About Environmental Earth Sciences

Examine the climates we live with and how they are changing. Understand and appreciate the landscapes in which we live and work. Discover how we obtain and maintain our water resources. Investigate the movement and fate of toxic substances in the environment and how waste treatment and disposal affect natural, urbanized and agricultural ecosystems. These opportunities and more are available to you when you choose to major in Environmental Earth Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan.
The Environmental Earth Sciences program offers a well-rounded curriculum that combines solid classroom and laboratory instruction with a number of field trips that provide hands-on experience. 

Small class sizes create a quality-learning environment - maximizing interaction between students and professors, and allowing students to become easily acquainted with others who share common interests. Professors are very enthusiastic and very interested in the welfare and concerns of students.

Majoring in Environmental Earth Sciences

Students majoring in Environmental Earth Sciences can choose one of the following degrees:

  • B.Sc. Four-year
  • B.Sc. Honours

Students who begin their studies in other colleges, such as Agriculture, may also enter these programs by transferring to the College of Arts & Science.

A degree in Environmental Earth Sciences provides students with the academic background for employment in areas such as natural resource development and management, land reclamation, environmental consulting and impact assessment, and environmental research. It also prepares students for graduate work in environmental science, agriculture, bioresource engineering, and the earth sciences, as well as further study in areas such as business administration and law.

Co-Operative Education Option

This five-year program is available to students in the B.Sc. Four-year and Honours programs.

Entrance requirements for Environmental Earth Sciences majors:

  • Must hold a Cumulative Weighted Average of 70% or higher (or have permission of the department)
  • Must have completed no fewer than 54 and no more than 84 credit units of course work.
  • Must have successfully completed the following courses: GEOG 120.3 or GEOL 121.3, GEOG 222.3, GEOG 225.3 or GEOG 235.3; PHYS 115.3; STAT 245.3 or PLSC 214.3; MATH 110.3; 9 credit units of electives in the sciences.

Satisfactory completion of each work term is required prior to registration in the next work term. Each work term is graded on a Pass/Fail basis.

Courses are taken in the following sequence:

  • University courses (54 to 84 credit units), two years or more;
  • Work placement GEOG 272.0, summer (May to August);
  • Work placement GEOG 372.0, Term 1 (September to December);
  • University courses (partial third year), Term 2 (January to April);
  • Work placement GEOG 373.0, summer (May to August);
  • University courses (remainder of third year), Term 1 (September to December);
  • Work placement GEOG 472.0, Term 2 (January to April);
  • Work placement GEOG 473.0 (if desired), summer (May to August);
  • University courses (fourth year), Term 1 and 2 (September to April).

If you have questions on the Co-operative Education option or are interested in participating please contact Rod Johnson (rod.johnson@usask.ca).

Professional Registration as a Geoscientist

Environmental Earth Sciences curriculum will permit graduates of the program to meet the requirements for professional registration as environmental geoscientists-in-training in the Province of Saskatchewan.

Contact Information

Dr. Krys Chutko
306.966.4907
 krys.chutko@usask.ca
 
General Inquiries and Appointments
College of Arts & Science
306.966.4231
306.966.7171

Career Opportunities

The growing national and international demand for scientists and professionals equipped to deal with environmental issues means a wide variety of career choices are available for Environmental Earth Sciences graduates. Professional opportunities abound in both government and private sectors. 

Graduates have found a wide range of employment in Crown corporations such as Sask Water and other government agencies dealing with land, water, natural resources and the environment. In the private sector, many opportunities are available in areas such as forestry and agricultural production, natural resource development and management, hazardous and non-hazardous waste management, and environmental consulting. Graduates also find fulfilling careers in international development work. 
U of S students can always refer to the SECC website for postings.