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We are directly dependent on our planet for our survival and as we shift toward a greener future, our society requires Earth Scientists. For example, Earth Scientists are crucial for exploration and mining of critical mineral resources to support clean energy infrastructure (e.g., lithium batteries, rare earth elements for wind turbines, indium for solar voltaic panels) and food security (e.g., potash for fertilizers), to develop and practice sustainable solutions for carbon based energies, and for predicting and mitigating erosion of our coastlines and continental interior due to rising sea levels and more frequent and severe weather systems.
Earth Science is the study of Earth, its materials, the processes that affect its surface and interior, the history of change that it has undergone, as well as the interaction between Earth and the environment. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree program may choose to pursue a Concentration, Major, or Honours in Earth Science. For Majors and Honours in Earth Science, the Department offers three streams: Earth Science, Geology, and Environmental Geoscience.
The general Earth Science stream is for students wishing to engage in advanced studies in the geosciences, but whose career trajectory does not require Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) registration. This program is of interest for students who are considering career paths such as teaching, science communication, environmental law, resource-related business, working for development organizations, or emergency management.
The Geology stream is intended for those who wish to work as a designated P.Geo., including careers in mineral exploration and mining, petroleum geoscience, and/or government geoscience.
Those who pursue our Environmental Geoscience stream study the structure of Earth with a direct focus of understanding human interactions with the planet, particularly to predict or anticipate geologic and/or geomorphologic hazards and to provide information to help minimize impacts on the environment. This program will also have the necessary knowledge requirements to register for P.Geo. with career prospects including (but not limited to) mine site reclamation, environmental monitoring, environmental policy, and/or hydrogeology.
Many of our courses may be taken by students majoring in other science subjects as well as those in arts and business. A double major Earth Science/Geography or Earth Science/Environmental Science will emphasize environmental aspects of geology. The Earth Science/Business program emphasizes the economic aspects of the earth. In addition, a number of courses are offered for non-science students, emphasizing global aspects of geology, Earth history, and the interactions between Earth and human society.
Science students interested in Earth Science should take Understanding the Earth (GEOL 1200) and The Dynamic Earth (GEOL 1201). Those planning to pursue the double majors and honours programs should take these courses in their first year. These courses provide a broad survey of the discipline, with practical experience provided through labs and field trips.
Students wishing to enter the Earth Science program after taking other 1000-level Earth Science courses (Planet Earth: Atlantic Canada Perspective (GEOL 1202), Earth History: Atlantic Canada Perspective (GEOL 1203), Global Change (GEOL 1206), Environmental Geology: Atlantic Canada Perspective (GEOL 1208), and Atlantic Ocean: Formation, Fossils, Phenomena (GEOL 1211)], may substitute the course for The Dynamic Earth (GEOL 1201). Therefore, these students can enter the program in the 2nd year by either taking Understanding the Earth (GEOL 1200) concurrently with Mineralogy (GEOL 2301) in the fall semester, or Geology for Engineers (GEOL 1204) in the spring preceding the 2nd year of the program in lieu of Understanding the Earth (GEOL 1200). Likewise, engineering students who, after taking Geology for Engineers (GEOL 1204), wish to continue taking Earth Science courses, may substitute this course for Understanding the Earth (GEOL 1200).
In 2nd year, Mineralogy (GEOL 2301), Optical and Analytical Mineralogy (GEOL 2302), Sedimentation and Stratigraphy (GEOL 2325) and Applied Earth Science Techniques (GEOL 2326) will help establish or further round out student's appreciation and knowledge of how we study the Earth. These courses are also recommended for students in other programs.
Students in the Earth Science Major and Honours programs should seek the advice of the Department Chair as to their elective and supporting courses, and are encouraged to tailor their course selection for P.Geo. registration in one of the two streams available. Year 4 students are encouraged to participate in the research projects being carried out in the Department. Under special circumstances, some prerequisites for 3000 and 4000-level courses may be waived with the permission of the Department.
The Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) is a well-established, foundational degree. Its specific requirements are listed below alongside general graduation requirements.
The requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science with Major apply as listed in this Academic Calendar under the heading of Faculty of Science, Bachelor of Science – Major.
The specific list of fifty-four (54) required credit hours (eleven (11) courses) in the Major subject used to satisfy 6(d), as well as six (6) non-geology science courses to satisfy 6(e) is provided below:
The suggested sequence of courses for years 1 and 2 is available online on the Faculty of Science website listings for Program Requirement Tables. Students should consult with a Science Advisor or the Department Chairperson for course selections and the suggested best sequence of courses for years 3 and 4.
The Geoscience Profession Act was proclaimed in Nova Scotia in March 2003. This Act requires that one be a member in good standing of The Association of Professional Geoscientists of Nova Scotia (or another provincial counterpart) in order to work in geoscience-related fields in this province. The requirements for professional registration are summarized by the Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists (CCPG) at: geoscientistscanada.ca
Earth Science Major students who wish to qualify for professional registration in Geology should complete the following program which combines elements of the Earth Science Major plus those which satisfy the Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists (CCPG) knowledge requirements.
Earth Science Major students who wish to qualify for professional registration in Geology should complete the following program which combines elements of the Earth Science Major plus Environmental Science to satisfy the Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists (CCPG) knowledge requirements.
The requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science with honours apply as listed in this Academic Calendar under the heading of Faculty of Science, Bachelor of Science – Honours. The specific list of required credit hours used to satisfy 11(a) include:
The requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree with Double Major are listed in Section Three (3) of this Academic Calendar. Students who wish to pursue a Double Major in Geology and another science subject are required to take Understanding the Earth (GEOL 1200), The Dynamic Earth (GEOL 1201) and at least an additional thirty (30) credit hours (ten (10) courses) in Geology from the 2000-level or higher.
The requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree with Double Honours are listed in Section Three (3) of this Academic Calendar. Students who wish to pursue a Double Honours in Geology and another science subject need to meet the requirements of the Double Major in Geology and another science subject. If the thesis subject is in Geology, students are additionally required to take the Honours Project GEOL (GEOL 4550) and Research Methods in Geology (GEOL 4650) courses.
This program, which is available at both the major and Honours level, integrates on-the-job experience and academic studies. Upon completion of one of the Cooperative Education programs, the student receives the Bachelor of Science degree in geology, at the major or Honours level, with the added qualification of “Cooperative Education”.
Further details and regulations on the Cooperative Education program are found in the Faculty of Science listing in this Calendar.
Students may choose to obtain a B.Sc. General with a Concentration in Geology. Students must complete thirty (30) credit hours in GEOL courses with no more than twelve (12) credit hours at the 1000-level and at least twelve (12) credit hours (four (4) courses) at the 3000-level or higher.
It is possible to combine a minor in Geology with a major in another discipline within or outside the Faculty of Science. To obtain a minor in Geology, students must complete thirty (30) credit hours in GEOL courses, according to 9(b) of this Calendar, including Understanding the Earth (GEOL 1200) and The Dynamic Earth (GEOL 1201), with no more than twelve (12) credit hours at the 1000-level.
At least nine credit hours in GEOL must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.
At least nine credit hours in GEOG must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.
In addition to the requirements listed for the Earth Science/Geography Combined Major Program (72 credit hours), Honours students must complete 18 additional credit hours, for a total of 90 credit hours. Honours students complete a thesis in either Earth Science or Geography.
Select either the requirements for the GEOL thesis option or the requirements for the GEOG thesis option.
Note: In the Earth Science/Geography Combined Honours Program, topics for Honours thesis projects may be carried out in either Department but should be approved by both Departments.
The Department of Earth Science and the Faculty of Commerce offer a double major/Honours science degree combining a major/Honours program in Earth Science with a major program of business studies in the Faculty of Commerce.
This program offers Bachelor of Science major and Bachelor of Science Honours degrees, under the general requirements of the Faculty of Science. For a combined major degree, students will be required to take a minimum of forty-two (42) credit hours in the Faculty of Commerce in addition to at least thirty-six (36) credit hours in Earth Science. In the Honours program, a thesis on a field interrelating the two disciplines will be required. Students enrolled in the combined Earth Science/business studies major/Honours may also pursue a co-op option in this dual program. The program appeals to Earth Science students with an interest in the business-related aspects of their major. The Earth Science/business studies major program requires a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.20 in all Earth Science and commerce courses while the Earth Science/business studies Honours program requires (a) a minimum grade of C in all Earth Science and commerce courses; and (b) a minimum GPA of 3.00 in these same courses.
The following courses are required for the Earth Science/Business Studies Major (B.Sc.):
Students must complete 36 credit hours in GEOL:
Note: At least nine credit hours in GEOL must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.
See Faculty of Science regulations, Section 3 of this Academic Calendar.
Other than Geology, e.g., Biology, Psychology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics excluding Biostatistics (BIOL 3308).
That covers probability theory including Introductory Statistics (MGSC 2207), Statistical Methods in Geography (Group C) (GEOG 3326), Biostatistics (BIOL 3308) and Intermediate Economic Statistics (ECON 3303).
Offering including Statistical Methods in Geography (Group C) (GEOG 3326) and Intermediate Economic Statistics (ECON 3303).
Notes:
In addition to the above requirements, Earth Science/Business Studies Honours students must complete Honours Project GEOL (GEOL 4550) as one of the Earth Science requirements.
The students enrolled in the combined Earth Science/geography major/Honours may also pursue a Co-op option in this dual program. Application to and completion of this combined option is the same as those for other Science Co-op major programs.
Further details and regulations on the Cooperative Education program are found in the Faculty of Science listing of this Calendar.
The students enrolled in the combined Earth Science/business studies major/Honours programs may pursue a Co-op option in these dual programs. Applications to and completion of this combined option is the same as those for other Science Co-op major/Honours programs.
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