By Neve Chamberlain

On Sept. 15, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) released a notice of intent proposing a new bachelor of science (BSc) program in environmental and urban sustainability science (EUS) for 2028. Some EUS students say it’s long overdue.

According to the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies website, the current bachelor of arts (BA) program combines social sciences, natural sciences, urban planning and several other disciplines to tackle environmental and sustainability issues in and beyond the Toronto community.

The BA program emphasizes experiential learning and includes opportunities for hands-on experiences through research projects and even field work across the globe. 

According to the notice of intent, the EUS BA program remains one of the strongest environmental studies programs in the province by admissions.

Kiana Maslen, president of the EUS Student Association, said “a lot of us wish [the BA] program would have been a bachelor of science, and we sort of feel like to some degree it already should have been.”

The association’s vice president, Jasmine Fisher, said she has enjoyed every minute of her BA, but sometimes felt that the program came across as confusing to other students. “It’s put in that arts box, and I don’t know, [the work is] not taken as seriously,” said Fisher.

Maslen and Fisher said they hope this new program could help bring more attention to EUS and its impact as a discipline.

Tor Oiamo, an associate professor and chair of the department of geography and environmental studies, said that “geography is quite inherently interdisciplinary.”

The two programs are meant to complement each other and appeal to prospective students by combining different skill sets in science and social science, Oiamo said.

The notice of intent also said the proposed BSc program aims to take the interdisciplinary nature of the existing BA program a step further by providing students rigorous scientific training with required courses from the departments of geography, chemistry and biology, ecology and environmental management. 

Oiamo clarified there are no specific gaps in the current BA program. “The main difference being, again, a stronger foundation and focus on scientific skills, practical skills, laboratory skills, field skills and technical skills,” he said.

Oiamo mentioned this proposed program comes during a time of great environmental instability with concerns over climate change and global warming often dominating the news.

He said that these challenges “can’t be solved by a single discipline” and EUS programs are focused on placing TMU students at the forefront of creative solutions.

He also highlighted that this “sister” program could bring opportunities for lasting collaborations with community groups. 

There is significant student demand for the BSc, with many students arguing that the BSc designation on resumés could benefit them when applying for jobs post-grad, stated the notice. 

Maslen said she wish more people knew how broad EUS is. 

“Even my own mom is asking me all the time, like, ‘what does that mean?’ but when you actually get into it, you realize you have the opportunity to go into virtually any field with this.” 

In an emailed statement to The Eyeopener, the office of the provost and vice-president, academic said the notice of intent period lasts 30 days.