Join us at Laurier

Becoming a Golden Hawk means more than just cheering on our (really good) varsity teams – it means being a student who cares about your community, who works hard in the classroom, and who takes advantage of all the learning opportunities that can happen outside the classroom, too.

Steps to Apply

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Steps to Apply

Undergraduate AdmissionsGraduate Admissions

Water Science and Environmental Health (BSc)

waterloo

Play a role in protecting Canada’s most valuable resource: water. Understand why access to clean water is a fundamental question of social justice. Learn to identify and solve threats to water resources to improve the availability, security and reliability of human water supplies while ensuring ecosystem and human health. Develop skills, including computer analysis, to assess, monitor and sustainably manage land and water resources.

students in water treatment lab

Apply Your Learning

Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you. Volunteer work, campus clubs, leadership programs, studying abroad, work experience – there are so many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world.

Here are just a few examples of the experiences you’ll get in the Water Science and Environmental Health program:

Check out the Water Science and Environmental Health Experience Guide.

 

2020 graduates who secured employment or went on to postgraduate studies

 

Laurier ranks in the top 6 percent of universities worldwide*

 

students who gained hands-on learning experiences at Laurier in 2019/20

*Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)

Admissions

Format: full time or part time      Duration: four years     Start: September (fall term)     OUAC code: UWS
Ontario High School Admission Requirements
  • Minimum admission range: mid 70s.
  • Competitive admission range based on last year’s admitted students: high 80s.
  • English at 60%.
  • Advanced Functions at 70%.
  • Biology at 70%.
  • Chemistry at 70%.
  • All prerequisite courses calculated in admissions average
Canadian Admission Requirements (Outside of Ontario)

Students applying to this program from a Canadian province outside of Ontario are encouraged to review our course equivalents by province chart. This chart will show you what courses from your province are equivalent to the admission requirements listed under Ontario High School Admission Requirements.
International Admission Requirements

Students applying to this program from an international curriculum are encouraged to review our curriculum-specific requirements; you must also meet all program-specific requirements listed under the Ontario High School Admission Requirements section.

English-Proficiency Requirement

Laurier's language of instruction is English, and so we may require you to provide evidence of your English proficiency to help make sure you experience success in your academic courses.

Your three most recent years of full-time education must be in English without taking any ESL (English as a Second Language) courses. If you do not meet this requirement, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.

We reserve the right to request an English-language test from any applicant.

If you do not meet Laurier's English proficiency requirement but are academically qualified for your program, you may be eligible for a conditional offer of admission.

Laurier English and Academic Foundation (LEAF) Program

The Laurier English and Academic Foundation (LEAF) program is an academic English program for Laurier applicants who have to prove English proficiency. If you have received an offer to Laurier with a condition to meet our English- proficiency requirement, you can meet that condition by successfully completing the LEAF program.
College Pathways

Completed the first year of a college program:

  • Minimum admission average of 75% for part-time studies in a Bachelor of Science (BSc) program.
  • Minimum admission average of 80% for full-time studies in a BSc program.

Completed a two-year diploma or two years of a three-year advanced diploma:

  • Minimum admission average of 70% for part-time studies in a BSc program.
  • Minimum admission average of 75% for full-time studies in a BSc program.

Completed a two to three-year advanced diploma:

  • Minimum admission average of 75% for full-time studies in a BSc program.
Note: Possession of the minimum admission average does not guarantee admission. Unless otherwise noted, you are considered for admission into full-time studies.
Other Admission Requirements

Visit our admission requirements section to find specific requirements for university students, indigenous applicants, mature learners, homeschooled applicants, senior citizens, refugees, and more. 

Your Next Steps

Apply Now Strengthen Your Application Important Dates

Program Details

Water Science and Environmental Health at Laurier

As a student in the Water Science and Environmental Health program, you'll learn the underlying scientific principles, processes and theories concerning the physical, chemical and biological properties of water and the factors that play a critical role in maintaining ecosystem and human health.

Through a combination of training and practical work experience, including co-op, you'll identify and solve ongoing threats to our water resources including those caused by human activities and climate change. You'll be able to recognize that the availability of safe, clean water and its resources is a fundamental question of social justice.

This program will help you develop the skills needed to apply quantitative and computer analysis to assess, monitor and sustainably manage land and water resources. You'll understand the critical need for government responsibility for managing and protecting water and Earth's resources.

Throughout your studies, you will feel empowered to contribute to the quest to improve the availability, security and reliability of human water supplies, while ensuring the whole ecosystem and human health.

Research Opportunities

This program includes a course in field methods, and the opportunity to take other field courses.

Faculty members hire students as research assistants to help with studies in the lab and field.

Students completing an honours thesis will conduct a year-long research project including data collection, analysis and write-up.

Program Options and Courses

Options and Minors

These are a few of the many popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:

  • Communication Studies Minor
  • Community Engagement Option
  • Global Studies Minor
  • History and Philosophy of Science Minor
  • International Policy Option
  • Management Option
  • Public Policy Minor
  • Social Entrepreneurship Option
  • Statistics Minor

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

Sample First-Year Courses

  • The Anatomy of Earth
  • Biological Diversity and Evolution
  • Calculus I for the Natural Sciences
  • Fundamentals of Chemistry I
  • Fundamentals of Chemistry II
  • Introduction to Physical Geography
  • Introductory Calculus for the Natural Sciences
  • Mechanics for the Life Sciences
  • Unifying Life Processes
  • 1.0 elective credit

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Lab Techniques in Water Science
  • Limnology
  • Water Policy and Legislation
  • Wetland Science

Similar Programs

Co-op

Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network, and graduate with work experience.

You can apply for admission to co-op in your first year and may be eligible for an admission interview early in your second year. As a student in this program, you will be eligible to complete paid work terms lasting 12 to 16 weeks.

Interested? Learn more about co-op.

Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

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"Laurier has become a huge part of my life. It has taught me so much both inside and outside of lecture halls and quickly become my home away from home."

Kira P., Laurier graduate

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • aquaculturist
  • environmental scientist (government/industry)
  • fisheries biologist
  • groundwater modelling specialist
  • hydrologist
  • hydrometeorologist
  • natural resources policy analyst
  • oceanographer
  • toxicologist
  • water policy advisor
  • water resources specialist

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

Interested in More Info?

Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 519.884.0710 x3385 or see all contact information.

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