Required Graduate Courses

ESS1101H1F Seminars in Geology
The course is designed to help the student develop their scientific presentation skills. During the term, students will be required to deliver at least two oral presentations on assigned topics, and provide critique for the presentation of other students in the course. The course is given on a pass/fail basis, and will meet weekly in the Fall term.

ESS3603Y Research Project
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 M.Sc. 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.

Prerequisites: None

Instructor: Staff

ESS3601Y Research Presentation
The mark for this course is based on the written report produced in GLG3603Y 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 M.Sc. 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.

Prerequisites : None

Instructor: Staff

ESS3608H All-Course Research Report
This is a term-length course to provide exposure to research for students in the department’s all course M.Sc. program. Students are required to contact a potential research supervisor prior to the start of term to decide upon a research project. The project must involve critical analysis and interpretation of information, be it experimental, analytical or field observations, as acquired by the student, or gleaned from the literature. The final product for the course will be a 20 page (1.5 spaced, 12 point font, including figures and tables) report descibing the work accomplished, and a 20 minute oral presentation. The student will receive 80% of their mark from the research supervisor based on the report, and 20% from the faculty members attending the presentation. Prior to commencing, the student must submit a project plan, developed in consultation with the research supervisor, for approval by the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies.

Prerequisites : None

Instructor: Staff