Environment and Urban Sustainability

Environment programs share many common characters. Differences are often a matter of emphasis. Ryerson is Canada’s leading university for applied, professional education. It is recognized for its teaching excellence, the quality and relevance of its programs, and the success of its students in achieving their academic and career objectives.

The EUS degree is consistent with Ryerson’s mission of offering programs of study that provide a balance between theory and application and that prepare students for careers in professional fields. With its interdisciplinary core of professional courses, the program reflects the model of innovative, interdisciplinary education at Ryerson. The required and professional elective courses include not only courses in Environment and Urban Sustainability, but draw on the curriculum and expertise of faculty members in each of the University’s Faculties. You will appreciate the program’s uniqueness. The course offerings form a unique set of complementary courses which is not duplicated in any other program of Environmental Studies in the province. These links allow the proposed program to mesh with natural partnerships and collaborations at the University and in the wider community.

The University’s location in downtown Toronto provides an excellent laboratory for the investigation of the issues and challenges associated with the environment and urban sustainability. There is excellent access to natural and developed urban environments, socially and culturally diverse communities, public spaces, government offices, social institutions, research centres, non-government organizations, and the media.

While there are similarities in course content with other programs, EUS is differentiated in several key ways:

• It has sustainability as its central and explicit organizing principle.
• It is an integrated program with a systematic core of required courses which focus on the development of professional understanding and skills.
• It offers broad access to professional courses (e.g., in Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, Occupational and Public Health, Science) outside the faculty offering the program.
• It offers students the opportunity to incorporate a core of Science as an element of the program.
• It provides direct entry into the area of specialization, and within this offers the potential for you to develop one of series of areas of focus (i.e., in Policy, Community, Science, Design, and Management).

You have the ability to develop an individualized program since many schools and departments at the University are involved in offering professional electives in the EUS Program.

Faculty of Arts
      Department of Economics
      Department of Geography
      Department of History
      Department of Philosophy
      Department of Politics and Public Administration
      Department of Sociology
Faculty of Business
      Department of Law and Business
      School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
Faculty of Communication and Design
      School of Interior Design
Faculty of Community Services
      School of Occupational and Public Health
      School of Urban and Regional Planning
Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Science
      Department of Architectural Science
      Department of Chemistry and Biology

The range of potential jobs is far more than one would imagine.  The environmental sector is one of the largest employers in the Canadian economy.  With a background in environment and urban sustainability you will be prepared for success in a number of stimulating career opportunities depending on the focus you have chosen for your studies. As the number and complexity of environmental challenges grow, employers in the private sector, non-government organizations, consulting firms and governments are seeking graduates with a well-rounded understanding of the issues, who are able to act as researchers, analysts, managers and communicators.  Most environmental careers require an ability to integrate ideas and information from a diversity of sources so they are often best founded on a strong multidisciplinary basis—the EUS program provides that structure.  The program may also serve as a stepping stone to further studies, such as those offered in teacher’s college, graduate school and professional programs such as those in law, urban planning and public administration.

You can take advantage of a wide range of career and educational planning services, including individual counselling and customized workshops, that are offered free of charge by the Faculty of Arts Career Counsellor.  Ryerson's Career Centre also offers a variety of career-related services and events, including Career and Information Fairs; workshops and group sessions on resumes, interviews, job search; hundreds of job postings (summer, part-time, on-campus, full-time); and more.  Given Ryerson’s Toronto location, there are numerous opportunities for relevant work-related experience, including that offered through the program’s optional work experience placements.  Such experiences will improve your prospects for employment after graduation as well as enhance your studies.

The prime motive among most environmental professionals is a desire to improve the environment.  In order to allow students to adjust to university life and to begin exploring the opportunities beyond the classroom, the program offers a one hour bi-weekly environment and urban sustainability colloquium.  This is a unique opportunity for students in Environment and Urban Sustainability to begin developing a sense of class recognition and identity. 

In the initial weeks after registration the colloquium augments the activities of the University in smoothing the transition to university life. 

In subsequent weeks the colloquium focuses on engaging students in environment and sustainability issues through invited guest speakers, opportunities for involvement with student groups, clubs and organizations (e.g., Evergreen, Students for Sustainability@ Ryerson), the development of community partnerships with outside groups, and volunteer opportunities. 

An optional placement is available which provides students with up to two periods of work experience.  The work terms are available for the summer periods between the second and third years and between third and fourth years (i.e., May to August) offering a minimum of eight weeks of full-time employment.  Enrolment in the internship placement is limited with admission based on the student's grade point average.  The program and the Office of the Dean of Arts provide major assistance in locating appropriate positions and counselling of students in their job search.  Each placement student is enrolled in EUS 901: EUS Internship Placement I or EUS 902: EUS Internship Placement II. 

Courses are taught mainly by full-time Ryerson faculty members who have extensive knowledge and expertise in their fields.  These faculty members typically have doctorates and are experienced, high-quality teachers and active researchers who maintain strong ties with their community through involvement in a wide range of initiatives.  Other courses are taught by part-time faculty who bring their work-place experience as professionals to the classroom.

The degree program requires four years of full time study.

Normally, you will take five (5) courses each semester.

Typically, there are about 15 hours per week of academic class time per term.

Class sizes in Years 1 and 2 will range from 40 to 250.  EUS classes in Years 3 and 4 generally will be smaller, with some upper level courses having no more than 30 students.  The smaller class sizes enhance the learning process and maximize your contact with faculty.

All classes will be held on Ryerson’s campus, which is located in the heart of downtown Toronto.  All buildings are within a 5 to 10 minute walk of each other.  Some are linked by underground and overhead walkways.

EUS students are eligible for exchange opportunities at any university that has a formal exchange (that is, a signed agreement) with Ryerson. Visit Exchanges for the list of partner institutions. These exchange opportunities are awarded on a competitive basis, subject to availability.  You may also choose to attend a university that does not have an official exchange with Ryerson. To do so, courses must be pre-approved on a "Letter of Permission" in order for your credits to transfer back to Ryerson. This option allows you to attend almost any university. However, you may end up paying international student tuition rates.  For detailed information on exchange programs, policies, and procedures, visit the Ryerson International website.

The EUS program is designed to assure qualified students the opportunity to pursue more advanced levels of education. Graduates of the program will be well-prepared for graduate studies, should they choose.  For example, EUS students can select a program of study which would make them attractive candidates for Ryerson’s MASc degree in Environmental Applied Science and Management (ENSCIMAN) or the Master’s program in Urban Development. 

More generally, depending on their course selection and academic performance, students would be able to advance to a variety of graduate academic programs in other universities such as those leading to:

• M.E.S., M.A. or M.Sc. in Environmental Studies/Science
• M.A. or M.Sc. in Natural Resource Management
• M.A. in Environmental Policy
• M.A. or M.Sc. in Conservation
• M.A. or M.Sc. in Urban and Environmental Policy
• M.A. or M.Sc. in Environmental Interpretation and Education
• M.A. or M.Sc. in Geography

Other options include enrolling in a Faculty of Education, or in a professional school such as Law or Public Administration.

All admissions decisions are made by Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment, not by the program.  Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment:
Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment
http://www.ryerson.ca/undergraduate/admission      
380 Victoria Street POD144
Toronto, ON M5B 2K3
Telephone: (416) 979-5036
Fax: (416) 979-5221
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There is full transferability of credits between the programs in the Arts platform at the university.  Students admitted to any of the programs may transfer from their current program to any one of the other programs for the Fall term of their second year of studies.  All of the credits earned in first year will transfer to the new program.  Applications are available through the Program Office and must be submitted early in the second semester of studies. Transfer applications are considered on a competitive basis subject to program capacity, and therefore program choice cannot be guaranteed.