectives related to it
• Learn from and work alongside professors who are experts in their field and practicing climate change practitioners, such as the first-ever Canada research chair in environmental geoscience
• Study in the Trent School of the Environment, a research-intensive unit that nurtures collaboration with diverse faculty specialties and expertise as well as opportunities for applied learning
• Benefit from access to state-of-the-art labs and facilities in Trent’s DNA, Life & Health Sciences Building and Water Quality Centre

Media dominate our world and shape our perceptions of reality. In this popular program, students navigate and engage with the theory, principles and practice that shape our ever-changing media landscape. In Media Studies, you’ll examine the influence of advertising and ideology, the political economy of media corporations, the foundations of media arts, and the ecological impact of media technologies. You’ll also benefit from our interdisciplinary curriculum, learning across subjects from the arts and sciences, and across environments from the classroom to the community to prospective career paths through the co-op stream. Through the Media Studies Co-op degree, you will get the full picture of media, from influence on ideology to individual imaginations.

Resume Boosters:

• Explore your strengths and career interests, and graduate with 12 months of work experience (and income) through the new four-year B.A. co-op option, giving you the competitive edge for future job prospects.
• Chart your own course by taking classes from a dozen contributing departments including Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Computer Science, and Political Studies
• Take workshop, internship, and community-based research courses with professors and media professionals and gain experience working with organizations like Artspace, Global TV, Trent Radio, and the ReFrame Film Festival
• Get hands-on as you build a portfolio of your work with media new and old: compose music, code video games, write blogs, create podcasts, take photos, and report the news

Resume Boosters:-

• Construct and implement your own financial models based on real-world financial data
• Practice making fast-paced decisions in high-pressure environments by participating in real-time stock market ‘virtual trading floor’ competitions
• Become an expert at using industry-standard software, including access to real-time market data through a Bloomberg terminal

Cultural Studies gives you the tools to critique and create cultural objects and practices – everything from games to graffiti, print to painting, and music to film. You’ll study culture by reading, talking, and doing, taking both lecture and workshop courses in literature, fine art, media, and theory. And you’ll ask (and seek answers to) the questions about how culture shapes our lives.

Culture and Theory (Specialization)
In our current world of tweeting presidents and online crowdfunding campaigns raising millions in only days, understanding culture and the power of multimedia seems more important than ever. Take a big picture approach to analyze how gender and sexuality, the body, globalization, technology, ethics, and laws are represented and repressed socially and culturally in this specialization available to Cultural Studies majors.

Through a unique balance of Indigenous and Western knowledge, students in Trent’s one-of-a-kind Indigenous Studies program have the opportunity to learn how Indigenous peoples in Canada and around the world are shaping our globe. At the most established Indigenous Studies program in Canada, you’ll study the historical and contemporary interactions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous societies, exploring the cultural foundations of Indigenous life in areas such as performance, literature, politics, ecology, and governance.

Resume Boosters:-

• Study abroad and learn about Indigenous peoples in the USA or Mexico
• Develop your Nishnaabemowin, Cree or Mohawk language skills
• Engage in hands-on research projects that make a difference in local communities

Not only will you graduate with two degrees in just six years, but you’ll also have the chance to take your education global while you learn, travel, explore, and live abroad.

If a career in law is what you want, this is the program for you. In this one-of-a-kind program, you will undertake either a Bachelor of Arts Honours or a Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Trent – Ontario’s #1 undergrad university, while also obtaining a law degree from Swansea University’s renowned Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law in the UK – no need to write the LSATs.

How the Program Works:-
The first two years of your degree take place at Trent, where you’ll pursue your choice of 14 degree options. In third year, you’ll transfer to the coastal city of Swansea in Wales to complete three years of law studies, earning your Bachelor of Laws degree. Once your LL.B. is complete, you’ll return to Trent to complete your Honours degree credentials. By simultaneously taking several Canadian Law courses in your final year at Trent, you’ll be well-prepared for the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) exams, enabling you to take the required steps to practice law in Canada.

Degree Program Options:-
Business Administration*; Canadian Studies; Cultural Studies; Economics; English Literature*; Environmental & Resource Studies; Gender & Women’s Studies; History*; Indigenous Studies; International Development Studies; Media Studies*; Philosophy*; Political Studies; Sociology*

Resume Boosters:-

• Combining your law degree with your choice of B.A. or B.B.A. degree means that you will graduate with a unique set of skills and perspectives
• Meet and learn from top law professionals through our Visiting Lawyers in Residence program
• Join the Trent Law Society and benefit from field trips, workshops, and events, all with a focus on law and the legal system

An important field of study particularly in today’s social media-focused world, Sociology helps us achieve a greater understanding of the complex yet simplistic nature of humankind, and the societies in which we choose to organize ourselves. Rooted in the social sciences and inspired by a passion for social justice, Trent’s Sociology program engages students in understanding and acting on the consequences of social change. Through this degree, you’ll explore and question a diverse range of social topics, completing your studies with a heightened understanding of human relationships and society. A sociology degree is an excellent foundation for law school, teachers college, social work or similar programs.

Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies (Specialization):-

Small classes sizes allow you to make connections with professors and open doors to hands-on, undergraduate research opportunities studying homelessness, the criminalization of women, restorative justice, or the impact on Indigenous peoples.

For students pursuing an Honours Sociology degree, this standout specialization explores the study of crime and punishment, the influence of social inequality as a cause of crime, and how criminals and victims are treated by the criminal justice system. You’ll apply your sociological knowledge and potentially perform independent research on homelessness, the criminalization of women, restorative justice or the impact on Indigenous peoples.

This specialization is available to students pursuing a single or joint-major Honours degree in Sociology.

Resume Boosters:-

• Gain a solid foundation in legal research methodology and theoretical application that will prepare you for success in a variety of workplace settings
• Streamline and personalize your degree with a focus on crime and society
• Familiarize yourself with case law research by learning from and working with practising legal professionals
• Take a prison-based course that explore restorative justice in all contexts

Geography at Trent is more than learning in a classroom. It’s an expedition. You will learn about real-world issues and critical perspectives related to both human and physical geography. You will explore complex issues such as the causes and impacts of climate change, health geography, water resources, and the historical roots of geopolitical conflicts. At Trent, we believe the best way to learn geography is through an interactive environment. Small group learning and experiences outside of the classroom are pillars of the program.

Resume Boosters:-

• Participate in a capstone or community-based research project
• Work alongside leading faculty as a research assistant, even in your undergrad
• Write and defend an undergraduate Honours thesis