Programs in Environmental Geoscience

A program in Environmental Geoscience was introduced in 2004. The degree program is available at both a BSc and BSc (Honours) level. It was introduced in response to provincial legislation identifying the knowledge requirements required for professional registration as an ‘Environmental 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 Geologist specialties: ‘Geologist’, ‘Environmental Geoscientist’ and ‘Geophysicist’.

The program in Environmental Geoscience provides a curriculum that allows the student to satisfy the provincially legislated knowledge requirements required for professional registration as an ‘Environmental Geoscientist’. It includes a core of courses at the first and second year level in common with Geology majors, and diverges at the third year level to incorporate courses in geochemistry, geophysics, hydrogeology and environmental science. Outside of the Department of Earth and Environmental Science, students also study first-year Biology, Chemistry, Maths, and Physics courses.

 

Bachelor of Science with Major in Environmental Geoscience (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 in Maths
  5. a) The environmental geoscience core (GEOL 1013, 1023, 2043, 2083, 2133, 2213, 2703, 3103, 3303/3323, 3603, 3723, 3823, ENVS 1013, 1023, 3113, 3423) + 9 hours Geology elective with a minimum grade of C- in all courses. (57h)
    b) Chem 1013, 1023 or equiv. with lab. (6h)
    c) Phys 1053, 1063 or equiv. with lab. (6h)
    d) Biol 1113, 1123. (6h)
    e) 6h (in addition to that specified above) from Chem, Math, Phys, Biol or ENVS.
  6. 6. 15h additional elective hours
  7. 7. 120h are required in all. 72h, including those offered to fulfill 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. Acceptable fields for the minor include biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics and physics (note: if you do Chemistry, Maths, Physics or Biology in section 5e, you will automatically have a minor).

Bachelor of Science with Honours in Environmental Geoscience (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 in Maths
  5. a) The environmental geoscience core (GEOL 1013, 1023, 2043, 2083, 2133, 2213, 2303, 2703, 3103, 3303/3323, 3603, 3723, 3823, ENVS 1013, 1023, 3113, 3423) and GEOL 4996 + 6 hours Geology elective with a minimum grade of C- in all courses. (63h)
    b) Chem 1013, 1023 or equiv. with lab. (6h)
    c) Phys 1053, 1063 or equiv. with lab. (6h)
    d) Biol 1113, 1123. (6h)
    e) 6h (in addition to that specified above) from Chem, Math, Phys, Biol or ENVS.
  6. 9h 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 fulfill 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. A minimum CGPA of 3.00 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. Acceptable fields for the minor include biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics and physics (note: if you do Chemistry, Maths, Physics or Biology in section 5e, you will automatically have a minor). This program leads to post-graduate study in geology, environmental geoscience or environmental science and is needed for registration in professional bodies.

See flow chart for progression through the degree.