The three specialist programs Geology, Environmental Geoscience, and Geophysics (offered in collaboration with the Department of Physics) give students the skills to enter graduate studies and also allow them to become professional geoscientists in training after graduation. The Geology specialist program focuses on processes of the solid planetary bodies, including volcanoes, sedimentary environments, mountain building, the formation of minerals or ores, and Earth through time. The Environmental Geosciences specialist program in addition addresses processes related to groundwater and biochemical activities. The Geophysics specialist program allows students to model physical processes in and on Earth and other planets and to apply non-invasive methods of imaging the subsurface, often in 4D (i.e., space and time), targets may range from archaeological investigations to groundwater imaging and mineral exploration, but also include modeling of mountain-building processes and planetary magnetic fields.
The Environmental Geosciences specialist program focusses on the interconnectedness within the Earth system (biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and geosphere) and core environmental geoscience subjects such as earth materials, aqueous geochemistry, hydrogeology, sedimentary geology, geomorphology, and biogeochemistry. This program aims at preparing students for a variety of careers in industry, government and academia that require knowledge of Earth and Environmental science such as environmental consulting and assessment, water quality, waste management and sustainability.
Our programs emphasise hands-on lab and field work. At least one field course is required in each program, and several courses have offered optional one-day to two-week long trips. In recent years courses have travelled to Newfoundland, Texas, Arizona, Hawaii, Chile, and New Zealand, and small groups of undergraduates have been involved with field research in Turkey, Peru, Greece and South Africa. These field training opportunities foster the establishment of peer networks, develop team-working skills, afford hands-on learning, and allow for a close collaboration and mentoring experience between individual students and instructors. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of extra and co-curricular opportunities such as study abroad, summer abroad, internships, or working in industry and non-governmental organizations.
