Student on GEOL390 Field School

BSc Major in Geoscience

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

Program Overview

The BSc Major in Geoscience is a four-year program that will provide students with a broad foundation in the geosciences, drawing upon the expertise and experience of the instructors within the Earth Science and Geography departments at VIU. The program will provide students with an understanding of core geoscience concepts such as the scientific method, Earth systems, the age of Earth, water cycling on Earth, evolution of life on Earth, natural resources and energy, natural disasters and human impacts on Earth environments. The program will give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge with hands-on activities both in the lab and in the field, and will direct students towards independent research and enquiry. Student will be expected to achieve a high-quality of written and communication skills during their geoscience studies. One of the main themes of the BSc Major is "Environmental Geoscience", as this reflects the expertise of the Earth Science and Geography departments, VIU's location on the west coast of British Columbia, and a demand for this expertise in the job market.

  • General admission requirements apply.
  • A minimum "B" grade in either Pre-calculus 12 or Principles of Mathematics 12.
  • A minimum "C+" grade in Chemistry 12. (Some seats for students who have only completed Chemistry 11 with a minimum "C+" grade may be available).

Notes on Admission

  • Physics 12, or a minimum "C+" in one of Principles of Physics 11 or Applications of Physics 12 is recommended, but not required. Note: Students who wish to satisfy the academic requirements of Engineers and Geoscientists BC for registration as a Professional Geoscientist will need these Physics prerequisites to take PHYS 111 or PHYS 121.
  • Earth Science 11 and/or Geology 12 are also recommended, but not required.

Requirements for a Major

Students must complete 124 credits including the Institutional B.Sc. Degree Requirements, the Degree English Requirements, and courses listed below.

Year 1Credits
CHEM 140 - (Chemistry Fundamentals I)4
CHEM 141 - (Chemistry Fundamentals II) or,
CHEM 142 - (Chemistry Fundamentals II)		4
GEOG 101 - (Environmental Geography)3
GEOL 111 - (Discovering Planet Earth)4
GEOL 112 - (Understanding Earth's History)4
GEOL 115 - (Laboratory and Field Studies in Earth Science)3
MATH 100 - (Calculus for Engineering and Physical Sciences I) or, 
MATH 121 - (Calculus I)		4
MATH 101 - (Calculus for Engineering and Physical Sciences II) or,
MATH 122 - (Calculus II)		4
Degree English Requirements6

Note: Most core, specialization, and elective courses have prerequisites. Students should check prerequisites carefully, and consult the Bachelor of Science Degree Advisor when planning their program.

Year 2*Credits
GEOG 211 - (Atmospheric Environments)3
GEOG 212 - (Earth Environments)3
GEOG 228 - (Spatial Analysis)3
GEOL 200 - (Mineralogy)3
GEOL 201 - (Sedimentology and Stratigraphy)3
GEOL 202 - (Earth Structures)3
GEOL 206** - (Geological Field Methods and Mapping)3
MATH 211 - (Statistics I)3

* For students wishing to satisfy the Engineers and Geoscientists BC's academic requirements for registration as a Professional Geoscientist it is recommended that PHYS 111 or PHYS 121 be taken as an elective in Year 2.

** GEOL 206 is offered during intersession in April and May.

Years 3 and 4Credits
Minimum of thirty credits of Geography, Earth Science, and Geoscience courses as follows: 
GEOG 328 - (Geographic Information Systems)3
GEOL 300 - (Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology)3
9 credits of upper-level GEOL* courses 300 level and above.9
Select 9 GEOG credits from the following list:
GEOG 326** - (Remote Sensing)
GEOG 372 - (Climatology)
GEOG 373 - (Biogeography)
GEOG 374 - (Hydrology)
GEOG 376 - (Geomorphology)
GEOG 428** - (GIS Applications)		9
6 credits of upper-level Geoscience*** electives 300-level and above.6

* GEOL 480, 490, and 491 cannot be used to meet the upper-level GEOL requirements.

** Only one of GEOG 326 and GEOG 428 can be used to meet the upper-level GEOG requirements.

*** The 6 credits of upper-level Geoscience electives may be chosen from GEOG 326, GEOG 372, GEOG 373, GEOG 374, GEOG 376, or GEOG 428; or 300-level or higher GEOL courses including: GEOL 390,GEOL 480, GEOL 490, and GEOL 491.

A student who graduates with a BSc Major in Geoscience from VIU can anticipate a wide range of potential career opportunities, both here in Canada and around the world. This might include employment in: environmental monitoring or protection, water resources, mineral exploration, mining or forest industries, and/or engineering-related fields. Students completing the BSc Major in Geoscience can use their courses for registration as a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo) with the Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Students should carefully plan their courses (particularly in their second year) to ensure that they can satisfy Engineers and Geoscientists BC academic requirements for registration. Engineers and Geoscientists BC is a self regulating body and may change these academic requirements over time. For more details on programs go the VIU Earth Science website.

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