The study of Earth Sciences integrates principles from physics, chemistry, and biology to illuminate a wide variety of natural phenomena. The major program exposes students to the foundations of the geoscience curriculum (mineralogy, petrology, geological structures and maps, field techniques, Earth evolution, etc.). Careers available are similar to those of the Geoscience Specialist although the Major gives more flexibility to someone wanting to minor or double major in another field. Students are advised to be aware of course prerequisites, check clusters of courses listed for the geoscience major program, and consult the Earth Sciences Undergraduate Handbook for logical course progressions. For further questions, please consult with the Student Affairs Coordinator (Scott Moore, Department of Earth Sciences, 22 Ursula Franklin St., Earth Sciences Center, Room 1062 email: ugrad@es.utoronto.ca).
Keywords: Geology, Paleontology, Earth History, Evolution
This is an open enrolment program. A student who has completed 4.0 credits may enrol in the program.
Students in this program have the option to request enrolment in the Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP) stream. Students can apply for the ASIP stream after Year 1 (Year 2 entry) or after Year 2 (Year 3 entry, starting Fall 2027). Full details about ASIP, including student eligibility, selection and enrolment, are available in the ASIP section of the Arts & Science Academic Calendar. Please note that the majority of students enter ASIP in Fall term of Year 2. Space is more limited for Year 3 entry. Students applying for Year 3 entry must have been admitted to the Geoscience Major in the Summer after Year 2.
(8.0 credits including at least 2.0 credits at 300+ level with at least 0.5 credit at 400-level.)
2.0 credits chosen from BIO120H1; ( CHM135H1, CHM136H1); MAT130H1/ MAT135H1, MAT136H1, ( MAT148H1, MAT149H1/ MAT137Y1; PHY131H1, PHY132H1
2.5 credits of core courses: JEG100H1/ ENV234H1/ EEB240H1/ ESS262H1, ESS223H1, ESS224H1/ ESS222H1, ESS241H1, ESS331H1, JEG201H1, JEG205H1, JEG206H1
0.5 credit of field courses chosen from: ESS234H1/ ESS324H1/ ESS410H1/ ESS450H1
3.0 credits chosen from 300/400-level ESS/ JGA/ JPE courses or JEG301H1. Note course progressions and prerequisites.
We suggest that students consider the following logical course clusters in their higher years:
(a) Earth/planetary materials and mineral resources: ESS321H1/ ESS221H1, ESS322H1, ESS323H1, ESS324H1, ESS431H1, ESS423H1, ESS424H1, ESS425H1, ESS441H1
(b) Tectonics: JGA305H1, ESS245H1/ ESS345H1/ CSC108H1/ CSC110Y1, ESS321H1, ESS322H1, ESS424H1, ESS441H1, ESS445H1
(c) Environmental biogeochemistry: ESS261H1, ESS311H1, ESS312H1, ESS313H1, ESS363H1, ESS410H1, ESS461H1
(d) Geoarchaeology: ESS261H1, JGA305H1, ESS461H1, ESS450H1
Students in this program have the option to complete the Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP) stream.
