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Geology Earth Sciences Dean Ejaz Ahmed Faculty of Mathematics and Science Associate Dean Alan Castle Faculty of Mathematics and Science Core Faculty Professors Uwe Brand (Earth Sciences), Richard J. Cheel (Earth Sciences), Frank Fueten (Earth Sciences), Martin J. Head (Earth Sciences), Francine M. McCarthy (Earth Sciences), John Menzies (Earth Sciences and Geography) Associate Professors Gregory C. Finn (Earth Sciences), Daniel P. McCarthy (Earth Sciences and Biological Sciences) Assistant Professors Nigel Blamey (Earth Sciences), Mariek E. Schmidt (Earth Sciences) Adjunct Professors Paul Budkewitsch (Natural Resources Canada), Dale Hess (SUNY Buffalo), Andrew Panko (Brownfield Revolutions Inc.) Graduate Program Director Martin J. Head Administrative Assistant Diane Gadoury Mackenzie Chown D431 905-688-5550, extension 3526 |
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Graduate students in Earth Sciences join a research-intensive environment and undertake work with internationally recognized faculty who contribute to a wide variety of geoscientific fields. The Department of Earth Sciences emphasizes personal and tailored graduate supervision. Research areas include: glacial geology and geomorphology, watershed geochemistry, lichen biomonitoring, marine and terrestrial palynology, stream flow dynamics, isotope carbonate geochemistry, the structural geology of Earth and Mars, climate change, and Quaternary geology. Earth Sciences graduates are prepared for careers responding to the needs of world governments, industries and social structures facing global change. |
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Successful completion of four year Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in Earth Sciences, with a minimum 75% average. Agreement from a faculty advisor to supervise the student is also required for admission to the program. Applicants may be required to write the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants holding a degree without sufficient concentration in the area of the intended Master's degree may be required to complete additional courses beyond those outlined as required for degree completion. The Graduate Admissions Committee will review all applications and recommend admission for suitable candidates. Those lacking sufficient background preparation may be required to complete a qualifying term/year to upgrade their applications. Completion of a qualifying term/year does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Part-time study is available. |
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Students must complete ERSC 5F90 (Thesis), ERSC 5P95 and two ERSC half-credit courses numbered 5(alpha)00 or higher. Additional credits may be required of candidates with insufficient preparation in their area of research specialization. For full time students, the program is normally a six term or two year program. |
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The Department is fully equipped with geochemistry, palynology, sedimentology, hydrology, dendrochronology, lichenometry and micromorphology laboratories. In addition, the Department has a sedimentary flume lab and carbon-14 dating equipment. The Department shares the facilities of electronic, machine, woodworking and glassblowing shops with other departments. |
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Students must check to ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met. MSc Thesis A research project involving the preparation and defence of a thesis which will demonstrate a capacity for independent work. The research shall be carried out under the supervision of a faculty member and the thesis defended at an oral examination. Structural Geology Study of the relationship between strain and fabric elements in tectonites. Textures. Multiple strain histories and textures. Relationships between strain and geotectonics. Tectonics Structural evolution of different types of "orogenic" belts. Emphasis will be on Canadian examples where possible. Limitations that structural evolution places on the acceptability of proposed tectonic models. Global systems of orogenic belts through time. Paleoclimatology Phanerozoic climates, with special emphasis on the Quaternary. Techniques of climate reconstruction: fossil assemblages, stable isotope analysis, dendrochronology, sedimentary evidence. Causes of climatic change. Implications for predicting future climates. Stratigraphic Palynology Geological record of palynomorphs from the Precambrian to present, with emphasis on the marine realm and evolution of the acritarchs and dinoflagellates; applications in petroleum exploration. Quaternary Palynology Concepts and techniques in palynological investigations of marine and terrestrial Quaternary deposits; the Pleistocene and Holocene climatic changes; applied atmospheric palynology, dispersal of palynomorphs. Environmental and Watershed Geochemistry Principles of availability, mobility and accumulation of metals in the lithosphere and hydrosphere. Cycling of metals in soils and soil chemistry. Chemical weathering and stability regimes of minerals in aqueous systems. Anthropogenic influence on inorganic contaminants in sediments, soils and water. Quality control and assurance of sampling procedures. Quaternary Geochronology Geochronological methods and techniques applicable to correlation and dating of Quaternary deposits and events (radiocarbon dating, varved sediments, the fossil record, paleomagnetism, tephrochronology, dendrochronology, paleotemperatures). Quaternary chronology in Canada and correlation with other parts of the world. Glaciology Study of the physics of glaciers. Mass balance and glacier budget. Mechanics of glacier movement. Conditions of the ice/glacier bed interface. Dynamics of large ice masses. Glacier surges. Response of glaciers to changes in mass balance. Glaciers and climate. Glacier dynamics and glacial landforms. Advanced Paleoecology Correlation between modern ecosystems and those in the fossil record; reconstruction of past environments and the time-sequence of such environments. Applied paleoecology; delineation of past sedimentary basins using biofacies and lithofacies; evolutionary development of ecosystems; paleoecosystem analysis and models. Late Cenozoic Dinoflagellate Cysts Biology and ecology of modern cyst-producing dinoflagellates, and the record of dinoflagellate cysts through the late Cenozoic including their morphology, taxonomy, paleoecology, biostratigraphy, molecular phylogeny, and evolution. Topics will include marine paleoenvironmental reconstruction, paleoceanography, paleoclimatology, and oil industry applications. Sedimentary Environments Study of modern depositional environments with emphasis on processes and the resulting facies organization. Development of facies models and their application to selected ancient examples. Volcanology A detailed survey of volcano morphology, distribution of Quaternary volcanic belts, experimental volcanic petrology and volcanic geochemistry. The current ideas on the interrelations between volcanics and plate tectonics are summarized and the volcanic processes of the present are compared to those of the geological past, including ancient continental shield volcanic rocks. Ore Genesis Geochemical controls on ore deposit formation; investigation into geochemical indicators such as stable isotopes, fluid inclusions; aqueous geochemistry including equilibrium in ore fluids; metal solubility in hydrothermal and geothermal fluids. Carbonate Diagenesis Descriptive and chemical diagenesis of carbonates. Geochemistry of inorganic and organic carbonate grains. Low temperature thermodynamics of elemental and isotopic redistribution. Application of biogeochemistry and chemostratigraphy to global events and evolutionary processes. Quantitative Methods in Geology Elements of data analysis and programming. Applications of statistical methods to geological data. Stochastic models in geology. Prerequisite(s): an undergraduate course in statistics. Fluvial Geomorphology Principles of flow dynamics. Origin and measurement of turbulent and laminar flows; bed roughness; shear stress and velocity. Flow competence; drag and lift forces, initiation of motion, suspension and bedload. Flow capacity, deterministic and probability models of sediment transport. Field studies of steep gravel and bedrock channels. Limnogeology Formation of lake basins; physical and chemical characteristics of lake sediments and the water column; geological factors in the development of lakes; eutrophication; the fossil record in lake deposits; lakes as a resource (water consumption, recreation, conservation). Quaternary Geology Modern concepts of glaciers and glaciation as landscape forming factors; techniques and methods for study and mapping of Quaternary deposits and physiographic features; the influence of glaciation as a factor in Canadian land use. Techniques in Biomonitoring Biomonitoring techniques both in the lab and field with an emphasis on the use of lichens and/or tree bark in biomonitoring. Fumigation experiments, field identification, inventory mapping, and the use of lichen bags to investigate air pollution and geochemical analysis of plant tissue. Biomonitoring in Urban Environments The history, theory and techniques of biomonitoring, particularly the use of biomonitoring in Canada. The use of fish, moss and lichens, higher plants, worms and insects as bioindicators of air and water quality. Graduate Seminar Students will present two seminars (on two different topics), each supplemented by a corresponding essay. One topic must differ from the thesis topic. Note: attendance at all departmental seminars throughout the academic year is required. Selected Topics in Quaternary Science An investigation of a specific area or group of related topics in Quaternary science. This course will be designed for individual students and approved by the graduate studies advisory committee. Selected Topics in Crustal Studies An investigation of a specific area or group of related topics in Crustal studies. This course will be designed for individual students and approved by the graduate studies advisory committee. Selected Topics in Contemporary Geology An investigation of a specific area or group of related topics in contemporary geology. This course will be designed for individual students and approved by the graduate studies advisory committee. |
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2014-2015 Graduate Calendar
Last updated: August 1, 2014 @ 03:26PM