Programs in Geology

The program in Geology is available at both a BSc and BSc (Honours) level. It provides a curriculum that allows the student to satisfy the provincially legislated knowledge requirements for professional registration as a ‘Geoscientist’ in Nova Scotia (similar co-recognized legislation exists in most other provinces and territories, many states within the US and the UK). This legislation identifies three Professional Geoscientist specialties: 'Geologist', 'Environmental Geoscientist' and 'Geophysicist'. The Geology curriculum is tailored to students intending to apply via the Geologist stream.

The Geology degree curriculum provides a basis for application to the Professional Geoscientist category. It includes a core of courses at the first to fourth year levels and allows electives tailored to the students' interests. Outside of the Department of Earth and Environmental Science, students also study first-year Chemistry courses, Maths, and Physics courses.

For a flow chart reflecting the current program, click here.

Bachelor of Science with Major in Geology (120h)

  1. 6h in English/languages/writing (6 h selected from English, Art at the 1000-level, Classics, Comparative Religion, a single language other than English, History, Music (not applied, vocal, or instrumental methods, or practical studies), Philosophy, Theology, or Women's and Gender Studies)
  2. 6h from the Faculty of Arts (not Econ 2613, 2623, Soci 3103)
  3. 6h from either the Faculty of Arts (not Econ 2613/2623 or Soci 3103) or the Faculty of Professional Studies or 3h from each.
  4. 6h from Math 1013, 1023, 2233, 2243, 1313, 1323 (Math 1213, 1223, 1503, 1513, 1613 cannot be used)
  5. a) The geology core (1013, 1023, 2043, 2083, 2133, 2213, 2703, 3603, 4013 and three of 3303, 3323, 3403, 3503) and 15h elective geology (48h)
    b) Chem 1013, 1023 or equiv. with lab. (6h)
    c) Phys 1053, 1063 or equiv. with lab. (6h)
    d) 12h additional science courses
    e) a minor, which may be 12h in one subject area, in which at least one course must be at the 2000-level or higher; or a General Science minor (27h) using Chem 1013, 1023, or equivalent, Phys 1053, 1063, or equivalent, 6h from Math 1013, 1023, 2233, 2243, or equivalent, and 9h from Chem, Math, Phys, Biol, Comp, Envs.
  6. 24h additional elective hours
  7. 120h are required in all. Of these, at least 48h must not be in the major subject. 72h, including those offered to fulfil major and minor requirements, must be completed with a grade of C- or better.

A minimum CGPA of 2.00 is required to be eligible to graduate. No more than 3h non-lab geology courses at the 1000/2000 level may be offered towards the major. Students intending careers in paleontology should offer biology. Computer science courses are recommended to all students.

Bachelor of Science with Honours in Geology (120h)

  1. 6h in English/languages/writing (6 h selected from English, Art at the 1000-level, Classics, Comparative Religion, a single language other than English, History, Music (not applied, vocal, or instrumental methods, or practical studies), Philosophy, Theology, or Women's and Gender Studies)
  2. 6h from the Faculty of Arts (not Econ 2613, 2623, Soci 3103)
  3. 6h from either the Faculty of Arts (not Econ 2613/2623 or Soci 3103) or the Faculty of Professional Studies or 3h from each.
  4. 6h from Math 1013, 1023, 2233, 2243, 1313, 1323 (Math 1213, 1223, 1503, 1513, 1613 cannot be used)
  5. a) The geology core (1013, 1023, 2043, 2083, 2133, 2213, 2703, 3603, 4013, and three of 3303, 3323, 3403, 3503), 4996 and 15h elective geology (54h)
    b) Chem 1013, 1023 or equiv. with lab. (6h)
    c) Phys 1053, 1063 or equiv. with lab. (6h)
    d) 12h additional science courses
    e) a minor, which may be 12h in one subject area, in which at least one course must be at the 2000-level or higher; or a General Science minor (27h) using Chem 1013, 1023, or equivalent, Phys 1053, 1063, or equivalent, 6h from Math 1013, 1023, 2233, 2243, or equivalent, and 9h from Chem, Math, Phys, Biol, Comp, Envs.
  6. 18h additional elective hours
  7. 120h are required in all. Of these, at least 48h must not be in the major subject. 72h, including those offered to fulfil major and minor requirements, must be completed with a grade of B- or better.
  8. The overall mark (expressed as a GPA) on 120h offered toward the degree must be at least 3.00.

Participation in departmental seminars is required. This program leads to post-graduate study in geology and is needed for registration in professional bodies.

See flow chart for normal progression through the degree program.