Earth Sciences
Discover geology and uncover the mysteries of planet Earth
Overview
Earth Sciences: A Professional Life of Adventure and Discovery
Enter into an adventurous career as a professional geoscientist exploring 4.5 billion years of Earth's history and scientific processes. Contribute to the discovery of raw materials that are in demand from a technology-driven society.
Explore various fields of Earth Sciences at the leading Canadian university in economic geology research and funding including: mineralogy, igneous and metamorphic petrology, structural geology, geophysics, geochemistry, oceanography, paleontology, sedimentology, hydrogeology, and planetary geology.
Study volcanoes and earthquakes, learn how minerals and rocks form, how our planet evolved, and what causes climate change. Understand Earth’s evolution, including tectonics, biological evolution, and geochemical systems at the Harquail School of Earth Sciences.
Find a rewarding life-long career practising geology - in mineral exploration, the mining industry, government, and consulting agencies. Gain a strong foundation for further studies at the MSc and PhD levels to develop innovative contributions to geoscience.
Video: Discover Earth Sciences at the Harquail School of Earth Sciences
Key Features
Career Opportunities
This four-year B.Sc. in Earth Sciences is designed to meet the minimum knowledge (academic) requirements for registration as a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) with Professional Geoscientists Ontario (PGO). Registration with PGO will significantly enhance career prospects of Earth Sciences students. Possible career avenues for our graduates include:
- Mineral exploration and economic geology
- Volcanic and natural disasters monitoring
- Geological mapping (3D computer modeling and Geographical Information Systems GIS)
- Governmental geoscience or consulting
- Aggregate geology - determining suitable materials that can be used for roads and buildings
- Academia and research - in the field of ore deposit geology, mineralogy, igneous or metamorphic petrology, structural geology, geophysics, geochemistry, oceanography, paleontology, sedimentology, hydrogeology, or planetary geology
- Laboratory technology
Andrea Demers
After my first two semesters in the program, I spent my summer working in geoscience as part of a team investigating a possible nuclear waste storage site. Our project was to gather drill core samples that would be used to determine if the site could (or should never) host nuclear waste, based on borehole drilling and testing, including in-depth geophysical and geochemical analysis. It was fascinating work considering that the decisions we make today impact our planet for generations.
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Program Details