Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Environmental Biology (Major)

at Thompson Rivers University - Kamloops Campus Canada

The Faculty of Science is committed to providing its students with a quality education emphasizing personal attention, choice and flexibility. In the Bachelor of Science program, students can expect opportunities for practical, hands-on experience across a spectrum of science disciplines in the classroom, in the lab, and in the field. In addition, there are opportunities for students to work with nationally and internationally recognized professor-researchers in their research laboratories.

The BSc is a rigorous program that provides students with both depth and breadth in their science education. Communication skills and computer literacy are promoted. Flexibility in the program allows students to pursue interests in disciplines outside their area of specialization.

TRU offers three routes to a BSc degree: a major in a specific discipline or disciplines, an honours program in a specific discipline (currently available only in biology, chemical biology, mathematics and computing science), or a general science degree.

Many of our graduates are highly successful and have gone on to science careers in medicine, veterinary medicine, medical genetics, elementary and high school teaching, resource management, high tech industry, biotechnology, optometry, pharmacy, dentistry, wildlife management, respiratory therapy and more. A significant number of TRU Science graduates have been very successful in graduate schools and have received NSERC scholarships to continue their studies.

Co-operative education option
Co-operative education allows students to integrate academic studies with paid periods of relevant experience. Students alternate between periods of oncampus, full-time study, and work terms, which are full-time, paid employment.

BSc students majoring in biology (animal, general, cellular, molecular and microbial, ecology and environmental biology), chemical biology, chemistry (chemistry or environmental chemistry), physics, mathematics or computing science must apply to enter a co-op education option in their program.
Admission to the BSc co-op option is limited. Students will be chosen by a selection committee based on grades, completion of specific courses in the discipline, previous work and volunteer experience and a letter of application.

Worldwide economic growth is rapid and there is an urgent demand for management practices that balance financial gains with sustainability. Businesses across the public and private sectors are increasingly incorporating these considerations into their planning. Managers who understand them will be at the forefront of leading change, and TRU’s master’s degrees in environmental economics and management prepare graduates to make major contributions to this growing field.

Thompson Rivers University's new master's degrees in environmental economics and management prepare graduates to make major contributions to the field of economic sustainable management.

Two program options: same core content, choose your specialization
Both two-year programs provide graduates with a broad knowledge of the business environment and specialized environmental economics and sustainability knowledge. In addition to the shared core content, each program offers a specialization:

• Master in Environmental Economics and Management (MEEM)
• Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Management (MScEEM)

Program structure

• Both degrees are divided into two parts:
  • Year One: Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (GDBA)
  • Year Two: MEEM or MScEEM degree

Year 1 Graduate Diploma in Business Administration - two semesters
The purpose of the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (GDBA) is to ensure all students, regardless of their educational backgrounds, have the business knowledge and skills to successfully apply the economic sustainable management principles learned. Students must complete the six courses in the GDBA to be admitted to the masters degree, but may receive a course waiver for some or all of the GDBA courses based on their previous academic record. Applicants with a four-year business degree from an acceptable institution may be eligible to proceed directly to the masters degree.

Year 2 Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Management (MScEEM)
Prepares graduates to make major contributions to the field of economic sustainable management. They acquire management skills, specialized knowledge in the emerging area of sustainability as well as important academic and applied research expertise through the completion of a graduate thesis or project. Completion of a thesis or project can serve as a stepping stone to a PhD program and an eventual career in academia and/or consulting.

One-year option

• If you’ve recently graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration or Bachelor of Commerce, you may be eligible to enter directly into the second year of the program and complete your graduate degree in 12 months.

Associate diplomas recognize the achievements of students who have completed two years of academic work. They are of particular value to students who want to save money by completing the lower level requirements of a business degree in their local community before transferring to another university such as Simon Fraser University or University of British Columbia for third and fourth year. Associate diplomas are also intended to recognize the accomplishments of student who for financial, family, work or academic reasons are not able to complete a full four-year business degree.

The Associate of Commerce and Business Administration Diploma is awarded to students who have completed the lower level requirements of the Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Students may substitute General Education Electives for MATH 1170 – Calculus for Business and Economics and ECON 2330 – Economics and Business Statistics 2.

Graduates of the Associate of Commerce and Business Administration Diploma may return to TRU in the future to complete the Bachelor of Business Administration and receive full credit for courses taken in the associate diploma.

Complement your strong technical expertise with the knowledge and skills required to become an effective workplace manager. Learn to communicate and lead effectively, manage large-scale projects and emerging technologies, operate sustainably, function in a global economy, and perform research. Some courses count as prerequisites of the Master of Business Administration.

The Marketing Major is a challenging program that prepares students to assume many of the most important positions in business. Marketers, as they like to call themselves, are a company's creative force. Focusing on the marketing mix or four Ps of product, price, promotion, and place, they devise potentially profitable new product or service ideas that meet the needs of specific target markets, and then develop and execute the detailed plans needed for their implementation. Other employees in accounting, finance, or human resource management simply assist marketing professionals in this primary task and depend on them to generate the revenues needed for survival.

After graduation, students secure employment with many types of organizations such as advertising firms, consumer product companies, retail chains, wholesalers, media outlets like TV or radio stations, auto dealerships, tourist resorts, government ministries, and non-profits like hospitals. An increasing number have also been successful in starting their own small businesses, while a few have gone on to earn graduate degrees in hopes of pursuing careers in teaching or research at the college or university level.

Of interest to students who have a non-business degree, and who want to return to university for one or two years to acquire a specialty in a functional area of business or economics in order to enhance their employment opportunities. Students with a first degree in business, but who want to change their area of focus, may complete a post-baccalaureate diploma as well.

Program Highlights
Economics and politics is "the study of choices" and so is concerned with all areas of our lives. It provides rigorous analysis of many real world subjects: government institutions, taxes, unemployment, financial markets, international trade, development, and economic growth but also poverty, crime, pollution, healthcare, education, the environment and many other areas.

Expand your career options as a respiratory therapist. Graduate with both a three-year Respiratory Therapy diploma and a BHS degree within a four-year period in the dual diploma/degree stream. Year one is the same for both the RT diploma and dual credential.

Some industry experts consider special events and conventions to be the fastest growing segment of the Canadian tourism industry. This program is designed to provide a practical overview of the function, skills and knowledge required to successfully plan, organize, manage, promote, and evaluate a festival, convention, trade show, or special event. Event planning is a very detail-oriented business. As a result, this program will appeal to individuals who have a high regard for details and the creative ability to manage special events and conventions from inception to fruition.

The Accounting Major is a demanding program that prepares students to become an integral part of an organization's financial management team or to enter public practice as an auditor, tax specialist, or consultant. Governments, non-profits, major corporations, small businesses, and high-worth individuals all need accountants to manage their financial affairs.

This program will be of interest to students who have a non-business degree and want to return to university for one or two years to acquire a specialty in a functional area of business. Students with a first degree in business, but who want to change their area of focus, may complete a post-baccalaureate diploma as well.

Developed with police and other justice agencies, this two-year program will prepare you for the challenges of a career in policing, as well as in corrections, parole, customs, and other government services at the federal, provincial or municipal levels. Your diploma credits count towards completion of an arts, business or criminology degree.