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Earth Science at VIU

The Earth Science Department at Vancouver Island University has grown from offering just lower level geology courses to teaching a full range of earth science courses that are now part of the Minor in Earth Science Program.

So why do Earth Science at VIU?  There are many reasons – here are four!

First, the learning opportunities:

• Geology courses that can be used as electives for BSc and BA degrees
• Geology and geography courses can be used towards a Minor in Earth Science with either a BA or BSc degree.
• You can combine a Minor in Earth Science with many of the other Major or Minor Programs offered at VIU, including: Chemistry, Biology, Anthropology, Geography, RMOT, Mathematics, Liberal Arts, etc..
• You can complete a BSc Degree with strong focus in geoscience by doing a Double Minor in both Earth Science and Geography
• You can also complete 1st and 2nd year geology courses and then transfer to another university for a Major in ‘Earth Science’ or ‘Geoscience’.
• Another option is to complete a BSc degree with a Minor in Earth Science followed by a BEd post-baccalaureate degree.

Second, career opportunities

A graduate with a Minor in Earth Science could find opportunities such as:

• a geological assistant on a mineral exploration project,
• a field/office technician for an environmental consultant
• a planning assistant for a government agency
• a research assistant at a university/college

A student with a BSc Degree with a Double Minor in Earth Science and Geography could also apply to become a registered professional in Environmental Geoscience.  As a professional you would have a wide range of career opportunities possibly working worldwide in the resource, environmental or engineering-related fields of earth science.

Third, VIU’s location on Vancouver Island

• The Nanaimo and other campuses are close to an excellent a number of great geological field sites – some even in walking distance.
• This means that almost all geology courses have field trips associated with them.
• Vancouver Island has great exposures of many different rock types ranging from the Paleozoic to the Pleistocence, and the rocks that underlie Nanaimo are recognized as some of best fossil beds in British Columbia.
• VIU is also situated close the boundaries of three tectonic plates, within a region of ongoing seismic activity and important volcanic centres including Mt. Garibaldi, Mt. Baker and the recently active Mt. St. Helens.
• There are l ots of opportunities to combine outdoor activities and geology when  hiking, mountain biking trails, kayaking or caving

Finally, the Earth Science Department itself!

• A lab and prep room dedicated to geology with lots of teaching resources
• A team of faculty & staff committed to student-centered education.
• Small size classes that offer individual instruction and lots of student-instructor interaction
• Lots of opportunities to get outside and relate what is taught in class to what can be seen in the field