Education · 1 of 5
The path
A science or engineering degree, then a specialisation in water. Most people add a master's degree.
- 1
High school
Grades 11 and 12
Physics, chemistry, calculus and geography. Water science borrows from all of them.
- 2
Bachelor's degree
4 years
Environmental science, earth science, geography with a physical focus, or civil and environmental engineering. Engineering opens more doors but is a harder program.
- 3
Summer field work
Summers
Conservation authorities, provincial water surveys and consulting firms hire students to measure streams and install equipment.
- 4
Master's degree in hydrology or water resources
1 to 2 years
The normal step for modelling, forecasting and research work. Usually funded.
- 5
Professional registration, if your role needs it
About 4 years of work
Engineers register as a professional engineer, geoscience-trained hydrogeologists as a professional geoscientist, after about four years of supervised experience and an ethics exam.