Students assessing slope stability in Sealand Park on GEOL 312 Field trip

Earth Science (BSc)

  • Program Length
    4 Years
  • Credential
    Bachelor Degree
  • Options
    Minor
  • Location Offered
    Nanaimo

Are you fascinated by our planet and how it functions, and concerned with solving problems that face our ever-changing environment? Discover how the planet functions from the core to the atmosphere with an Earth Science Minor in VIU’s Bachelor’s degree programs.

With a local focus on sustainability and resources on Vancouver Island, students gain experience in the field along with expert instruction in the classroom. VIU offers this Earth Science program as a Minor to complement a variety of areas of study from the sciences to the arts.

Program Overview

The Minor in Earth Science is designed to provide foundational knowledge about the Earth’s materials, processes, resources and history. Earth Science is a multidisciplinary field in which the principles of chemistry, geography, physics, mathematics, and biology are applied to understand how the Earth works. Earth Science literacy is of critical importance in understanding and solving challenges facing us regarding energy and resource availability, geological hazards, and environmental sustainability.

The Minor in Earth Science is designed to be taken as part of a Double Minor or as a Major and Minor combination for a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts. The program provides a solid foundation in the physical sciences and the flexibility to create individualized programs of study.

The Minor in Earth Sciences combines with Minors or Majors in Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Mathematics, and Computer Science. The Minor in Earth Sciences also complements studies in Anthropology, Business, Creative Writing, Economics, Education, and Liberal Studies. Career directions for students with a Minor in Earth Science are varied, but could include work in variety of fields employed with environmental consultants, resource companies or government agencies. The program will be of particular interest to students proceeding towards a career in Primary and Secondary Education, with plans for teaching a science curriculum.

Many of the courses taken to satisfy the Minor of Earth Science requirements can contribute towards the academic requirements of the Engineers and Geoscientists BC (formerly APEGBC) for a Professional Geoscientist. However, a number of other courses may be required. Check the syllabus requirements for a Professional Geoscientist for more details at Engineers and Geoscientists BC.

Requirements for a Minor

BSc Minor students must fulfill all Institutional B.Sc. Degree Requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below.

Years 1 and 2Credits
GEOL 111 - (Discovering Planet Earth)4
GEOL 112 - (Understanding Earth's History)4
GEOL 115* - (Laboratory and Field Studies in Earth Science)3
GEOL 200 - (Mineralogy)3
GEOL 201 - (Sedimentology and Stratigraphy)3
GEOL 202 - (Earth Structures)3
GEOL 206** - (Geological Field Methods and Mapping)3

* Students who completed both GEOL 111 and GEOL 112 prior to September 2011 are exempt from taking GEOL 115 as a prerequisite for 200-level GEOL courses.

** GEOL 206 is a field course that includes approximately 72 hours of instruction over a two week period.

Years 3 and 4Credits
Minimum of eighteen credits of Earth Science* courses numbered 300 and above from the following list, of which a minimum of nine credits must be GEOL courses: 
CHEM 301 - (Aqueous Environmental Chemistry)
CHEM 302 - (Atmospheric Environmental Chemistry)
GEOG 326 - (Remote Sensing)
GEOG 328 - (Geographic Information Systems)
GEOG 372 - (Climatology)
GEOG 373 - (Biogeography)
GEOG 374 - (Hydrology)
GEOG 376 - (Geomorphology)
GEOG 428 - (GIS Applications)
GEOL 300 - (Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology)
GEOL 301 - (Caves & Karst Landscapes)
GEOL 302 - (Mineral Resources)
GEOL 303 - (Engineering Geology)
GEOL 304 - (Hydrogeology)
GEOL 305 - (Quaternary Geology)
GEOL 308 - (Geochemistry)
GEOL 312 - (Environmental Geology)
GEOL 380 - (Earth Science Work Experience)
GEOL 390 - (Special Field Studies)
GEOL 401 - (Karst Field Techniques)
GEOL 412 - (Climate Change: Past, Present, and Future)
GEOL 470 - (Earth Science Issues in British Columbia)
GEOL 480 - (Earth Science Senior Work Experience)
GEOL 490 - (Directed Studies in Earth Science)
GEOL 491 - (Research Project in Geoscience)		18

* Earth Science courses are approved lab science courses from the departments of Geology, Chemistry, and Geography.

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year Amount
Tuition (30 credits x $166.40 per credit) 4,992.00
Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) 159.76
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) 176.40
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) 220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year (Note: Books and supply costs vary depending on course load and course type.) 1,500.00
Total 7,333.96
Notes

*  The above table is based on ten 3-credit courses taken over two semesters. For programs that require 4-credit courses, students should adjust the fee totals accordingly.

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.

Science and Technology courses with a compulsory lab have a lab fee of $23.90 per course.

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.


International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year Amount
Tuition (30 credits x $799.77 per credit) 23,993.10
Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) 159.76
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) 176.40
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) 220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year (Note: Books and supply costs vary depending on course load and course type.) 1,500.00
Total 26,335.06
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.

Science and Technology courses with a compulsory lab have a lab fee of $23.90 per course.

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus