BSc Geoscience at Vancouver Island University

Programme overview

The BSc Major in Geoscience is a four-year program that will provide students with a broad foundation in the geosciences, drawing upon the expertise and experience of the instructors within the Earth Science and Geography departments at VIU. The program will provide students with an understanding of core geoscience concepts such as the scientific method, Earth systems, the age of Earth, water cycling on Earth, evolution of life on Earth, natural resources and energy, natural disasters and human impacts on Earth

Faculty: Science, Engineering and Technology | Duration: 4 years | Study mode: full-time | Intake: The Bachelor of Science Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June. | Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

What you will study

Courses include Chemistry Fundamentals I Laboratory, Chemistry Fundamentals II Laboratory, Environmental Geography, Discovering Planet Earth, Understanding Earth's History, Laboratory and Field Studies in Earth Science, Calculus for Engineering and Physical Sciences I, Calculus I.

Career pathways

A student who graduates with a BSc Major in Geoscience from VIU can anticipate a wide range of potential career opportunities, both here in Canada and around the world. This might include employment in: environmental monitoring or protection, water resources, mineral exploration, mining or forest industries, and/or engineering-related fields.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

General admission requirements apply.; A minimum "B" grade in either Pre-calculus 12 or Principles of Mathematics 12.; A minimum "C+" grade in Chemistry 12. (Some seats for students who have only completed Chemistry 11 with a minimum "C+" grade may be available).; Notes on Admission; Physics 12, or a minimum "C+" in one of Principles of Physics 11 or Applications of Physics 12 is recommended, but not required. Note: Students who wish to satisfy the academic requirements of Engineers and Geoscientists BC for registration as a Professional Geoscientist will need these Physics prerequisites to take PHYS 111 or PHYS 121.; Earth Science 11 and/or Geology 12 are also recommended, but not required.

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

Most programmes start in September; January intake is offered for some bachelor's degrees and other programmes; many programmes offer alternative start dates throughout the year.

The deadline to apply for most undergraduate programs that begin in September is March 31; deadlines for other start dates vary by program.

Extended deadline of August 16, 2026 for Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science; Business Management Certificate, Event Management Certificate, Education Assistant and Community Support Certificate, Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care, Health Care Assistant Certificate and Practical Nursing Diploma list ongoing deadlines.

Applications for most academic programs open October 1 in the year before the program start date (applications for programs beginning September 2027 open October 1, 2026); deadlines vary by program.

Application fee: domestic undergraduate $46.98, domestic graduate $121.86, international all programs $156.06 (non-refundable); no application fee for Adult Basic Education.

Apply through the official page: https://www.viu.ca/apply

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