Earth Sciences Degree

A student in the Earth Sciences degree program hugs a big rock while wearing an orange coat.

Launch a career that rocks

Learn about the fascinating and complex world under your feet by exploring topics such as geology, geophysics, geochemistry, and hydrogeology.

In its four-billion-year-old history, the Earth has changed — sometimes slowly (such as mountain building) and sometimes with violent and sudden transformations that can be devastating (such as a meteorite impact). In Earth Sciences you'll learn about the make up of our planet, from rocks and soil to water and the effects of climate change. We depend upon resources that come from the Earth, such as minerals, oil, organic materials, gases, and the water we drink. Who finds these hidden and valuable resources? A geoscientist!

Dig deep with your choice of specialization: Geology, Geophysics, or Hydrogeology. And if you're up for it, apply your knowledge through the paid work experiences co-op offers.

When you graduate, you’ll be eligible for a Professional Geoscientist designation — and be ready to develop meaningful environmental protection plans, predict natural disasters, advance health standards for water, and more.

What courses will you take in Earth Sciences?

First-year courses

Programs/majors in the Faculty of Science start right in first year. To select your program with confidence, here’s some handy info to get you started.

September to December

January to April

This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.

After first year

You must choose one of three specializations.

  • Geology - The majority of courses you'll take in your degree are Earth Science courses. Geology is the least math intensive of the Earth Science specializations and offers the most Earth electives.
  • Hydrogeology - You must be comfortable with math and chemistry. During your degree, you'll have the opportunity to take courses through multiple faculties, including engineering, to see the different applications of hydrogeology.
  • Geophysics - The majority of courses you'll take in your degree are Earth Science courses and program electives in Science and Math. You must be comfortable with math and higher level physics.

Sample upper-year courses

EARTH 270 – Disasters and Natural Hazards
EARTH 331 – Volcanology and Igneous Petrology
EARTH 342 – Geomorphology and GIS Applications
EARTH 390 – Methods in Geological Mapping

Types of courses you'll take

61% Earth, 6% Chemistry, 6% Math, 6% Physics, 6% Program Electives, 12% Free Electives, 3% Communications
This is a general guideline. The ratio of courses may change slightly from year to year.

Skills you'll develop with this major

  • Critical thinking
  • Problem solving
  • Communication
  • Fieldwork capabilities, including rock sampling and geological mapping

This isn't an exhaustive list – rather a glimpse into the skills an Earth Sciences major can provide.

Your experience will be unique, and the skills you develop will depend on your goals; which courses you take; and your involvement with any clubs, jobs, or research projects.

Customize your Earth Sciences degree

With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo. You can also add additional areas of expertise to your degree by including one of the minors available to all Waterloo students.

Remote video URL

Faculty:
Faculty of Science

Degree:
Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences

Available as a co-op program?
Yes

Available as a regular program?
Yes

Available as a minor?
Yes

Get career-relevant skills. Right from your first term, you’ll gain practical experience in our advanced lab facilities. Or take part in research: our professors run projects in 15 countries on five continents.

Meet other geo-geeks. Build bonds outside the lab and lecture hall. The Earth and Environmental Science club (WATROX) regularly organizes field trips, social activities, and other events.

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

Waterloo's co-op program, the largest in North America, is an amazing way to explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience — and make money!

Sample co-op job titles

  • Geophysical data processor
  • Geological research assistant
  • Land resource specialist
  • Earth science museum tour guide
  • Groundwater technician
  • Environmental geoscientist
  • Waste water project assistant

Co-op work-study sequence

Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.

Year September to December (Fall) January to April (Winter) May to August (Spring)
First Study Study Off
Second Study Co-op Study
Third Co-op Study Co-op
Fourth Study Co-op Co-op
Fifth Study Study -

Your first work term will be halfway through second year (January to April 2027).

Learn more about co-op →

What can you do with an earth sciences degree?

Many graduates find careers in energy and natural resources, field research, environmental consulting, and more. Graduates can apply to become a certified Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) through the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario. Learn how to become a geologist or geoscientist.

Read about Carson's experience in Earth Sciences and what he plans to do after graduation.

Sample graduates

  • Airborne Geophysicist — Firefly Aviation Ltd.
  • Groundwater Specialist — BGC Engineering Inc.
  • Partner/Hydrogeologist — Palmer Environmental Consulting Group Inc.
  • Solutions Advisor — Geosoft Inc.
  • Environment Supervisor — Diavik Diamond Mines Inc.
  • Geologist — Lake Shore Gold
  • Hydrogeologist — Morrison Environmental Limited

Learn about the future of careers in science.

Tuition fees for programs in the Faculty of Science

First-year tuition

Type of fees Tuition (8 months of school)
Domestic (Ontario residents) $9,000
Domestic (Out of province students) $9,000
International (visa students) $52,000
     
  • Estimated amounts listed include incidental fees. Fees based on 2024-25 tuition rates.
  • Visit our financing page to learn about scholarships, estimate your total expenses, and see how co-op can help pay for your education.

What is the difference between Earth Sciences and Environmental Sciences?

Earth Sciences looks at the whole Earth, from the stratosphere down to the deep substrata in the lithosphere. Although you’ll learn about living creatures from mammals to tiny organisms and their relationship to the earth, the focus of Earth Sciences is the abiotic: minerals, rocks, water, and air. An Environmental Sciences degree focuses on the interrelationships between the biotic and abiotic aspects within ecosystems, including human impacts.

Admission requirements

Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

  • English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
  • Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
  • Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
  • Two of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, or Physics

Admission averages: Low 80s

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.

How to apply

Apply to Physical Sciences and select Earth Sciences as your major.

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Questions about courses, programs, requirements, or careers?

Please contact our Faculty of Science recruitment team who can answer any questions you have.

From the Missing Manual

Visit our Missing Manual website for tips and advice from Waterloo students and staff. Topics include

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 Why climate change isn’t just a buzzword

Beyond the politics and beliefs, what exactly is changing, and where? Can it be measured in real terms beyond broad assumptions? And who measures these changes?

Student hammering something outside

The (really) great outdoors

For seven weeks, two summers in a row, Carson lived in a tent. Here's what Carson's experience was like as an Earth Science student.