<York Calendars<Undergraduate Calendar 2001-2002<Faculty of Environmental Studies

Degree Requirements

Program Credit Requirements

• Students must pass courses worth a minimum of 120 credits (equivalent to 20 full-year courses) in order to graduate with the BES Specialized Honours Degree. At least 60 credits and a maximum of 90 credits shall be Environmental Studies courses. An overall grade point average of at least 5.0 (midpoint of the C+ range) must be maintained.

Course Requirements

Students choose their courses in the BES program according to the following requirements:

(a) General Education (at least 12 credits):

Following York's philosophy of undergraduate education, BES students are required to study in humanities and the natural sciences.

Humanities Requirement

The BES humanities requirement can be satisfied by taking ENVS 1800 6.0 or a 1000-level course (at least 6 credits) from the Division of Humanities, (Classical Studies; English; French Studies; History; Humanities; Languages, Literature and Linguistics; or Philosophy).

Natural Science Requirement

The natural science requirement is met by taking ENVS 1500 6.0 Introduction to Science for Environmental Studies or a first year (6 credit) course from the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science (excluding Natural Science courses).

(b) Required Core Environmental Studies Courses (39 credits):

• ENVS 1000 6.0 Approaches to Environmental Studies;
• ENVS 1200 6.0 BES Workshop;
• ENVS 2000 3.0 Paradigms in Environmental Studies;
• ENVS 2010 6.0 Methods in Environmental Studies I;
• ENVS 2500 6.0 Applied Environmental Sciences;
• ENVS 3000 3.0 Environmental Ethics;
• ENVS 3011 3.0 Methods in Environmental Studies II;
• ENVS 4000 6.0 Senior Honours Work.

(c) Theme Foundation Requirement (at least 6 credits) two or more of:

• ENVS 2100 3.0 Foundations of Nature, Technology and Society;
• ENVS 2200 3.0 Foundations of Human Settlements;
• ENVS 2300 3.0 Foundations of Global Development, Peace and Justice;
• ENVS 2400 3.0 Foundations of Environmental Policy & Action.

(d) Depth Requirement:

• 18 credits of environmental studies (ENVS) courses at the 3000 or 4000 level (in addition to (b) above);
• Of these, at least 6 credits must be at the 4000-level ENVS courses. Courses are selected in the context of the Program Plan.

(e) Breadth Requirement:

In addition to the general education requirements, 24 credits are taken as electives outside of the Faculty. These courses are selected in the context of the Program Plan.

(f) Free Elective Courses:

Up to 21 credits taken from any undergraduate Faculty (including FES). Courses are selected in the context of the Program Plan and with the assistance of the BES program adviser.

Other Requirements

The Theme Concentration Requirement, and the 4000 Level Requirement, are met within the 63 credits of courses from the Depth, Breadth, and Free Elective Courses (i.e. (g) and (h) occur within (a) through (f)).

(g) Theme Concentration Requirement:

At least 27 credits in courses inside or outside of FES (beyond the core and "foundation" courses) that are relevant to the student's chosen theme concentration. Relevance is established through approval of each student's individualized Program Plan; courses may include those taken in meeting depth, and breadth requirements, as well as free elective courses.

(h) 4000 Level Requirement (at least 18 credits):

Students must take at least 18 credits at the 4000 level, of which at least 12 must be ENVS credits, including:

• ENVS 4000 6.0 Senior Honours Work;
• 6 credits in ENVS courses at the 4000 level (see depth requirement);
• 6 credits of York courses at the 4000 level (may or may not include ENVS courses).