The Faculty of Environmental Studies is composed of the Department of Environment and Resource Studies, the Department of Geography, and the School of Planning. Undergraduate programs in Environment and Business, International Development, and Knowledge Integration, as well as graduate programs in Local Economic Development, and Tourism Policy and Planning, are administered by the Office of the Dean. The Faculty is recognized for its interdisciplinary, integrative, and problem-solving approach to research and teaching. Faculty members and students apply diverse knowledge and methods from different disciplines to understand human relationships with both built and natural environments. The Faculty uses innovative teaching techniques to explore the many contemporary issues in environmental studies.
In the Department of Environment and Resource Studies, students and faculty focus on solving environmental and resource problems. Here, students learn how to use techniques and ideas from the fields of ecology, environmental governance, and environmental assessment.
Geographers combine natural science, social studies, and information technologies to understand the complex interaction of natural and human forces that define landscapes, regions, and communities – and the environmental challenges facing them. The Department of Geography gives students the opportunity, through innovative programs such as Geomatics, and Geography and Aviation, to develop practical skills and a deeper understanding of environmental systems and challenges.
Responsible urban and regional planning has always been vital to the sustainability of safe, healthy, and secure communities. Planners also address problems of sparsely populated regions, parks and protected areas and resource hinterlands. The School of Planning's programs and courses provide students with skills and perspectives necessary for a successful career as a professional urban and regional planner.
Environment and Business is a Faculty-level program. Students in this program learn about environmental tools such as resource management and ecosystem analysis, and they acquire business abilities such as economic analysis and marketing. This program investigates how environmental issues affect business operations, and business skills influence environmental agendas.
International Development is an Honours program that brings together various disciplines of study, teamwork and individual insight to recognize, analyze, and respond effectively to complicated human development problems in the world's most challenged communities. International Development integrates ethics, cultural, and political understanding, knowledge of the natural and planned environment, and business skills to respond with lasting ideas and solutions to development problems. International Development is for students who are passionate for change which is responsible, accountable, and sustainable.
Knowledge Integration (BKI) is a unique Honours program that integrates disciplines and teams to identify, study and solve complex problems. It combines the arts with the natural, social, and applied sciences to respond to challenges that cross disciplinary boundaries. Knowledge Integration is designed for outstanding students who prefer to integrate their many interests instead of specializing in a field of study. While based in Environmental Studies, Knowledge Integration students can access courses and resources in all University of Waterloo faculties.
There is a high degree of interaction among the Faculty's three units. Faculty members in each School or Department participate in the curriculum of the other units. Interaction with other parts of the University is also fostered, and joint appointments of faculty members with other Faculties and Schools/Departments have been made. Students are encouraged to choose courses from across the whole University.