Cutoffs

Studying Earth Science in Ontario

You can’t always apply to earth science directly. Some universities admit you straight into it; others admit you into a broad first-year category and you choose earth science later. That difference is why searching for a major by name can make it look like a university doesn’t offer it.

Apply broad, choose earth science later

  • Western University

    Apply to Science (ES)

    You choose earth science at the end of first year, during Intent to Register in March.

    You apply to the Faculty of Science (ES); the Department of Earth Sciences then offers Geology, Geophysics, Environmental Geoscience, Environmental Science and Geology and Biology modules — note there is no module actually named 'Earth Sciences', and Planetary Science and Space Exploration exists only as a Minor. The Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Geoscience streams marked 'For Professional Registration' cover the requirements for licensure as a geoscientist. SES4U counts toward the ES admission requirement but is not required.

    https://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/Departments.cfm?DepartmentID=59&SelectedCalendar=Live&ArchiveID=

  • Queen's University

    Apply to Science – Earth and Environmental Science (QSE)

    You choose earth science during Plan Selection in May at the end of first year.

    The plans are called Geological Sciences and Earth System Science — both verified in the Arts and Science listing — not "Earth Science", so searching that exact phrase returns nothing. Do not confuse these with Geological Engineering, a Smith Engineering discipline reached through the engineering common first year (QE) with Chemistry 4U and Physics 4U required. CODE CAVEAT: confirm QSE on OUAC.

    https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/undergraduate/first-year-students/plan-selection

  • McMaster University

    Apply to Environmental and Earth Sciences Gateway

    You choose earth science at the end of first year.

    The Level 2 program is Honours Earth & Environmental Sciences. The Gateway gets you the required Level 1 courses; it does not reserve a seat, and McMaster states that meeting minimum grades does not guarantee admission to limited-enrolment Level 2 programs.

    https://future.mcmaster.ca/programs/environmental-earth-sciences-gateway/

  • University of Toronto — St. George

    Apply to Mathematical & Physical Sciences

    You choose earth science at the end of first year.

    Earth science here means Earth and Environmental Systems, plus the Geology/Geoscience/Geophysics programs — all under Mathematical & Physical Sciences, not Life Sciences. U of T lists MCV4U and SCH4U as required with SBI4U and SPH4U only recommended.

    https://future.utoronto.ca/program/earth-and-environmental-systems/

  • University of Toronto — Mississauga

    Apply to Chemical & Physical Sciences

    You choose earth science after first year (4.0 credits).

    Earth Science, Environmental Geosciences and GeoSpatial Data Science all come through this category. Paleontology, oddly, is under Life Sciences (TML).

    https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/future-students/programs/earth-science

  • University of Toronto — Scarborough

    Apply to Physical & Environmental Sciences (OUAC TSP)

    You choose earth science end of first year, on ACORN.

    UTSC has no program called geology; the equivalent is Environmental Geoscience under TSP, which is not in this dataset and which carries the requirements to become a licensed geoscientist. Grade 12 Biology, Physics, Advanced Functions and Calculus & Vectors all required; mid 70s.

    https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/admissions/programs/environmental-geoscience

  • University of Waterloo

    Apply to Physical Sciences

    You choose earth science you name Earth Sciences as your major when you apply to Physical Sciences.

    "Apply to Physical Sciences and select Earth Sciences as your major." It is grouped with Chemistry and Physics, so it carries the full Science requirements — Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors and two sciences, low 80s — rather than anything geography-like. Geological Engineering is the engineering version and a separate application, and the Geoscience specialization inside Environmental Sciences (wse) is a third, different route to similar work.

    https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/programs/earth-sciences

Read off each university’s own admissions pages, and covering the seven campuses Ontario students apply to most. Entry structures change — confirm with the university before you build a timetable around one. Search all programs.