Environment & Society Degrees at CapU

Written by Kirk Pedersen

Published22 November, 2024

Photo credit Patrick Leung

Train for a career putting the planet first as an environmental advocate with two new degree programs at Capilano University.

This past August, CapU announced two Bachelor of Environment & Society degrees, one in environmental science and the other in environmental studies, with the latter being offered in Squamish.

A long time coming

While the programs themselves are new, the degrees are the culmination of Herculean efforts by CapU faculty that go back much further.

“Envisioning and proposals for a degree of this nature started in 1997,” said Cheryl Schreader, geography instructor at CapU and convenor for the two new programs. “We had a wealth of experience in environmental education and disciplines and environmental topics were a part of the curriculum for many courses.”

At the time, CapU (then Capilano College) wasn’t a degree-granting institution, so several Associate of Science degrees were proposed. Their topics included Natural History, Environmental Science, First Nations Ecological Studies, First Nations Health, and Environmental and Human Health, with none becoming fully-fledged programs.

“Fortunately, all other attempts at an environmental degree at CapU helped build the degrees and they are fundamentally richer, more mature and more embracing than any other past efforts,” de Jong-Westman said.

The new programs fall under the newly-created Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies and offer students the ability to specialize in multiple fields of interest while engaging in community-based projects.

“The degree is aligned with the cultural, economic, and biological richness of the University’s region,” said Marja de Jong-Westman, a longtime biology instructor at CapU who was instrumental in developing the programs.

A Modular Degree

As students move into the third- and fourth-years of the program, they’ll have their choice of three modules, with options in: biodiversity and conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation and urban sustainability.

“We have stepped outside of traditional degree formats to deliver a modular upper-level system that develops specialized skills within a broad education on the environment and society,” said Tom Flower, biology instructor at CapU.

These modules – which are four courses each – help students develop skills in areas that employers are looking for.

As an example, choosing the “biodiversity and conservation” module gives students a taste of a few areas in the subject, with courses in conservation biology, ecosystem restoration, the natural history of B.C., global biogeography, traditional systems of resource and land use and the psychology of sustainability.

“We have small, engaged classes where we couple active learning, community engagement, teamwork and leadership to enable change-making thinking in our graduates.”

– Tom Flower, CapU biology instructor

Environmental Science or Environmental Studies?

The two programs share courses and modules in the upper years, but apart from shared courses in areas like biology, ecology and geography, the first two years in each program differ significantly.

Students in the environmental studies stream take environment-focused courses, with options including anthropology, economics, history, political science and statistics.

If they opt for the environmental sciences stream, the courses are more STEM-heavy, building their knowledge in botany, chemistry, computer sciences, research and statistics, to name a few options.

Students outside in class with instructor

Programs by the Community, for the Community

A vital consideration as the programs were developed was ensuring CapU students can work within pre-existing relationships the University has with community organizations on the North Shore.

“CapU is uniquely positioned to offer this degree,” Flower said. “We have established extensive connections throughout the region to enable student engagement with community partners within course curriculum.”

One of those community connections is with the Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society. This partnership has helped students gain hands-on experiential learning experience, taking part in both labs and fieldwork.

“Local partners are critically important as a key strength of this degree is that it has grown up from this place. It is informed by and is aligned with the cultural, economic and biological richness of our local region,” de Jong-Westman adds. “Global issues have no boundaries.”

Becoming Future Leaders in Environmentalism and Sustainability

A Bachelor of Environment and Society degree at CapU will help prepare anyone with an interest in sustainability and the future of the planet to become a future environmental leader.

“The biggest question humans should ask themselves is, ‘will we still be here in 1000 years?’ and if so, what will our world be like?” CapU philosophy instructor Michael Fleming asks. “We have to deliver a new society that works sustainably with our environment.”

“The Bachelor of Environment & Society degree equips our students to lead this societal transformation.”

Get Started

Learn more about these flexible, applied Bachelor of Environment & Society degrees and which option is right for you by visiting Environmental Studies and Environmental Sciences.

Environment & Society Degrees at CapU

A long time coming

A Modular Degree

Environmental Science or Environmental Studies?

Programs by the Community, for the Community

Becoming Future Leaders in Environmentalism and Sustainability

Get Started

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