Geology and Environmental Geoscience

Increasingly, humans are inhabiting areas of both natural and human-made geological hazards. In order to prepare for and manage potential hazards, we need to know more about the natural geological processes that affect them. New generations will need to know more about the earth to make the best decisions for humans’ well-being.

Geology emphasizes solid earth science and applications in mineral and oil and gas resources. It can be divided into two areas of concentrations:

• mineral exploration
• oil and gas exploration

Environmental geoscience focuses on applications in environmental studies.

Our programs have a well-rounded curriculum that promotes a solid understanding of the fundamentals of the earth sciences across all sub-disciplines, combined with extensive hands-on training, field-oriented class exercises, regular use of the Saskatchewan Geological Survey’s subsurface core repository, and two intensive field school courses. Our programs have an established reputation for training highly qualified graduates.

Graduates are eligible to apply for membership in the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS) which follows the recommendations of the Canadian Geoscience Standards Council that sets the professional curriculum across Canada.

Our graduates are sought after by employers and have a high rate of employment.

What is Geology and Environmental Geoscience?

Geology is the study of the processes and physical structure of the earth. Environmental Geoscience is the study of the geological and geographic composition of the environment and the forces that shape the earth.

The U of R’s geology and environmental geoscience programs are highly relevant to today’s world, where human societies require more and more mineral resources and energy sources from the earth. At the same time, environmental issues, including climate change, resource depletion, scarcity, and pollution are increasingly constraining sustainable economic development and affecting our living environment.

Geology and environmental geoscience are especially important for Saskatchewan, where oil, gas, and mineral resources play an important role in the economics of the province.

Some specialty courses in geology and environmental geoscience at the U of R include:

Environmental Geology

Environmental Geology studies the nature of the earth, including plate tectonics and the geological time scale. Geological hazards like earthquakes, volcanism, and surface processes like avalanches and flooding are studied with reference to their impact on the human environment. Conversely, the impact of humans on the physical environment, such as extraction and scarcity of earth resources, waste disposal, and pollution, is studied in a geological context.

Earth System History

Earth System History examines the inter-connected evolution of atmosphere-biosphere-hydrosphere-lithosphere over the course of geologic time, including its forcing mechanisms, interactions, and feedbacks. Includes major physical and biological global events with an emphasis on North America and Western Canada.

Paleontology

Paleontology is the classification, morphology, evolution, paleoecology, and stratigraphic distribution of the main groups of fossils.

Soils and Sediment Analysis

Soils and Sediment Analysis is an introduction to the measurement, field sampling and laboratory analyses of the properties of soils and sediments for the description of soil properties used in their classification. Includes an understanding of the distribution of soil types at local, regional and global scales due to environmental indicators like climate, geology, water, and vegetation. This course includes an experiential learning component, where students conduct a field and laboratory study of their own.

Field School II

Field School II involves the geological mapping and study in an area of crystalline rock (usually in Flin Flon, northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan.) Supervised study for ten days during the Spring/Summer semester.