Environmental and Urban Sustainability

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses, including Grade 12 U English.

Notes: 

1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
2. A grade of 70 percent or higher will be required in Grade 12 U English.
3. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

The program integrates the social sciences, natural sciences, and applied disciplines as related to environmental and sustainability issues.

The first year of the Environmental and Urban Sustainability program is structured around a core of courses focused on the development of the skills required for academic and future success in the workplace: field methods, research design, academic writing, critical thinking and demographic analysis.

In years 2, 3 and 4 these skills are honed as students interpret environments, examine ecological processes, explore urban policy, critique sustainable initiatives, and use the principles underlying physical and natural environments.

Students can select courses from a variety of fields including geography, history, philosophy, politics and public administration, sociology, law and business, architectural science, economics, chemistry, biology, occupational and public health and urban planning. The flexibility in the curriculum allows students to focus on a specific field of interest. For example, students can choose to focus their studies on environmental management, environmental policy, environmental design, community studies, or natural science, or they can sample widely from among the options.

The environmental sector is one of the largest employers in the Canadian economy. With a background in environment and urban sustainability students are prepared for success in a number of stimulating career opportunities depending on the focus they have chosen for their studies. As the number and complexity of environmental challenges grow, employers in the private sector, non-government organizations, consulting firms and governments are seeking graduates with a well-rounded understanding of the issues, who are able to act as analysts, managers and communicators. The program may also serve as a stepping stone to further studies, such as those offered in colleges of education, law schools and a variety of graduate programs.

An optional co-operative education program is available which provides students with 12 months of work experience which will complement their classroom studies and support the development of essential employability skills required for the workforce, including communication, collaboration and problem-solving.

Although the Career & Co-op Centre cannot guarantee placements, they provide assistance in locating suitable positions and counselling students in their search for suitable jobs. This co-op program enables students to earn competitive wages to offset the costs of a university education.

Students who have completed the first semester of the regular program must apply through the department for admission to the co-operative program before the end of the first year. Enrolment in the co-op program is limited. Admission will be based on a portfolio which includes the student's grade point average, a resume and a statement of intent. Students must complete GEO 171 prior to their first placement.

The sequencing of academic and work terms is shown below:

Students must successfully complete a minimum of three work terms in order to graduate from the co-op program. Once the requirements are satisfied, the possibility of doing another work term is at the discretion of the Career & Co-op Centre, in consultation with the Faculty Advisor.

In most cases the co-op program requires five years to complete the degree in Environmental and Urban Sustainability. Students may have the option to fast track if they choose to take electives during the Spring/Summer. The regular program can be completed in four years.

All co-op placements must be approved by the Career & Co-op Centre and the Faculty Advisor.

Students must take two lower level liberal studies courses and four upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Toronto Met (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

Last offered 2026-2027 to students admitted Fall 2025 and before.

Note: Students may opt to enrol in EUS 900 EUS Internship Placement I. Eligible students must obtain department consent. This is a non-credit course. Contact the Environmental and Urban Sustainability website (opens in new window)  for further information.

Last offered 2027-2028 to students admitted Fall 2025 and before.

Note: Students may opt to enrol in EUS 901 EUS Internship Placement II. Eligible students must obtain department consent. This is a non-credit course. Contact the Environmental and Urban Sustainability website (opens in new window)  for further information.

Last offered 2028-2029 to students admitted Fall 2025 and before.

First offered 2026-2027 to students admitted Fall 2026 and after.

First offered 2027-2028 to students admitted Fall 2026 and after.

First offered 2028-2029 to students admitted Fall 2026 and after.

First offered 2029-2030 to students admitted Fall 2026 and after.

First offered 2026-2027 to students admitted Fall 2026 and after.

First offered 2027-2028 to students admitted Fall 2026 and after.

First offered 2028-2029 to students admitted Fall 2026 and after.

First offered 2030-2031 to students admitted Fall 2026 and after.

The sequencing of academic and work terms is shown below:

Students must successfully complete a minimum of three work terms in order to graduate from the co-op program. Once the requirements are satisfied, the possibility of doing another work term is at the discretion of the Career & Co-op Centre, in consultation with the Faculty Advisor.

In most cases the co-op program requires five years to complete the degree in Environmental and Urban Sustainability. Students may have the option to fast track if they choose to take electives during the Spring/Summer. The regular program can be completed in four years.

All co-op placements must be approved by the Career & Co-op Centre and the Faculty Advisor.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Michelle Blake
Environmental Compliance and Sustainability Manager
Toromont Industries

Sheldomar Elliott
Racial Equity Coordinator
FoodShare Toronto

Rachel Singer
Circular Economy Advisor
ReLondon

David MacLeod
Senior Environmental Specialist
Environment & Climate Division
City of Toronto

Megan Meaney
Executive Director
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives Canada