Start your environmental studies degree at VCC in a supportive learning environment with attentive instructors. Credits transfer to post-secondary institutions across British Columbia.
What you will learn
A graduate with a first-year University Transfer Environmental Studies Certificate has reliably gained the ability to:
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Incorporate critical thinking into global interdisciplinary processes and decision making.
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Collaborate with peers by participating in research projects and laboratories.
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Critically interpret literature and determine the nature and extent of information required.
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Apply the appropriate presentation style to produce clear and accurate written, verbal, and visual communication for public individuals, professionals in industry/NGOs, scientists, and politicians.
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Utilize accepted research process and abilities in all professional enquiries, communications, and scholarship.
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Assimilate scientific and quantitative methodology as well as analytical skills for entrance into second year science courses.
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Apply problem-solving techniques in biology, math, geography, global environmental change, management, and leadership.
What to expect
The courses are presented using a variety of instructional strategies, resources and activities including lectures, laboratories, field trips, demonstrations, guest speakers, case studies, and applied practical experiences.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
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English 12 with a minimum ‘B’ grade, or equivalent
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Biology 11 and 12 both with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or equivalent
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Chemistry 11 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or equivalent
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Precalculus 11 with a minimum ‘C’ grade, or equivalent
For Option C (BSc – Environmental Science), students must meet the following additional admission criteria:
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Precalculus 12 with a minimum ‘B’ grade, or equivalent
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Chemistry 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or equivalent
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Physics 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or equivalent
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Recommended Characteristics
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Proficiency in the English language with excellent oral and written communication skills.
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Motivated and disciplined.
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Possess analytical and critical thinking skills.
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Some word processing experience.
Courses
*Prior learning assessment and recognition
For students attempting the assured pathway to Simon Fraser University, PLAR is not allowed, as per the agreement with SFU.
Option C: SFU Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree Major: Environmental Science Second-Year
Assured Admission Pathway
Assured admission under this pathway requires completion of the VCC Environmental Studies Certificate with a VCC CGPA of 2.75 (calculated based on the best attempt for each course). All credits must be obtained within sixteen months. In addition, for at least two of the terms at VCC students must meet a minimum course load of 12 credits. The following courses must be completed as part of this pathway:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 1100 | Calculus 1 | 3 |
| MATH 1200 | Calculus 2 | 3 |
| BIOL 1100 | Biology 1 | 4 |
| BIOL 1200 | Biology 2 | 4 |
| ENGL 1100 | English 1 | 3 |
| or ENGL 1101 | English | |
| EVSC 1100 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| CHEM 1121 | Chemistry 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 1223 | Chemistry 2 | 4 |
| PHYS 1100 | Physics 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 1200 | Physics 2 | 4 |
The following core courses must be taken at VCC:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 1100 | Biology 1 | 4 |
| BIOL 1200 | Biology 2 | 4 |
| EVSC 1100 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| ENGL 1100 | English 1 | 3 |
| or ENGL 1101 | English | |
Other (non-core) courses in the certificate that are taken at post-secondary institutions other than VCC may be transferred to VCC and used towards completion of the VCC/SFU pathway, providing those courses transfer independently to SFU and receive the same credit at SFU as does the VCC pathway course.
Competitive Admission Pathway
VCC students who do not meet the assured admission pathway criteria will be considered for entry to the SFU Environmental Science programs using the existing college transfer criteria for admission (currently 24 credits of transferable work plus meeting the GPA set for that term of admission), plus program-specific requirements.
Applicants from both pathways must meet the general SFU English language and quantitative admission requirements.
The required GPA for transfer to other institutions may vary based on transfer agreements with other institutions.
Course Credits (Option A: BEnv - Environmental Resource Management)
Successful completion of a minimum of 35 credits of first-year university transfer courses articulated to SFU courses as per the British Columbia Council on Admission and Transfer Guide (BCCAT) is required for completion of the certificate. Credit distribution in the following courses is required:
| Term One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 1100 | Biology 1 | 4 |
| ENGL 1100 or ENGL 1101 |
English 1 or English |
3 |
| GEOG 1100 | Society, Space, Environment: Introducing Human Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 1110 | Earth Systems | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Term Two | ||
| BIOL 1200 | Biology 2 | 4 |
| INDG 1100 | Introduction to First Nations & Indigenous Studies | 3 |
| GEOG 2241 | Social Geography | 3 |
| EVSC 1100 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Term Three | ||
| BIOL 2104 | Introduction to Ecology | 3 |
| MATH 1111 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| REMA 1100 | Global Change | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 35 | |
Course Credits (Option B: BEnv - Global Environmental Systems)
Successful completion of a minimum of 35 credits of first-year university transfer courses articulated to SFU courses as per the British Columbia Council on Admission and Transfer Guide (BCCAT) is required for completion of the certificate. Credit distribution in the following courses is required:
| Term One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 1100 | Biology 1 | 4 |
| ENGL 1100 or ENGL 1101 |
English 1 or English |
3 |
| GEOG 1100 | Society, Space, Environment: Introducing Human Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 1110 | Earth Systems | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Term Two | ||
| BIOL 1200 | Biology 2 | 4 |
| SOCI 1100 or ECON 1200 or INDG 1100 |
Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology or Macroeconomics or Introduction to First Nations & Indigenous Studies |
3 |
| GEOG 2241 | Social Geography | 3 |
| EVSC 1100 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Term Three | ||
| BIOL 2104 | Introduction to Ecology | 3 |
| REMA 1100 | Global Change | 3 |
| MATH 1111 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 35 | |
Course Credits (Option C: BSc – Environmental Science)
Successful completion of a minimum of 38 credits of first-year university transfer courses articulated to SFU courses as per the British Columbia Council on Admission and Transfer Guide (BCCAT) is required for completion of the certificate. Credit distribution in the following courses is required:
| Term One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 1100 | Biology 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 1121 | Chemistry 1 | 4 |
| MATH 1100 | Calculus 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 1100 | Physics 1 | 4 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term Two | ||
| BIOL 1200 | Biology 2 | 4 |
| CHEM 1223 | Chemistry 2 | 4 |
| EVSC 1100 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| PHYS 1200 | Physics 2 | 4 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term Three | ||
| ENGL 1100 or ENGL 1101 |
English 1 or English |
3 |
| MATH 1200 | Calculus 2 | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Option A: SFU Bachelor of Environment (BEnv) Degree Major: Environmental Resource Management Second-Year Transfer
Assured Admission Pathway
Assured admission under this pathway requires completion of the VCC Environmental Studies Certificate with a VCC GPA of 2.75 (calculated based on the best attempt for each course). All credits must be obtained within sixteen months. In addition, for at least two of the terms at VCC students must meet a minimum course load of 12 credits. The following courses must be completed as part of this pathway: MATH 1111 Introduction to Statistics, BIOL 1100 Biology 1, BIOL 1200 Biology 2, BIOL 2104 Introduction to Ecology, ENGL 1100 English 1 or ENGL 1101 English, INDG 1100 Introduction to First Nations & Indigenous Studies, GEOG 1100 Society, Space, Environment: Introducing Human Geography, GEOG 1110 Earth Systems, GEOG 2241 Social Geography, EVSC 1100 Introduction to Environmental Science, and REMA 1100 Global Change.
The following core courses must be taken at VCC:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 1100 | Biology 1 | 4 |
| BIOL 1200 | Biology 2 | 4 |
| INDG 1100 | Introduction to First Nations & Indigenous Studies | 3 |
| GEOG 1100 | Society, Space, Environment: Introducing Human Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 1110 | Earth Systems | 3 |
| EVSC 1100 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| BIOL 2104 | Introduction to Ecology | 3 |
| REMA 1100 | Global Change | 3 |
Other (non-core) courses in the certificate taken at post-secondary institutions other than VCC may be transferred to VCC and used towards completion of the VCC/SFU pathway certificate, providing those courses transfer independently to SFU and receive the same credit at SFU as does the VCC pathway course.
Competitive Admission Pathway
VCC students who do not meet the assured admission pathway criteria will be considered for entry to the SFU environment programs using the existing college transfer criteria for SFU admission (currently 24 credits of transferable course work plus meeting the GPA set for that term of admission), plus program-specific requirements.
Applicants from both pathways must meet the general SFU English language and quantitative admission requirements.
Option B: SFU Bachelor of Environment (BEnv) Degree Major: Global Environmental Systems Second-Year Transfer
Assured Admission Pathway
Assured admission under this pathway requires completion of the VCC Environmental Studies Certificate with a VCC CGPA of 2.75 (calculated based on the best attempt for each course). All credits must be obtained within sixteen months. In addition, for at least two of the terms at VCC students must meet a minimum course load of 12 credits. The following courses must be completed as part of this pathway:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 1111 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| BIOL 1100 | Biology 1 | 4 |
| BIOL 1200 | Biology 2 | 4 |
| BIOL 2104 | Introduction to Ecology | 3 |
| ENGL 1100 | English 1 | 3 |
| or ENGL 1101 | English | |
| GEOG 1100 | Society, Space, Environment: Introducing Human Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 1110 | Earth Systems | 3 |
| GEOG 2241 | Social Geography | 3 |
| EVSC 1100 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| REMA 1100 | Global Change | 3 |
| And one of: | 3 | |
SOCI 1100 | Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology | |
ECON 1200 | Macroeconomics | |
INDG 1100 | Introduction to First Nations & Indigenous Studies | |
The following core courses must be taken at VCC:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 1100 | Biology 1 | 4 |
| BIOL 1200 | Biology 2 | 4 |
| GEOG 1100 | Society, Space, Environment: Introducing Human Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 1110 | Earth Systems | 3 |
| GEOG 2241 | Social Geography | 3 |
| EVSC 1100 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| REMA 1100 | Global Change | 3 |
| BIOL 2104 | Introduction to Ecology | 3 |
Other (non-core) courses in the certificate that are taken at post-secondary institutions other than VCC may be transferred to VCC and used towards completion of the VCC/SFU pathway certificate, providing those courses transfer independently to SFU and receive the same credit at SFU as does the VCC pathway course.
Competitive Admission Pathway
VCC students who do not meet the assured admission pathway criteria will be considered for entry to the SFU Environment programs using the existing college transfer criteria for admission (currently 24 credits of transferable work plus meeting the GPA set for that term of admission), plus program-specific requirements.
Applicants from both pathways must meet the general SFU English language and quantitative admission requirements.
The required GPA for transfer to other institutions may vary based on transfer agreements with other institutions.
Option C: SFU Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree Major: Environmental Science Second-Year
Assured Admission Pathway
Assured admission under this pathway requires completion of the VCC Environmental Studies Certificate with a VCC CGPA of 2.75 (calculated based on the best attempt for each course). All credits must be obtained within sixteen months. In addition, for at least two of the terms at VCC students must meet a minimum course load of 12 credits. The following courses must be completed as part of this pathway:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 1100 | Calculus 1 | 3 |
| MATH 1200 | Calculus 2 | 3 |
| BIOL 1100 | Biology 1 | 4 |
| BIOL 1200 | Biology 2 | 4 |
| ENGL 1100 | English 1 | 3 |
| or ENGL 1101 | English | |
| EVSC 1100 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| CHEM 1121 | Chemistry 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 1223 | Chemistry 2 | 4 |
| PHYS 1100 | Physics 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 1200 | Physics 2 | 4 |
The following core courses must be taken at VCC:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 1100 | Biology 1 | 4 |
| BIOL 1200 | Biology 2 | 4 |
| EVSC 1100 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| ENGL 1100 | English 1 | 3 |
| or ENGL 1101 | English | |
Other (non-core) courses in the certificate that are taken at post-secondary institutions other than VCC may be transferred to VCC and used towards completion of the VCC/SFU pathway, providing those courses transfer independently to SFU and receive the same credit at SFU as does the VCC pathway course.
Competitive Admission Pathway
VCC students who do not meet the assured admission pathway criteria will be considered for entry to the SFU Environmental Science programs using the existing college transfer criteria for admission (currently 24 credits of transferable work plus meeting the GPA set for that term of admission), plus program-specific requirements.
Applicants from both pathways must meet the general SFU English language and quantitative admission requirements.
The required GPA for transfer to other institutions may vary based on transfer agreements with other institutions.
Option D
Speak with Advising/Counselling/Department Head for support in identifying other post-secondary program transfer options.
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Fees and other costs
*| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 4535 |
Tuition Breakdown
0 - 1
0 - 2
0 - 3
0 - 4
|
| Student union | 192 | |
| College initiative | 106 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 141 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical & Dental | 275 | |
| U-PASS | 531 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
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* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a $300 non-refundable deposit.
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
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- Submit your official transcripts to the Registrar's Office when you apply
- Check Important Dates for deadlines and registration information
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