BSc Physics and Earth Sciences (Geophysics) (Combined Honours) at University of Victoria

Programme overview

A single-degree Combined Honours BSc using physics to investigate the Earth's internal structure and processes, including geophysical methods and resource exploration. Students gain experience through field exercises and research; co-op is available.

Faculty: Faculty of Science | Department: Department of Physics and Astronomy and School of Earth and Ocean Sciences | Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

What you will study

First year: CHEM 101 and 102, EOS 120, MATH, PHYS 110/111 and 120/130, CSC 110/111; second year: EOS 201, 202, 205, PHYS 216, 229, 248 and MATH 200, 204, 211; upper years include EOS 300, 410, 480, PHYS 215, 217, 321A, 325, 326, 329 and MATH 342, 346, with honours projects EOS 499A/B and PHYS 499. Most 400-level EOS classes are offered in alternate years.

Career pathways

Environmental geophysicist, exploration geophysicist, information technology and scientific computing specialist, seismologist.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Faculty of Science (Physics entry route, which also applies to the Physics combined programs; combined programs are declared after one year of full-time study). BC/Yukon applicants: Grade 11 Approved English, Pre-calculus 11, Chemistry 11, Physics 11 and approved Social Studies 11/12; Grade 12 English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 (minimum 73%), Pre-calculus 12 (minimum 77%) and two approved science 12 courses; estimated admission average minimum 85%. Alberta/Nunavut: ELA 20-1, Mathematics 20-1, Chemistry 20, Physics 20, approved Social Studies 20; ELA 30-1 (minimum 73%), Mathematics 30-1 (minimum 77%) and two approved science 30 courses; estimated average minimum 85%. Ontario: Chemistry 3U, Physics 3U, English 4U (minimum 73%), Advanced Functions 4U (minimum 77%), two approved science 4U courses and two additional 4U/4M courses; estimated average minimum 85%. IB: full diploma with three Higher Level subjects, English HL or SL (minimum 3), Math HL or SL (minimum 4; Math Studies and Applications and Interpretations SL not accepted) and two of Biology, Chemistry or Physics; estimated 30 points. US applicants: 4 English, 4 math including pre-calculus, chemistry, physics and a third science, 3 social studies; estimated minimum 3.40 unweighted GPA. Transfer students: the required post-secondary courses are two of MATH 100, 101, 102, 109 or 151 and four approved science courses. English language proficiency applies if English is not your primary language at home and school (for example IELTS Academic 6.5 with no component below 6.0, or TOEFL iBT 88).

Requirements published at faculty level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the courses you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Undergraduate entry points: September (fall), January and summer (May) entry; Engineering summer entry is for high school graduates only.

September entry: most degree programs January 31; Elementary Curriculum and Secondary Curriculum teacher education post-degree programs January 2; Indigenous Education ongoing; Public Administration diploma and certificate programs May 31. Early admission is possible for high school students who submit grades by early December. Late applications may be accepted where programs remain open.

January entry: Art History and Visual Studies, Computer Science, Computer Science and Health Information Science, Music (Bachelor of Arts) and all Humanities, Science and Social Sciences programs September 30; Health Information Science October 31; Public Administration diploma and certificate programs September 30.

Summer entry: Art History and Visual Studies, Computer Science, Music (BA) and all Humanities, Science and Social Sciences programs March 31; Engineering programs December 31 (high school graduates only); Public Administration diploma and certificate programs February 15.

Applications are submitted through EducationPlannerBC. The application fee is $89.50 if all transcripts come from institutions within Canada and $184.00 if any transcripts come from outside Canada.

Apply through the official page: https://www.uvic.ca/undergraduate/

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