BSc Double Minor in Geography and Earth Sciences

For those students interested in pursuing a career in the geosciences, or who just wish to learn more about geoscience, it is now possible to complete a BSc Double Minor Degree in Geography and Earth Science.  This program provides a comprehensive and in depth understanding of the geosciences.

Two streams have been developed for this double minor – the ‘APEGBC Stream’ where courses are tailored towards applying for registration as a Professional Geoscientist, and the ‘General Stream’ where students have more options in their fields of study. 

APEGBC Stream

The ‘APEGBC’ Stream has been developed so that VIU Students can attain the academic requirements for registration as a Professional Environmental Geoscientist (P.Geo) within the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientist of British Columbia (APEGBC) – see web site http://apeg.bc.ca/reg/geoscience.html

Geoscientists and engineers who work as professionals in British Columbia are required to be part of this Association, which governs their standards of practice and works to ensure that both the public and environment are protected http://apeg.bc.ca/about/index.html. The framework for the APEGBC stream is targeted towards courses that will assist the student in their application for Geoscientist-in-Training status – their first step towards being a Professional Environmental Geoscientist.

A detailed listing of the courses required to be eligible to apply for designation as a professional geoscientist, and their transfer equivalents can be found in the Geoscience Syllabus - Course Equivalent (Malaspina is at end of this list).

Also see Notes 1 and 2 below.

General Stream

The ‘General Stream’ has been developed for those who have a strong interest in the geosciences, but are not concerned about becoming a professional geoscientist.  This would apply, for example, to future educators or researchers. The ‘General Stream’ allows students more freedom in their selection of upper level courses and fields of interest (e.g., surface environments, water or deep earth). Course selection advice should be sought from the Chair of either the Geography or Earth Science Departments.

Note #1 - The courses currently outlined in the ‘APEGBC Stream’ of the Double Minor are not fully sufficient to meet all the academic syllabus requirements for a Professional Environmental Geoscientist. Geophysics or Quaternary Geology is required to satisfy APEGBC’s Environmental Geoscience Group B courses, plus three other upper level geology/geography elective courses are required to satisfy APEGBC’s Environmental Geoscience Group C courses.  Currently, VIU does not offer these courses, but steps are being taken to eventually offer some or all of these courses.  In the interim a student can still graduate with a BSc Double Minor in Geography and Earth Science from VIU, but may have to complete these outstanding courses elsewhere.  Advice on this can be provided by the respective chairs of the Earth Science and Geography Departments.

Note #2: -  The course structure outlined for the Double Minor Degree in Geography and Earth Science has been developed in consultation with faculty of the Earth Science and Geography Departments, as well as with APEGBC and VIU Advising and Registration. Since the requirements of VIU and APEGBC can change over time it is important that students periodically check to ensure that they are meeting the VIU and APEGBC requirements