Brock’s Earth Sciences Department has well-equipped teaching laboratories including extensive collections of rocks, fossils and minerals, and courses are taught by experienced, research-active faculty who bring their enthusiasm for research into the classroom.
BSc in Earth Sciences and BSc in Environmental Geosciences
The field of Earth Sciences is central in solving current global problems such as waste disposal, pollution, groundwater management, and addressing hazards from earthquakes, flooding, landslides, and volcanos. It is also vital in the exploration and utilization of natural resources such as oil and gas, minerals (e.g., gold, neodymium, lithium, cobalt), and aggregates. Most items we use in our daily lives are made with raw materials found or modelled by geoscientists, and many aspects of the environment in which we live is monitored and safeguarded by geoscientists.
Our understanding of the evolution of the Earth from its origin 4.6 billion years ago to the present is largely determined by research in earth sciences. The preserved geological record, comprised of the rocks of the earth, provides a long record of global change in response to a variety of stimuli. Many geoscientists are involved in unravelling the record of global changes and in predicting future changes to the planet.
If you are interested in finding, mapping, and modelling earth’s resources, or in monitoring, safeguarding, and rehabilitating earth’s surface and water, or in contributing to research that contributes to human understanding of our planet, earth sciences is likely your path. Our graduates work in governmental organizations, environmental consultancies and technical services providers, and in resource exploration and extraction.
The Department of Earth Sciences offers professional programs dedicated to graduating high-quality geoscientists proceeding toward registration as a Professional Geoscientist. The Department offers other options for those interested in Earth Sciences, but not intending to become Professional Geoscientists.
The Department of Earth Sciences offers four-year programs of study leading to the following degrees:
- BSc Honours in Earth Sciences
- BSc Honours in Environmental Geoscience
- BSc with Major in Earth Sciences
- BSc with Major in Environmental Geoscience
- BSc Pass degree program
In addition, Co-op programs leading to a BSc Honours degree in Earth Sciences or Environmental Geoscience are available. These programs combine academic and work terms over a five year period. Students spend two years in an academic setting, where they acquire the necessary background prior to taking the first work placement. Successful completion of courses in the core areas of Earth Sciences provides the necessary academic background for the work experience.
Field trips form an integral component of training in the Earth Sciences and are offered in all years of study, linked to specific courses. Field trips may take place during the lab period, or involve a time period beyond the lab, over a single day or weekend trips.
For general information, please contact Earth Sciences Administrative Assistant earth@brocku.ca . Detailed information on courses is available online via the undergraduate calendar.
