Earth Sciences

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Program Details

The Earth Sciences program at Carleton offers you the opportunity to study the Earth’s systems, incorporating knowledge from other sciences including physics, biology and chemistry. You will learn about processes (such as evolution, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, plate tectonics and mountain building, formation of hydrocarbon reservoirs and mineral deposits) influential in the Earth’s geologic past that establish our present and future global development.

Carleton’s Department of Earth Sciences has a reputation as one
of the foremost centres for geological study in Canada, offering interdisciplinary breadth and scientific depth.

Hands-on Learning

The program offers the opportunity to participate in hands-on field courses that can take you to sites throughout Ontario, across Canada and around the world. It also incorporates experiential learning with in-class lectures and hands-on laboratory exercise and research projects.

Graduates are eligible to apply for Professional Geoscientists Ontario (PGO) registration in Canada.

Tailor Your Program

Concentrations are available in Environmental Geoscience; Finance: Resource Valuation; Geophysics; Resource Economics; and Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoecology; as well as combined programs in Biology; Chemistry; and Physical Geography, and Minors in Business and Geomatics.

Work Experience

A Co-op option is available. Co-op is the opportunity to get a head start on a career. Co-op work terms allow for the development of key employability skills, exploration of career options and graduation with tangible, workplace experience.

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Student looking through a microscope in an Earth Sciences lab.

Career Outcomes

Explore your passions, refine new skills and discover the career that’s right for you.

The interdisciplinary nature of Carleton's Earth Sciences program prepares you for a wide variety of careers.

Rock on a desk in an Earth Sciences lab.

Sample Courses

ERTH 1006 - Exploring Planet Earth

Origin of the Earth, concepts of geological time, and exploration of the interaction and duration of geological processes that shape the surface to deep interior of our planet, the climate, and formation of rocks and earth resources.

ERTH 2406 - Geology and Map Interpretation

Analysis and interpretation of geological features and processes using rocks, maps and cross sections. Introduction to computational methods.

Visit the Undergraduate Calendar to view a comprehensive list of course offerings for this program and discover the exciting things Carleton students are learning in the classroom!

View more courses for this program