
Bachelor of Indigenous Environmental Science and Practice
Admission Requirements
Required Courses:
- English
- Advanced Functions
- Biology
- Chemistry
- 2 additional courses
Estimated Cutoff Range:
- 75 – 80%
Ontario Requirements
Out of Province Requirements
International Requirements
Program Benefits
Indigenous Faculty
Your Indigenous environmental science courses are taught by Indigenous faculty and experts in their field.
Flexible Learning
Choose from over 70 different restricted elective courses to suit your focus.
Gain Capstone Course Experience
You’ll take a three-part capstone course focused on Indigenous communities consulting.
Access Programming and Support
Our Indigenous Student Centre has programming and support for a variety of First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures, backgrounds, and world views.
National Recognition
Study at one of Canada’s top 15 universities (ARWU, 2021).
Career Pathways
Environmental science continues to grow exponentially as climate change and pollution concerns increase.
Just a few career paths our graduates successfully pursue:
- Conservation Officer
- Environmental Analyst or Consultant
- Environmental Educator or Interpreter
- Environmental Law and Advocacy
- Environmental Policymaker
- Environmental Scientist
- Resource or Land Manager

Why Bachelor of Indigenous Environmental Science & Practice?
This unique degree will empower you to embrace the academic and practical facets of environmental science, technology, land utilization and policy practices that are integral to Indigenous culture and community.
This new University of Guelph degree is like no other program in Canada and has been developed with Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners in mind. Here, you will explore environmental issues and decision-making on land use, conservation and sustainability. You’ll learn how history, colonization, law and technology impact our environment. Specifically, you’ll explore Indigenous teachings, knowledge structures and relations in Canada.
Experiential-based learning
Travel to Indigenous communities and organizations to experience firsthand what it’s like to work directly with these communities on key projects. This will include immersing yourself in discussion circles, ceremonies and interactive labs.
Co-op opportunities
Hands-on design experience is what empowers you to make positive impact and gives you the competitive edge to build your own successful career.
With the co-op option in our Indigenous Environmental Science and Practice program, you’ll be able to complete four co-op work terms as part of this five-year degree and gain real-world experience working with employers like First Nation communities, consulting firms, and municipal, provincial, and federal organizations.
Program Statistics
- Degree
- Bachelor of Indigenous Environmental Science and Practice (BIES)
- #1
- in student satisfaction - Maclean's Canadian Comprehensive University Rankings 2020
- CO-OP
- Option available
- Field Trips
- to Indigenous communities and organizations
Program Information
Year | Class | Code | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
1 | General Chemistry I | CHEM*1040 | 0.50 |
1 | Natural History of the Great Lakes Region | ENVS*1040 | 0.50 |
1 | Indigenous Knowledge for Environmental Science and Practice | IES*1020 | 0.50 |
1 | Indigenous Language and Culture | INDG*1100 | 0.50 |
1 | Calculus I | MATH*1200 | 0.50 |
Notes
For more information about the Bachelor of Indigenous Environmental Science and Practice (B.I.E.S.P.) program, please visit our 2022-2023 Academic Calendar