Diploma in Earth Sciences

Yukon University, located in Canada's Yukon territory, is a unique institution committed to providing education and research opportunities rooted in northern perspectives and Indigenous knowledge. Yukon University offers a wide range of programs, including arts, sciences, business, health, trades, and Indigenous governance. The university's focus on northern research, experiential learning, and collaboration with Indigenous communities and local organizations creates a rich and meaningful educational experience. With its strong ties to the Yukon community and dedication to northern scholarship, Yukon University plays a vital role in advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable development in the region.

Earth science literacy is critical to meet the needs of modern society. The study of the Earth is focused not only on the rocks and minerals that make up solid Earth but also on the interaction of these materials with other earth systems. An understanding of Earth’s evolution through time allows earth scientists to interpret present-day conditions on our planet and predict how they will change in the future; these changes will affect both human societies and the natural environment. Earth scientists are stewards of the planet’s mineral, energy and water resources. They must also be problem solvers, as Earth’s natural resources are currently threatened by climate change, overconsumption and natural disasters. In the North, we live in a complex landscape where earth scientists must address the legacy of contaminated sites, support sustainable resource discovery and extraction, and grapple with a rapidly changing environment. Students completing the two-year program will receive a diploma in Earth Sciences and be eligible for transfer into upper-level standing in many Canadian B.Sc. geoscience degree programs. A block transfer agreement between Yukon University and Vancouver Island University (VIU) allows Earth Science program graduates to easily transfer between institutions and directly apply all completed courses towards completion of a B.Sc. in geoscience from VIU's Department of Earth Science. Coursework completed at Yukon University is compatible with the educational requirements for achieving a professional geoscientist (P.Geo.) designation in the environmental geoscience or geology streams. Completion of a B.Sc. degree following the Earth Sciences program allows for upward workplace mobility in scientific and technical fields and enables graduates to continue to upper-level training in science (M.Sc., Ph.D.).