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Environmental Science

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (B.S.A.)

Learn how to get the most out of your degree and prepare for your future career.

Environmental science explores the relationships between environmental constraints and sustainable development. An emphasis is placed on the challenges faced in Canada, including the impact of climate change, agriculture, forestry, and oil and gas exploration on the environment.

Not a USask student?

Learn more about studying environmental science at USask and apply for admission.

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.

Year 1 courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

AGRC 110.3  | Scientific Literacy and Communication for the Agricultural Sciences
AGRC 111.3  | Introduction to Plant and Soil Sciences
AGRC 112.3 | Animal Agriculture and Food Science
AGRC 113.3 | Introduction to Agri Food Economics
BIOL 120.3  | The Nature of Life
CHEM 112.3 | General Chemistry I Structure Bonding and Properties of Materials

You choose
  • One course (3.c.u) from either AREC 220.3 History of Indigenous Agriculture in Canada or INDG 107.3 Introduction to Canadian Indigenous Studies
  • One course (3.c.u) from either BIOL 121.3 The Diversity of Life or EVSC 110.3 Renewable Resources and Environment
  • One course (3.c.u) from either CHEM 115.3 General Chemistry II Chemical Processes or CHEM 250.3 Introduction to Organic Chemistry
  • From a variety of courses to fulfill your degree requirements

Academic tips

What will I learn?
  • Environmental science looks at ongoing and emerging environmental issues such as biological remediation agents, disposal of toxic chemicals, ground water contamination, overgrazing, ozone depletion, pesticides, preservation of wetlands and other natural habitats, production of greenhouse gases and the production of genetically engineered plants, animals and microorganisms

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

Featured courses

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue and meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.

Year 2 courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

EVSC 203.3 | Sampling and Laboratory Analysis
EVSC 210.3 | Environmental Physics
EVSC 220.3 | Environmental Soil Science
PLSC 213.3 | Principles of Plant Ecology

You choose

Academic tips

Add to your major

Choose from a variety of certificates to complement your major.

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

Student Supports

Connect with student support options to maintain your wellness and support your goals.

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue and meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.

Year 3 and 4 courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

GEOG 222.3 | Geomatics

You choose

Apply to graduate

Academic tips

Consider applying to a graduate program
Find a program

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

USask Student Competencies

USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:

  • Engaging in our intercultural society
  • Nurturing successful relationships
  • Leveraging technology
  • Adaptive design and problem solving
  • Communicating meaningfully
  • Cultivating well-being

Possible destinations

People with an environmental science degree take their knowledge and skills into many different industries and occupations. Some of the career paths listed here require further education and training.

Career paths

  • Air Quality Specialist
  • Aquatic Biologist
  • Biodiversity Policy Analyst
  • Carbon Markets Service Manager
  • Community Division Manager
  • Environmental Data Technician
  • Environmental Compliance Specialist
  • Environmental Coordinator
  • Environmental Field Technician
  • Environmental Inspector
  • Environmental Planner
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Environmental Site Assessor
  • Environmental Spill Technician
  • Field Instructor
  • Fisheries Ecologist
  • Geochemist
  • Hazardous Materials Technologist
  • Hydrogeologist
  • Integrated Resource Planner
  • Intermediate Hydrologist
  • Naturalist
  • Safety and Environmental Coordinator
  • Soil Scientist
  • Sustainability Associate
  • Sustainable Development Coordinator
  • Terrestrial Biologist
  • Waste Management Program Officer
  • Water Quality Assistant
  • Wildlife Biologist

Currently Canada North Environmental Services (CanNorth) employs five, full-time Renewable Resource Management (RRM)/Soil Science graduates, four of whom hold senior positions at the company. These graduates manage programs related to soils, botany, wildlife, and aquatics. CanNorth also hires summer students and contract workers who come from the Environmental Science and RRM programs at the College. Overall, I have found that the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, specifically the RRM, Soils, and Environmental Science programs, do an effective job of preparing students for environmental consulting.

The graduates from the RRM/Soils/Environmental Science programs enter our company with the ability to catch-on quickly because of their strong, working knowledge of the subject matter. This knowledge is an important attribute due to the pace and expectations of consulting. Those graduates who work on soils-related projects, such as soil baseline surveys, site assessments, and monitoring programs, have a foundational knowledge of soil science, but particularly field sampling methods and soil classification. As a mentor, I find these graduates are proficient in many aspects of soil classification, which allows me to refine their skills and for them to progress and advance in their career. The graduates' skills can be attributed directly to the field courses that the College of Agriculture and Bioresources offers, such as RRM 301, EVSC 380 and SLSC 460. These courses really distinguish the RRM/Soils/Environmental Science graduates from those at other academic institutions because the field skills are directly transferable to our line of work.

—Jessica Slopek, B.Sc., P.Ag., Senior Soil Scientist/Project Manager, Canada North Environmental

Where do USask alumni work?

  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
  • Cameco
  • Canada North Environmental (CanNorth)
  • City of Saskatoon
  • Ecology Project International
  • ELM Inc.
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada
  • Golder
  • Government of Saskatchewan
  • Matrix Solutions
  • Meewasin Valley Authority
  • Safe Drinking Water Foundation
  • Saskatchewan Research Council
  • Stantec
  • UN Biodiversity
  • University of Saskatchewan
  • Water Security Agency

Explore Canadian salaries for various occupations using the Job Bank Career Planning Tool

"The Environmental Science program at USask has helped me to improve basic competencies like communication, working in a team, and time management. It providees a good balance of group work and individual assignements that prepare you for real world work. In many cases you are given assignements that force you to think critically and call back to previous classes to understand how concepts relate and can be applied. Having this knowledge of the environment, and experience doing field work as well as lab work was a driving factor in me getting a reoccuring summer job at a research farm."

—Kaden, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Environmental Science '26

"An aspect of the Environmental Science program that has been of most value to me is the balance of practical hands-on and academic learning. I have valued the innate nature of the program as it provides experience in biology, chemistry, physics, and economics through a perspective of sustainability.  
Throughout my major, I gained competencies and knowledge in laboratory-based work and field work, which I believe has given me well-rounded experience needed for future employment opportunities."

—Joshua, fourth-year environmental science studentt

"My education has given me a deeper appreciation for the ecosystems around us and the importance of something as easily overlooked as the soil beneath our feet. If I could offer one piece of advice to future students, it would be to keep an open mind, work hard, and take every opportunity that comes your way. You don't need to have everything figured out when you start university. Sometimes, taking that first leap can lead you to opportunities you never expected."

—Phoenix, fourth-year environmental science student