Geoscience (Co-op and Regular)
About
You'll acquire specific skills necessary to assess the environmental impact of surface and subsurface contamination from industry, urbanization, agriculture, and mining. You'll take advantage of employment opportunities in the growing field dealing with environmental issues and legislation, particularly in government and the environmental consulting industry.
Beyond the classroom
Starting in first year, you'll be working in our constantly updated labs, learning essential data-gathering and analysis skills. In upper years, you'll work with specialized equipment, including polarised light microscopes for examining thin rock sections, field geophysical and hydrogeologic instruments, and in our labs for geochemical testing, data acquisition and computer modelling.
First year courses
The Geoscience program features engaging courses, many supplemented by hands-on learning in labs and field trips. In Applied Geomorphology, for example, you'll study topics such as glacial drift, permafrost, and flood control, with practical work in air photo interpretation and terrain analysis.
First-year courses you'll take:
| fall term | winter term |
|---|---|
| BIOL250 Organismal and Evolutionary Ecology EARTH121/121L Introductory Earth Sciences CHEM 120/120L Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter PHYS121/121L Mechanics and Waves 1 One elective |
BIOL120 Introduction to Plant Structure and Function EARTH 122/122L Introductory Environmental Sciences CHEM123/123L Chemical Reactions, Equilibria and Kinetics MATH127 Calculus 1 One elective |
Upper-year courses
Here is a list of some of our upper-year courses in earth sciences.
- Geochemistry
- Mineralogy
- Volcanology and Petrology
- Stratigraphy and Earth History
- Principles of Paleontology
- Atmospheric Science
- Earth System Science
- Hydrogeology
- Flow Through Porous Media
- Geological Impacts on Human Health
- Quaternary Geology
- Sedimentology
- Geophysics
A detailed list of all earth sciences courses is available.
Co-op
What is co-op?
The Environmental Science program is designed to allow you to participate in the co-op option. In the second term of your second year, you are able to begin a co-op job. You will complete 4 months of co-op, then return for 4 months of school. This pattern will continue during the rest of your stay at Waterloo. More information on co-op.
Co-op earnings
| work term | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| earnings/week (avg $) | 474 | 512 | 548 | 584 | 622 |
Important information
Information on admission requirements, financing and housing.
