X. Degree Programs

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Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)

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Earth Surface Science (ESS)

Department of Geography, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences

Department of Land Resource Science, Ontario Agricultural College

This program combines elements of Geomorphology, Geology and Meteorology and focuses on the study of processes and properties of the abiotic component of the environment.

Graduates of the program should meet the knowledge requirements for eligibility to apply for membership as Environmental Geoscientists in the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (APGO), allowing for use of the designation P. Geo.

Students may enter this major in Semester 1 or any semester thereafter. A student wishing to declare the major must consult the Faculty Advisor. Students planning to enter the program are advised to consult advisors in either of the two departments. Students needing program approval should contact the B.Sc. Advisors in the Department of Geography.

Major (Honours Program)

Semester 1
BIOL*1030 [0.50] Biology I
CHEM*1040 [0.50] General Chemistry I
GEOL*1050 [0.50] Geology and the Environment
PHYS*1080 [0.50] Physics for Life Sciences
0.50 Mathematics course from:
MATH*1080 [0.50] Elements of Calculus I
MATH*1200 [0.50] Calculus I

Students who are admitted deficient in one OAC/4U course in Biology, Chemistry or Physics must take the equivalent introductory course in first semester. The first-year science core in that subject should be completed by Semester 3.

Semester 2
BIOL*1040 [0.50] Biology II
CHEM*1050 [0.50] General Chemistry II
PHYS*1130 [0.50] Physics with Applications
GEOG*1300 [0.50] Introduction to the Biophysical Environment
0.50 Arts or Social Science electives
Semester 3 and 4
GEOG*2000 [0.50] Geomorphology
GEOG*2110 [0.50] Climate and the Biophysical Environment
GEOL*2020 [0.50] Stratigraphy
GEOL*2200 [0.50] Glacial Geology
MET*2030 [0.50] Meteorology and Climatology
SOIL*2010 [0.50] Soil Science
0.50 Mathematics/Computer Science from:
CIS*1200 [0.50] Introduction to Computing
CIS*1500 [0.50] Introduction to Programming
MATH*1210 [0.50] Calculus II
MATH*2080 [0.50] Elements of Calculus II
One of:
GEOG*2460 [0.50] Analysis in Geography
STAT*2040 [0.50] Statistics I
0.50 Arts or Social Science electives
0.50 electives
Semester 5 and 6
GEOG*3000 [0.50] Fluvial Processes
GEOG*3610 [0.50] Environmental Hydrology
GEOL*2110 [0.50] Earth Material Science
GEOL*3190 [0.50] Environmental Water Chemistry
1.50 from List A
1.50 electives
Semester 7 and 8
GEOG*4150 [0.50] Sedimentary Processes
1.50 from List A
3.00 electives
List A
GEOG*3620 [0.50] Desert Environments
GEOG*4250 [0.50] Coastal Processes
GEOG*4690 [1.00] Geography Field Research
GEOL*3060 [0.50] Groundwater
GEOL*3090 [0.50] Applied Structural Geology
GEOL*3250 [0.50] Field Methods in Geosciences
GEOL*4090 [0.50] Sedimentology
GEOL*4130 [0.50] Clay and Humic Chemistry
MET*3050 [0.50] Microclimatology
Other Requirements

  1. At least 1.50 credits from List A must be at the 4000 level.

  2. At least 2.50 electives must be acceptable science courses.

  3. At least 6.00 of all science credits must be 3000 or 4000 level, of which at least 2.00 must be at the 4000 level.

University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1

Canada
519-824-4120