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.

 

THE ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCE CORE (51 credit hours)

GEOL 1013, GEOL 1023, GEOL 2043, GEOL 2083, GEOL 2133, GEOL 2213, GEOL 2703, GEOL 3103, GEOL 3303, GEOL 3603, GEOL 3723, GEOL 3823, GEOL 4713, ENVS 1013, ENVS 1023, ENVS 3113, ENVS 3423.

HONOURS IN ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCE

Graduation Requirements
In addition to the program requirements listed below, students must also satisfy the Bachelor of Science with Honours requirements outlined in the previous section of this calendar. Participation in departmental seminars is required.

Program Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 96 credit hours (96h) in the Honours Program as follows:
1. The Environmental Geoscience Core (51h).
2. GEOL 407T/GEOL 408T.
3. 9h GEOL courses (or prescribed cognate courses each completed with a minimum grade of B-. Cognate courses are BIOL 2033, CHEM 2853 and ENVS 4613).
4. CHEM 1013 and CHEM 1023.
5. 6h in MATH courses.
6. PHYS 1053 and PHYS 1063 (or equivalent, with lab).
7. BIOL 1113 and BIOL 1123.
8. 6h of courses from CHEM, MATH, PHYS, BIOL or ENVS at the 2000 level or above.

• The Honours program is career-oriented and preparatory to graduate study in environmental geoscience. It provides a curriculum that allows the student to satisfy the provincially legislated knowledge requirements for professional registration as an ‘Environmental Geoscientist’.

MAJOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCE

Graduation Requirements
In addition to the program requirements listed below, students must also satisfy the Bachelor of Science (Major) requirements outlined in the previous section of this calendar. In addition, no more than 3h non-lab Geology courses at the 1000/2000-level may be offered toward the Major.

Program Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 90 credit hours (90h) in the Major Program as follows:
1. The Environmental Geoscience Core (51h).
2. 9h GEOL courses (or prescribed cognate courses each completed with a minimum grade of C-. Cognate courses are BIOL 2033, CHEM 2853, and ENVS 4613).
3. CHEM 1013 and CHEM 1023.
4. 6h in MATH.
5. PHYS 1053 and PHYS 1063 (or equivalent, with lab).
6. BIOL 1113 and BIOL 1123.
7. 6h of courses from CHEM, MATH, PHYS, BIOL or ENVS at the 2000 level or above.

• This program is career-oriented and provides a curriculum that allows the student to satisfy the provincially legislated knowledge requirements for professional registration as an ‘Environmental Geoscie ntist’.

MINORS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCE MAJORS

For Environmental Geoscience majors, a minor is considered to be either (a) any subject outside of the Core in which the student has completed 6 courses; or (b) a “General Science Minor” in which a student has completed at least 9 course s (27h) from APSC, BIOL, CHEM, COMP, ENVS, MATH, and PHYS (consisting of the required 6 credit hours (6h) each of CHEM, MATH, and PHYS and 9 credit hours (9h) of any of the above subjects).

See flow chart for progression through the degree.