Honours BSc in Geology (Specialist) - St. George in Toronto Canada | University of Toronto

Our three specialized programs—Geology, Environmental Geoscience, and Geophysics (a joint offering with the Department of Physics)—equip students with the expertise needed for graduate studies while qualifying them as professional geoscientists upon graduation. The Geology specialization explores planetary solid-body processes, covering volcanic activity, sedimentary formations, orogeny, mineral and ore genesis, and Earth's evolutionary timeline. The Environmental Geoscience track additionally examines groundwater systems and biogeochemical cycles. The Geophysics concentration enables students to simulate physical phenomena affecting Earth and other celestial bodies, employing non-invasive subsurface imaging techniques (including 4D spatial-temporal analysis) for applications ranging from archaeological surveys to resource exploration, while also modeling tectonic processes and planetary magnetism.
The Geoscience Major combines foundational coursework with customizable electives, allowing students to complement their studies with diverse disciplines including geography, archaeology, economics, history, political science, or peace and conflict studies.
Our Geoscience Minor offers an introductory exploration of Earth sciences, while the Earth and Environmental Systems Major adopts an integrated approach to understanding planetary dynamics across geological timescales. This program examines the complex interplay between lithospheric, hydrospheric, atmospheric, and biospheric systems—providing crucial context for addressing contemporary challenges like climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation.
All programs prioritize experiential learning through laboratory work and field studies. Mandatory field courses accompany each curriculum, with optional excursions ranging from single-day trips to extended expeditions. Recent destinations include Newfoundland, the American Southwest, Hawaii, Chile, and New Zealand, with undergraduate research opportunities extending to Turkey, Peru, Greece, and South Africa. These immersive experiences cultivate professional networks, teamwork competencies, practical skills development, and personalized faculty mentorship. Students are further encouraged to pursue international study programs, internships, and industry collaborations.
This comprehensive curriculum delivers advanced geological training for careers in energy/mineral sectors, government agencies, research institutions, and other geoscience-related fields. The program satisfies accreditation requirements for professional associations including APGO (Ontario) and equivalent provincial/territorial organizations. Core components encompass mineralogy, petrology, sedimentology, structural geology, resource geology, hydrogeology, paleoenvironmental studies, and field mapping. Students should carefully review prerequisite chains, recommended course clusters, and program sequencing outlined in the Earth Sciences Undergraduate Handbook.