Experiential Learning
Experiential learning provides students with opportunities to apply their course work outside the classroom, participate in authentic practices, develop their skills, and engage in critical reflection. The School of the Environment offers many experiential learning opportunities, including through course assignments, internships, organization-partnered projects, and field courses. Students may engage with a broad range of community partners working in the areas of climate justice, food systems, environmental health, transportation, land conservation, sustainable buildings, and more.
Our collaboration project was incredible for both developing my personal interests in the environmental field and supporting a community organization that does meaningful work. - ENV421Y1 student
Courses at the School
Students analyze the challenges posed by the ecological crisis by integrating scientific, technological, economic, political, psychological, historical, and ethical perspectives and evaluate a variety of approaches that move us towards authentic sustainability.
This course focuses on methods of sampling and analyzing natural air, water and solid Earth materials that are relevant to current environmental issues. It integrates approaches from chemistry, physics, geology and biology, and covers techniques in field sampling, laboratory analyses and analyses of large environmental data sets.
This eight-month research course provides students with an opportunity to work with a local community partner and engage in an action-focused group research project.
This community engaged research course explores the richness and complexity of faith-based environmentalism. Time in the classroom will be spent building knowledge of the discipline through the discussion of theories and ideas, acquiring research skills, and unpacking field experiences. Time in the field will be spent engaging with the work of community partners and learning from them. The course is designed to bridge classroom knowledge with field experiences that allow for critical reflection and creative expression.
The course offers students academic internships in the non-profit, public, and or private sector. Students complete 70-80 hours with the organization, which is complemented by educational seminars and assignments.
Students undertake an applied group research project on an aspect of campus sustainability at the University of Toronto. Working in partnership with operational staff, students develop skills needed to work across disciplines and fields of study, and with non-academic partners.
This course situates students and campuses within the context of broader movements for more ecologically rational and socially-just food systems. Students engage in change-making on campus and beyond through an action-focused project with a campus or community partner.
Learning Abroad
Learning Abroad opportunities are available to Faculty of Arts & Science students to enrich your degree. Explore academic international opportunities offered directly by the University of Toronto or through partner universities by visiting the Learning Abroad website. There are also Summer exchange programs available on the Summer Abroad website.
Research Opportunities
The University has launched an Undergraduate Research Hub where you can search for research opportunities on campus. Learn about various research opportunities both within the School of the Environment and at the University level below.
Research Opportunities Program (ENV299Y1 & ENV399Y1)
The Research Opportunities Program (ROP) gives second- and third-year Faculty of Arts & Science undergraduate students the chance to join an instructor’s research project and earn course credit towards their degree. Recent ROP projects offered with faculty at the School of the Environment include:
- Bees for Peace: Engaging Religious Communities for Pollinator Protection, Professor Stephen Scharper
- Simulating Complexity, Chaos and Emergence, Professor Brad Bass
- Environmental Action in Faith Communities, Professor Tanhum Yoreh
- Land Use Economics and Sustainable Planning, Professor Brad Bass
“There's something really special about getting to interact closely with a student who is so early on in their academic career – the potential to have a meaningful relationship with that student and watch that student grow and learn and be a part of your work for perhaps the rest of their time in university, and perhaps beyond.” - ROP Faculty member
University of Toronto Excellence Award (UTEA)
The University of Toronto Excellence Award (UTEA) gives students an opportunity to gain research experience on a faculty-led project over the Summer. Students can reach out to eligible faculty members to apply for the award. Applications are normally due late March.
Jackman Humanities Scholars-in-Residence Program
The Scholars-in-Residence Program based in the Jackman Humanities Institute offers undergraduates the opportunity to work on research projects for four weeks during the Summer.
The Jackman Humanities Institute also offers six residential fellowships, providing an opportunity to research and write an Independent Study on a topic of their own choice under the supervision of one of 12-month Faculty Research Fellows.
Research Excursions Program
The Research Excursions Program (REP) provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to travel off-campus as part of an instructor’s research project, while earning course credit. The Faculty of Arts & Science covers travel and living expenses for students to participate.