environmental science is the interdisciplinary study of the environment, its functioning and its relationship to human activities. 

society has a growing need for specialists able to recognize, understand, solve and prevent environmental problems. 

the environmental science program at the university of ottawa focuses on the integration of traditional science disciplines (e.g. biology, earth sciences, chemistry, physics) to study the natural environment and the impact of human activities. the program consists of a core of basic science courses complemented by courses in various disciplines that address the scientific and societal aspects of environmental problems. in addition, the program offers three areas of specialization: conservation and biodiversity; global change; and environmental geochemistry and ecotoxicology. the final year entails an independent research project or equivalent units in advanced courses in the specialization.