![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | EARTH SCIENCES: PROGRAMS OF STUDY
Honours Environmental Geoscience
Honours Environmental Geoscience With Thesis
Honours Environmental Science
Honours Environmental Science with Thesis
Honours Geoinformatics
Honours Geography in Environmental Resource Management
Honours Geology
Honours Geology with Thesis
Honours Physical Geography
Combined Honours Programs
Co-operative Education Program
Programs leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Geology; Environmental Geoscience; Environmental Science; Geoinformatics; Physical Geography; and Geography in Environmental Resource Management are offered. All programs are subject to the general University and Faculty of Science regulations as outlined in the relevant sections of this calendar.
Course Numbering: The first digit of the three-digit course number indicates the year of undergraduate studies in which the course is normally taken. However, note that many 300 and 400 level courses are offered in alternate years such that some 400 level courses should be taken in year 3 and some 300 level courses in year 4. Field courses, 61-280, 61-380, 66-280, and 67-280, follow the Winter term.
Note: Geology and Environmental Geoscience students are strongly urged to consult with an Earth Sciences advisor at the start of each term.
Note: Students wishing to take additional Biological Sciences courses later in their program must take both 55-140 and 55-141.
Professional Licensure of Geoscientists
Professional geoscientists now have to be licensed to practice in the province of Ontario and elsewhere in Canada. To become licensed, a four year geoscience degree is required with certain minimum knowledge requirements. The Geology and Environmental Geoscience programs listed below are designed to meet these requirements. The choice of optional geoscience and basic science courses should be made in consultation with an Earth Sciences counselor to make sure that the courses can be used for licensure requirements.
Honours Environmental Geoscience
Students should consult with an Earth Sciences advisor before making elective course choices to make sure that the choices conform to the requirements for professional licensure as a geoscientist.
Total courses: forty.
Major requirements: twenty-three courses, including 61-140, 61-141, 61-220, 61-224, 61-231, 61-232, 61-280, 61-326, 61-327, 61-436, 67-100, 67-210, 67-246, plus ten additional courses from 61-323, 61-324, 61-328, 61-424, 61-430, 61-441, 61-499, 67-102, 67-221, 67-320, 67-334, 67-402, and 87-315.
Students who intend continuing on to graduate studies should take 61-499 (Thesis).
Other requirements:
(a) ten courses from Mathematics and Science, including 55-140, 55-141, 59-140, 59-141, 62-130 (or 62-140 and 62-141) and 65-205. Additional courses must be selected from those courses that count towards a major in the other discipline;
(b) two courses, one from each of Arts and Social Sciences. (Recommended: 34-227, 45-211, and 50-393.);
(c) five additional courses from any area of study.
RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCE
First Year: ten courses, including, 55-140 and 55-141, 59-140, 59-141, 60-104 or 60-106, 61-140, 61-141, 65-205, and 67-100.
Second Year: ten courses, including 61-220, 61-224, 61-231, 61-232, 61-280, 62-130, 67-246, and 67-210.
Third Year: ten courses, including 61-326 and 61-327.
Fourth Year: ten courses, including 61-436.
Honours Environmental Geoscience With Thesis
In order to earn an Honours B.Sc. in Environmental Geoscience With Thesis, students must include the course 61-499 (Thesis). It should be noted that only students who have maintained a major G.P.A. of 8.0 and a cumulative G.P.A of 5.0 will be permitted to enrol in 61-499.
Environmental Science
The environmental problems confronting our society increasingly demand interdisciplinary solutions, and the individual who has been prepared by an interdisciplinary education is in a strong position to contribute to societal needs. This program provides preparation for a career in environmental science. With the B.Sc., the graduate will be able to work as part of an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary research team, or to work with government agencies or utilities in the monitoring of environmental quality. Students who complete an honours research thesis will be eligible for graduate school.
The field of environmental science requires education in a mix of biology (ecology) and study of the physical environment, as well as a background in the aspects of chemistry involved in chemical assessment and monitoring of the environment. Students will also have the opportunity at some point to elect to emphasize biology, physical geography or geology, or to take a similar number of courses in all three areas. This program places strong emphasis on the technical side of environmental assessment, in contrast to the field of environmental studies in which human and planning-related aspects of the environment are emphasized.
In addition to the three core areas of geology, physical geography and biology, the chemistry of the environment is addressed through courses in instrumentation and analysis, and the application of chemical principles to environmental problems is developed in course offerings in geochemistry. The additional development that makes this program unique and particularly relevant to modern environmental scientists is the incorporation of required courses in Geographic Information Systems, or GIS. The GIS approach to organization of spatial data is central to integrated assessment of environmental variables and biological responses.
Inquiries about the Environmental Science Program should be directed to the Department of Earth Sciences, Room 204 Memorial Hall, extension 2486.
Honours Environmental Science
Total courses: forty.
Major requirements: twenty-two courses, including Biology 55-140, 55-141, 55-210, 55-211, 55-213, 55-237, 55-341; Geology 61-140, 61-141, 61-220, 61-224, 61-232, 61-328, 61-441; Environmental Science 66-280; and Physical Geography 67-100, 67-102, 67-246, 67-210, 67-310, 67-334, 67-402.
Other requirements:
(a) Chemistry 59-140, 59-141, 59-230; Mathematics and Statistics 62-130, 65-205; Computer Science 60-104 or 60-106; Human Geography 42-200;
(b) eleven courses chosen from the list of approved courses in Science and Arts And Social Sciences; up to four can be from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; at least one must be from Arts (01-) and one from Social Sciences
(02-). Any substitutions for the approved courses must be approved by the Department Head.
Honours Environmental Science with Thesis
Total courses: forty.
Major requirements: twenty-four courses, including Biology 55-140, 55-141, 55-210, 55-211, 55-213, 55-237, 55-341; Geology 61-140, 61-141, 61-220, 61-224, 61-232, 61-328, 61-441; Environmental Science 66-280, 66-499 (a 6 credit course); and Physical Geography 67-100, 67-102, 67-246, 67-210, 67-310, 67-334, 67-402.
Other requirements:
(a) Chemistry 59-140, 59-141, 59-230; Mathematics and Statistics 62-130, 65-205; Computer Science 60-104 or 60-106; Human Geography 42-200;
(b) nine courses chosen from the list of approved courses in the Faculties of Science and Arts and Social Sciences; up to four can be from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; at least one must be from Arts (01-) and one from Social Sciences (02-).
RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCE
The courses that are part of this program are well-defined, and since Science courses typically build on Prerequisites, the sequence of courses must be carefully followed. The sequencing outlined below is not very flexible for the first and second year, when students take a common core of introductory Biology, Geology, Physical Geography, Chemistry, and Mathematics and Statistics. However, the program has some flexibility in the third and fourth years.
FIRST YEAR
Fall term: 55-140, 59-140, 61-140, 62-130, 67-100.
Winter term: 55-141, 59-141, 61-141, 65-205, 67-102.
SECOND YEAR
Fall term: 55-210, 59-230, 61-220, 61-224, 61-232.
Winter Term: 55-211, 55-213, 42-200, 60-104 or 60-106, elective **.
THIRD YEAR
Fall term: 55-237, 67-246, three electives**.
Winter term: 66-280*, 55-341, 67-210, 67-334, one elective**
FOURTH YEAR
Fall term: 66-499+, 61-441, 67-402, 67-310, one elective**
Winter term: 66-499+, 61-328, three electives**
+ Thesis, available only to Honours students with a major G.P.A. of 8.0 or above.
* Field course in environmental science.
**Approved Elective Courses
Students in this program will take nine or eleven approved electives, depending on whether or not they undertake honours thesis research. To be eligible to take thesis research a student must be in honours standing (major G.P.A. of 8.0 or above). The elective courses, listed in the following table, are all relevant to environmental science.
APPROVED SCIENCE ELECTIVES
Biology: 55-324, 55-325, 55-366, 55-430, 55-437, 55-444, 55-445, 55-468
Chemistry: 59-250, 59-320, 59-321
Computer Science: 60-106
Geology: 61-231, 61-323, 61-324, 61-326, 61-424, 61-430, 61-436
Physical Geography: 67-220, 67-221, 67-320, 67-332, 67-370, 67-410
General Science: 03-240
Any Arts or Social Science course that constitutes a program requirement for the Bachelor of Environmental Studies degree.
Honours Environmental Studies
See Inter-Faculty Programs - Programs of Study, 3.0.
Honours Geoinformatics
There is a growing demand for people who have an understanding of information technology and application development, as well as the physical and environmental systems that they represent. Advances in geospatial technology have led to a need for graduates who can organize and analyze spatial data using Global Positioning Systems, Geographic Information Systems, and Remote Sensing methods. The Geoinformatics degree is designed to address these needs, and will provide students with the knowledge and skills that comes from integrating the disciplines of Earth Sciences and Computer Science.
Total courses: forty.
Major requirements-Earth Sciences: fourteen courses, consisting of 61-140, 61-141, 61-232, 67-100, 67-102, 67-210, 67-246, 67-280, 67-310, 67-402, and 67-410; plus three of 61-220, 61-224, 61-230, 61-231, 61-323, 61-326, 61-328, 61-430, 61-436, 67-220, 67-221, 67-320, and 67-370.
Major requirements-Computer Science: eleven courses, consisting of 60-100, 60-140, 60-141, 60-212, 60-254, 60-256, 60-265, 60-315, 60-322, 60-330, and 60-334.
Major requirements-Earth Sciences or Computer Science: 60-499 (a 6.0 credit course) or 61-499 (a 6.0 credit course), or two additional courses numbered 60-, 61-, or 67- (as chosen in consultation with an advisor).
Other requirements:
(a) one pair of both 55-140 and 55-141, or both 59-140 and 59-141, or both 64-140 and 64-141;
(b) 62-120, 62-130, and 65-205;
(c) eight options from any area of study, including Earth Sciences or Computer Science, with at least one from each of Arts and Social Sciences.
Honours Geography in Environmental Resource Management
No new majors will be admitted to the Honours Geography in Environmental Resource Management program. Students currently enrolled in the program should consult a program advisor or the Dean’s office.
Honours Geology
Note: Students should consult with an Earth Sciences advisor before making elective course choices to make sure that the choices conform to the requirements for professional licensure as a geoscientist.
Total courses: forty.
Major requirements: twenty-three courses, including 61-140, 61-141, 61-220, 61-224, 61-230, 61-231, 61-232, 61-280, 61-327, 61-380, 61-436, plus twelve additional Geology courses from 61-320, 61-321, 61-323, 61-324, 61-326, 61-328, 61-420, 61-424, 61-429, 61-430, 61-499, 67-100, 67-210, 67-246, 67-402.
Students who intend continuing on to graduate studies should take 61-499 (Thesis).
Other requirements:
(a) ten courses from Mathematics and Science, including 59-140, 59-141, 62-130 (62-140 and 62-141) and 65-205. Additional courses must be selected from those courses that count towards a major in the other discipline
(b) two courses from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
(c) five additional courses from any area of study.
RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCE
First Year: ten courses, including 59-140, 59-141, 60-104 or 60-106, 61-140, 61-141, 62-130, 65-205.
Second Year: ten courses, including 61-220, 61-224, 61-230, 61-231, 61-232, and 61-280.
Third Year: ten courses.
Fourth Year: ten courses.
Honours Geology with Thesis
In order to earn an Honours B.Sc. in Geology with Thesis, students must include the course 61-499 (thesis). It should be noted that only students who have maintained a major G.P.A. of 8.0 and a cumulative G.P.A of 5.0 will be permitted to enrol in 61-499.
Honours Physical Geography
Total courses: forty.
Major requirements: nineteen courses, including 42-231, 61-140, 61-141, 61-326 and 61-499 (a 6 credit course); plus 67-100, 67-102, 67-210, 61-220, 67-221, 67-246, 67-320, and 67-370; and four of 61-224, 61-232, 67-280, 67-310, 67-334, 67-402, 67-410; plus any one 42- course.
Other requirements:
(a) two pairs of both 55-140 and 55-141, both 59-140 and 59-141, and both 64-140 and 64-141;
(b) 60-104, 60-106, 62-130 and 65-205;
(c) seven additional courses which could otherwise be credited towards the major requirements for a BSc degree in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, or Physics, or from the Faculty of Engineering, including any not already applied to (a) above;
(d) one course from Arts/Languages;
(e) five courses from any subject area, including Physical Geography (67-).
Combined Honours Programs
Total courses: forty.
Major requirements-Earth Sciences: fourteen courses, consisting of 61-140, 61-141, 61-232, 67-100, 67-102, 67-210, 67-246; plus seven other Earth Science courses at the 200 level or above, chosen in consultation with an Earth Science advisor.
Major requirements-Other Subject: fourteen courses as prescribed by that area of study.
Other requirements:
(a) 60-104 and 62-130 and two other Science or Mathematics courses as prescribed by Earth Sciences;
(b) four science courses from a discipline other than Earth Sciences or that of the second major subject area;
(c) four courses from any area of study other than Science or the discipline represented by the second major subject area.
Minor in Environmental Science
The minor in Environmental Science consists of a total of six courses as described below.
Selected courses leading to the credit of a minor in Environmental Science may not include antirequisite or prerequisite courses in a student's degree program, nor can they fulfill "Major" requirements of a student's program as it appears in this Calendar.
Select a total of six courses from the following:
(a) two pairs of courses selected from: 55-140 and 55-141, 61-140 and 61-141, 67-100 and 67-102;
(b) two courses at the 200 level selected from the list of required courses for the Honours Environmental Science program.
Minor in Geography
A minor in Geography consists of:
(a) one of 42-130, 42-131, or 42-150;
(b) one of 67-100 or 67-102;
(c) four other 42- and/or 67- Geography courses, three of which must be at the 200 level or above.
Minor in Geology
A minor in Geology consists of 61-140, 61-141, 61-220, 61-231, 61-232, and one other Geology course at the 200 level or above. Students are reminded to select courses that may be taken for credit towards the B.Sc. degree.
CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Co-operative Education Program is available for students in the Honours Geology, Honours Geology with Thesis, Honours Environmental Geoscience, and Honours Environment Geoscience with Thesis degree programs. The Co-op program aims to provide students with exposure to practical aspects of the Earth Sciences during their undergraduate years. The program alternates study terms and three paid work terms, beginning at the end of the second year of study. The experience gained while participating in these structured and supervised work placements is viewed as an integral component of the student's education. More detailed information about the program can be obtained in the Co-operative Education Office in Dillon Hall.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Students seeking admission to the Co-operative Education Program must be admitted to the Faculty of Science and enrolled as full-time students in Environmental Geoscience or Geology. Students may apply for admission to the Co-op program in the Fall term of their second year. Interviews will be held during the Fall term of the second year of study, and preliminary admission to the Co-op program will be based on the student's academic performance during the first year of study. Final acceptance will be made by mid-March in the Winter term of the second year of study, and based upon academic performance up to that date. A series of interviews with prospective employers will take place at this time. Normally, acceptance to the Co-op program requires a minimum cumulative average of 5.0 and a major average of at least 8.0.
PLACEMENT
Co-op students will apply for work placement positions advertised by the Administrator of the Co-operative Education Program. These job postings will include relevant information regarding responsibilities, location, wages, etc. Students will apply to the employers of their choice.
Employers will be provided with a complete listing of Co-op students interested in their employment opportunities. Letters of application, resumes, and academic transcripts will be forwarded to the employers, who will select the students they wish to interview. Placement is not guaranteed, but every reasonable effort will be made to ensure that appropriate employment is made available.
SEQUENCE OF WORK AND STUDY TERMS*
FIRST YEAR
Fall Term: Study term
Winter Term: Study term
SECOND YEAR
Fall Term: Study term
Winter Term: Study term
Summer Term: Work term
THIRD YEAR
Fall Term: Study term
Winter Term: Study term
Summer Term: Work term
FOURTH YEAR
Fall Term: Study term
Winter Term: Study term
Summer Term: Work term
*In addition to the program requirements listed above, Co-op students must successfully complete 61-298, 61-398, 61-498.
EVALUATION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE
Upon the recommendation of the employer and, where deemed appropriate, in consultation with Earth Sciences, the Administrator of the Co-operative Education Program will evaluate the student's performance at the conclusion of each Work Term. A student's performance in a Work Term will be evaluated as either "Satisfactory or "Unsatisfactory".
A student who obtains an evaluation of "Unsatisfactory", or who does not report for interviews, or who fails to report to an employer after accepting work, or who is dismissed for cause, or leaves an employer without permission, may be required by the Academic Standing Committee to withdraw from the Co-operative Education Program.
A student who obtains an evaluation of "Unsatisfactory" in any two Work Terms will be required to withdraw from the Co-operative Education Program.
A student who fails to maintain a cumulative average of 5.0 and a minimum major average of 8.0 will be required to withdraw from the Co-operative Education Program. |