Earth Sciences

Chair

Frank Fueten

Undergraduate Program Adviser

Richard J. Cheel

Professors

Uwe Brand, Richard J. Cheel, Frank Fueten, Wayne T. Jolly, Francine McCarthy, John Menzies, Keith Tinkler

Associate Professors

Gregory C. Finn, Jean-Jacques Flint, Daniel McCarthy

Assistant Professor

Stephen J. Cook

Adjunct Professors

Kent Novakowski, Andy Panko

General Information

Administrative Assistant

Diane Gadoury

905-688-5550, extension 3526

Mackenzie Chown D433

http://www.brocku.ca/earthsciences

The field of earth sciences is central in solving current problems such as waste disposal, pollution, groundwater management, volcano and earthquake hazards. It is also vital in the exploration and utilization of natural resources such as oil and gas, minerals and aggregates. A very important area of research in the earth sciences aims to determine how the planet has evolved from its origin 4.6 billion years ago to the present. The preserved geological record, comprising the rocks of the earth, provides a long record of global change in response to a variety of stimuli. Many earth scientists are involved in the unravelling of the record of global change and in predicting future changes to the planet.

The Department of Earth Sciences offers professional programs dedicated to graduating high-quality geoscientists proceeding toward registration as a Professional Geoscientist. The depart-ment offers other options for those interested in Earth Sciences, but not intending to become Professional Geoscientists.

The Department of Earth Sciences offers four-year programs of study leading to a BSc honours in Earth Sciences, BSc honours in Environmental Geoscience, a BSc with a Major in Earth Sciences, a BSc with a Major in Environmental Geoscience and a three-year BSc pass degree program.

The four-year BSc honours and BSc with a Major programs consist of a set of core courses in year 1, year 2 and part of year 3. During year 3 students choose from elective courses to specialize in a curriculum reflecting their personal interests. Students normally enter directly into the BSc honours program and are required to maintain at least second-class honours standing. Students not meeting this requirement may continue in one of the BSc with a Major programs.

The department has teaching and research laboratories which include facilities such as radiocarbon dating, a recirculating sediment flume, a dendrochronology laboratory, a glacial micromorphology laboratory, palynology laboratory, X-ray diffraction, cathodoluminescence microscopic analysis, atomic absorption spectrometry, halogen analysis, image analysis, digitizer, water quality analysis equipment, fluorometric analysis and stable isotope preparation. These are supported by rock specimen preparation and drafting facilities, dark rooms and cold rooms. Departmental as well as University computing facilities are available. The department shares the facilities of electronic, woodworking and glass blowing shops with other departments.

Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario

Graduates of any of the 20 credit single major programs offered through the Department of Earth Sciences may apply for membership in the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (APGO), allowing for the use of the designation P.Geo. (Professional Geoscientists). Candidates who have followed the recommended program should meet the knowledge requirements for eligibility and should check with the Chair or the academic adviser prior to year 3 for more information regarding registration as a Professional Geo-scientists.

Field Trips

Field trips form an integral component of training in the Earth Sciences and are offered in all years of study, linked to specific courses. Field trips may take place during the lab period, or involve a time period beyond the lab, over a single day or weekend trips. Students are expected to cover some costs of transportation, accommodation and food on full day or weekend trips. Field trip costs, where applicable, are in addition to the regular tuition fees associated with the course.

Program Notes

Honours Program

Earth Sciences

Year 1

	ERSC 1F01
	CHEM 1F92
	one of BIOL 1F90, PHYS 1F25 or 1F90
	MATH 1P97 and 1P98
	one Humanities context credit or one Social Science context credit (see program note 5)

Year 2

	ERSC 2P05, 2P10, 2P12, 2P21, 2P22 and 2P32
	one of BIOL 1F90, PHYS 1F25 or 1F90 (not taken in year 1)
	the Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit not taken in year 1

Year 3

	ERSC 3P01, 3P10, 3P21, 3P24, 3P31, and 3P61
	one ERSC credit numbered 2(alpha)00 to 3(alpha)99
	WRIT 2P15
	one-half elective credit (see program note 1)

Year 4

	ERSC 3P99
	three and one-half credits from ERSC 3P94, 3P98, 3V80-3V99, 4F91, 4P01, 4P10, 4P16, 4P22, 4P52, 4P61
	one elective credit (see program note 7)

Environmental Geoscience

Year 1

	ERSC 1F01
	one of BIOL 1F90, PHYS 1F25 or 1F90
	CHEM 1F92
	MATH 1P97 and 1P98
	one Humanities context credit or one Social Science context credit (see program note 5)

Year 2

	ERSC 2P05, 2P09, 2P10, 2P12, 2P21 and 2P32
	one of BIOL 1F90, PHYS 1F25 or 1F90 (not taken in year 1)
	the Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit not taken in year 1

Year 3

	ERSC 3P01, 3P10, 3P24, 3P25 3P31, 3P36, 3P61 and 3Q99
	WRIT 2P15
	one-half elective credit (see program note 1)

Year 4

	Four credits from ERSC 3P26, 3P33, 3P85, 3V80-3V99, 4F91, 4P15, 4P26, 4P28, 4P31, 4P61, 4P80
	one elective credit (see program note 7)

BSc with a Major Program

This program differs from the honours program in that honours standing is not required for entry into year 4, (see program note 6).

Earth Sciences

Year 1

	ERSC 1F01
	CHEM 1F92
	one of BIOL 1F90, PHYS 1F25 or 1F90
	MATH 1P97 and 1P98
	one Humanities context credit or one Social Science context credit

Year 2

	ERSC 2P05, 2P10, 2P12, 2P21, 2P22 and 2P32
	one of BIOL 1F90, PHYS 1F25 or 1F90 (not taken in year 1)
	the Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit not taken in year 1

Year 3

	ERSC 3P01, 3P10, 3P21, 3P24, 3P31 and 3P61
	one ERSC credit numbered 2(alpha)00 to 3(alpha)99
	WRIT 2P15
	one-half elective credit (see program note 1)

Year 4

	ERSC 3P99
	three and one-half credits from ERSC 3P94, 3P98, 3V80-3V99, 4P01, 4P10, 4P16, 4P22, 4P52, 4P61
	one elective credit (see program note7)

Environmental Geoscience

Year 1

	ERSC 1F01
	one of BIOL 1F90, PHYS 1F25 or 1F90
	CHEM 1F92
	MATH 1P97 and 1P98
	one Humanities context credit or one Social Science context credit (see program note 5)

Year 2

	ERSC 2P05, 2P09, 2P10, 2P12, 2P21 and 2P32
	one of BIOL 1F90, PHYS 1F25 or 1F90 (not taken in year 1)
	the Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit not taken in year 1

Year 3

	ERSC 3P01, 3P10, 3P24, 3P25 3P31, 3P36, 3P61and 3Q99
	WRIT 2P15
	one-half elective credit (see program note 1)

Year 4

	Four credits from ERSC 3P26, 3P33, 3P85, 3V80-3V99, 4P15, 4P26, 4P28, 4P31, 4P61, 4P80
	one elective credit (see program note 7)

Pass Program

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of a twenty credit program entitles a student to apply for a pass degree.

Concurrent BSc/BEd

The Faculty of Mathematics and Science and the Faculty of Education co-operate in offering a concurrent Pass BSc/BEd program for students interested in teaching mathematics or science at the elementary level to grade 8. Refer to the Education-Concurrent BSc/BEd Pro-gram listing for additional information.

Combined Major Programs

The Department of Earth Sciences, in co-operation with other departments, offers combined major programs in Earth Sciences with Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Geography. For combinations other than those listed students should contact the Chairs/Directors of the respective Departments/Centres. Prospective students should have their programs approved by the two departments concerned and are advised to follow one of the following patterns:

Earth Sciences and Biology

Honours

Year 1

	ERSC 1F01
	BIOL 1F90
	CHEM 1F92
	MATH 1P97 and 1P98
	one Humanities context credit or one Social Science context credit

Year 2

	ERSC 2P10 and 2P32
	two credits from BIOL 2F01, 2P05, 2P92, 2P93, 2P96, 2P98, 2Q04
	one ERSC credit numbered 2(alpha)00 to 2(alpha)99
	the Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit not taken in year 1

Year 3

	Two ERSC credits numbered 2(alpha) 00 to 3(alpha)99
	two BIOL credits numbered 2(alpha)90 to 3(alpha)99
	one elective credit in BIOL or ERSC (see program note 3)

Year 4

	One and one-half ERSC credits numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
	one and one-half BIOL credits numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
	one of BIOL 4F90 and 4F91 or BIOL 4F92 and one elective credit or ERSC 4F91 and one ERSC credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above

Pass

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the honours program entitles a student to apply for a pass degree.

Earth Sciences and Chemistry

Honours

Year 1

	ERSC 1F01
	CHEM 1F92
	MATH 1P01 and 1P02
	PHYS 1F90
	one Humanities context credit or one Social Science context credit

Year 2

	ERSC 2P21 and 2P22
	CHEM 2P12, 2P20, 2P32, and 2P42
	one ERSC credit numbered 2(alpha)00 to 2(alpha)99
	the Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit not taken in year 1

Year 3

	ERSC 3P31
	CHEM 2P21 and 3P40
	one credit from CHEM 3P20, 3P21, 3P30, 3P31, 3P41, 3P51, 3P53, 3P60
	one and one-half ERSC credits numbered 2(alpha)00 to 3(alpha)99
	one elective credit in CHEM or ERSC (see program note 4)

Year 4

	One CHEM credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
	one ERSC credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
	one of CHEM 4F90 and 4F91, or ERSC 4F91 and one ERSC credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
	one elective credit

Pass

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the honours program entitles a student to apply for a pass degree.

Earth Sciences and Geography

Honours

Year 1

	ERSC 1F01
	GEOG 1F91
	MATH 1P97 and 1P98
	one Social Science context credit (GEOG 1F90 strongly recommended)
	one Humanities context credit

Year 2

	ERSC 2P00, 2P11, 2P12 and 2P21
	one-half ERSC credit numbered 2(alpha)00 to 2(alpha)99
	one and one-half credits from ERSC 2P05, 2P09, GEOG 2P04, 2P07
	one elective credit

Year 3

	ERSC 2P10
	GEOG 3P56
	one and one-half ERSC credits numbered 2(alpha)00 to 3(alpha)99
	one and one-half GEOG credits numbered 2(alpha)90 to 3(alpha)99 from groups B and C (see Geography department)
	one Science credit from BIOL, CHEM, COSC, MATH or PHYS (see program note 2)

Year 4

	Two ERSC credits numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
	GEOG 4F99
	one GEOG credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above from group B
	one elective credit (see program note 7)

Pass

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the honours program entitles a student to apply for a pass degree.

Master of Science (MSc) Program

Candidates normally require a four year BA or BSc degree, or equivalent, with a minimum B average for admission to the program. Applications are made through the Graduate Studies Office.

Candidates holding a degree without sufficient concentration in the area of the intended Masters degree may be required to complete up to one credit in addition to the regular graduate course requirements. Candidates not holding a 4 year BA or BSc degree, or equivalent, with a B average, will be required to take a qualifying year similar to year 4 before formally enrolling for the MSc degree. Candidates may be required to write the Graduate Record Examination and/or a language examination.

Candidates require a minimum of one year of residency and satisfactory completion of a program which must include ERSC 5F90 and two ERSC credits numbered 5(alpha)00 or above. Alternatively candidates may replace up to one-half ERSC 5(alpha)00 or above credit with one-half ERSC credit numbered 4(alpha)00 or above. All candidates are required to present a seminar on the topic of their thesis project before the end of the required residency year.

The following are possible foci of this program: Quaternary geology, sedi-mentology, hydrogeology, fluvial and glacial geomorphology, isotope geo-chemistry, limnogeology, palynology, paleoecology, paleoclimatology, volca-nology, structural geology and ore genesis.

For details, see the Graduate Calendar or consult the Chair of the department.