COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts Honours in Environmental & Resource Studies at Trent University is a 20.0-credit program that focuses on the social, political, and human dimensions of environmental issues and sustainability. The program combines foundational environmental science with interdisciplinary environmental studies, allowing students to examine how societies interact with natural systems. Core requirements include ERSC 1010H and 1020H, which introduce basic environmental science concepts, along with a sequence of ERST courses such as ERST 2100H, 2510H, 2520H, 2525H, and 3000H that build critical understanding of environmental policy, ethics, and sustainability. Students further develop their expertise through additional credits drawn from different categories, including ERSC/ERST electives that explore environmental issues from scientific, cultural, and policy perspectives. The program also requires upper-year coursework at the 3000 level or beyond to ensure advanced study and critical analysis. In addition to program-specific requirements, students must complete university-wide graduation requirements, including Indigenous studies coursework. The joint-major Honours option follows a similar structure but with fewer ERST credits, allowing students to combine environmental studies with another discipline. Overall, the program emphasizes critical thinking, interdisciplinary learning, and real-world engagement, preparing graduates for careers in environmental policy, sustainability planning, community development, advocacy, and further academic study in environmental and social sciences.