Earth and Planetary Science Communication (Honours) (BASc)

Chair
Frank Fueten

Professors
Uwe Brand, Richard J. Cheel,Frank Fueten, Martin J. Head, Francine McCarthy, John Menzies, Michael Pisaric, Mariek E. Schmidt

Associate Professors
Kevin Turner

Participating Faculty
Ebru Ustundag, Duncan Koerber

Senior Lab Co-ordinator
Astride Silis

Online Course Developer/Administrator
Justin Pentesco

Co-operating Faculty from
Geography and Tourism Studies and Communication, Popular Culture and Film

General Information

Administrative Assistant
Caroline Romero
905-688-5550, extension 3526
Mackenzie Chown D431
brocku.ca/earthsciences

This four-year Honours program leading to a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences (BASc) in Earth and Planetary Science Communication is designed to provide graduates with a solid understanding of Earth and Planetary Science and the ability to communicate effectively in a variety of formats. This program is a transdisciplinary offering which combines scholarship within the Department of Earth Sciences with those of the department of Geography and Tourism Studies as well as that within the Department of Communication, Popular Culture and Film. The aim is to provide graduates with the knowledge about Earth and Planetary Science concepts, coupled with strong communication skills which will enable them to pursue careers in Communication for government agencies, NGOs, private companies, and journalism.

Students will take the same courses as Earth Science and Communications majors. The first two years provide fundamental background knowledge in both disciplines. In the senior years, students have more freedom to choose courses in their areas of interest. A capstone course in year 4 (ERSC 4F95 ), consist of a supervised project on a topic in the media format of the student’s choice, provided it has been approved by a faculty supervisor.

The overall goal of this degree is to prepare graduate with extensive knowledge about the Earth and planetary sciences and the skills to communicate well and create positive relationships between organizations and stakeholders. Students in this program prepare to work effectively in various roles and positions within science policy debates and developments in a wide range of settings, including governments, NGOs and private companies.

Program Notes

1. This program does not meet curriculum requirements for Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (PGO). Student who wish to pursue careers as professional geoscientists will need to enrol in the department’s BSc programs. 
2. Students who do not have SCH4U with a minimum grade of 70 percent must take CHEM 1P00  in year 1. 
3. Students who want to purse careers in social media or related fields are recommended to take COMM 2P91  or IASC 3P01  in year 3. 
4. Recommended Earth Sciences electives in year 4 are ERSC 3P90 , ERSC 4P31 , ERSC 4P85 . 
5. It is recommended that subject topics and media format for ERSC 4F95  are discussed with the potential supervisor prior to the Fall of year 4. 
6. In 20 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
   
   In some circumstances, in order to meet university degree and program requirements, more than 20 credits may be taken.