Earth and Ocean Sciences Programs

The School offers the following BSc degree programs:

• General, Minor, Major and Honours in Earth Sciences
• Combined Major and Honours in Physics and Earth Sciences (Geophysics)
• Combined Major and Honours in Physics and Ocean Sciences (Ocean-Atmosphere Dynamics)
• Combined Major and Honours in Chemistry and Earth and Ocean Sciences
• Combined Major and Honours in Physical Geography and Earth and Ocean Sciences
• Combined Major and Honours in Biology and Earth and Ocean Sciences
• Minor in Ocean Sciences

The Earth Sciences programs require a core of earth sciences courses, corequisite courses in the other sciences, and a selection of electives suited to the interests of individual students.

Combined Honours and Major programs offered in collaboration with the department of Physics and Astronomy provide specialization in either Geophysics or Ocean-Atmosphere Dynamics and allow students to apply basic principles of Physics and Mathematics to fundamental global processes affecting the earth and oceans.

Combined Honours and Major programs offered in collaboration with the department of Chemistry expose students to the fields of geochemistry while providing a firm basis in the principles of chemistry.

Combined Honours and Major programs offered in collaboration with the department of Geography are aimed at students whose interests span the fields of Physical Geography and Earth Sciences.

Combined Honours and Major programs offered in collaboration with the department of Biology offer students the opportunity to combine interests in both disciplines.

Students may take a Minor Program in Earth and Ocean Sciences along with a Major or Honours Program in another discipline. Such interdisciplinary programs may be advantageous to students considering a postgraduate degree in Environmental Studies, Geophysics, Geography, Oceanography, Atmospheric Sciences or Education. Students intending to pursue research or continue their studies for MSc or PhD degrees should consider the Honours Programs.

The distinctive character of the BSc General Program is the breadth of course options possible. Students in this program combine a concentration in Earth Sciences with one in another science area (BSc) or an arts area (BA).

The Minor in Ocean Sciences is intended to provide students with a broad overview of oceanography, focusing on its essentially interdisciplinary nature.

Professional Registration

Completion of the Earth Science Honours or Major program, with an appropriate selection of courses (including a geomorphology elective), is intended to fulfill the academic requirements for designation as a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) under the discipline of Geology from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC (APEGBC). The Combined Physical Geography and Earth and Ocean Science program, with an appropriate selection of courses, is intended to fulfill the APEGBC academic requirements for P.Geo. designation under the discipline of Environmental Geoscientist. APEGBC has requirements of students beyond course work, and reserves the right to set standards and change requirements at any time. Therefore, the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, department of Geography, and University of Victoria assume no responsibility for students' acceptance into APEGBC during or after completion of their program. For more information, see the SEOS website <www.seos.uvic.ca/apeg.htm> and the APEGBC website <www.apeg.bc.ca>.