Earth Sciences at University of Waterloo

Programme overview

Leads to the Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences. In its four-and-a-half-billion-year-old history, the Earth has changed — sometimes slowly (such as mountain building) and sometimes with violent and sudden transformations that can be devastating (such as an earthquake). In Earth Sciences, you'll learn about rocks, sediment, water (hydrology), and soil and the impacts of climate change. We depend upon resources that come from the Earth, such as minerals for our phones, energy to heat our homes, and the water we drink. Available in the regular system of study or the co-op system.

Faculty: Faculty of Science | Study mode: full-time | Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

What you will study

Sample upper-year courses include Disasters and Natural Hazards, Volcanology and Igneous Petrology, Geomorphology and GIS Applications, Methods in Geological Mapping, Honours Thesis, Mineral Deposits.

Career pathways

Many graduates find careers in energy and natural resources, field research, environmental consulting, and more. Graduates can apply to become a certified Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) through the Professional Geoscientists of Ontario.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Ontario applicants: Six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required); Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required); Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required); Two of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, or Physics; Admission averages: Low 80s. How to apply: Apply to Physical Sciences and select Earth Sciences as your major.

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.

First-year students are admitted for the September (fall) term only. Terms: fall (September to December), winter (January to April), spring (May to August). Part-time, online, post-degree and non-degree studies can start in the winter, spring or fall term.

Applications for September 2027 entry close on 1 February 2027 for programs other than Engineering (documents due 15 February 2027) and on 15 January 2027 for Engineering programs other than Architecture (documents due 1 February 2027). International students have the same deadlines. Full-time applicants apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC).

Part-time, online, post-degree and non-degree studies: winter 2027 applications close 30 October 2026 for degree and non-degree (13 November 2026 for post-degree); spring 2027 applications close 26 February 2027 for degree and non-degree (12 March 2027 for post-degree). Optometry closes 12 November 2026 and Pharmacy closes 6 January 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/admissions/how-to-apply

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