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Office of the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies

McMaster Academic Planner (MAP) - Faculty of Science

Honours Earth and Environmental Sciences

The Honours Earth and Environmental Sciences program is designed to meet the changing needs of the geoscience and environmental science communities. This program may also allow students to fulfill the academic requirements for professional certification as Geoscientists in Ontario. More information about becoming a Professional Geoscientist can be found here.

All students take a series of core courses that integrate a solid grounding in fundamental sciences including chemistry, biology, physics and math, with a range of geoscience and environmental science skills including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), fieldwork, laboratory analysis, remote sensing and personal skills development (inquiry, written and oral communication, group work, time management and numeracy).

Program Type

Honours Bachelor of Science

Degree at Graduation

Unlimited Enrollment

Co-op Program

Beginning at Level 3

Learn More About Level 2 Program Types

Admission Requirements

Enrollment in this program is limited

Admission is by selection but requires, as a minimum, completion of any Level 1 program with a Grade Point Average of at least 5.0 including:

  • EARTHSC 1G03, ENVIRSC 1C03 with an average of at least 6.0 (C+) between the courses
  • 1 course from CHEM 1A03, 1R03
  • 1 course from MATH 1A03, 1LS3
  • 4 of BIOLOGY 1A03, 1M03, CHEM 1AA3, MATH 1AA3, 1B03, 1LT3, PHYSICS 1A03, 1AA3, 1C03, 1CC3, SCIENCE 1A03

Typical Second-Year Courses

EARTHSC 2E03

Earth History

EARTHSC 2KO3

Optical Crystallography and Mineralogy

EARTHSC 2T03

Geology of Canada

ENVIRSC 2B03

Soils and the Environment

ENVIRSC 2W03

Physical Hydrology

ENVIRSC 2Q03

Introduction to Environmental Geochemistry

Career Opportunities

Honours Earth and Environmental Sciences students develop a range of skills that are easily transferred to a wide range of careers.

Graduates have pursued careers in the following areas:

  • Environmental Assessment
  • Geographic Information Science
  • Sustainability
  • Climate Change
  • Geochemistry
  • Petroleum Exploration
  • Environmental Policy
  • Hydrology
  • Urban Planning
  • Mineral Exploration