Bachelor of Science - Geology

Geology is the study of the Earth, its origin, structure and composition. Rocks are a key component of the landscape. They give clues as to how and when it formed, and the materials it contains.

Their structures help unravel the secrets of what the Earth was like in the past. To a geologist, the modern-day landscape speaks volumes.

The goal of geology as a science is to better understand the processes that acted upon the Earth’s system in the past to help foresee how geologic events and processes will affect the world in the future.

Many don’t take the time and stop to think about just how much geology affects the surroundings. Geology encompasses many parts of the Earth's system. In studying about the Earth’s origins and evolution, students will learn about the formation of the planet, how the continents and oceans are formed and how they grow or are destroyed, and how all this was discovered. By studying fossils, students will learn how the climate has changed over time and what that means for the environment.

Students will learn about minerals, how they form and grow, and under what conditions this happens. The course explores how minerals come together and form rocks, and examine how looking at a rock tells students something about the environment in which it formed. Volcanoes, landslides, earthquakes, glaciers, deserts and rivers - all of which shape the surface of the planet - will be discussed.

At the University of New Brunswick Saint John, first-year courses are taught in the geology and geo-engineering programs. Some second year courses are also available with an emphasis on paleontology and the environment, of particular interest to biology students.