UNBCEnvironmentalScienceUndergraduate
StudentHandbook
Revised:2017-02-22
Introduction
WelcometoUNBC’sEnvironmentalScienceProgram!Attheundergraduatelevel,weoffertheBachelorof
SciencedegreeinEnvironmentalScience(MajorandHonours),aswellasMinorsinEnvironmental
Science,AquaticScience,AtmosphericScienceandSoilsandtheEnvironment.EnvironmentalScience
facultyalsoparticipateingraduateeducation(MSc,MNRES,andPhD)throughtheNaturalResourcesand
EnvironmentalStudiesgraduateprogram.
ThisdocumentiswrittenforundergraduatestudentsstudyingEnvironmentalScienceatUNBC;itisa
supplementandcompaniontothemoreformalinformationcontainedintheUNBCCalendar1.Itis
designedtohelpstudentsefficientlynavigatetheirwaythroughthedegree,leadingintoenvironmental
careersorfurtherstudy.Itsupplementstheface-to-faceadvisingthatisavailablethroughUNBC
AcademicAdvisors(seebelow)orbymeetingdirectlywithEnvironmentalScienceProgramfaculty.
ThedocumentbeginsbyoverviewingtheMajor,Minors,andHonoursdegree.Itthendiscussesimportant
pointstoconsiderwhenplanningyourdegreesothatyoucansuccessfullyandefficientlycompleteyour
programinatimelymanner.Ithighlightsimportantstudentresources,andthenconcludesbydiscussing
careerandfurtherstudyoptionstoconsideraftercompletionofyourundergraduatedegree.Important
informationonInternshipsandcoursetimetablingarecontainedinappendices.
Thisisalivingdocument;ifyouarereadingitasahardcopy,thereareactiveweblinksthatcanbe
accessedusingtheonlineversionthatisaccessiblefromtheUNBCEnvironmentalSciencewebpageat
http://www.unbc.ca/environmental-science.
ProgramRequirements
BScEnvironmentalScienceMajor
Focusingprimarilyonunderstandingbothnaturalandhuman-madeenvironments,the
EnvironmentalSciencedegreeincorporatesthestudyofthephysical,chemicalandbiologicalprocesses
thattakeplaceonEarth,aswellasthesocial,politicalandculturalprocesseswhichimpacttheplanet.As
anenvironmentalsciencestudent,you’llstrivetounderstandthecomplexrelationshipsbetweenpeople
andtheenvironment,drawingonadiverserangeofdisciplines.Studentswillgraduatefromthismajor
readytoaddressdiverseproblemssuchasthreatstoandconservationofair,soilandwater,climate
1TheinformationintheUNBCCalendar,availableat
http://www.unbc.ca/calendar/undergraduate/environmental_science.htmlistheofficialsourceof
information,andsupersedesthisdocumentincaseofdiscrepancies.
1
change,andmovementofchemicalsintheenvironment.Itprovidesasolidbackgroundforcareersin
environmentalprotectionandresourcemanagementandresearch,inboththepublicandprivatesectors.
Thefirstyearofthedegreeiscomprisedofgeneralsciencecoursesthatunderlieanunderstandingofthe
environment,includingphysics,chemistry,biology,andmathematics.Thesecondyearcorecurriculum
developsacross-disciplinaryunderstandingofthebiophysicalenvironmentthroughintegrative
environmentalsystemscoursesfocusingonwater,land,atmosphericandlivingsystems,aswellas
developingtechniquestoanalysethesesystems.Inthethirdandfourthyearsstudentstakeacore
curriculumthatincludesenvironmentalimpactassessment,law,andethics,aswellasmodelling,
measurement,dataanalysisandenvironmentalcontamination.Inaddition,studentsdevelopa
specializationthroughcompletionofaminorandgainpracticalexperiencethroughtheInternshipor
Thesis(Honoursstudents).
Environmentalscienceisaninterdisciplinaryacademicfieldthatintegratesphysical,chemicaland
biologicalandinformationsciences,aswellassocialsciences.Duetothisspecialdiversity,thedegree
requirementsmakesurethatstudentshavenotonlystudiedindepth(throughtheirprogramofstudy
andMinor)butalsohaveexposuretoarangeoffieldsthroughtheUNBCAcademicBreadthRequirement.
ThisrequirescompletionofatleastonecoursefromeachoffourquadrantsasoutlinedintheUNBC
Calendar.CoursesfromthreeofthefourquadrantsarealreadybuiltintotheEnvironmentalScience
degree,howeverstudentsmustselectanelectivecoursefromtheArtsandHumanitiesquadranttomeet
thisrequirement.Formoststudents,werecommendselectingENGL170-3WritingandCommunication
Skills.
WhilethecurriculumforthedegreeissetoutintheUNBCCalendar,insomecircumstancesadjustments
tothedegreerequirements(e.g.substitutingcourses)arepossiblewithprogramapproval.Ifyouhave
questionsaboutdegreerequirements,youwillneedtoseektheadviceofaUNBCAcademicAdvisorwell
inadvanceofdegreecompletion.
FormoreinformationontheUNBCEnvironmentalSciencedegreeanditsspecificcourserequirements,
refertotheUNBConlineCalendar. Minors
Inordertodevelopexpertiseinaconcentratedarea,allEnvironmentalSciencemajorsmustchoosea
specializationthatmeetstherequirementofanyUNBCMinor.Inordertoensuresufficienttimetomeet
therequirementsoftheMinor,studentswillnormallychoosetheirminorbytheendofsecondyear.The
EnvironmentalScienceprogramitselfoffersminorsinthesethreeimportantEarthSystems:Aquatic
Science,AtmosphericScienceandSoilsandtheEnvironment,aswellasaMinorinEnvironmentalScience
toservetheneedsofstudentsfromothermajors.
ExperientialLearning
“TellmeandIforget.TeachmeandIremember.InvolvemeandIlearn.”
--BenjaminFranklin
Experientiallearning,is“learningbydoing”andthensubsequentreflection.WhilemanyEnvironmental
Sciencecoursesincorporateexperientiallearningthroughclassactivitiesandassignments,labsandfield
trips,itisexplicitlyincludedbytherequirementtocompleteeitheranInternship(ENSC440-3)oran
IndependentStudy(ENSC499-3)fortheMajorsdegree,ortheUndergraduateThesis(ENSC430-6)inthe
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caseoftheHonoursdegree.Theseelementsareincorporatedtogivestudentsa“realworld”experience
thatcanassistinfuturecareersorstudy.
UndergraduateThesisandtheHonoursDegree
TheUndergraduateThesisENSC430-6(orNRES430-6)isrequiredintheBScHonoursinEnvironmental
Scienceprogram.Itisdesignedtoprovidearesearchexperienceforstudentplanningtoproceedto
postgraduatestudies.TheUndergraduateThesismustbeconductedunderthesupervisionofafaculty
member,andstudentsareresponsibletofindafacultysupervisorwillingtosupervisethem.Thiscontact
andagreementshouldbedoneduringtheacademicyearpriortothesemesteroffirstregistrationinthe
UndergraduateThesis.
Internship
TheobjectiveofENSC440-3Internshipistoenrichthelearningexperienceofstudentsinanarearelated
toenvironmentalscience.TheInternshipallowsstudentstogainhands-onexposuretoan
environmentallyrelatedfieldinindustry,government,academiaornon-governmentalorganizations.
Amongothers,experientiallearningwillbeanopportunitytoimmerseinthenature,tasks,and
requirementsinvolvedwithcertaintypesofworkandresearchactivities.WiththeInternship
experience,ourgraduateswilllikelybemoreattractivetopotentialemployersbecauseofthework-like
experiencerequiredtocompletethedegree.ForfurtherdetailspleaseseeAppendixI.
Co-operativeEducation
TheCo-operativeEducationprogramintegratesacademicstudywithpracticalworkexperiencethrough
analternatingsequenceoffour-monthworkandstudysemesters.Formoreinformation,refertotheCoopsectionintheUNBCCalendar.Studentswhohavesuccessfullycompletedatleastoneco-opplacement
may,withProgramapproval,bewaivedfromtheInternshiprequirementintheMajor.
PlanningYourDegree
YourtimeatUNBCwillbemostproductiveandefficientifyouplanyourdegreeandcoursesearly.Some
coursesintheprogramhavepre-requisitesthatmustbetakenfirst;whilesomecourses,especially
optionalones,areonlyofferedinalternateyears.Foratentativelist(subjecttochange)ofENSCcourse
andwhenweplantoofferthem,pleaserefertoAppendixII.
SincetheEnvironmentalScienceBScrequiresaMinor,itwillbeimportanttochooseyourMinorearly–
usuallyin2ndyearofyourprogramorbefore,sothatcoursesneededbytheMinorcanbeintegratedinto
thecoursesrequiredinyourMajor.EnvironmentalScienceProgramfacultymembersandUNBC
AcademicAdvisorscanprovideadviceonselectingandsequencingcoursesrequiredinyourMajorand
Minorandinchoosingelectivecoursesmostrelevanttoyourinterestsandfuturecareer.Additionally,if
accreditationisimportantforyourdesiredcareer,itwillbeimportanttoknowthisearlyinyourprogram
sothatappropriatecoursechoicescanbemade.(Referaheadtothesectiononaccreditation).
StudentResources
Scholarships,Bursaries,andFinancialAid
TheUNBCAwardsandFinancialAidoffice(http://www.unbc.ca/financial-aid)helpsstudentsobtainthe
fundsnecessarytofinancetheirUNBCeducationaswellasprovidingadviceonbudgeting.Thereare
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manyscholarshipsandbursariesavailable,someforallmajorsandsometargetedtowardspecificmajors
(e.g.thereareatleast8awardstargetedtowardenvironmentalmajors),butmostofthemrequirean
application.Someawardsarenotgivenbecausenooneapplies–sopayattentiontothelistofawards
andapplicationdeadlines.
EnvironmentalScienceProgramAcademicAdvising
StudentsareencouragedtoseekgeneralacademicadvicefromEnvironmentalScienceProgramfaculty
members.Facultymemberscanprovidegeneraladviceontopicssuchascareers,researchandgraduate
studiesintheEnvironmentalSciencesandspecificadviceonchoosingelectives,Minorsandcourses
withinastudent’sprogramofstudy.InitialpointsofcontactforFacultyadvisingcouldbethroughthe
requiredcourseENSC111-1,thatisnormallytakeninfirstyear,throughtheEnvironmentalScience
StudentCoordinator,Dr.MichaelRutherford,orthroughtheEnvironmentalScienceCurriculum
CommitteeChair,Dr.PeterJackson.
UNBCStudentAdvisors
TheUNBCRegistrar’sOfficehasagroupofStudentAdvisorstoassistallUNBCstudentsinplanningtheir
degreeprograms.TheStudentAdvisorassignedtoEnvironmentalSciencemajorsisTaniadaSilva.
StudentsarehighlyencouragedtomaintaincommunicationwiththeirStudentAdvisortoensureall
programrequirementsaremet.Forinstance,technicalinquiriesabouttransfercredits,course
substitutions,thepossibilityoftakingcoursesatotherinstitutionsthroughaletterofpermission,and
ensuringgraduationrequirementsaremet,shouldbedirectedtotheStudentAdvisor.
ThecontactinformationforTaniadaSilvais:
Phone:250-960-5506
Email:[email protected]
Fax:250-960-5280
Office:Agora7-726
ApartfromtheEnvironmentalScienceAcademicAdvisor,generalinquiriesonacademicprogramsand
coursescanbedirectedtoUNBCStudentAdvisingatthefollowingcoordinates:
Phone:250-960-6306
Email:[email protected]
Fax:250-960-5280
Office:Agora7-726
Formoreinformation,pleaseconsulttheUNBCStudentAdvisingwebpage:
http://www.unbc.ca/advising.
UNBCAcademicSuccessCentre
TheUNBCAcademicSuccessCentre(ASC)isavaluableresourceforstudentswhocouldbenefitfrom
somesupportwiththeircoursematerials.TheASCisabletoprovidestudentsone-on-oneanddrop-in
tutoringservices,whichmayincludeonlinesupport.Specialservicesandresourcesareofferedto
studentslearningEnglishthroughpeer-learningprograms.Therearealsofurtherresourceson
communicationskillsdevelopment,physics,mathandstatistics,computerliteracyskills,andeffective
studyingapproachesandexampreparation.PleasenotethatallservicesofferedbytheASCarefreeto
UNBCstudents.
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TheUNBCASCcanbecontactedasfollows:
Phone:250-960-6367
Email:[email protected]
Fax:250-960-5425
Office:10-2584
Formoreinformation,pleaseconsulttheUNBCAcademicSuccessCentrewebpage:
http://www.unbc.ca/academic-success-centre.
UNBCAccessResourceCentre
TheUNBCAccessResourceCentre(ARC)providessupportforstudentswithdisabilitieswiththegoalof
creatingandmaintainingphysical,intellectualandsocialaccesstotheUniversity.Ofnote,theUNBCARC
ismandatedtoreducephysical,altitudinalandsystemicbarriersfacedbystudentswithdisabilities.
Servicesareprovidedtostudentswithdocumentedlearningdisabilities,facilitatingaccesstoresources
andprovidingreasonableaccommodations.ServicesofferedbytheASCinclude,amongothers:
assessmentofstudentneeds,assistivetechnologyandservicescoordination,timemanagementandstudy
skillsdevelopment.
TheUNBCARCcanbecontactedasfollows:
Phone:250-960-5682
Email:[email protected]
Fax:250-960-5775
Office:10-1048
Formoreinformation,pleaseconsulttheUNBCAcademicResourceCentrewebpage:
http://www.unbc.ca/access-resource-centre.
UNBCWellnessCentre
TheUNBCWellnessCentre,managedthroughCounsellingServicesandHealthServices,offersboth
professionalandgeneralsupporttoensurestudentsuccessandwell-being.Supportisprovidedto
studentstobehealthyinbothbodyandmindforsuccessfulaccomplishmentoftheirpersonaland
professionalgoals.TheUNBCWellnessCentreworkscloselywithstudents,staff,facultyandcommunity
organizationstofulfillitsobligations.
TheUNBCWellnessCentrecanbecontactedasfollows:
Phone:250-960-6369(CounsellingServices)
Phone:250-960-6370(HealthServices)
Email:[email protected]
Office:5-196(CounsellingServices)
Formoreinformation,pleaseconsulttheUNBCWellnessCentrewebpage:
http://www.unbc.ca/wellness-centre.
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UNBCCareerCentre
TheUNBCCareerCentreoffersstudentsresourcesandservicestostudents,alumniandemployers.
Amongservicesprovided,itholdsworkshopstoassiststudentsinpreparingtogainemployment,
arrangesemployerrecruitingandinformationsessionstostudents,hostsannualcareerfairs,andposts
employmentandcareeropportunitiesforstudentsandalumni.
TheUNBCCareerCentrecanbecontactedasfollows:
Phone:250-960-6426
Email:[email protected]
Fax:250-960-6065
Office:7-160
Formoreinformation,pleaseconsulttheUNBCCareerCentrewebpage:http://www.unbc.ca/careercentre.
NorthernUndergraduateStudentSociety
TheNorthernUndergraduateStudentSociety(NUGSS)isastudent-leadorganizationfocussedon
improvingthequalityofstudentlifeatUNBC.NUGSSalsoadministersaHealthandDentalplan.
Formoreinformation,pleaseconsulttheNUGSSwebsiteat:http://nugss.unbc.ca,[email protected].
NorthernWomen’sCentre
TheWomen’sCentrehousesinformationandeducatesonwomen'sissuesasaservicetothewhole
community.Theyfocusonprovidingoptionsandsharingstrategiesforwomenwhoseektoovercome
barriersthattheymayfaceintheacademicarena,intheworkplaceandathome.
Formoreinformation,pleaseconsulttheNorthernWomen’sCentrewebsiteat:
http://www.northernwomenscentre.ca/oremail:[email protected].
NorthernPrideCentre
ThemissionofTheNorthernPrideCentreSocietyistopromotepublicunderstandingandacceptanceof
peopleofallgenderexpressionsorsexualorientations,regardlessofclassorability.TheCentreis
createdtofosterandenhancethewell-being,unityandvisibilityofLGBTQpersonsandallieswithrelated
identities.TheCentreiscommittedtoprovidingthecommunitywitheducation,andresourcesandasafe
spaceinanopenandsupportiveenvironmenttoeliminateprejudiceanddiscriminationinour
communities.
TheNorthernPrideCentreis100%volunteeroperatedandisfullyfreetojoin.
FormoreinformationseetheNorthernPrideCentrefacebookpageat:
https://www.facebook.com/northernpridecentre/[email protected].
LeagueOfEnvironmentalScienceStudents(LOESS)
TheLeagueofEnvironmentalScienceStudents(L.O.E.S.S.)isawaytomeetalloftheEnvironmental
Sciencestudentsandbuildourcommunity.Intheclub,membersworktoengagestudentsinterestedin
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environmentalsciencethroughtoursoflocalindustry,talksfromguestlecturers,andholdingsocialsto
networkinthefieldofenvironmentalscience.
Thisclubwasrecentlyre-establishedin2015andhasreached“GoodStanding”withNUGSS.Formore
informationseethewebpage:http://[email protected].
Web,SocialMediaandElectronicMaillists
TheofficialUNBCEnvironmentalScienceProgramWebpageisathttp://www.unbc.ca/environmentalscience.UNBCEnvironmentalSciencenewsisbroadcastonTwitter:@UnbcE,andonourFacebookpage:
https://www.facebook.com/UnbcE.Inaddition,wehostanemaillistforoccasionalcommunicationof
importantnotices,jobopportunities,[email protected].
AfterYourEnvironmentalScienceDegree
CareersinEnvironmentalScience
Therearemanypossiblecareerswithintheenvironmentalsciencesthatinclude:privateorganisations,
consultingfirms,governmentagenciesanddepartments,NGOs,anduniversitiesandcolleges,tonamea
few.Infactthelistisalmostendless.Ineachcase,therequirementstosecureapositionmayvary.Some
mayrequireanadditionaldegree(suchasanMScoraPhD),somemayrequireprofessionalaccreditation
(seenextsection).Othercareersmayrequireskillsobtainedthroughtakingcertaincoursesor
experientiallearning(e.g.practicalorfieldcourses).Whilegoodgradesarealwaysuseful(especiallyfor
goingtograduateschool),mostemployerstendtolookforadditionalexperiencesandskillsthathelp
candidatesstandoutfromthecrowd,ordemonstrateresourcefulness.
Ifyouhaveareasonableideaofthecareerthatyouwouldliketofollow(e.g.workingforan
environmentalconsultancy)thenitisworthfindingoutthelikelyneedsandrequirementsthatare
expected.Thereareseveralwebsitesthatcanhelp(seebelow),inadditionitisworthtalkingtothose
alreadyinthisparticularprofession;mostemployeeswelcometheopportunitytodiscusstheirjoband
howtheygottowheretheyare.TheEnvironmentalSciencefacultyatUNBCwouldbehappytohelp
describetheirexperiencesandalsoofferadviceastootherpeoplethatcanhelp.
BelowaresomeusefulwebsitesthatofferinformationaboutcareersandjobswithintheEnvironmental
Sciencefield.OthercanbefoundbytypingappropriatewordsintoasearchenginelikeGoogle.
http://www.eco.ca/viewjobs/
http://www.environmentalscience.org/careers
http://ca.indeed.com/Environmental-Science-jobs
https://www.apeg.bc.ca/Careers
AccreditationandCertification
Inordertosecuresomejobsortoprogresswithinachosenfield,theremaybeaneedtogetsomeformof
professionalaccreditationorcertification,whichwillvaryaccordingtothespecificposition.Government
andconsultingcompaniesoftenrequiresuchaccreditation.Professionalaccreditationsaretypically
specifictoaparticularprovince.Examplesofaccreditationandcertificationinclude:
• EnvironmentalProfessionalCertification(E.P.):http://www.eco.ca/Certification/(thisisa
Canada-widevoluntaryaccreditation)
• ProfessionalGeoscientistofBC(P.Geo.):https://www.apeg.bc.ca/Home
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•
•
ProfessionalAgrologistofBC(P.Ag.):https://www.bcia.com/
AssociationofProfessionalBiologyandtheCollegeofAppliedBiology(R.P.Bio):
https://professionalbiology.com/andhttps://www.cab-bc.org/
Inordertobecomeaccreditedorcertifiedthereareusuallycertainrequirements,suchascoursesor
professionaldevelopment.ThusinthecaseofbecomingaProfessionalGeoscientistthereisaneedto
passcertaincourses.SeveraloftheseareofferedatUNBC,whileotherscanbeobtainedfromother
institutionslikeUBC.See:
https://www.apeg.bc.ca/Become-a-Member/Academic-Examinations-and-Syllabi/Geoscience-Syllabi
Ifcoursesarerequiredforaccreditationthenitisworthfindingoutwhattheseareandtryingtobuild
theseintoyourschedule.
GraduateStudies
Severalprofessionsrequireagraduatedegree(e.g.MSc,MEng,PhD).Inothercases,whilesuchadegree
maynotberequiredtoenterthatprofession,ahigherdegreemayberequiredforpromotion.Inthecase
ofmostuniversitiesandcolleges,aPhDisrequiredtobecomeaprofessor.Undertakingagraduate
degreecanbeveryrewarding.Usuallymoststudentsstartamaster’sdegree.Insomecases,especially
outsideCanada,itispossibletoregisterforaPhDwithoutamaster’sdegree.InCanada,mostmaster’s
degreestake2yearsandinvolveacombinationofcourseworkandresearch;thelatterresultsinathesis.
Somemaster’sdegreesonlyinvolvecoursework,andareoftenforshorterperiods;theseprogramsare
oftenaimedatcertainprofessionsandmaynotbesuitableifyouwanttoundertakeaPhD.
Thedegreeisoverseenbyaprofessorwhoactsasa“supervisor”,ensuringthatthestudentdoes
appropriatecoursesandthattheresearchisofasuitablestandard.Thesupervisormaybeableto
providefundingorofferadviceastoopportunities.Manygraduatestudentsobtainfundingasateaching
(TA)orresearchassistant(RA).Otherssecurefellowshipsorawardsforfundingtheirdegree.While
therearevariouswaysofdecidingwhatdegreetotakeandwheretodoit,themostcommonapproachis
tofindasuitableprofessorordepartment/programthathasagoodreputation.Agoodwaytofinda
potentialsupervisorisviauniversitywebsitesoracademicsearchenginessuchasWebofScience,others
include:http://scholar.google.ca/orhttps://www.researchgate.net/
UNBChasaveryactivegraduateprogram,offeringseveralgraduatedegrees,suchastheMA,MSc,
MNRESandPhDprogramsinNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentalStudies(NRES).Environmental
SciencefacultysupervisegraduatestudentsintheNRESgraduateprogramandaremembersoftheNRES
Institute,oneofthreeUNBCresearchinstitutes.Forfurtherdetailssee:http://www.unbc.ca/graduateprogramsandhttp://www.unbc.ca/nres.
Universitiesnormallyhavespecificentrancerequirements(suchasaGPA)andtimelines.Onceasuitable
supervisororprogramhasbeenidentifieditisworthcontactingthatsupervisorand/orprogramand
determiningthenextstages.
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AppendixI–Internships[startsonnextpage]
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UniversityofNorthernBritishColumbia
GuidelinesforENSC440(2-3)Internship
UpdatedNovember11,2016
Background
The goal of ENSC 440 is to allow students to gain hands-on experience working in an environmentalrelatedfieldwithindustry,government,academiaornon-governmentalorganizations.Itisexpectedthat
thisexperientiallearningwillenrichthestudentexperienceinanarearelatedtoenvironmentalscience.
TheInternshipislikelytobeanattractiveoptiontopotentialemployersasitdemonstratesthatastudent
hassomepractical,work-likeexperienceinthediscipline.Italsoprovidesanopportunityforastudentto
investigatethenatureoftasksandrequirementsinvolvedwithcertaintypesofworkandresearch(i.e.
graduateschool)activities.
EligibilityofStudentsforInternship
TheInternmustbeanEnvironmentalScienceBScMajororHonoursstudentthatiscurrentlyregistered
andhas60credithourspriortoregisteringforENSC440.Therearenoprerequisites.Permissionofthe
EnvironmentalScienceprogramchairisrequiredpriortotheInternshipbeinginitiated.Inaddition,an
InternshiprequirestheavailabilityofanInternsupervisorassociatedwiththeInternshipprojectandthe
availability of an Internship placement. Students may arrange their own Internship opportunities that
willbesubjecttotheapprovaloftheEnvironmentalScienceProgram.Studentsmayvolunteertheirtime
duringanInternship;or,theymaybeemployed.TheInternshipmayoccuratanytimethroughoutthe
year.
RequiredAcademicComponentofInternship
TheInternshipisintendedtogivestudentshands-onexperiencebutitalsoneedstohaveanacademic
component.Theacademiccomponentpermitsstudentstoaddressaproblem,taskorchallengewhichis
ofinteresttotheiremployer/supervisor.Positionsthatonlyutilizestudentsasasourceoflabourdonot
qualify for Internship. A position that only uses students to collect samples or generate data does not
qualifyforanInternship.Apositionthatrequiresstudentstoanalyze,synthesize/interpretandpresent
results (e.g. produce a report) does qualify as an Internship. Not all projects require data collection. In
many cases, the project may be a subproject of the position in which the student tackles a specific
problem.
CreditHours
ENSC440mayrangebetween2and3credithours.Studentswillspendtheequivalentof50and75hours
workingontheacademiccomponentsoftheirInternshipforENSC440-2and,ENSC440-3,respectively.
Normally,notmorethan3credithoursaretobedesignatedpersemester(i.e.4monthperiod).ENSC440
mayberepeatedforuptoatotalof6credithoursthatcanbeappliedtowardthemajorinEnvironmental
Science.
TheBSc(Major)inEnvironmentalSciencerequiresthatstudentsobtaineitherENSC440-3orENSC4993 (Independent Study) to meet degree requirements of the Major. Students who have successfully
completedatleastoneco-opplacement,orwhohaveextensiveexperiencerelatedtotheenvironment,
may be waived from this degree requirement with approval from the Program. The BSc (Honours) in
Environmental Science does not require ENSC 440-3 or ENSC 499-3 because students are required to
obtainENSC430-6(UndergraduateThesis).
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FeesandExpenses
Students participating in the Internship shall be liable for such tuition fees and charges as required by
UNBC. The Environmental Science program is not obligated to cover any expenses related to the
Internship.
InternshipCoordinator
InordertomaintainconsistencyamongstudentstakingENSC440,onepersonwithintheEnvironmental
ScienceProgramwillcoordinatethevariousstudentInternships.TheCoordinatorisnotresponsiblefor
supervising the students, or for finding projects for students interested in pursuing an Internship. The
Internship Coordinator may help liaise between off-campus Internship Supervisors and the
EnvironmentalScienceprogram.OtherfacultymembersatUNBCmaybeinvolvedintheliaisonbetween
anoff-campusInternshipSupervisorandtheEnvironmentalScienceprogram.
RolesandResponsibilities
The Internship will involve a minimum of three individuals: Intern, Internship Supervisor (IS), and
InternshipCoordinator(IC).TheInternshipSupervisormaybeoncampus(e.g.aUNBCfacultymember)
oroffcampus(e.g.aprofessionalwithingovernmentorindustry).Otherfacultymembersmayassistin
the Internship. For example, an Intern may be co-supervised by a UNBC faculty member and an offcampus (e.g. industry or government) professional. Each of the above individuals has different roles in
making sure the course is beneficial to all. Below is a non-inclusive list of what the roles are for each.
Thesearemeantasguidelines.
Intern
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
consults with IC and IS
finds appropriate IS and
identifies potential project
with IS
prepares documentation
required by program (e.g.
Internship Agreement) and
by the IS
obtains necessary signatures
and proper registration;
submits necessary
documentation
follows workplace guidelines
at the IS work site (i.e. safety
regulations, confidentiality,
etc.)
conducts agreed-upon duties
in a timely fashion
submits documents/reports as
required, within agreed upon
timelines
•
•
•
•
•
Internship Coordinator (IC)
consults with Intern on goals
and outcomes for work with IS
acts as a liaison between Intern
and IS
ensures academic objectives are
met
ensures consistency in
workload and expected
outcomes among various
Interns within the program
in consultation with IS, will
decide on a grade for the Intern;
and, will submit grade to
Program Chair
•
•
•
•
•
•
Internship Supervisor (IS)
develops potential projects for
internship
selects suitable candidates
provides the resources required
by the Intern to conduct and
complete the Internship
supervises the Intern’s
activities
ensures that the Intern is made
aware of any workplace
guidelines (e.g. safety
regulations; proper protocols,
etc.)
in consultation with the IC,
decides on a grade for the
Internship
AcceptanceintotheInternship
Three documents need to be completed in order to be accepted into an Internship: (i) the Internship
Agreement, (ii) the Internship Project Details (accompanies internship agreement) and (iii) the
UndergraduateCourseApprovalform(withsignatures).
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TheInternshipAgreement(AppendixA)mustbecompletedandapprovedbytheInternshipSupervisor,
InternshipCoordinatorandEnvironmentalScienceProgramChairpriortotheInternshipbeinginitiated.
AnimportantcomponentoftheInternshipAgreementisthesectionentitled“InternshipProjectDetails”.
Thissectionwillbewrittenbythestudent(withguidancefromtheICandIS),andwilldescribereasons
for participating in the Internship and how the Internship will contribute to the student’s career and
educationalgoals.Inthissection(uptoonepagemaximum),thestudentwillalsoprovideadescription
oftheworktobecompleted,includingobjectives,outlineofworkproject(s),anticipatedoutcomeanda
schedule for completion. This document will describe the content and length of the final report to be
completed by the Intern. The final report needs to be of an academic nature (not just a “diary” of the
Internship),andisdescribedbelow
Grading
ENSC440ispass/fail.Thedecisionofpass/failisbasedonthequalityofafinalreportsubmittedtothe
Coordinator upon completion of the Internship, and on an interview of the Internship Supervisor. The
interview will be used to help determine if the Intern met his/her obligations, and if the Intern’s
performance was satisfactory. Together the Coordinator and Supervisor will decide on the assigned
grade.
Thefinalreportisadocumentwhosecontentandlengthisclearlyidentifiedinthe“InternshipProject
Details”oftheInternshipAgreement.Itshouldbeappropriateforasenior-levelundergraduatecourse.
Forexample,iftheInternshipinvolvedaliteraturereviewandsurveyofcosmeticpesticideuseforthe
RegionalDistrict,thefinalreportwouldincludetheliteraturereviewandsurveyresults.IftheInternship
wastoprovideoptionstoarestaurantformanagingfoodwaste,thefinalreportwouldincludethereport
presented to the restaurant. The Internship Coordinator’s involvement will help ensure consistency
amongthevariousstudentInternshipswithintheEnvironmentalScienceProgram.
FrequentlyAskedQuestions(andanswers)
1. I started a summer job several months ago and I think it meets the criteria for being a good
Internship.MysummerjobonlyhasafewweeksleftbeforeIambacktoclassesfortheupcomingfall
semester.MayIregisterretroactivelyforENSC440,backdatingmyENSC440registrationtoearlier
inthesummer?
Answer: No. The UNBC Registrar’s Office discourages us from backdating Internship registrations.
YouneedtoregisterforENSC440beforeyoucanstarttheInternship.
2. I see that ENSC 440-3 can be taken twice for a total of 6 credits that may be used towards my BSc
(Major) in Environmental Science. This year, I will be working for an environmental consulting
companyfromMay1toAugust30.MayItaketwoback-to-backInternshipsthisspring-summerto
giveme6creditstowardsmyMajorinEnvironmentalScience?
Answer:No.TheMaytoAugusttimeperiodisconsideredtobeonesemester.Nomorethan3credit
hourscanbeusedforENSC440inonesemester.
12
3. It is late October and I have an excellent Internship opportunity available to me. Do I need to wait
untiltheJanuary(Wintersemester)toregisterandstartmyInternship?
Answer:No.Internshipscanrunanytimeduringtheyear.TheUndergraduateCourseApprovalform
willneedtoindicatewhattheofficialstart/enddatesareforyourInternship.Forexample,thestart
datecouldbeinearlyNovemberandfinishinFebruaryofthenextyear.
4. I would like to do an Internship with a Senior Lab Instructor outside of the Environmental Science
Program.IsitOKtodoso?
Answer:Yes.Itispossibletobesupervisedbysomeoneingovernment,industry,anon-government
organization, or any academic, as long as the Internship opportunity meets the proper criteria. The
Environmental Science Internship Coordinator will work with you and your supervisor throughout
theentireInternshipprocess(fromapplicationtocompletion).
5. HowdoIfindaninternship?CananyoneatUNBChelpmeout?
Answer: Talk to your professors to see if there is a project that would qualify. Talk to the
EnvironmentalScienceInternshipCoordinatortoseeifanyInternshipsarecurrentlyavailable.Ifyou
volunteer,orareworking(e.g.workingpart-timeduringschoolyear,or,summeremployment),talk
to your supervisor/employer and find out if there is a project that you can do that is of an
environmental nature. Don’t hesitate to make suggestions to them if you have some ideas. Talk to
other students in the Environmental Science club (or other clubs). Run your ideas by the
EnvironmentalScienceInternshipCoordinator.
6. Ispoketomybossatworkaboutapossibleinternship.ShewantedtofindoutmoreandIgaveher
theInternshipGuidelines.Shestillhaslotsofquestions.WhatshouldIdo?
Answer:GetintouchwiththeEnvironmentalScienceInternshipCoordinator.Thatpersoncanmeet
with you and your boss to describe the Internship details, including what deliverables (e.g. report)
you need to complete, and how many credit hours the Internship is worth (e.g. 2 credit hours or 3
credithours).TheInternshipCoordinatorcanalsomakesurealltheUNBCpaperworkisinorderand
thatInternshipexpectationsarecleartoallinvolved.
7. I have an opportunity to work with a pest control company this summer. Does that qualify as a
suitableInternship?
Answer:Itdepends.No,ifyouarejustprovidingskilled(orunskilled)laborfortheorganization.Yes,
if there is an academic component to your position. An example of a suitable academic component
would be a project that results in the development of an environmental safety protocol for the
company;thismightbepresentedtothecompanyintheformofareport.Ifyouworkfull-timeforthe
companyallsummer,theacademiccomponentmightonlyrequireyoutoworkonitadayaweek(or
an hour a day). Talk to the Internship Coordinator about what things qualify for an Internship and
whatthingsdonotqualify.
13
InternshipAppendixA–ENSC440InternshipAgreement(print2-sidedpage)
ENSC440-_______(indicatecredithours,either2or3dependingontotalhoursdedicated)
StudentInformation
Student:
UNBC ID:
E-mail:
Telephone:
InternshipSupervisor
Supervisor:
Organization and Address:
Position:
E-mail:
Telephone:
Fax
InternshipSupervisor(additionalSupervisor,ifappropriate)
Supervisor:
Organization and Address:
Position:
E-mail:
Telephone:
Fax
InternshipCoordinator(EnvironmentalScienceProgram)
Coordinator:
E-mail
Telephone:
Fax:
InternshipProjectDetails
Proposed Title:
Project Description:
Attach a one-page statement of intent that describes reasons for participating in the internship and how the
internship will contribute to the career and educational goals. Include a description of the work to be completed,
including objectives, outline of work project(s), anticipated outcome and a schedule for completion. Describe the
content and length of the final report.
Start Date:
End Date:
Average number of hours per week to work on project:
Signatures: We agree to the Internship Project Details and to the information and grading scheme
outlinedonthereverse.
___________________
________________________
____________________
Student
Supervisor(s)
Coordinator
Date:_______________
Date:________________
Date:________________
Pleaseattachtheone-page“InternshipProjectDetails”tothisform.Then,submitbothalongwiththe
UndergraduateCourseApprovalFormtotheEnvironmentalScienceProgramChairforApproval.
14
FeesandExpenses
Students participating in an ENSC 440 Internship shall be liable for such tuition, fees and charges as
requiredbyUNBC.UNBCfacultyandtheEnvironmentalProgramarenotobligatedtocoveranyexpenses
relatedtotheInternship.Normally,expensesaretobecoveredbythestudentand/orbytheInternship
SupervisorortheSupervisor’sorganization.Budgetdetailsneedtobediscussedandunderstoodbythe
Student,SupervisorandCoordinatorbeforetheInternshipisinitiated.
Grading
ENSC440ispass/fail.Thedecisionofpass/failisbasedonthequalityofafinalreportsubmittedtothe
Coordinator upon completion of the Internship, and on an interview of the Internship Supervisor. The
interview will be used to help determine if the Intern met his/her obligations, and if the Intern’s
performance was satisfactory. Together the Coordinator and Supervisor will decide on the assigned
grade.
Thefinalreportisadocumentwhosecontentandlengthisclearlyidentifiedinthe“InternshipProject
Details”oftheInternshipAgreement.Thereportshouldbeappropriateforasenior-levelundergraduate
course, and describes the major outcomes of your internship project. For example, if your Internship
involvedaliteraturereviewandsurveyofcosmeticpesticideusefortheregionaldistrict,thefinalreport
would include the literature review and survey results. If your Internship was to provide options to a
restaurantformanagingfoodwaste,thefinalreportwillincludethefindingspresentedtotherestaurant.
Thereportshouldbeofanacademicnatureandforthatreasonthefinalreportshouldnotbeageneral
“diary-type” report of the Internship experience. The Internship Coordinator’s involvement will help
ensureconsistencyamongthevariousstudentInternshipswithintheEnvironmentalScienceProgram.
StudentChecklistforRegisteringinENSC440
ü Studentworkswithsupervisorandcoordinatortocomplete“InternshipAgreementForm”andthe
one-page“InternshipProjectDetails”;thetwodocumentsarestapledtogether;
ü the“InternshipAgreementForm”issignedoffbystudent,supervisorandInternshipCoordinator;
ü “Undergraduate Course Approval” form is completed with appropriate Internship start and end
datesindicated,projecttitle(30charactersorless,includingspaces),signaturesfromInternship
CoordinatorandEnvironmentalScienceProgramChair;
ü TakeabovedocumentationtotheInternshipCoordinatorsothathe/shemayscan/copytokeep
onfile;thecoordinatorwillsendscanstostudentandsupervisor;
ü StudentsubmitsabovedocumentationtoRegistrar’sOffice.
15
AppendixII–TentativeEnvironmentalScienceCourseOfferingTimetable
Revised:2016-11-08
NOTE:Thecourseslistedbelowarepresentedforplanningpurposesonly.Theywillcertainlychange
overtimeanddonotconstituteanykindofguaranteethatthecourseswillbeofferedaslisted.Allcourse
offeringsaresubjecttochangebasedonenrolments,facultyavailability,etc.Beyondthenextacademic
year,theinformationisevenmoreuncertain.Usethisinformationatyourownrisk.Courseswitha“?”
indicatesemesterswhenthecourseinstructorplanstobeonleave,sothatofferingthecoursewill
dependonavailabilityoffundingandasuitablesessionalinstructor.
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
ENSC
111-1
201-3
202-3
250-2
302-3
303-3
307-3
308-3
312-3
325-3
404/604-3
406/607-3
408/608-3
412/612-3
418/618-3
425/625-3
435/635-3
440
450/650-3
452/652-3
454/654-3
498/698-3
F17
X
W18
F18
X
X
X
W19
F19
X
X
X
X
W20
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X?
X?
X
X
X
X?
X
X
X
X?
X
X?
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
W22
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
F21
X
X
X
X
X
X
X?
X
X
X
X
W21
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
16
F20
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X