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    * Major in Geology

  Major in Geology

      60 Units

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        Geology is a modern, dynamic and diverse science that involves investigating the composition and evolution of Earth and other planetary bodies.

        Geologists and Earth scientists study the Earth, including its chemical, physical and biological evolution. Our programs teach students how to analyze Earth materials, probe the Earth from surface to core and model the processes that produced and shape its oceans and continents. The Ottawa region is a natural laboratory where students investigate resources (water, metals, minerals, petroleum), hazards (earthquakes, tsunamis, eruptions, landslides) and a variety of geological environments.

        The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences offers programs in geology and, along with the Department of Physics, a program in geology-physics. These programs balance field-based learning with theoretical and analytical investigations directly relevant to the needs of society. The final year involves an independent research project or equivalent units (credits) in advanced courses in the discipline.

        The honours requirements meet the professional accreditation requirements of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario and l’Ordre des géologues du Québec.

        This program is offered in English and in French.

      The table below includes only the discipline-specific courses. Please refer to the Academic Regulations for information on the Honours bachelor's with double major and the Honours bachelor's with major and minor.

        Co-operative education is available when taken as part of an honours degree.

        The French immersion stream is available when taken as part of an honours degree.

        Requirements for this program have been modified. Please consult the 2025-2026 calendars for the previous requirements.

      Course List
        Code                                                                 Title                                  Units  
        Compulsory courses at the 1000 level                                                                      
        BIO 1131                                                             Introduction to Organismal Biology     3 Units
        CHM 1311                                                             Principles of Chemistry                3 Units
        EVS 1101                                                             Introduction to Environmental Science  3 Units
        GEO 1111                                                             Introduction to Earth Systems          3 Units
        GEO 1115                                                             Introduction to Earth Materials        3 Units
        MAT 1330                                                             Calculus for the Life Sciences I       3 Units
        MAT 1332                                                             Calculus for the Life Sciences II      3 Units
        PHY 1121                                                             Fundamentals of Physics I              3 Units
        PHY 1122                                                             Fundamentals of Physics II             3 Units
        Compulsory courses at the 2000 level                                                                      
        GEO 2163                                                             Introduction to Mineralogy             3 Units
        GEO 2165                                                             Sedimentology and Stratigraphy         3 Units
        GEO 2321                                                             Structural Geology and Tectonics       3 Units
        Optional courses                                                                                          
        6 optional course units from:                                        6 Units                              
          GEO 2020                                                           Field Studies I                               
          GEO 2113                                                           Paleontology                                  
          GEO 2166                                                           Oceanography                                  
          GEO 2334                                                           Quaternary Geology and Climate Change         
        12 optional course units in geology (GEO) at the 3000 or 4000 level  12 Units                             
        6 optional course units in geology (GEO) at the 4000 level           6 Units                              
        Total:                                                               60 Units                             
        
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