Geological Sciences

Study Geological Sciences at UBC

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About Geological Sciences

Geology is the science of the solid earth, including its composition, structure, physical properties, and history. Professionals in geological fields tend to have a strong background in chemistry and basic sciences, but they must also be able to integrate a wide variety of information in order to make decisions about where resources might be, how to extract them, what impact human activities will have on the Earth, and so on. Vancouver is the world capital for mineral exploration, and UBC has been supplying geologists to the mineral exploration industry for decades. Many graduates find work in the geo-environmental sector (especially within hydrogeology) or continue on to advanced studies at the graduate level and research careers in industry and academia.

Program details

The Honours program is intended for students who wish to undertake graduate studies or pursue a professional career in geology. Graduates of the honours program who have chosen the appropriate technical electives may apply for registration as a professional geoscientist in British Columbia.

Skills

Over the course of a four-year degree, this program could help you build the following skills:

  • Location, identification, classification and extraction of various earth materials and structures
  • Application of the geologic time scale to indicate the order that events on Earth have taken place in
  • Surveying and sampling techniques
  • Field mapping
  • Technical report writing
  • Mathematical modeling and quantitative analysis
  • Computer methods used to analyze geological and geographical data
  • Interpretation of 3D subsurface structures
  • Microscopic petrography and mineral identificat

Programs offered

  • Major Geology
  • Honours, Geological Sciences
  • Combined Honours, Geology and another subject
  • Co-op

Resources

Academic Calendar Entry
Program Specialization Website
Undergraduate Advisors
Student Club Website
Research and Library Help
Involvement and Career Resources

Career options in Geological Sciences

With an undergraduate degree

  • Surveyor
  • Lab technician
  • Geological technician
  • Geoscientist
  • Field seismologist
  • Mineral surveyor
  • Environmental consultant
  • Geophysical data processor

With additional study

  • Mine geologist
  • Paleontologist
  • GIS specialist
  • Hydrologist
  • Geologist
  • Geomatician
  • Cartographer
  • Land surveyor
  • Well site geologist
  • Urban planner
  • Toxicologist
  • Landscape architect
  • Oceanographer

UBC Science Geological Sciences Graduates Work As

  • Graduate Geologist In-Training, Shell Canada Ltd
  • Geological Field Assistant, Yukon Geological Survey
  • Project Geologist, C.J. Greig & Associates
  • Geologist, Equity Exploration Consultants Ltd.
  • Environmental Geoscientist, Lorax Environmental Services Ltd
  • PhD Candidate in Volcanology, Nanyang Technological University

Related Professional Groups

More career resources