New Applied Environmental Sciences program "for the science dreamers"

Learn more about the Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Environmental Sciences.  

Understanding environmental problems requires looking beyond the lab. That’s what students will do in Royal Roads University’s new Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Environmental Sciences, with classes beginning this September at the RRU Langford, John Horgan Campus. 

This interdisciplinary program is a mix of science, social sciences, and humanities. Students will leave with a solid physical sciences foundation, plus an understanding of different knowledge systems that will help them find diverse solutions to the big problems of our time.  

The students attracted to this program are the science dreamers. They are the idealists who believe that they can change the world. – Mickie Noble, professor of Environment and Sustainability

Students who complete the certificate may ladder into an undergraduate diploma and then go on to achieve a bachelor's degree by completing a third and fourth year. While the certificate is designed to prepare students for a science degree, they will have plenty of pathway options post-certification.  

“The students attracted to this program are the science dreamers,” says Mickie Noble,  professor of Environment and Sustainability, and one of the curriculum designers of the certificate. “They are the idealists who believe that they can change the world. 

We’re looking for [the students] to harness that and realize – although it won’t happen by tomorrow at lunchtime – we do believe they will change the world,” says Noble.  

“This program is unique in that it is very much interdisciplinary,” says Sarah Wolfe, a professor of Environment and Sustainability, and a curriculum designer for the program. “We have a hard science foundation – so chemistry, hydrology, some light engineering – everything students need to make sense of environment and climate issues, and also to make sense of the nonsense that’s out there around climate issues.” 

“We also want our students to have the life skills, communication skills, and people skills to be able to advocate on behalf of the environment, as well as understanding the science behind it,” says Wolfe.  

Students will experience a variety of courses, from chemistry to ecology to human geography. They’ll learn about the history of science and scientific perspectives from different cultures, as well as both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The program will work closely with the Career Integrated Learning team to help students identify career pathways and provide them with the soft skills needed in the hiring process. 

Some career pathways include fieldwork as an environmental technician or scientist, or alternatively, policy writing and analysis, or running environmental programs for companies, governments, or NGOs. The program could also serve as a foundation for future studies in environmental law or education and more. 

“This is a program that’s designed to give you a ton of options and things you can do next, that will help you get out into the world and make a difference,” explains Noble. 

The Applied Environmental Sciences program is one of three undergraduate certificates now available to first-year students at the new RRU Langford | John Horgan campus. Students can also apply for the Business and Sustainability and Social Sciences certificates. Applications for the first semester this fall are open until August 18, 2025.  
 

Learn more about Royal Roads University’s first-year undergraduate programs.