The environment is a complex of biological, geological, physical, chemical, social and cultural factors that interact to influence the life of an individual or community. Our environment is threatened by global issues, such as overpopulation, climate change and habitat fragmentation. Many of these are issues caused by humans, and in turn they are threatening the well being of humans. The problems we face today are not solvable by science alone, but by an equal discovery and knowledge of culture, sociology, economics, politics and ethics.

Where Environment Meets Innovation

Thompson Rivers University is ideally located to study environmental issues because of its proximity to a wide variety of diverse regional ecosystems. Kamloops is a city of about 90,000 people centred in the southern interior of British Columbia. The Thompson/Okanagan region and neighbouring Cariboo Plateau provide rare native grassland ecosystems, freshwater wetlands, lakes and rivers, and a rich diversity of forested ecosystems, all within easy access of TRU, as well as mountain and ocean ecosystems within a few hours' drive. The location of the university also provides collaborative potential with a number of neighbouring institutions and agencies, such as BC Ministry of Forests and Range, Agriculture Canada Research Station, BC Ministry of Environment, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, BC Grassland Conservation Council and Ducks Unlimited Canada.

The TRU MSc in environmental sciences program fills local, regional, provincial, national and international needs for environmental professionals. The program is designed to produce graduates who are innovative and have multi-disciplinary skills and broad knowledge in the field of environmental science. It is structured to be unique, flexible and relevant.

Questions?

Program administration
For information regarding entry into the program, the structure of the program or general administrative questions, please contact EnvSciMSc@tru.ca.

Program coordinator
For academic questions or to understand the relationship between student and supervisor, as a pre-condition to admission, please contact EnvSciMScCoord@tru.ca.

Apply now Get help with course work

Admission

We are looking for students with dedication and enthusiasm for environmental science, who are able to benefit from and contribute to the program, and who have a desire to interact fully with faculty members and other students.

Learn More

Program Structure

Applicants should be aware that ongoing full-time registration is required until all courses and graduation requirements are completed, typically ranges from 2.5 to 3 years (i.e. 7–9 semesters). Exceptions through special leave-of-absence requests will be considered.

However, a five-year limit (15 semesters) is imposed on students to complete the program. Typically, the last course completed by students is ENVS 5990, the thesis course.

Please note: For the first two years of the program, full-time, ongoing registration in six semesters (i.e. fall, winter, summer) is required. Following that, students register for each subsequent semester required to complete the degree requirements.

Required Courses

ENVS 5100 – Environmental Science 1: History, Philosophy and Concepts (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Provides an introduction to the field of environmental science at the graduate level. Focus on history and philosophy of science in general, and environmental science in particular; guest lectures by faculty and researchers inside and outside of academia; examines the role of environmental science in society. Prerequisite: Graduate student standing and permission of the instructor. In special circumstances undergraduate students with fourth-year standing may be allowed to enrol. Note: Students cannot get credit for more than one of ENVS 5100 and ENVS 5010.

Learn more about this course

ENVS 5200 – Environmental Science 2: Conducting Science (3,0,0)(L)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Focuses on the proposal, design, and conducting of scientific research, particularly in the field of environmental science; includes overview of analytical methods used in different disciplines. Prerequisite: ENVS 5100 or special permission of instructor

Learn more about this course

ENVS 5300 – Environmental Sciences: Topics and Case Studies (1,1,0)

Credits: 2 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course uses the Environmental Science Seminar series as a foundation for exploring established and emerging topics in the field. In addition to scheduled class time, students must attend the seminars and meet with speakers to discuss their work. Students also become directly involved in the hosting of speakers. Prerequisite: Graduate student standing. Note: Students cannot get credit for more than one of ENVS 5300 and ENVS 5010.

Learn more about this course

ENVS 5400 – Environmental Science: Dissemination and Outreach (30 hours)

Credits: 2 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students design and deliver oral presentations and poster displays on their thesis research at the Master of Science research forum; students are also required to demonstrate that they have extended their work into the public forum through a variety of possible avenues. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSc in Environmental Science program

Learn more about this course

ENVS 5990 – Master of Science Thesis (30 hours/week)

Credits: 18 credits
Delivery: Campus

An original and substantial research project conducted by each student in the Master of Science Program in Environmental Science, under the direction of a faculty supervisor and a thesis advisory committee. Students register in this course each semester that they are in the program until all requirements for the thesis have been met. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the MSc program in Environmental Science

Learn more about this course

Tuition for 2025-2026 academic year

Tuition is in Canadian dollars. Please note, tuition does not include ancillary fees or the cost of textbooks. All costs subject to board approval, and to change without notice.

Tuition in this program is assigned per semester, regardless of how many courses are being taken.

Program Tuition Extension fee
International student $7,279.87/term $1,111.65/term
Domestic student $2,470.95/term $274.48/term

Environmental Science Seminar Series

Environmental Science is a broad, interdisciplinary field that attempts to understand and solve environmental problems, integrating the diversity of elements involved, including: biology, natural resource sciences, geography, politics, history, philosophy, economics, mathematics, geology, tourism, sociology, anthropology, journalism, chemistry, physics, and education. Seminars are on Thursdays from 4 to 4:50 p.m. in S203, unless otherwise indicated. Everyone is welcome!

View the Schedule