The Environmental Geosciences specialist program focusses on the interconnectedness within the Earth system (biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and geosphere) and core environmental geoscience subjects such as earth materials, aqueous geochemistry, hydrogeology, sedimentary geology, geomorphology, and biogeochemistry. This program aims at preparing students for a variety of careers in industry, government and academia that require knowledge of Earth and Environmental science such as environmental consulting and assessment, water quality, waste management and sustainability.The Geoscience Major program builds on a set of core courses and allows students to select elective courses that match their particular interests. Students have paired this program not just with other science programs but such diverse fields as geography, archaeology, economics, history, political science, or peace and conflict studies.Our programs emphasise hands-on lab and field work. At least one field course is required in each program, and several courses have offered optional one-day to two-week long trips. In recent years courses have travelled to Newfoundland, Texas, Arizona, Hawaii, Chile, and New Zealand, and small groups of undergraduates have been involved with field research in Turkey, Peru, Greece and South Africa. These field training opportunities foster the establishment of peer networks, develop team-working skills, afford hands-on learning, and allow for a close collaboration and mentoring experience between individual students and instructors. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of extra and co-curricular opportunities such as study abroad, summer abroad, internships, or working in industry and non-governmental organizations.
