Environment Courses
ENV100Y5 - The Environment (SCI)
This introductory environmental science course examines large-scale features of Earth, natural hazards, Earth's climate and weather systems, energy and mineral resources, human population growth, extinction and biodiversity, environmental toxins, vanishing soils and expanding deserts, forests, urban environmental management, and food resources. Interdisciplinary interaction among Science, Social Science, and Humanities is a major theme. [72L]
ENV201H5 - Environmental and Resource Management (SSc)
(Fomerly GGR234H5)
The course explores the principles of environmental and natural resource policy in the context of ecologically sustainable development. We take a world view with a Canadian focus. Emphasis on institutional instruments. Monitoring approaches, such as ecological footprint calculations, are explored in-depth. Cases in point include acid rain, air and water quality and forest resources. [24L, 12P]
Prerequisites: GGR117Y5/ENV100Y5
Corequisites: GGR234H5 (formerly ENV201H5)
ENV232H5 - Environmental Sustainability Practicum (SSc SCI)
This course, offered in collaboration with campus administrative offices of the University of Toronto Mississauga, provides Environment Students with practical collaborative work experience. In preparation for upper-year field courses and internships. Students will work with the campus Environmental Project Coordinator and participating faculty to develop skills in communication, interdisciplinary teamwork, problem identification, and reporting while working on an environmental project on campus or in the local community. This course is strongly recommended for Specialist and Major students in any of the Environment Programs. [24S, 12P]
Prerequisites: 2nd-year standing in any of the Environment Specialist or Major Programs with a CGPA of 2.00 or higher or PI.
ENV299Y5 - Research Opportunity Program (SSc SCI)
This course provides a richly rewarding opportunity for students in their second year to work on a research project with a professor in return for 299Y course credit. Students enrolled have an opportunity to become involved in original research, learn research methods and share in the excitement and discovery of acquiring new knowledge. Participating faculty members post their project descriptions for the following summer and fall/winter sessions in early February and students are invited to apply in early March. See
ENV331H5 - International Environmental Sustainability - Kawartha Lakes Ontario (SSc SCI)
This practical field course will provide an opportunity for students to gain valuable experience in environmental sustainability studies. The Kawartha Lakes, about 1.5 hours NE of Toronto, face considerable challenges with respect to water resources, pollution, land use changes, and urban expansion. During a one-week stay in August, students will participate in seminars on environmental sustainability and resource management at Sir Sanford Fleming College and/or the Kawartha Conservation Authority offices, and undertake natural and/or social science studies on sustainability in at least one of the Kawartha Lakes (Pigeon, Sturgeon). Preparatory meetings will be held prior to departure, and seminar/poster presentations on research outcomes will be made during the following Fall Term.
Prerequisites: 3rd-year standing in any of the ENV Specialist Programs, or P.I, plus application and interview.
ENV393H5 - Methods of Environmental Assessment (SSc)
The course focuses on the methodologies for measuring and predicting the impact of development on the bio-physical and socio-economic environments. Topics include environmental assessment, law and institutions, environmental mediation, monitoring, mitigation, evaluation, risk assessment. The types of impact assessment (IA) methods examined vary from year to year (e.g. economic IA, ecological IA). [24L, 6P]
Prerequisites: ENV100Y5, ECO100Y5/1.0 credit from 100-level POL
Corequisites: ENV201H5 (formerly GGR234H5)
ENV399Y5 - Research Opportunity Program (SSc SCI)
This course provides a richly rewarding opportunity for students in their second year to work on a research project with a professor in return for 299Y course credit. Students enrolled have an opportunity to become involved in original research, learn research methods and share in the excitement and discovery of acquiring new knowledge. Participating faculty members post their project descriptions for the following summer and fall/winter sessions in early February and students are invited to apply in early March. See
ENV400Y5 - Environmental Internship (SSc SCI)
Through a part-time, unpaid work placement, students apply the environmental expertise gained through previous course work. Placements are made at local conservation authorities, municipalities, environmental consulting companies, corporations, federal agencies, and other organizations. You must submit your application to Sabrina Ferrari (sabrina.ferrari@utoronto.ca) by March 1 to apply for the course. Specialists in an Environment Program will be given priority for admission. It is difficult to place students with CGPA of less than 2.5. If you are in this position and this is a required course for your program, please see a Program Advisor or the Academic Counsellor for an alternative course placement.
Prerequisites: 4th year standing, P.I
ENV420H5 - Geography of Food: Geographical Patterns and Environmental Impacts (SSc)
This seminar course examines the geographic patterns and environmental impacts of our food production and distribution system. Topics include the sustainability of the current system as well as alternatives to the norm. The geographic focus is Southern Ontario. Topics such as food miles, urban agriculture, and small scale production systems are also evaluated. [24S]
(This is a cross-listing course as GGR419H5)
Exclusions: GGR419H5; GGR489H5F offered in 2009-2010
Recommended: GGR287H5
ENV490H5 - Special Topics in Environmental Studies (SCI)
These courses highlight various topics of special interest in environmental studies. The specific focus and format of the course will vary, depending on the chosen topic. The course will not be offered every year. Please check with the Academic Counsellor, Sabrina Ferrari (905-828-5465), for further information. [24L]
Prerequisites: 4th year standing, ENV100Y5
ENV491H5 - Special Topics in Environmental Studies (SSc)
These courses highlight various topics of special interest in environmental studies. The specific focus and format of the courses will vary, depending on the chosen topic. The courses will not be offered every year. Please check with the Academic Counsellor, Sabrina Ferrari (905-828-5465), for further information. [24L]
Prerequisites: 4th year standing, ENV100Y5, P.I.
ENV495H5 - Restoration Ecology I (SCI)
Restoration ecology is an emerging cross-disciplinary field of study that concerns human activities undertaken to promote the recovery, health, integrity and sustainability of degraded ecosystems. This course introduces the fundamental concepts of ecological restoration, addressing topics such as assessing ecosystem health, resilience, resistance and stability; community structure and biodiversity; invasive species; ecosystem processes and functions; societal aspects of ecological restoration (e.g., the relationship between social, economic and environmental sustainability). Many types of ecosystems (marine, freshwater, terrestrial, tropical and temperate) will be studied, largely through case-study investigations. Occasional field exercises on campus will be scheduled during regular class meeting times. [24L, 12T]
Prerequisites: ENV100 and P.I.; completion of at least 10 credits. BIO205 is STRONGLY recommended. Preference will be given to students enrolled in an ENV program
ENV496H5 - Restoration Ecology II (SCI)
The follow-up course to Restoration Ecology I, ENV496 will build on its theoretical foundations to focus on student involvement in a variety of restoration projects planned or underway by Credit Valley Conservation and other groups in Mississauga and the greater Credit Valley watershed. The emphasis here is on planning and implementation of restoration projects; good scientific design; understanding policies and procedures; identifying and working with stakeholders, etc. Occasional field exercises may be scheduled during regular class meeting times. [24L, 12T]
Prerequisites: ENV495H5 (Restoration Ecology I) or P.I.
ENV497H5 - Environmental Research Project (SSc SCI)
This independent project course is designed to give students experience in the definition and execution of a one-term research study on an environmental topic, under the guidance of a member of the faculty. Students who wish to pursue this option with a specific faculty member or who have an idea for a research project should approach the faculty member early - before the start of the academic term - to negotiate the terms of the project. [12P]
Prerequisites: Prerequisite: P.I., Completion of 3rd-year requirements for a Major or Specialist program in the Environment.
ENV498Y5 - Environmental Research Project (SSc SCI)
This independent project course is designed to give students experience in the definition and execution of a major research study on an environmental topic, under the guidance of a member of the faculty. Students who wish to pursue this option with a specific faculty member or who have an idea for a research project should approach the faculty member early - before the start of the academic term - to negotiate the terms of the project. [24P]
Prerequisites: P.I., Completion of 3rd-year requirements for a Major or Specialist