Faculty/Academic Area: Faculty of Science
Department: Biology
Campus: Other
Employee Group: WLUFA
Requisition ID: 9507
Position Title: WASC202VA1 – Global Issues in Water and Environmental Health
Term: Fall 2025 (Sept. 1 – Dec. 31)
Days/Times: Online Delivery
Hours per week/Hours Total: Online
Type of Course: Online
Anticipated Class Size: 100
Additional Course Requirements: None
Posted on: May 27, 2025
Posting ends: June 10, 2025
Position Summary:
This course will introduce students to the water cycle, and current water issues. Discussion of issues is global in context and diverse in perspectives touching on both surface and ground waters in relation to human and environmental health and sustainability. Topics covered include water availability, management and control; contamination, sanitation, remediation, droughts and floods; as well as human rights, social development and sustainable resource exploitation. Tutorials will explore these topics in greater depth.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Describe and explain the underlying scientific principles, processes, and theory pertaining to physical, chemical, and biological properties of water.
2. Identify how changes in water quality and quantity affect aquatic biota from the level of individual organisms to populations to ecosystems.
3. Describe the importance of water ecosystem resources and how access to safe, clean water and its resources is a fundamental question of social justice.
4. Discuss the importance of water in a historical context as it relates to growth of civilizations and health, safety, and wellbeing of world citizens.
5. Apply scientific principles towards the improvement of management and conservation of water and land resources.
6. Communicate ideas effectively to the scientific community, policy makers, and the public
7. Articulate and advocate for the critical need of local, provincial, and federal governments to manage and protect water and terrestrial resources
8. Contribute to society’s quest to improve the availability, security, and reliability of water supplies while ensuring whole ecosystem and human health
Topics Covered:
What is water?; the water cycle; global warming; water quality; watersheds; rivers and streams; lakes and ponds; groundwater and wetlands; the impacts of water on civilization; drinking water safely; how have humans impacted aquatic ecosystems?; what is water's role in conflict?
Qualifications – Required: PhD in Biological Sciences
Qualifications - Areas of Specialization:
Salary: $5554.87
Application Deadline: June 10, 2025
Submit with Application:
Required for All Applicants
- CV (required)
- Candidate Application Form (CAF)
Required for External Applicants
- Names and Contact Information for Referees
- Evidence of Good Teaching
- Verification of highest degree
Optional
- Cover Letter
- Teaching Dossier
- Sample Course Outline (2-pages maximum)
Applications may be addressed to:
Dr. Matt Smith
Chair, Department of Biology
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario
To Apply:
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This appointment is in accordance with the Contract Teaching Faculty and Part-time Librarians Collective Agreement, for which the Wilfrid Laurier Faculty Association (WLUFA) is the exclusive bargaining agent. All applicants are assessed using both the “Appendix H: Assessment of CTF Candidates under 13.6.1” in the collective agreement and the program specific rubric, where applicable. Candidates should review these documents and ensure the information required is easily accessible in the application.
Please Note:
Candidate Application form (CAF) is used to apply to an individual posting and must be submitted with each application. The completed form is to be uploaded with all other application materials by the deadline listed in the course posting. Refer to Appendix I of the Contract Teaching Faculty Collective Agreement for further guidance about completing the CAF and Appendix H for details on how this form will be scored.
CTF Members (those who have taught a Laurier in the last 36 months) may wish to submit a single application to multiple course postings via the Posted Course Application Form (PCAF) Appendix G, which includes the CAF. The link to the Faculty specific PCAF is included in the email notification of posted courses you would have received from the hiring department/program/area at Laurier. The PCAF is a separate form due within 5 days of the email notification of posted courses and is submitted via Qualtrics. Refer to this notification for the link to the PCAF. Members who do not submit a PCAF may apply for posted course through a separate application for each course. Refer to the collective agreement for additional information on the PCAF.
For Supplementary Remuneration for large classes or multi-section courses, see Article 28.3
Pursuant to Article 13.5 of the Collective Agreement for Contract Teaching Faculty (CTF) and Part-time Librarians, all applicants shall apply electronically. Applications must be received by 23:59 local time of the date on the posting.
Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.
Diversity and creating a culture of inclusion is a key pillar of Wilfrid Laurier University's Strategic Academic Plan and is one of Laurier's core values. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates from equity deserving groups. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at indigenous@wlu.ca. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity and Accessibility at equity@wlu.ca. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources at hr@wlu.ca.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In accordance with the requirements of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the successful applicants will be required to prove they are legally able to work in Canada.
Members of the designated groups must self-identify to the appropriate Dean(s) to be considered for employment equity.
All course offerings will be contingent on adequate student registration and subject to budgetary funding.
Members of the Contract Teaching Faculty bargaining unit:
Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online.
All applications shall be reviewed and considered under a set of criteria established by the part-time hiring committee. Only those applicants recommended for a position will be contacted.
