Honours Geography and Environmental Sciences (B.Sc.)

Program Notes

1. Earth and Environmental Sciences at McMaster encompass five major themes: Aqueous Environmental Geochemistry, Earth Sciences, Environmental Hydrology and Climate, Environmental Policy, GIS and Spatial Analysis. It should be noted that each thematic area has its own sequence of courses and prerequisites (See the Course Listings section of this Calendar). Students may elect to take some or all of the upper level courses from different areas. In addition, there is a set of courses encompassing research design, field work, internships, and the senior thesis or review paper. 

   AQUEOUS ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY

   EARTHSC 2L03, 3CC3 , 4CC3 , ENVIRSC 2Q03 , 3O03 , 4N03 

   EARTH SCIENCES

   EARTHSC 2E03 , 2FE3 , 2K03 , 2T03 , 3E03 , 3K03 , 3Z03 , 4G03 , 4J03 , 4P03 , 4T03 , 4VV3, ENVSOCTY 3SR3  

   ENVIRONMENTAL HYDROLOGY AND CLIMATE

   EARTHSC 3CC3 , 3W03 , 4CC3 , 4WB3 , ENVIRSC 2B03 , 2C03 , 2W03, 3B03 , 3U03 , 4BB3 , 4C03 , 4W03 

   ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

   ENVSOCTY 2EI3 , 2EK3 , 3EC3 , 3EE3 , 3EG3 , 4EA3 , 4ET3 ,  4HH3 

   GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) AND SPATIAL ANALYSIS

   ENVSOCTY 2GI3 , 3GI3 , 3GV3 , 3SR3 , 4GA3 , 4GS3 ,  4GT3 

    

2. Students aiming to meet the academic requirements for professional registration of Geoscientists (PGeo) in Ontario can find additional information on these requirements on the website: https://www.science.mcmaster.ca/geo/undergraduate/undergrad-welcome.html. Students are encouraged to consult with the academic program advisor in the School of Earth, Environment & Society to ensure proper selection of courses for professional registration. The Honours programs offered by the School of Earth, Environment & Society may not fulfill professional registration requirements.

3. Two of EARTHSC 1G03 , ENVIRSC 1C03 , 1G03 must be completed by the end of Level II.

4. Two of ENVSOCTY 1HA3 , 1HB3 , GEOG 1HA3, 1HB3 must be completed by the end of Level II.

5. All students are strongly encouraged to meet with the academic program advisor in the School of Earth, Environment & Society to discuss program requirements and course selections, particularly prior to the start of Level III.

6. There are Level III prerequisites for many Level IV courses. The prerequisites should be considered when selecting your courses.
7. The field components of EARTHSC 2FE3 , ENVIRSC 3ME3  and ENVSOCTY 3MF3 , are normally taken outside of the normal term. Details are announced in December (EARTHSC 2FE3 ) or March (ENVIRSC 3ME3 , ENVSOCTY 3MF3 ). All students are strongly encouraged to meet with the academic program advisor in the School of Earth, Environment & Society to discuss which course is most appropriate, based on the field of interest.
8. Students are strongly encouraged to check prerequisites for upper-level Earth Sciences or Environment & Society courses. Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics prerequisites exist in upper-level Earth Sciences courses. The prerequisites should be considered when selecting your courses.
9. All students are strongly encouraged to meet with the academic program advisor in the School of Earth, Environment & Society to discuss which course is most appropriate between EARTHSC 3RD3  and ENVSOCTY 3MA3 , based on their area of interest.
10. Students are not required but may combine courses in Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Environment & Society into major themes matching their interests, including:

HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT

• EARTHSC 4WB3 , ENVIRSC 2L03, 3O03 , ENVSOCTY 2HI3 , 3HP3 , 4EA3 , 4HH3  

TRANSPORTATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT

• ENVSOCTY 3GV3 , 3LT3 , 4GA3 , 4LP3  

URBAN SYSTEMS AND SUSTAINABILITY 

• ENVSOCTY 2EI3 , 2UI3 , 3EE3 , 3ER3 , 3UP3 , 3UR3 , 4US3  

Requirements For Students Who Entered Prior to September 2020

120 units total (Levels I to IV), of which no more than 48 units may be Level I