Environmental Management Practices

The development of analytical and evaluation skills is required in the management of environmental issues. Students are exposed to environmental policies, legislation procedures, and become familiar with the implications and effects of environmental management strategies. The application and development of site inspections and program auditing are explored to assist in the recognition and analysis of potential environmental risks as they would apply in the development of an environmental management system.

This course will provide skills and practical knowledge to apply various environmental laws and regulations such as the Environmental Protection Act, the Ontario Water Resources Act, Ont. Reg. 419 (and former Reg. 346), Ont. Reg. 347, and other related environmental legislation. With practical understanding of environmental laws, students will have the information to help protect themselves and their companies from possible litigation while at the same time help preserve the environment.

In this course, students will research and discuss issues related to global climate change, developing skills in innovative thinking, research, political awareness, ethical reasoning, debating, and communicating on-line and in writing. Students will develop an awareness of the current scientific certainties and evidence of global warming, adaption to a changing global climate and current political issues at a global and national level; including topics such as weather and climate, climate history, Earth's energy balance and climate change, greenhouse effect, International agreements, ethical responsibility of individuals, corporations and governments and the conflictions between national economic interests and the environment. This course meets the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities' General Education requirements in the area of Civic Life.

This course introduces the concept of sustainable development to a broad audience. Students are presented with the factors that affect the environmental, economic and social sustainability of our communities. The course investigates the development of human populations and how their need for resources (e.g. energy, food, water) has compromised the natural ecosystems. Social and economic factors are explored in the context of social equality and sustainability in the local and global economy. The effects of individual lifestyle changes on the sustainability of communities are also examined.

Students can select a General Education Elective from the Course List to fullfill this requirement.

This course will deal with the issues of traditional and non-renewable energy sources such as crude oil, natural gas, coal and nuclear energy, as well as renewable energy sources like hydroelectricity, solar, ocean, geothermal and wind energy. Students will obtain a broad understanding of current resources, technologies and their limitations; and a realistic appreciation of what energy sources and technologies may be feasible in the future. Energy is one of the essential needs of a modern society. The scale of its use is closely associated with a society's prosperity and the quality of life that its members experience. However, it has become increasingly clear to all that the prevailing energy system, based on non-renewable sources is unlikely to be sustainable. As a result, the implementation of alternative energy systems have gained momentum in our high energy-consuming society over the last few decades. This course will provide a general overview of various energy sources both conventional and non-conventional. It will also assist students to assess critically the important current debates on energy and the environmental impacts of its generation, storage, transportation and use.

Students can select a General Education Elective from the Course List to fullfill this requirement.

This course provides students with the understanding of the theory and practice of Environmental Assessment approaches that are the principal means of integrating environmental considerations into governmental decision-making.

This course examines environmental management systems in compliance with environmental laws and regulations. The course introduces students to the concept of environmental management systems and their role in reducing overall environmental impacts in industry and business operations. The course provides students with an overview of the purpose of an EMS model, how companies adopt and implement them, and the overall framework of EMS models. The course also focuses on specific EMS models, including ISO 14001 systems, and teaches students about the auditing process as a management tool for environmental performance.

This Course will examine some of the practices to renew or restore ecosystems and habitats that were damaged or destroyed by human intervention. Restoration projects purpose is to change disturbed areas into functioning ecosystems, able to provide ecosystem services or function as a natural habitat again. A great example is the watershed protection program of the rivers providing water to New York City. The project initiated in the early 1990's, as a result of critical issues with the city water quality. A water treatment plant would involve 6 billion USD for construction, and 300 million USD for annual maintenance after that. Restoring the wetland ecosystems able to filter the water and eliminate toxic chemicals had a cost of 1 billion USD over 10 years.

The course will analyze the biological and physical aspects of restoration ecology. It also will emphasize the role played by society in a successful restoration project. Guidance for the design of a natural ecosystem restoration project will be provided. 23 different case studies are presented in the course, and will provide practical tools and techniques already tested on the field of restoration ecology projects.