Degree Requirements
You can get detailed information about graduate studies at SFU on the SFU website as well as at the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies. You can buy an official University Calendar from the University Bookstore, and can order it by calling (778) 782-5467. The Calendar is also reproduced as a searchable database at the Registrar’s Office.
Students should normally have a B.Sc. degree, or equivalent, in an honours program with at least a good second-class standing (3.0 GPA) in the Earth Sciences (for example: geology, geological engineering, geophysics, geomorphology, soil science, or physical geography).
Course Work
All students in the program are required to take a minimum of 12 semester hours of courses. These are to be composed of at least four courses, either from Earth Sciences graduate course offerings or (with the Graduate Chair’s approval) from related graduate course offerings in other departments such as Geography, Chemistry, Physics, Biological Sciences, and Resource and Environmental Management. This course work may include up to 6 credit hours of special topics or directed studies courses. A one day EASC 600 “Introduction to Graduate Studies” course will be offered early in the first semester of enrolment (required). In addition, you must complete and successfully defend a written research thesis (EASC 898) for completion of your degree. Actual course selection will reflect your research interests, as well as guidance from the Supervisory Committee.
If needed or desired it is possible to take courses at other universities such as the University of British Columbia or other western universities under the Western Deans Agreement (WDA). The choice to complete a course outside of SFU should be discussed with your supervisor. Additional information about the WDA can be obtained from the Graduate Secretary.
British Columbia encourages professional registration of geoscientists in the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC). Graduate students whose undergraduate programs do not meet the criteria for registration in this association should be aware that some of the graduate course offerings in the Earth Sciences Program may be applied to the requirements for registration.
Research
Graduate students in this program are required to conduct original research and report their results in a thesis. You will defend your thesis before the Supervisory Committee and any external examiners deemed appropriate.