Northern Outdoor and Environmental Studies

Northern Outdoor and Environmental Studies is a multidisciplinary exploration of contemporary environmental issues and human-environment relationships, with particular emphasis on northern systems.

Drawing upon the natural and social sciences, humanities and the arts, and integrating experiential learning opportunities to bridge classroom, community and Yukon wilderness, the program critically examines a variety of environmental issues, including:

• land use and interpretation
• resource depletion and stewardship
• wilderness protection and fragmentation
• biodiversity
• pollution and contaminants
• climate change

The complex nature of environmental subject matter is addressed through ecological, socio-cultural, political, economic and philosophical inquiry.

The program is sufficiently broad to be of interest to students seeking vocational opportunities after completing their studies at Yukon University or preparing for transfer to a university degree program.

It also presents an exciting continuing education opportunity for individuals currently employed in or interested in fields such as education, environmental policy or management, recreation and tourism.

• English 12 (65%)

If students do not meet the admission requirement, they should explore entry options with a Program Advisor.

To graduate, NOES Diploma students must complete 60 credits, including:

• ENGL 100 and ENGL 101 (6 credits) 
• One Yukon First Nations Core Competency course (3 credits)
• One Liberal Arts elective (3 credits)
• Two science electives (6 credits)*
• Two social-science electives or additional science electives (6 credits)
• Two Northern Studies (NOST) core courses (6 credits)
• Two Northern Environmental Studies (ENST/PHED) core courses (6 credits) 
• Four Northern Studies (NOST) electives (12 credits)
• Four open electives (12 credits)

Diploma students must ensure they

• complete at least six courses (18 credits) at the 200 level or above in their program
• undertake at least 50% of the work at Yukon University
• maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C average)

NOTE ABOUT ELECTIVES

• NOST and ENST/PHED core courses and other NOST electives may be used as open electives provided all other requirements have been met.
• 060-level courses and lower will not satisfy open elective requirements.

NOTE ABOUT SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS 

• As of May 2019, elective science courses no longer require labs.
• NOES Diploma students may take additional science courses (lab or lab-free courses) to meet elective requirements.

A Program Advisor can discuss program options.

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

Any undergraduate-level Yukon University course that is part of the British Columbia Council on Admission and Transfer (BCCAT) system is eligible for dual credit. Many courses in the School of Liberal Arts are suitable for high-school students to take as dual credit courses providing any prerequisites are met.

Students have often selected ENGL 100, HIST 140, PSYC 100, PSYC 101, and SOCI 100 for dual credit, but many other first-year courses and some second-year courses are options. Beginning in Fall 2023, ENGL 101 is available.

For more information about dual credit for Yukon high-school students, see the Dual Credit program page.

For transfer information on a specific Yukon University course, click the 'Check the BC Transfer Options' link on the course’s information page. For additional information, consult a Program Advisor.

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 867 456 8574 to make an appointment.

In all School of Liberal Arts programs, students may find opportunities to engage in hands-on scholarship and research experiences in and beyond the classroom.

These experiences can enrich learning and help prepare students for future careers or advanced studies. Through scholarship, students develop critical thinking and gain insights into the research process. Working with faculty mentors or on independent projects, students discover new horizons and achieve personal growth.

Yukon University and its academic Senate has adopted the 2019 report of the Scholarly Activity Engagement Team, Scholarly Activity at Yukon University. The following has been excerpted from the report:

OUR DESCRIPTION OF SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY
Scholarly activity is an intentional, sustained process of creating, validating and transferring knowledge. Scholarly activity happens on the land, the water and in the sky, lab, field and all learning spaces; it reaches a relevant audience and engages community.