Main Links

Related Links

Earth Sciences

Department of Earth Sciences
(Faculty of Science)
2125 Herzberg Bldg.
613-520-5633
earthsci.carleton.ca

This section presents the requirements for:

The B.Sc. Honours in Earth Sciences and the B.Sc. Major in Earth Sciences are available with a Minor in Business. Consult the Business program section for admission and program requirements.

The Co-operative Education option is available in Earth Sciences. See the Co-operative Education section of this Calendar for details.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to the requirements listed below, students must satisfy:

  1. the University regulations (see the Academic Regulations of the University section of this Calendar),
  2. the Faculty regulations applying to all B.Sc. students including those relating to First-Year Seminar, Science Continuation and Breadth requirements (see the Academic Regulations and Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree ).

Students should consult with the department, school or committee responsible for their program when planning their program and selecting courses.

Course Categories for Earth Sciences Programs

The program descriptions below make use of the following course categories that are defined in the Academic Regulations for the Bachelor of Science Degree section of this Calendar.

  • Science Faculty Electives
  • Advanced Science Faculty Electives
  • Science Continuation Courses
  • Science Geography
  • Science Psychology
  • Approved Arts or Social Science
  • Free Elective
Top of page

Program Requirements

Earth Sciences
B.Sc. Honours (20.0 credits)

  1. Credits Included in the Major CGPA (11.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit in ERTH 1006 and ERTH 1009;
  2. 3.5 credits in ERTH 2102, ERTH 2104, ERTH 2105, ERTH 2312, ERTH 2314, ERTH 2406, ERTH 2802;
  3. 0.5 credit in ERTH 3203 or ERTH 3206; (See Note below)
  4. 3.0 credits from (ERTH 3003 or ERTH 3206), ERTH 3204, ERTH 3205, ERTH 3207, ERTH 3405, ERTH 3806; (See Note, below)
  5. 2.0 credits in ERTH at the 4000-level;
  6. 1.0 credit in ERTH 4908 [1.0], or (ERTH 4909 and 0.5 credit in ERTH at the 4000-level);
  1. Credits Not Included in the Major CGPA (9.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit in MATH 1007 and MATH 1107;
  2. 1.0 credit in (CHEM 1001 and 1002) or (CHEM 1005 and 1006);
  3. 1.0 credit in (PHYS 1003 and PHYS 1004) or (PHYS 1007 and PHYS 1008);
  4. 0.5 credit in BIOL 1004;
  5. 0.5 credit in COMP;
  6. 0.5 credit in STAT 2507;
  7. 0.5 credit in GEOM 2007;
  8. 1.0 credit in Science Continuation Courses (not ERTH);
  9. 0.5 credit in NSCI 1000 or Approved Arts or Social Science electives;
  10. 1.5 credits in Approved Arts or Social Science electives;
  11. 1.0 credit in free electives.
Notes:
    1. For Item 3 above, ERTH 3203 is required if prerequisite conditions are met.
    2. For Item 4 above, ERTH 3206 may be used only if it has not already been used to fulfil the requirement for Item 3.
    3. For BIOL 1004, Ontario 4U/M in Biology (or equivalent) is required.
    4. For Items 14-17, students admitted to the Minor in Business should substitute the requirements for the Minor. See the Business section of this Calendar.
Top of page

Earth Sciences with Concentration in Resource Economics
B.Sc. Honours (20.0 credits)

  1. Credits Included in the Major CGPA (11.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit in ERTH 1006 and ERTH 1009;
  2. 3.5 credits in ERTH 2102, ERTH 2104, ERTH 2105, ERTH 2312, ERTH 2314, ERTH 2406, ERTH 2802;
  3. 0.5 credit in ERTH 3203 or ERTH 3206 (See Note 1 below);
  4. 3.0 credits from (ERTH 3003 or ERTH 3206), ERTH 3204, ERTH 3205, ERTH 3207, ERTH 3405, ERTH 3806 (See Note below);
  5. 0.5 credit in ERTH 4303 or ERTH 4306;
  6. 1.5 credit in ERTH at the 4000-level;
  7. 1.0 credit in ERTH 4908 or (ERTH 4909 and 0.5 credit ERTH at the 4000-level);
  1. Credits Not Included in the Major CGPA (9.0 credits):
  1. 3.5 credits in ECON 1000 [1.0], ECON 2002, ECON 2003, ECON 2201, ECON 2202, ECON 3509;
  2. 1.0 credit from ECON 3803, ECON 3804, ECON 4030;
  3. 1.0 credit in MATH 1007 and MATH 1107;
  4. 1.0 credit in (CHEM 1001 and CHEM 1002) or (CHEM 1005 and CHEM 1006);
  5. 1.0 credit in (PHYS 1007 and PHYS 1008), or (PHYS 1003 and PHYS 1004);
  6. 0.5 credit in BIOL 1004;
  7. 0.5 credit in COMP;
  8. 0.5 credit in Science Continuation courses.
  1. For Item 3 above, ERTH 3203 is required if prerequisite conditions are met.
  2. For Item 4 above, ERTH 3206 may be used only if it has not already been used to fulfill the requirement for Item 3.
Top of page

Earth Sciences with Concentration in Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoecology
B.Sc. Honours (20.0 credits)

  1. Credits Included in the Major CGPA (10.5 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit in ERTH 1006 and ERTH 1009;
  2. 2.5 credits in ERTH 2102, ERTH 2105, ERTH 2312, ERTH 2314, ERTH 2406;
  3. 0.5 credit in ERTH 3203 or ERTH 3206;
  4. 2.0 credits in ERTH 3003, ERTH 3111, ERTH 3112, ERTH 3113;
  5. 0.5 credit in ERTH 4003 or ERTH 4808;
  6. 1.0 credit in ERTH 4908 [1.0] or (ERTH 4909 and 0.5 credit in ERTH at the 4000-level);
  7. 3.0 credits from BIOL 3104, BIOL 3501, (BIOL 3601 or BIOL 3602), BIOL 3605, BIOL 3609, BIOL 3611, BIOL 3802, BIOL 4500, GEOM 3002, GEOG 3102, GEOG 3104, ERTH 2401, ERTH 3806, ERTH 4005, ERTH 4305, ERTH 4306, ERTH 4403; B. Credits Not Included in the Major CGPA (9.5 credits):
  8. 2.5 credits in BIOL 1103, BIOL 1104, MATH 1007, MATH 1107, PHYS 1007;
  9. 1.0 credits in (CHEM 1001 and CHEM 1002) or (CHEM 1005 and CHEM 1006);
  10. 2.0 credits in BIOL 2001, BIOL 2104, BIOL 2600, STAT 2507;
  11. 0.5 credit Science Faculty Electives;
  12. 0.5 credit in NSCI 1000 or Approved Arts or Social Sciences Electives;
  13. 1.5 credits in Approved Arts or Social Sciences;
  14. 1.5 credits in free electives.
Top of page

Earth Sciences
B.Sc. Major (20.0 credits)

  1. Credits Included in the Major CGPA (11.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit in ERTH 1006 and ERTH 1009;
  2. 3.5 credits in ERTH 2102, ERTH 2104, ERTH 2105, ERTH 2312, ERTH 2314, ERTH 2406, ERTH 2802;
  3. 0.5 credit in ERTH 3203 or ERTH 3206; (See Note below)
  4. 3.0 credits from (ERTH 3003 or ERTH 3206), ERTH 3204, ERTH 3205, ERTH 3207, ERTH 3405, ERTH 3806; (See Note below)
  5. 3.0 credits in ERTH at the 4000-level;
  1. Credits Not Included in the Major CGPA (9.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit in MATH 1007 and MATH 1107;
  2. 1.0 credit in (CHEM 1001 and CHEM 1002) or (CHEM 1005 and CHEM 1006);
  3. 1.0 credit in (PHYS 1003 and PHYS 1004) or (PHYS 1007 and PHYS 1008);
  4. 0.5 credit in BIOL 1004;
  5. 0.5 credit in COMP;
  6. 0.5 credit in STAT 2507;
  7. 0.5 credit in GEOM 2007;
  8. 1.0 credit in Science Continuation Courses (not ERTH);
  9. 0.5 credit in NSCI 1000 or Approved Arts or Social Science electives;
  10. 1.5 credits in Approved Arts or Social Science electives;
  11. 1.0 credits in free electives.
  1. For Item 3 above, ERTH 3203 is required if prerequisite conditions are met.
  2. For Item 4 above, ERTH 3206 may be used only if it has not already been used to fulfill the requirement for item 3.
  3. For BIOL 1004, Ontario 4U/M in Biology (or equivalent) is required.
  4. For Items 13-16, students admitted to the Minor in Business should substitute the requirements for the Minor. See the Business section of this Calendar.
Top of page

Earth Sciences
B.Sc. General (15.0 credits)

  1. Credits Included in the Major CGPA (8.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit from ERTH 1006 and ERTH 1009;
  2. 3.5 credits ERTH 2102, ERTH 2104, ERTH 2105, ERTH 2312, ERTH 2314, ERTH 2406, ERTH 2802;
  3. 3.5 credits in ERTH 3003, ERTH 3204, ERTH 3205, ERTH 3206, ERTH 3207, ERTH 3405, ERTH 3806;
  1. Credits Not Included in the Major CGPA (7.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit in MATH 1007 and MATH 1107;
  2. 1.0 credit in (CHEM 1001 and 1002) or (CHEM 1005 and CHEM 1006);
  3. 1.0 credit in (PHYS 1007 and PHYS 1008) or (BIOL 1004 and PHYS 1007);
  4. 1.0 credit in Science Continuation Courses;
  5. 0.5 credits in NSCI 1000 or Approved Arts or Social Sciences;
  6. 1.5 credits in Approved Arts or Social Sciences;
  7. 1.0 credit in free electives.
Top of page

Earth Sciences and Physical Geography
B.Sc. Combined Honours (20.0 credits)

  1. Credits Included in the Major CGPA (12.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit in GEOG 2013 and GEOG 2014;
  2. 0.5 credit in ERTH 1006;
  3. 1.5 credits in ERTH 2102, ERTH 2314, ERTH 2406;
  4. 0.5 credit in ENSC 2000;
  5. 2.0 credits in ERTH at the 3000-level or above;
  6. 1.0 credit in ERTH at the 4000-level;
  7. 1.5 credits in Science Geography or Geomatics courses at the 2000-level or above;
  8. 2.0 credits in GEOM 3002, GEOG 3102, GEOG 3105, GEOG 3108;
  9. 1.0 credit in Science Geography or Geomatics courses at the 4000-level;
  10. 1.0 credit in GEOG 4906 [1.0] or ERTH 4908 [1.0] or (ERTH 4909 and 0.5 credit in ERTH at the 4000-level);
  1. Credits Not Included in the Major CGPA (8.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit in MATH 1007 and MATH 1107;
  2. 1.0 credit in (CHEM 1001 and CHEM 1002) or (CHEM 1005 and CHEM 1006);
  3. 1.0 credit in (PHYS 1003 and PHYS 1004), or (PHYS 1007 and PHYS 1008);
  4. 1.0 credit in MATH (MATH, STAT) at 2000-level or above; and/or in COMP; (STAT 2507 and COMP 1004 are recommended);
  5. 1.0 credit Advanced Science Faculty Electives;
  6. 0.5 credit in NSCI 1000 or Approved Arts or Social Sciences;
  7. 1.5 credits in Approved Arts or Social Sciences;
  8. 1.0 credit in free electives.
Top of page

Earth Sciences and Geography: Concentration in Terrain Science
B.Sc. Combined Honours (20.0 credits)

  1. Credits Included in the Major CGPA (12.5 credits):
  1. 0.5 credit in GEOG 2014;
  2. 0.5 credit in ERTH 1006;
  3. 2.5 credits in ERTH 2102, ERTH 2104, ERTH 2314, ERTH 2406, ERTH 2802;
  4. 0.5 credit from ERTH 3203 or ERTH 3206; (See Note below)
  5. 1.5 credits in ERTH 3205, ERTH 3207, ERTH 3806;
  6. 1.0 credit in ERTH at the 4000-level;
  7. 0.5 credit from GEOG 2006 or STAT 2507;
  8. 1.5 credits in GEOM 2004, GEOM 2007, GEOG 2013;
  9. 2.0 credits in GEOM 3002, GEOG 3102, GEOG 3105, GEOG 3108;
  10. 1.0 credit in GEOG 4101 and GEOG 4108;
  11. 1.0 credit in GEOG 4906 [1.0] or ERTH 4908 [1.0] or (ERTH 4909 and 0.5 credit in ERTH at the 4000-level);
  1. Credits Not Included in the Major CGPA (7.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit in MATH 1007 and MATH 1107;
  2. 1.0 credit in CHEM 1001 and CHEM 1002;
  3. 1.0 credit in (PHYS 1003 and PHYS 1004) or (PHYS 1007 and PHYS 1008);
  4. 0.5 credit from COMP 1003, COMP 1004 or COMP 1007;
  5. 0.5 credit in BIOL 1004;
  6. 0.5 credit in Advanced Science Faculty electives;
  7. 0.5 credit in NSCI 1000 or Approved Arts or Social Sciences;
  8. 1.5 credits in Approved Arts or Social Sciences;
  9. 1.0 credit free electives. Note: for Item 4 above, ERTH 3203 is required if prerequisite conditions are met.
Top of page

Biology and Earth Sciences
B.Sc. Combined Honours (20.0 credits)

  1. Credits Included in the Major CGPA (13.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit in BIOL 1103 and BIOL 1104;
  2. 1.0 credit in ERTH 1006 and ERTH 1009;
  3. 10.0 credits in BIOL (or BIOC) and ERTH at the 2000-level or above, collectively satisfying:
  1. 1.0 credit in BIOL 3605 and (ERTH 2314 or ERTH 3206);
  2. at least 4.0 credits in BIOC;
  3. at least 4.0 credits in ERTH;
  4. at least 4.0 credits at the 3000-level or above;
  1. 1.0 credit in BIOL 4908 [1.0] or ERTH 4908 [1.0] or (ERTH 4909 and 0.5 credit in ERTH at the 4000-level);
  1. Credits Not Included in the Major CGPA (7.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit in MATH 1007 and MATH 1107;
  2. 1.0 credit from (CHEM 1001 and CHEM 1002) or (CHEM 1005 and CHEM 1006) or (PHYS 1003 and PHYS 1004), or (PHYS 1007 and PHYS 1008). The omitted subject, i.e. Chemistry or Physics, must have been taken at the 4U/M level;
  3. 0.5 credit in STAT (STAT 2507 is recommended);
  4. 0.5 credit in COMP (COMP 1004 is recommended);
  5. 1.0 credit in Science Faculty Electives;
  6. 0.5 credit in NSCI 1000 or Approved Arts or Social Sciences;
  7. 1.5 credits in Approved Arts or Social Sciences;
  8. 1.0 credit in free electives.
Top of page

Chemistry and Earth Sciences
B.Sc. Combined Honours (20.0 credits)

  1. Credits Included in the Major CGPA (13.5 credits):
  1. 4.0 credits in CHEM 1001, CHEM 1002, CHEM 2103, CHEM 2302, CHEM 2303, CHEM 2501, CHEM 3100, CHEM 3503;
  2. 1.0 credit in CHEM at the 4000-level;
  3. 1.0 credit in ERTH 1006 and ERTH 1009;
  4. 3.0 credits in ERTH 2102, ERTH 2104, ERTH 2105, ERTH 2314, ERTH 2406, ERTH 2802;
  5. 0.5 credit in ERTH 3203 or ERTH 3206; (See Note below)
  6. 2.0 credits in ERTH 3003, ERTH 3204, ERTH 3207, ERTH 3806;
  7. 1.0 credit in ERTH at the 4000-level;
  8. 1.0 credit in either CHEM 4908 [1.0] or ERTH 4908 [1.0] or (ERTH 4909 and 0.5 credit in ERTH at the 4000-level);
  1. Credits Not Included in the Major CGPA (6.5 credits):
  1. 1.5 credits in MATH 1007, MATH 1107, (MATH 1005 or MATH 2007);
  2. 0.5 credit in STAT 2507;
  3. 0.5 credit in GEOM;
  4. 1.0 credit in (PHYS 1003 and PHYS 1004) or (PHYS 1007 and PHYS 1008);
  5. 0.5 credit in BIOL 1004;
  6. 0.5 credit in Science Faculty Electives (not CHEM or ERTH);
  7. 0.5 credit in NSCI 1000 or 0.5 credit in Approved Arts or Social Sciences;
  8. 1.5 credits in Approved Arts or Social Sciences;

Note: for item 5 above, ERTH 3203 is required if prerequisite conditions are met.

Minor in Earth Sciences: Earth Resources and Processes

The Minor (4.0 credits) in Earth Sciences offers a focus on earth resources and major geological processes that have shaped the planet's geological history, including resource distribution and character. The Minor is available to students registered in degree programs other than those offered by the Department of Earth Sciences. The courses should be taken in the order shown.

Requirements
  1. 1.0 credit in ERTH 1006 and ERTH 1009;
  2. 2.5 credits from ERTH 2316, ERTH 2318, ERTH 2401, ERTH 2402, ERTH 2403, ERTH 2415, ERTH 3113;
  3. 0.5 credit in ERTH 4303.
Top of page