Geology, B.Sc. (Honours)

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A B.Sc. Honours in Geology emphasize excellence in knowledge-based learning and experiential research in the geological sciences. As part of this degree, students complete research in impactful and publishable projects and become valued contributors to the research teams of their advisory committee. Students are trained to work in the field and lab as appropriate to their projects and to work with datasets in relevant software. A B.Sc. Honours in Geology requires successful completion of the required program courses, 6 credits in research (GEOL 5501 , GEOL 5502 ), and an overall 3.3 GPA.

Entry into the Program

Following the completion of 21 credits in GEOL courses with a minimum grade of B- in each GEOL course, students who have achieved an overall 3.3 GPA are eligible to apply to the Honours in Geology BSc-degree program. Students must already be registered in the Faculty of Science and Technology and have been accepted into the Geology BSc. program.

Before applying, students should first consult their prospective primary supervisor(s) to discuss the possible opportunities in research and to determine their preferred research topics and/or techniques.

Applications should be submitted before April 1 to be considered for enrollment in the Honours program for the following academic year.

To apply, students should submit:

An emailed cover letter addressed to the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Chair and the Geology Program Coordinator. The prospective supervisors should be cc’d. The cover letter should highlight the following:
(a) the motivation for applying to the Honours program;
(b) a statement of intended career goals;
(c) general research interests and desired potential research topics; and,
(d) the suggested primary supervisor(s) for the research component of the degree.
Unofficial transcripts from Mount Royal University, as well as unofficial transcripts from other institution(s) if the student has transferred to MRU.

Applicants will be notified of the decision by May 15. A successful application to the Honours program will be communicated to the applicant by the Chair of the department or the Geology Program Coordinator as a letter that lists and includes (cc) the primary supervisor(s) who has accepted the student for research in GEOL 5501 - Honours Research I . With the successful completion of GEOL 5501 , it is expected that the supervisor will continue to work with the student in GEOL 5502 - Honours Research II on the same project, under normal circumstances.

Curriculum

One of

General Education Requirements

Ten courses must be completed to meet the General Education requirements to graduate with a Bachelor of Science - Geology.

Four courses will be taken at the foundational level: one from each of the thematic clusters.
Three courses will be taken at the second tier: BSc students will make their Tier 2 selections from clusters other than Numeracy and Scientific Literacy.
Three courses must be taken at the third tier, selected from at least two of the thematic clusters.

For course information visit the General Education section of this calendar. Students are encouraged to meet with an advisor before registering for a course.

Graduation Requirements

An Honours thesis or similar (i.e., manuscript for submission to a journal/book or professional report) is an expected product of the two research courses; additional requirements (e.g., presentation at a conference) may be included as expected deliverables by the supervisor and advisory committee members.

Students must maintain a 3.3 GPA average at graduation in order to be awarded a BSc. Honours degree in Geology. If students do not meet the 3.3 GPA requirement at graduation they will not be awarded an Honours degree, but they will be given credit for the courses undertaken as part of the Honours (and be awarded a BSc. in Geology).