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A panoramic view of Earth.
Faculty of Science

Earth Sciences

Welcome to the University of Regina Department of Earth Sciences!

The University of Regina Department of Earth Sciences (formerly the Department of Geology) offers two undergraduate programs: the B.Sc. in Geology and B.Sc. in Environmental Geoscience. Graduates of these programs are eligible for APEGS (Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan) membership that is transferable to every other jurisdiction in Canada.

We also have M.Sc. and Ph.D. graduate research programs. Our faculty research areas include traditional "hard rock" and "soft rock" geological studies, mineral and oil-gas resources, and environmental geoscience.

We have an established reputation for training highly "rock-conscious" students, and we are extremely proud of our students' employment record.

We hope you enjoy your visit to our website today, and please reach out if you have questions or suggestions for our site!

Fall 2025: welcome back students!

Welcome back to our undergraduate students, we hope you had a great summer and are refreshed to dive into your studies this fall. For our majors and minors, please take a few minutes to check out our undergraduate student homepage including the program section to ensure you are on track in your program planning. If you need extra support, be sure to reach out to our departmental advisors to help you plan your program. There will be an APEGS requirements seminar on 1 Oct from 4-5 pm, so make sure to attend to refresh your memory on APEGS requirements and planning for your career after graduation!

Important note for students: course codes change!

Please be aware that starting Spring/Summer 2025, our courses are now coded Earth Sciences (ESC) in the registration system. All courses formerly coded Geology (GEOL) still have the same course numbers and the new department code (ESC). For example, GEOL 102 is now ESC 102. When students access the registration system to look for courses, they will need to search for Earth Sciences rather than Geology courses. Please contact the Earth Sciences or Science advisors if you need assistance with finding the courses in the registration system.

Contact the Department of Earth Sciences

Explore Earth Sciences

Dr. Maria I. Velez posing with a microscope.

People

Geology students doing fieldwork.

Research

Aqueous lab equipment.

Research Facilities

Group of students around a microscope.

Teaching Facilities

A person speaking to a group.

Seminar Series and Events

Outreach

Geology outreach effort at a high school fair.

Do you have questions about a rock you have found, or are looking for information on getting a tour or having a geologist present to your group? We offer a number of outreach activities to the general public!

Geology students sitting at an outreach booth.

Feature Stories

Headshot image of Dr Derek Leung

Welcome Dr Derek Leung

The Department of Earth Sciences is pleased to welcome Dr Derek Leung to our faculty as an Assistant Professor (1 July 2025). Dr Leung is a mineralogist with a strong interest in understanding the crystal chemistry of modular rock-forming minerals, particularly in application to critical minerals-related economic geology research. He also has a strong interest in geoscience communication and sports science. Welcome Dr Leung!
Dr Brendan Bishop accepting the Gold Medal alongside supervisor Prof. Leslie Robbins at Spring 2025 U Regina Convocation

Brendan Bishop (PhD student) awarded Governor General's Gold Medal

Brendan Bishop (PhD student) was awarded the Governor General's Gold Medal at Spring 2025 Convocation. Congratulations Dr Bishop!

Department of Earth Sciences Logo - rock hammer over a landscape

Jordan Deane (PhD student) wins NAGT Outstanding TA Award

Congratulations Jordan Deane (PhD student) for winning a January 2025 National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT) Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award. Jordan's outstanding teaching has supported learning for hundreds of students in our department over the past few years!
Department of Earth Sciences Logo - rock hammer over a landscape

Goktug Harmanci (MSc student), Nahanni Young (MSc student), and Claire Stephenson (BSc student) win best student posters

Congratulations to graduate students Goktug Harmanci (MSc student) and Nahanni Young (MSc student) on winning first and second prize for graduate posters at the 2024 SGS Open House, and to Claire Stephenson for her first for undergraduate student posters. Well done to our students!

Department of Earth Sciences Logo - rock hammer over a landscape

Dr J. Normand receives the 2024 Faculty of Science Excellence in Teaching Award

Congratulations to Dr J. Normand for receiving the 2024 Faculty of Science Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr Normand's skilled teaching has supported our majors for two decades and we are grateful for their expertise and commitment.
Department of Earth Sciences Logo - rock hammer over a landscape

Kaitlyn Crawford (MSc student) wins NAGT Outstanding TA Award

Congratulations Kaitlyn Crawford (MSc student) for winning a June 2024 National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT) Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award.  Kait's innovative teaching has supported our majors in their foundational rock and mineral hands-on learning for the past 4 years!
Department of Earth Sciences Logo - rock hammer over a landscape

Prof. Hairuo Qing receives the 2023 Faculty of Science Long-Service Award

Congratulations to Prof. Hairuo Qing who received the 2023 Faculty of Science Long-Service Award. Hairuo's research contributions, teaching, mentorship, and service were particularly noted by Dean Farenick in his statements.

General interest Earth Science courses offered for Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 semesters

In Fall 2025 the only general interest Earth Science course we are offering is ESC 102 (Earth and the Environment). This is a course that qualifies as a lab elective for many science and arts programs at URegina. In Winter 2026 we will offer both ESC 102, ESC 270 (Earth Resources and the Environment), and ESC 460 (Applied Exploration Geophysics). ESC 102 is a prerequisite for ESC 270, and the requirements for ESC 460 are MATH 110, PHYS 112 or PHYS 119 and ESC 201 or permission of the Department Head.