Northern Science (Environmental and Conservation Sciences stream)

students in the field

Contribute to a sustainable and resilient North.

Merge natural and social sciences to gain a foundation for exploring conservation and sustainability challenges in northern regions.

COVID-Related Program Delivery Information

Courses in the Northern Science program will be delivered this fall through a mix of methods.  Most lab courses will have in-person lab sessions with lectures being delivered online with some mix of scheduled Zoom sessions and other online activities in Moodle, YukonU’s online learning platform.  Courses without labs will be taught entirely online. 

Online courses will require that you have access to your own computer and Internet connection. 

More information about the online platforms that will be used for fall instruction can be found at www.yukonu.ca/student-life/technical-resources

Students new to online learning are encouraged to take the brief online introductory workshop Distance Learning Success.  Contact the Academic Support Centre for more information:

www.yukonu.ca/student-life/learning-matters/academic-support-centre

Program description

The Northern Science diploma, ENCS stream, prepares students for transfer to the Bachelor of Science in Northern Environmental and Conservation Sciences (ENCS) program, offered at Yukon University in partnership with the University of Alberta.  The diploma program provides two years of university transferable courses that fulfill the requirements to enter the third year of the ENCS program with a Major in Northern Systems.

The Diploma of Northern Science, ENCS stream, is awarded for the completion of the equivalent of 60 credits. Courses are selected from Core and Elective options, as well as two additional three-credit "free electives".  These free electives can be chosen from a variety of disciplines (discuss with a Program Advisor).

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, students must have completed a minimum of two of the following high school subjects, or equivalencies:

  • English 12
  • Biology 11
  • Chemistry 11
  • Precalculus 12 or Principles of Mathematics 12

Students who do not have all of the high school subjects or equivalencies listed above may be admitted to the Northern Science (ENCS Stream) program but will be required to complete upgrading for the subjects that they are missing.  Upgrading courses are available through YukonU's School of Academic and Skill Development.

Graduation requirements

Students must complete the required courses, as well as two, three credit "free electives".

In addition to passing all the required courses, the student must:

  • complete 50% of the course work at Yukon University
  • maintain a 2.00 cumulative GPA (C average) across all courses
Yukon First Nations Core Competency

Yukon University recognizes that a greater understanding and awareness of Yukon First Nations history, culture and journey towards self-determination will help to build positive relationships among all Yukon citizens. As a result, you will be required to achieve core competency in knowledge of Yukon First Nations.

For details, visit Yukon First Nations Core Competency

Transferability

After completing the Diploma of Northern Science, ENCS stream, students may apply to transfer into the third year of the Bachelor of Science in Northern Environmental and Conservation Sciences program (Northern Systems Major) offered by the University of Alberta at Yukon University. 

Note: students must meet the entrance requirements of the University of Alberta, Faculty of Agricultural, Life, and Environmental Sciences, including a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.3.

Career opportunities

The Diploma of Northern Science, ENCS Stream, prepares students for studies in the Bachelor of Science in Northern Environmental and Conservation Sciences degree offered at Yukon University in partnership with the University of Alberta, or for transfer to B.Sc., professional, or technical programs at other institutions.

The program also presents an ideal continuing education opportunity and is useful for professionals seeking a northern specialization in their respective fields. Students who complete the Diploma of Northern Science, ENCS stream may pursue a variety of careers with federal, territorial, provincial or First Nation governments, as well as with non-profit organizations, consulting firms, and industry. 

Examples of potential employment include:

  • Fish and Wildlife Technician
  • Lands and Resources Officer
  • Park and Protected Area Planner
  • Natural History or Heritage Interpreter
  • Environmental Assessment Officer
Money matters

Fees

Tuition for credit programs is calculated per course credit. See money matters for more information.

Some programs and courses have additional fees -  see Ancillary Fees.


Student financial awards

Education is an investment in your future, your family and your community. Yukon University is pleased to support that investment by offering some of the most competitive tuition rates in the country, as well as several student financial awards to help offset your educational and living costs.


Financial assistance

There are government programs, scholarships, bursaries, awards and First Nation funding available to financially support you throughout your academic career.

See money matters for more information, or talk to our financial advising staff in the Student Services Centre. Email or call 867 668 5209 to make an appointment.

Program Guides

A program planning guide lays out the courses and requirements needed to graduate from a particular program. It guides you through course selection options for each term, provides a sample program pathway and acts as a tool to track your progress.

Courses

Mathematics: one required

Program Elective: one required

Elective
Title Campus Scheduled
ANTH 101 - Biological and Forensic Anthropology
ANTH 101L - Biological and Forensic Anthropology Lab
ANTH 103 - Anthropological Archaeology
ANTH 103L - Anthropological Archeology Lab
ANTH 140 - Introduction to the Fields of Anthropology
ANTH 221 - Subarctic Archaeology
ASTR 100 - Introduction to Astronomy
BIOL 225 - Ornithology - Introduction to the Biology of Birds
BIOL 230 - Conservation Biology
BIOL 290 - Beringia: Its Pleistocene Environment and Paleoecology
CHEM 111 - Chemical Energetics and Dynamics
CHEM 111L - Chemical Energetics and Dynamics Lab
ENVS 100 - Introduction to Environmental Science 1
ENVS 100L - Environmental Science I Lab
ENVS 225 - Environmental Change and Fish and Wildlife Health
ENVS 226 - Environmental Change and Community Health
ENVS 227 - Yukon Source Water Protection and Watershed Stewardship
FNGA 240 - Indigenous People and Research
FNGA 301 - Theory and Practice of Negotiation
GEOG 101 - Introduction to Physical Geography 1
GEOG 101L - Introduction to Physicial Geography I Lab
GEOG 102 - Introduction to Physical Geography 2
GEOG 102L - Physical Geography II Lab
GEOL 105 - Physical Geology
GEOL 106 - Historical Geology
GEOL 106L - Historical Geology Lab
GEOL 107 - Geological Field Methods and Mapping 1
GEOL 108 - Earth Through Time
GEOL 301 - Hydrogeology
GEOL 301L - Hydrogeology Lab
NOST 101 - The Circumpolar World
NOST 200 - Research in the North
NOST 202 - Social History of the North
NOST 324 - Contemporary Issues in the Circumpolar World I
NOST 325 - Contemporary Issues in the Circumpolar World II
NOST 326 - Lands and Environments of the Circumpolar North I
NOST 327 - Lands and Environments of the Circumpolar World II
NOST 328 - Peoples and Cultures of the Circumpolar North I
NOST 329 - Peoples and Cultures of the Circumpolar North II
NSCI 201 - Research Skills and Proposal Writing
NSCI 202 - Data Collection, Analysis and Reporting
PHYS 101 - Elementary Physics 1
PHYS 101L - Elementary Physics I Lab