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We are directly dependent on the Earth for our survival. Geology is the study of the Earth, its materials, the processes that affect its surface and interior, and the history of change that it has undergone. For students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree program with a Concentration, Major, or Honours in Geology, the Department offers a full program of courses. Many of these courses may also be taken by students majoring in other science subjects. A combined geology/geography or geology/environmental science program emphasizes environmental aspects of geology and a program combining geology and business studies emphasize 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 the Earth and human society.
Science students interested in geology, including those who are planning to pursue the double majors and honours programs in geology, should take Understanding the Earth (GEOL 1200) and The Dynamic Earth (GEOL 1201). This course provides a broad survey of the discipline, with practical experience provided through labs and field trips. Courses in mineralogy (Mineralogy (GEOL 2301), Optical and Analytical Mineralogy (GEOL 2302)) and the sedimentary environments (Sedimentology (GEOL 2325)) are also recommended as supporting science subjects for students majoring in other sciences.
Planet Earth: Atlantic Canada Perspective (GEOL 1202), Earth History: Atlantic Canada Perspective (GEOL 1203), Global Change (GEOL 1206), Environment, Radiation and Society (GEOL 1207), Environmental Geology: Atlantic Canada Perspective (GEOL 1208), Dinosaurs and Their World (GEOL 1210), and Atlantic Ocean: Formation, Fossils, Phenomena (GEOL 1211) are designed chiefly for students in Commerce and Arts, including Atlantic Canada Studies. In exceptional cases where a student has taken Planet Earth: Atlantic Canada Perspective (GEOL 1202) and Earth History: Atlantic Canada Perspective (GEOL 1203) (previously GEOL 204.0) with high standing, those courses may, with the permission of the Department, be accepted in the Geology Major or Honours program in lieu of Understanding the Earth (GEOL 1200) and The Dynamic Earth (GEOL 1201).
Students in the Geology Major and Honours programs should seek the advice of the Department as to their elective and supporting courses, and are encouraged to tailor their course selection for Professional Geoscientist Registration. 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 (eighteen (18) courses) in the Major subject used to satisfy 6(d) 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. For the 2014-2017 period, the requirements for professional registration are summarized by the Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists (CCPG) at: geoscientistscanada.ca
Geology Major students who wish to qualify for professional registration should complete the following program which combines all elements of the GEOL Major plus those which satisfy the Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists (CCPG) knowledge requirements.
For students in the Honours Program only.
In the following subject areas: MATH, PHYS, CHEM, CSCI, BIOL; with no more than six (6) credit hours in any one subject area, and at least three (3) credit hours in MATH or CSCI.
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 Geology/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 Geology or Geography.
Select either the requirements for the GEOL thesis option or the requirements for the GEOG thesis option.
Note: In the Geology/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 Geology and the Faculty of Commerce offer a double major/Honours science degree combining a major/Honours program in geology 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 geology. In the Honours program, a thesis on a field interrelating the two disciplines will be required. Students enrolled in the combined geology/business studies major/Honours may also pursue a co-op option in this dual program. The program appeals to geology students with an interest in the business-related aspects of their major. The geology/business studies major program requires a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.20 in all Geology and commerce courses while the geology/business studies Honours program requires (a) a minimum grade of C in all geology and commerce courses; and (b) a minimum GPA of 3.00 in these same courses.
The following courses are required for the Geology/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, Geology/Business Studies Honours students must complete Honours Project GEOL (GEOL 4550) as one of the Geology requirements.
The students enrolled in the combined geology/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 geology/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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