Fall 2023 Courses
Friday 10-12 pm, ES2119
This is the core graduate course, which is mandatory for all incoming graduate students. The goal of the course is to develop each student’s research proposal and skills to communicate their proposals (oral and written forms). Each student will have a completed written research proposal and two opportunities for oral presentations by the end of the course.
M 1-3 pm, W 12-2 pm, ES2119
This advanced course focuses on analyzing structures to understand how “strain” and “stress” are expressed in the rocks. Through geometric, kinematic and mechanical analysis of these structures, we will learn to elucidate the geological processes that have occurred over time. Graduate student will be given the opportunity to apply the knowledge they learn in this course towards their graduate research.
W 10 am - 12 pm, ES2119
Exploration of the tectonic processes of the Earth from a global and regional perspective. The course examines the nature of these surface tectonics based on geological observations and tries to unravel the geodynamics that give rise to planetary activity.
F 1-6 pm, ES2100
The use of proxy data (terrestial and aquatic microfossils) to infer past environmental conditions. The nature and extent of Quaternary environmental change is considered in the context of assessing current issues such as acidification, metal pollution, eutrophication and global climate change. Paleoenvironmental techniques are applied in the laboratory.
Prerequisite: A 200-level course from one of BIO, GGR, GLG. Recommended preparation: BIO468H1/469Y1/ GLG216H1
M 3-5 pm, UCA101
This course starts with an introduction to strain and stress, and derives the seismic wave equation. Ray theory is then covered to explain travel times and amplitudes of seismic arrivals leading to the concept of seismic tomography methods for mapping earth's internal structure. Finally the seismic source theory and earthquake source mechanisms are discussed. Subjects such as exploration reflection and refraction seismic methods, digital seismic data processing will also be covered by the course.
This course will focus on the fundamental processes by which Earth materials are concentrated into economically-viable deposits. Emphasis is placed on techniques used both in mineral deposits research and industry-focused exploration. This is aimed at developing practical skills through a series of hands-on workshops, lectures, guest lectures from industry experts, and assignments using real-world data.
An individual directed studies course about a selected topic in Earth Sciences. A maximum of one directed studies course may be used to fulfil program requirements. Contact the Graduate Administrator for more information.
Winter 2024 Courses
W 12-2 pm, F 9-12 pm, ES2101
Crystal chemistry of the major rock forming minerals. The course covers the underlying concepts behind the behaviour of minerals as solid-state materials including: Structure and bonding of minerals, chemical substitutions and solid-state transformations, high temperature and pressure behaviour, chemical weathering and kinetics. Prerequisite: ESS221H1
M 2-4 pm, T 2-5 pm, ES2100
Theory and operation of current analytical techniques applicable to geological and environmental analysis. In each lab, students receive instruction from an experienced analyst and acquire hands-on experience using state-of-the-art analytical equipment. Techniques covered include X-ray Fluorescence, X-ray Diffraction, Electron Probe Microanalysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Ion Chromatography, Atomic Absorption spectrometry, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, and Raman spectroscopy.
Current geophysical surface and borehole methodologies (gravity, magnetics, electrical, electromagnetic, nuclear) and their theoretical basis for investigating Earth’s interior to depths ranging from several metres to tens of kilometers.
This course will focus on the geological evidence and causes for change in the Earth System (coupled lithosphere-hydrosphere-biosphere-atmosphere) over the last 4.5 billion years. It will be taught using specific case studies from selected time intervals, which will change on a yearly basis. Possible topics will include global biogeochemical cycling of C,S,O; deep biosphere geobiology and the origin and evolution of life; proxy indicators for global change; evolution of the atmosphere; the stratigraphic record of sea level change and plate reconstruction. The course will be team taught, in which individual instructors will focus on a particular topic, providing some lectures for background prior to reading the important literature.
This advanced seismology course covers a range of theoretical and computational topics related to seismic wave propagation, seismic tomography, full-waveform inversion, earthquake sources and fault dynamics, as well as exploration seismology. For the Year 2023/2024, subjects such as seismic data processing, computational seismology and earthquake fault dynamics will be covered.
The course is focused on the principles and applications of stable and radiogenic isotope geochemistry to understanding geological and planetary processes. The course will be taught using specific case studies from selected themes, which will change on a yearly basis. Possible themes might include: early solar system chronology, isotopic contraints on Earth differentiation, tracing pollutants in the subsurface, nature of the early Earth, ocean and atmospheric circulation, applications to tectonics. The course will be team taught, in which individual instructors will focus on a particular aspect of each theme, providing some lectures for background prior to reading the important literature.
An individual directed studies course about a selected topic in Earth Sciences. A maximum of one directed studies course may be used to fulfil program requirements.Contact the Graduate Administrator for more information.
Full-year Courses
The mark for this course is based on the written report produced in ESS3603Y and the student’s performance in an oral defence of that work. The examining committee for the oral defense will consist of the supervisor and two members of the graduate faculty selected by the supervisor. The student must provide members of the examining committee a copy of the report at least one week in advance. The oral defense will consist of a 20 minute presentation of the work, followed by questioning by members of the examining committee. Other students may attend the presentation and question period with the permission of the candidate and examining committee. The examination concludes when the committee finishes with questions. Each committee member will evaluate the student based on the quality of the written report, and the student’s explanation of it, the depth and breadth of knowledge relevant to the project demonstrated during the oral examination and overall originality and creativity. The mark for this course will be the average mark assigned by the three examiners. For candidates who start their MSc studies in September, the final grade for this course must be submitted to the Graduate Affairs Officer no later than the end of the third week of the following August.
Students must complete a research project assigned by the supervisor. During the first two weeks of the term in which the student first registers, the student and supervisor must reach an agreement on the objectives and methodology of the research project, along with an evaluation scheme. This information must be conveyed to the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies for their approval. The final product for this course is a written document of the work performed (approx. 40 pages in standard format). For candidates who start their MSc studies in September, the final grade for this course must be submitted to the Graduate Affairs Officer no later than the end of the third week of the following August.