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Environmental Studies (MES)

Environmental Studies (MES)

Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and Faculty of Science

waterloo

Our Master of Environmental Studies (MES) is offered by the Waterloo-Laurier Graduate Program in Geography. You can benefit from the breadth and depth of the expertise of our faculty and your fellow graduate students in this rich intellectual environment. Our joint program allows you to explore a range of research interests, from the analysis of pressing social and environmental problems to theoretical questions of philosophical and technical importance.

The MES program is ideal if you’re interested in environmental and resource management, or some aspects of human geography or environmental applications of geomatics. We also offer a Master of Arts in Geography and a Master of Science in Geography.

Joint program is the third-largest graduate geography program in Canada.

Environmental Data Analytics field meets labour market demands for geospatial and data handling training.

Our program is enhanced by a number of research centres and groups.

Program Details

Program Structure

The MES can be completed as a two-year degree with thesis, or via a major research paper option.

The thesis option requires you to complete eight units of credit: four courses and the thesis (four credits). The thesis option is normally completed in six terms (two years).

The research paper option requires you to complete eight units of credit: six courses and the research paper (two credits). The research paper option is normally completed in three terms (one year).

Environmental Data Analytics Field

Laurier-registered students can choose to complete the Environmental Data Analytics (EDA) field over one year: two semesters of course work (six units of credit) and one semester of research placement (two credits).

The new EDA field meets labour market demands for people trained in geospatial and data handling related to environmental change and related management, regulatory, planning and policy decision-making. The degree focuses on environmental analytics knowledge generation and dissemination applied to the private, public and non-profit sectors.

Research

Faculty Research Expertise

Faculty teaching in our MES program support a wide range of research interests, such as:

policy formulation and evaluation, sustainable development, and environmental management
water resources
energy resources
protected areas
provincial and national parks
recreation
tourism
natural and human-induced hazards

Related Research Centres

Our program is enhanced by a number of research centres and groups, including:

"Being able to conduct research in the region I call home has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The entire atmosphere of life in the Yukon inspires me to work in the field of environmental studies."

Stephanie Pike (MES '19)

Admissions

Take the first step in your graduate education and apply to one of our graduate programs. Follow our three-step admission process — we’ll walk you through how to apply and prepare for your first day as a graduate student.

Start: Fall (September)
Format: Full-time or part-time
Application opens: Oct. 6
Application deadline: April 30 (international applicants) or Aug. 15 (domestic applicants). Applications will be considered until the program is full.

Your Next Steps

Contact a Faculty Member Tuition and Funding Apply Now

Questions? Contact jdrowns@wlu.ca or call 519.884.0710 x2325.

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"I actively participated and learned a great deal about conference organization and building networks across the scholarly academic community in order to promote effective learning and knowledge sharing. Laurier university shaped my theoretical and methodological academic formation and assisted my research career, my debts to Laurier are numerous and profound."

Mohammad Moniruzzaman

Waterloo Campus

This program is available on Laurier's Waterloo campus.

Laurier's Waterloo campus is home to more than 19,000 graduate and undergraduate students. Tucked into several city blocks, this campus is walking distance to your classrooms, food, and various campus amenities.

Laurier is a leading force in research among Canadian universities, and many of our research centres and institutes are housed in Waterloo.

Learn more about Laurier's campuses.

Tuition and Funding

Regardless of the type of graduate degree program you intend to pursue, financial planning is important. At Laurier, we want to provide you with as much information as possible about a variety of scholarship and funding opportunities and equip you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

"With contributions from several university-based partners, ASPIRE provides graduate students and postdoctoral researchers with informative, hands-on professional skills training essential for degree and post-degree success."

Brent Wolfe, Associate Dean, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Careers

MES students who recently completed the program are employed by/as:

municipal governments (Thunder Bay, Calgary)
provincial government departments (Alberta Environment)
federal government departments (Fisheries and Oceans)
conservation authorities (Halton Hills)
market and GIS analysts and technicians in industry (Loblaws, de Beers, BMO Financial, MDA, Central Southern China Electric Power Design Institute, China Railway First Survey and Design Institute, Cogeco, Ecopia Tech, InferUrban)
lab technicians, research assistants (University of Waterloo)
independent consultants with international organizations (United Nations Development Programme)

Your Path to Post-Degree Success

ASPIRE is Laurier's professional skills development training program for graduate students. The program helps you craft an individualized, extracurricular learning plan tailored to your professional journey and entry to the workplace.

Research Chat

A podcast showcasing graduate students' research and experiences at Laurier.

Laurier 601

Laurier's incoming student support program will help you transition into graduate studies.

Celebrating Laurier Achievements

Watch a video recognizing the many forms of Laurier scholarship and creativity.

Research Chat

A podcast showcasing graduate students' research and experiences at Laurier.

Laurier 601

Laurier's incoming student support program will help you transition into graduate studies.

Celebrating Laurier Achievements

Watch a video recognizing the many forms of Laurier scholarship and creativity.

Faculty

Learn about the interests of our faculty members. If you are looking for more information about this program, have questions, or want to set up a meeting, contact a member of our team.

Alison Blay-Palmer
Professor
UNESO Chair on Food, Biodiversity and Sustainability Studies

Mary-Louise Byrne
Professor
Chair, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

Joseph Culp
Environment and Climate Change
Canada Research Scientist in Residence

Sean Doherty
Professor

Homa Kheyrollah Pour
Assistant Professor
Canada Research Chair in Remote Sensing of Environmental Change

Christopher Lemieux
Associate Professor
John McMurry Research Chair in Environmental Geography

Robert McLeman
Professor

Steven Roberts
Associate Professor
Undergraduate Officer, Geography

Miguel Sioui
Assistant Professor
Undergraduate Officer, Environmental Studies

Terah Sportel
Assistant Professor

Jason Venkiteswaran
Associate Professor

Brent Wolfe
Professor
Acting Associate Vice-President and Dean, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Cross-Appointed Faculty

Jennifer Baltzer
Associate Professor
Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change

Alex Latta
Associate Professor

Join us at Laurier

Environmental Studies (MES)