Applied and Environmental Geology

Bachelor of Science

(Faculty of Science)

Environmental geology usually refers to the influence of humans on the geologic environment and vice versa. Applied geology deals with solutions to geological problems, and to constraints related to human needs and influences.

Applied and environmental geologists are interested in how the earth works, and concerned with geologic processes and issues directly affecting people such as landslides and other geologic instabilities. They can also be involved in water-resource exploration. These geologists deal with human impacts on the geologic environment, which include global warming, construction projects, and ground/surface water contamination. Because so much human activity occurs at or near the earth’s surface, applied and environmental geology tends to deal more with the near surface than other geologic disciplines.

The University of Calgary’s Applied and Environmental Geology program focuses on three sub-disciplines: Hydrology, Engineering Geology, and Environmental Geophysics.

• Hydrology – is the study of groundwater, including its location, its interaction with the geologic environment, and its contamination by human activity.
• Engineering Geology – involves scientists trying to ensure that geologic factors affecting any part of the planning, design or construction of an engineering project are identified and appropriately considered. For example, engineering geologists would provide input on activities such as constructing foundations for tunnels, or perform natural geologic hazard evaluations prior to highway construction.
• Environmental Geophysics – includes the application of electrical, magnetic, seismic, and radar techniques to environmental geology investigations such as electrically mapping a groundwater-contaminant plume, or mapping the bottom of groundwater reservoirs using penetrating radar techniques.

General Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission applicants are required to present the appropriate high school subjects and a competitive average.

Application/Document Deadlines

Why Study Applied and Environmental Geology?

Work in the wild
As a successful applied and environmental geology student you should be interested in science and capable in mathematics. You are curious and enjoy solving problems that are usually related to human impacts or activities on the geologic environment. You can do detective work to figure out past processes or events that have occurred, or be predictive. For example, you might conduct mathematical modeling to predict how long it will take a groundwater contamination plume to reach a water well. Because the entire earth is a laboratory for geologists, geology is the most outdoor-oriented of the basic sciences, and tends to attract those who like to be outside for at least part of the workweek.

Get on board
As a graduate of the Applied and Environmental Geology program you will have the opportunity to be part of a new and expanding science! As a field, Applied and Environmental Geology is relatively young, but it has the potential to play an even greater role as growing populations require more resources and humans become more concerned about their impact on the planet. Also, the U of C’s program specifically addresses environmental geology, engineering geology and hydrogeology, which have become increasingly important during the last few decades. Particular emphasis is placed on field studies such as geological observation and mapping, groundwater instrumentation and sampling, and tying physical data to natural phenomena.

Locating excellence
The Department of Geoscience is located within one of the largest concentrations of professional geoscientists in the world, and benefits from its relationship with private industry, Alberta Environment, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, and the Calgary branch of the Geological Survey of Canada. Moreover, the department has access to magnificent natural geological laboratories, in particular the Alberta Basin (the major source of Canada’s oil and gas production), and the immense mountain ranges constituting the Canadian Cordillera. You can look forward to a rewarding education with numerous opportunities to study and experience geological phenomena first-hand!

What do I need to get in?

You’ll need to meet the admission requirements of the Faculty of Science.

What will I study in my first year?

All students entering either the Geology or Applied and Environmental Geology programs must first complete a common Geological Sciences core (20 half-courses). Once these courses are completed (with a C- or better), students may enter the third year of the Geology or Applied and Environmental Geology program.

The courses in the first year of the Geological Sciences core provide students with an introduction into physical and historical Geology and helps you build a strong foundation in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. The second year includes fundamental geoscience courses in mineralogy, sedimentology and stratigraphy, geologic field methods, geochemistry, structural geology and exploration geophysics. An additional course in Mathematics gives you a basic understanding of linear algebra, which in addition to the fundamental geosciences courses, prepares you for subsequent major field courses.

What will I study in later years?

In your third and fourth years as an Applied and Environmental Geology major, you’ll study additional geoscience fundamentals such as crystallography and optical mineralogy, hydrogeology, advanced geologic field methods, surficial geology, advanced geochemistry, geostatistics environmental geophysics, contaminant hydrogeology and engineering geology. You will also enhance your Mathematics and Statistics skills. In addition to these core courses you’ll select from a number of related geoscience, engineering and science options allowing you to prepare yourself for professional accreditation (with APEGGA for example, the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists), as well as graduate schools or careers in academics or industry. Honours students complete a research project under the guidance of a faculty member. During your degree you are also expected to take a number of courses from outside your major field and are encouraged to take courses that will provide breadth and contribute to the interdisciplinary nature of your degree.

What can I do with my degree?

As an Applied and Environmental Geology graduate you’ll have extensive knowledge of geological surface processes, the nature of near-surface processes as they pertain to engineering and construction, and geo-chemical processes, as well as possessing a fundamental understanding of geological principles. You’ll be familiar with the geophysical principles and methods used in environmental and engineering research, and have a basic understanding of the nature of groundwater, including its flow in the subsurface and its contamination. You’ll also be equipped to generate, analyze and report on moderately complex data sets, and able to use and construct both geologic and hydro-geologic maps, and other graphic displays.

You might be employed in public sectors such as federal ministries, and local and provincial government agencies related to natural resources, geology, or the environment. Private-sector jobs are found in fields such as environmental services, engineering geology, energy, precious-metals exploration, and land reclamation. The degree is also broadly applied to careers in teaching, interpretive-centre work, and parks-systems management.

Additional Information

Department of Geoscience