Teaching and research

The University, by virtue of its core teaching and research mission, produces leaders capable of spearheading the transformation needed for community-wide sustainable development.

Groupe de premières nations discutant dehors

An educational approach grounded in SD

Université Laval is proud to have a teaching faculty and student community committed to driving innovation and knowledge in sustainable development. Working hand in hand with the university community, our institution provides a theoretical and practical framework for developing and promoting SD initiatives.

Together, we pursue ULaval’s tradition of innovation and excellence by using the campus environment as a living sustainability lab, a place for experimenting with concrete solutions to the challenges of the 21st century.

For more information or to send us your suggestions, write to info@developpementdurable.ulaval.ca.

An academic journey inspired by sustainable development

SD programs

It’s never too late to make SD your area of study with ULaval’s Certificate in Sustainable Development, Integrated Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Land Development, or MBA in Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility. In all, Université Laval boasts a total of 10 programs with a sustainable development focus.

Sustainable development programs (available in French only)

SD Profile

Université Laval gives you the option of customizing your degree by adding one of five study profiles, each consisting of 4 courses (12 credits) that you can take without prolonging your undergraduate program. Over 25 programs offer the Sustainable Development Profile.

The SD Profile (available in French only)

SD courses

In 2019–2020, there were no fewer than 398 SD-based courses for students to choose from. Nearly 35,000 students enrolled in one of these courses during this period.

Explore our sustainable development course offerings (available in French only)

SD internships

A number of major campus organizations offer internships in the field of sustainable development. Internships give you an opportunity to use the skills acquired at school in a hands-on environment.

If you are enrolled in the Sustainable Development Certificate or Profile, internships can also be credited toward course requirements for the following courses: DDU-3000, 3001, 3010, and 3011.

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MOOCs in sustainable development

MOOCs (massive open online course) are free, non-credit, university-level distance learning courses. MOOCs are offered online and can be accessed by an unlimited number of participants from around the world.

Université Laval offers a number of these courses, including the following MOOCs with strong links to sustainable development:

  • Développement durable: enjeux et trajectoires (on the challenges ahead for sustainable development)
  • Le Québec Nordique: Enjeux, Espaces et Culture (on the issues, environment, and cultures of northern Québec
  • Le management responsable (on responsible management)

Digital educational resources in sustainable development

With help from a number of collaborators, Université Laval made a variety of free digital educational resources (DER) available online in the fall of 2020. These DERs consist of reliable, good quality educational materials on sustainable development. They are accessible on a self-serve basis to all students and faculty.

Rangée de bibliothèque

A look at interdisciplinarity in sustainable development

Institut Hydro-Québec en environnement, développement et société (Institut EDS)

Institut EDS is a genuine hub of SD knowledge and a catalyst for research in the field. With more than 100 faculty members and some 330 graduate students, the institute has developed an integrated approach that fosters dynamic interactions between five multidisciplinary research areas: water, biodiversity, climate change, cities and territories, and governance. It also encourages new research and interdisciplinary initiatives.

Institut EDS (available in French only)

Centre for Research in Regional Planning and Development (CRAD)

CRAD is an interdisciplinary centre where researchers and students work on five core challenges related to the sustainable development of urban and rural areas: urban transformation, regional viability, sustainable development and environmental protection, citizen health, and innovation and improvements in practice.

Centre de recherche en aménagement et développement (available in French only)

Alliance Santé Québec

ASQ is the product of an unprecedented mobilization by hundreds of leaders in health and social services research and innovation in the greater Québec City area. ASQ’s goal is to improve performance in these areas from a sustainable health perspective in order to maximize positive impacts on population health and well-being, the healthcare and social services ecosystem, and the regional economy.

Alliance Santé Québec (available in French only)

Institut nordique du Québec

INQ’s mission is to keep its partners at the forefront of knowledge development and application with respect to northern and circumpolar development It brings together top talents in northern and Arctic research to help foster sustainable and ethical development in the North.

Institut nordique du Québec

L’interdisciplinaire

L’interdisciplinaire is a student journal that promotes interdisciplinary dialogue on sustainable development. It publishes a mix of journalistic and scholarly articles to foster debate, exchange, and discussion on environmental, developmental, and social issues.

L'interdisciplinaire (available in French only)

Initiatives for the Future

Every Initiatives for the Future project is a living lab designed to help students acquire cross-disciplinary skills oriented toward the needs of a changing society and the leaders of tomorrow. To achieve this goal, Initiatives for the Future programs offer atypical, community-based learning experiences involving professors from several faculties.

Les chantiers d'avenir (available in French only)

Working Group

A working group on teaching and research in sustainable development (GTERDD) was created to support Université Laval's commitments to sustainable development. One of its objectives is to promote the appropriation of sustainable development goals within education, research and, more broadly, within the university community. The GTERDD's action strategies are developed in collaboration with the units concerned in order to establish a culture of commitment and to facilitate their operationalization on campus.