Introduction

Geologists (Earth scientists) investigate Earth, other planetary bodies, moons, and meteorites. They think in a wide range of spatial (atomic to planetary) and temporal (seconds to billions of years) scales. They work in an interdisciplinary dialogue with other scientists and policymakers. They contribute to the wealth and well-being of society by finding mineral resources, locating safe drinking water, assisting with waste disposal, understanding the causes of natural disasters, dealing with environmental problems including groundwater remediation, and searching the geologic record for climate change. They can do all this because they have been trained to solve problems by considering other sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics), combining distinct and often incomplete data sets, thinking in 3 dimensions, considering long time spans, and making careful observations in the field and in the laboratory. Thus they gain an understanding of how the Earth works and can contribute to the discussion of issues important to society. Geologists are in huge demand worldwide and can find rewarding careers working in diverse occupations in industry, governments, and academia.

Our department offers various programs. All three specialist programs provide sufficient depth of knowledge to allow students to enter a career as a professional geoscientist or to pursue research at the graduate level. The Geology Specialist program focuses on processes of the solid Earth, and is particularly suited for students considering the resource industry. The Environmental Geosciences Specialist program explores processes at the interface of hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere, including human impacts connected to pollution, remediation, and sustainable development. The Geology and Physics Specialist program focuses on methods of imaging the subsurface in non-invasive ways and physical processes in and on Earth. The Geology Major program allows students to combine Earth science with another subject of their choice; logical complements are not just other sciences (e.g., chemistry, biology, computer science), but also other programs like archaeology, commerce, or architecture given the importance of Earth materials and processes in these fields. The Geoscience Minor program provides an introduction to geologic topics and thinking. Students are encouraged to discuss their plans on program and course selection with the Associate Chair (Undergraduate Studies) or Program Supervisor. Students wishing to enter a Geology Specialist program should have taken the following courses in Grade 12: English ENG4U, Chemistry SCH4U, Physics SPH4U, and Functions MCB4U or equivalent.

The Professional Experience Year (PEY) program (see Student Services and Resources in this Calendar) is available to eligible students after their third year of study. The PEY program is an optional 16-month work term which provides industrial experience; its length gives students the opportunity to enjoy the rewarding experience of initiating and completing a major project.
More information about undergraduate studies in Geology is contained in a booklet which is available from the departmental office (ESC 1066). Additional courses with geological content are listed in the Calendar of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering.

Undergraduate Coordinator:Charly Bank (416-978-4381) email: charly.bank@utoronto.ca

Enquiries:Department of Geology, Earth Sciences Centre (416-978-3022)

Geology Programs

The introductory 100-level course GLG102H1 is strongly recommended for enrolment in all programs in the Department of Geology. No minimum GPA is required.

Geology (Science program)

Consult the Undergraduate Coordinator, Department of Geology, Earth Sciences Centre
Geology

Specialist program:

(14 full courses or their equivalent)

First Year:
CHM151Y1/(CHM138H1, CHM139H1); MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1; (PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/(PHY151H1, PHY152H1) recommended: BIO120H1I, GLG102H1

Second Year:
GLG202H1, GLG204H1, GLG206H1, GLG207H1, GLG216H1, GLG217H1; MAT223H1; GGR201H1 recommended: STA220H1

Third Year:
GLG318H1, GLG319H1, GLG340H1, GLG345H1, GLG351H1, GLG360H1; ENV315H1
Fourth Year
1. GLG445H1/GLG448H1, GLG470Y1
2. 2.0 FCE fULL 400-series GLG or JGP courses

Note: Students need an additional 0.5 FCE in Phys/Bio/Comp Sci/Stat to statisfy APGO Foundations Science knowledge requirements (BIO120H1 or STA220H1 are recommended). The following 4th year courses are recommended to satisfy APGO knowledge requirements in Groups 2A, 2B and 2C: JGP438; GLG430; GLG 436; GLG441; GLG442; GLG 450; GLG465.

Geoscience (Science program)

Major program

(8 full courses or their equivalent)

First Year:
2.0 to 2.5 FCE chosen from BIO120H1 ; CHM138H1, CHM139H1; MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1; PHY131H1, PHY132H1; GLG102H1;

Second Year:
GLG206H1, GLG207H1, GLG216H1, GLG217H1

Higher Years:
1. 0.5 FCE field course GLG340H1/GLG445H1/GLG448H1
2. Additional 3.0 to 3.5 FCE chosen fROM 300/400 series GLG courses/ENV315H1/JGP438H1, of which at least 0.5 FCE must be from the 400 series.

We suggest students consider the following logical course progressions in their higher years:
(a) Earth/planetary materials and mineral resources stream: GLG318H1, GLG319H1, GLG360H1, GLG430H1, GLG442H1
(b) tectonics and remote sensing stream: GLG340H1, GLG345H1, JGP438H1, GLG441H1, GLG465H1
(c) environmental and biogeochemistry stream: ENV315H1, GLG351H1, GLG436H1, GLG448H1, GLG450H1
(d) geoarchaeology stream: ENV315H1, GLG340H1, GLG436H1, JGP438H1, GLG441H1

Minor program:

(4 full courses or their equivalent)

1. 2.0 FCE chosen fROM 100/200 series GLG courses, including no more than 1.0 FCE at the 100 level; GLG102H1 is recommended.
2. 1.0 FCE of 100-series CHM, BIO, or PHY courses.
3. 1.0 FCE fROM 300/400 series GLG courses/ENV315H1/JGP448H1

Note that some GLG courses have CHM/MAT/PHY prerequisites.

Environmental Geosciences - See Centre for Environment

Geology and Physics (Science program)

Consult Departments of Geology and Physics

Specialist program:
(14 full courses or their equivalent with at least one course at the 400-level)

First Year:
CHM151Y1I; MAT137Y1I; (PHY151H1I, PHY152H1I); GLG102H1 is recommended

Second Year:
GLG206H1I, GLG207H1I, GLG216H1I, GLG217H1I; MAT237Y1I, MAT244H1I; PHY250H1/251H1, PHY254H1/255H1

Third Year:
APM346H1I; GLG345H1I; PHY225H1/PHY224H1, PHY408H1, PHY350H1/352H1, PHY354H1/351H1

Fourth Year:
1. GLG340H1I
2. 1.5 300/400-series GLG courses
3. 1.5 300/400-series PHY courses

Note:
1. Students are encouraged to select courses on the basis of a coherent theme such as Exploration Geology and Geophysics, Global Tectonics, or Environmental Geodynamics.
2. Students are required to register with the Departments and have their programs approved.