Academic Calendar 2023-2024

Environmental Science (ENSC)

Not all courses are offered every year. With the exception of  ENSC 898, 899 and 999 all courses are 3.0 credit units. 

ENSC 801     Methodological and Conceptual Basis for Environmental Studies      
The course examines methodological and conceptual issues arising from Environmental Studies position as an inter-, multi- and/or trans-disciplinary practice. It will focus on the inherent difficulties in overcoming disciplinary fragmentation in approaches to studying complex issues in environmental sustainability that require integrated understandings of the inter-relations between social and natural systems. The course will promote methodological literacy beyond student's own area of expertise, develop critical and reflexive thinking about how environmental studies might approach issues of sustainability, and encourage and facilitate communication across disciplinary paradigms. The course precedes and compliments ENSC 802, familiarizing students with the historical origins, philosophical underpinnings and practical deployment of key approaches within the social and natural sciences and humanities. Three term-hours; Fall; H. Jamieson, M. (Mick) Smith. Course fee(s): field trip fee of $50.00
PREREQUISITE: permission of instructor

ENSC 802     Global Environmental Problems: Issues in Sustainability     
This course focuses on real-world environmental problems analyzing their social, ethical, and biogeochemical origins, economic ramifications, and institutional frameworks for their mitigation and resolution in the context of environmental sustainability.  This course would logically follow or run concurrently with ENSC 801, and will deepen and continue the themes through consideration of the intellectual history of theories and concepts relevant to environmental studies, with a focus on the concepts of “sustainability” and “sustainable development”. Three term-hours; Winter; M. Hird, S. Brown.
PREREQUISITE: permission of instructor

ENSC 816     Environmental Chemicals     
The course will compare and contrast the behaviour of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic compounds, such as methyl mercury and chlorinated aromatic compounds, with the behaviour of less persistent chemicals such as petroleum hydrocarbons and modern pesticides. Subjects of interest may include sediment diagenesis, long-range transport, methylation processes, and interactions between biomagnification and ecosystem structure and productivity. Three term-hours; Fall or Winter.
PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor

ENSC 840     Directed Studies     
This course provides an opportunity for students to independently study a selected topic under the supervision of one of more faculty members. This may take the form of a reading course with an assigned paper, but other possible formats would be considered.  For detailed information, consult course coordinator. Three term-hours: Fall, Winter, Summer. Course coordinator: M. Smith.
PREREQUISITE: permission of course coordinator

ENSC 841     Special Topics
This course focuses on specific topics related to the environment and sustainability. Special topics are offered under the guidance of a faculty member in an area of the instructor’s expertise. For detailed information, consult the course instructor. Three term-hours: Fall, Winter or Summer. Course coordinator: M. Smith
Field trip fees may apply, normally less than $50.00
PREREQUISITE: permission of the instructor
EXCLUSION: varies depending on instructor  

ENSC 842     Special Topics     
This course focuses on specific topics related to the environment and sustainability. Special topics are offered under the guidance of a faculty member in an area of the instructor’s expertise. For detailed information, consult the course instructor. Three term-hours: Fall, Winter or Summer. Course coordinator: M. Smith.
Field trip fees may apply, normally less than $50.00
PREREQUISITE: permission of the instructor   
EXCLUSION: varies depending on instructor   

ENSC 897  Seminar in Environmental Studies   
This half-credit course spans two semesters and requires students to attend a minimum of 20 seminars, chosen from among those offered by the School of Environmental Studies (at least 10) and other units in any faculty at Queen’s. Within the School’s annual seminar series, they must also present one seminar on their own project. Total contact hours: 21 hours, up to 2 semesters; Fall & Winter.
PREREQUISITE: permission of course coordinator

ENSC 898     Master's Project (Course-based)     

ENSC 899     Master's Thesis     

ENSC-999     Ph.D. Thesis Research