Geology

Investigate episodes of ancient environmental catastrophe. Examine chemical and isotopic signatures in rocks to trace the processes that have shaped the Earth over time. Work in the great outdoors in some of the most extraordinary parts of the world. Participate in the discovery of new energy and mineral resources. These opportunities and more are available to you when you choose to major in Geology at the University of Saskatchewan.

What is Geology?

Geology is the study of the Earth, from the highest mountains to the depths of the oceans. This program encompasses study of the atmosphere, the biosphere (plants, animals and soil), the hydrosphere (oceans, rivers, lakes and groundwater) and the closely interrelated processes that occur between these elements, both today and over the course of history. Geology also examines phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanoes, glaciers, mountains, shorelines, minerals and gems, and global climate change.

Geology has traditionally been divided into physical geology and historical geology. Physical geology concentrates on the materials that compose the earth and the natural processes that take place within the earth to shape its surface. Historical geology focuses on earth history from its fiery beginnings to the present. Related areas of study include biology, chemistry, mathematics, physical geography and physics.

"I like Geology's flexibility. It's kind of like an all around science program. The original foundation of geology was palaeontology as people became intrigued by the rocks that held the remains of so many fantastic animals. We have a variety of palaeontological courses and even an interdisciplinary program in palaeobiology."

Christian Miller B.Sc. Geology (Honours) 1998 M.Sc. 2004

A Stepping Stone...

A degree in Geology provides an excellent academic background for students who like science, who love nature, who are curious about the Earth’s origin and history and who care about its future. The program will be of particular interest to those who wish to pursue advanced study in related areas such as structural geology, economic geology, geophysics, geochemistry, mineralogy and petrology, palaeontology, micropalaeontology, palaeobotany, hydrogeology, palynology, sedimentology, stratigraphy and seismology. A Master’s or Ph.D. degree can be a significant advantage in terms of career opportunities. U of S Geology grads have been highly successful in graduate programs all across North America.

Career Opportunities

Whether you want to work in an office, a laboratory, in some of the Earth’s most exotic places, or maybe a combination of all three, there are a wide variety of professional opportunities open to Geology graduates. Many pursue professional careers with oil and mining companies, governments, research institutes, consulting firms and universities. Modern geologists are involved in the analysis of natural hazards, in the prevention and control of environmental problems, and in the safe development of mineral and energy resources. They investigate the geological past through the study of fossils and rocks and use the knowledge of the Earth’s long history to evaluate phenomena such as global climate change.

The U of S Advantage

The Department of Geological Sciences is one of the most diverse and distinguished in Canada with the honour of being the only department in Canada to have three professors who have won the prestigious Steacie Fellowship, a national award open to competition among all scientists and engineers. The Department has strong ties with the the Canadian Light Source with two Canada Research Chairs, Graham George and Ingrid Pickering, with experience in the application of synchrotron radiation to solve earth and environmental science problems.

The Geology program at the University of Saskatchewan offers a well-rounded curriculum in the geosciences that delivers solid classroom and laboratory instruction. The research facilities in the Department are excellent, and there are opportunities for students to be involved in research projects during which they gain an added appreciation of natural processes on Earth. Students also have the opportunity to participate in field camps at home and abroad which provide an invaluable hands-on experience of geological fieldwork.

The Department of Geological Sciences offers the Cameco Scholarship in Geological Sciences, which is a lucrative entrance scholarship that has attracted excellent students over the last few years. The possibility of employment with Cameco during the summer means that scholarship winners gain tremendous work experience as part of their undergraduate program. The Department has very close ties with local industry partners, and maintains strong links with alumni which enhances employment opportunities for students.

Choose Your Program!

The Bachelor of Science degree in Geology comprises required and elective geology courses in the following themes: Solid Earth, Energy and Fossil Earth, Environmental Earth, Geophysical Earth, and Field studies of the Earth. The B.Sc. degree also requires courses in basic sciences such as mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology, as well as some courses in non-science subjects. Students take other upper-level courses in a science of their choice (biology, chemistry, mathematics, physical geography or physics) . Graduates are prepared for employment in the resource and environmental industry and are qualified for registration as professional geoscientists.

"Geological Sciences at the U of S is not only one of the top departments on campus, but across Canada, in terms of national awards to faculty, research productivity and excellence in teaching. Geological Sciences operates a world-class analytical geochemistry facility and has the oldest student society on campus. Our graduates get state-of-the-art training, high paying jobs in the field and pursue advanced degrees both here and at other institutions around the world."

Chris Holmden Associate Professor

A Major in Geology

Students majoring in Geology can choose from one of the following degrees:

B.Sc. Three-year
B.Sc. Four-year
B.Sc. Honours

Four-year or Honours Geology graduates are qualified to be admitted into the Association for Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of Saskatchewan.

Outstanding Students & Faculty

Third-year Honours Geology Majors and Cameco Scholarship holders, Bernadette Knox and Kim Halpin, spent some of the summer in 2005 doing fieldwork with the Cameco uranium exploration team. Chad Glemser, who graduated in May 2005 with a B.Sc. Honours in Geology, will be starting a graduate project using synchrotron radiation to examine the structure of rocks that might be used to store carbon dioxide in southern Saskatchewan. Breanna Uzelman, a graduate in 2005 who completed a thesis project on bird guano deposits in Malawi, won an NSERC Graduate Scholarship and will be studying the origin of sedimentary rocks in the Cayman Islands for her M.Sc. project.
Graduate students in the Department are working on research projects all over the world. As examples, Brett Moldovan (Ph.D.) is using synchrotron radiation to examine arsenic in mine tailings in northern Saskatchewan; Kristin Dietrich (M.Sc.), an NSERC Scholar, has travelled to Iceland to collect water and mollusc shell samples in order to evaluate climate changes in the last two thousand years; Jennifer Scott (M.Sc.) has travelled to the East Africa rift valley to determine how footprints are preserved in sediment; and Christian Miller (M.Sc.), a graduate from the Department and University of Saskatchewan Graduate Scholarship recipient, completed his M.Sc. in 2004 on the use of a new isotope system to determine the age of petroleum and is now continuing this work as a Ph.D. student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
The professors in the Department are actively involved in NSERC-funded research, and bring this excitement into their lectures. For example, Dr. Chris Holmden conducts geochemical and isotopic research on the Earth's past environment and climate using $3.5 million worth of new lab space and equipment. Dr. Robin Renaut, a member of an NSERC Grant Selection Committee, examines extreme environments at hot springs and alkaline lakes in East Africa, New Zealand and China.
Professor Yuanming Pan recently won the Young Scientist awards from both the Mineralogical Association of Canada and the Mineral Deposits Division of the Geological Association of Canada for his work on the spectroscopy of natural minerals.

Getting Involved!

Join the Ore Gangue, the oldest student society at the U of S, which organizes numerous social events, sporting events, field trips and lectures. Every few years the society hosts the Western Inter-University Geological Conference, which was established by Ore Gangue almost thirty years ago. The club is a great place to meet new people and share perspectives on subjects of common interest.

Laboratory and Research Facilities

The Department of Geological Sciences houses state-of-the-art analytical geochemistry laboratories featuring XRD, Electron Microprobe, ICP-MS facilities and isotope ratio mass spectrometers. There are also facilities and an active research group dedicated to understanding the movement of water and metals into the environment and unravelling changes in the Earth's climate, including the only automated micromilling equipment in Canada.

Computer facilities are excellent and support active research groups in geophysics and geochemistry. In addition, there is a College of Arts & Science Computer Lab in the Department. The Natural History Museum, with full-scale dinosaur replicas and superb rock and mineral specimens, is in the Geology Building and the Natural Sciences Library is close by.

Related Interests

If you are interested in Geology, you might also be interested in:

Relevant Links

For more information available online for Geology: