2005-2006 Undergraduate Calendar

Earth Sciences

 

Chair

Keith Tinkler

Undergraduate Program Adviser

Wayne T. Jolly

Professors

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

Associate Professors

Gregory C. Finn, Daniel McCarthy

Assistant Professor

Stephen J. Cook

Adjunct Professors

Kent Novakowski, Andy Panko

Senior Lab Instructor

Howard Melville

Senior Lab Co-ordinator

Astride Silis

Director, Co-operative Programs

Cindy Dunne

Co-operative Program Co-ordinator

Astride Silis

 

General Information

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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 department 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 Major in Earth Sciences, a BSc with Major in Environmental Geoscience and a BSc Pass degree program. In addition, four-year Co-op programs leading to a BSc Honours degree in Earth Sciences or Environmental Geoscience are available.

The four-year BSc Honours and BSc with 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 Major programs.

The requirement for graduation with a Earth Sciences (Honours) degree is a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major average.

The requirements for a BSc with Major and a BSc (pass) are a minimum 60 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent overall average.

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, sedigraph, cathodoluminescence microscopic analysis, atomic absorption spectrometry, petrographic image analysis equipment, digitizer, water quality analysis equipment, fluorometric analysis and stable isotope preparation. These are supported by rock specimen preparation and drafting facilities, cold rooms, core storage facilities and departmental collections. Departmental as well as University computing facilities are available. SEM and ICPMS facilities are also available within the Faculty of Mathematics and Science. The department shares the facilities of electronic, woodworking and glass blowing shops with other departments.

Co-op Program

The Earth Sciences and Environmental Geoscience Co-op programs combines academic and work terms over a five year period. Students spend two years in an academic setting, where they acquire the necessary background prior to taking the first work placement. Successful completion of courses in the core areas of Earth Sciences provides the necessary academic background for the work experience. In addition to the current fees for courses in academic study terms, Earth Sciences and Environmental Geoscience Co-op students are assessed an annual administrative fee (see the Schedule of Fees).

Eligibility to continue in the Co-op program is based on the student's major average and non-major average. A student with a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major average will be permitted to continue. A student with a major average lower than 70 percent will not be permitted to continue in the Earth Sciences or Environmental Geoscience Co-op program, but may continue in the Earth Sciences and Environmental Geoscience non Co-op program. For further information, see the Co-op programs section of the Calendar and contact the Department of Earth Sciences.

The Earth Sciences and Environmental Geoscience Co-op program designation will be awarded to those students who have successfully completed a minimum of twelve months of Co-op work experience.

 

Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario

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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 Geo-scientist). 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 Geoscientist.

 

Field Trips

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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. To offset transportation costs the department has instituted a Field Trip Levy for all courses with multiple field trips. In addition, on single day or weekend trips students are expected to cover costs of accommodation and food. Field trip costs, where applicable, are in addition to the regular tuition fees associated with the course.

 

Program Notes

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1.  COSC 1P93 recommended to fulfil the APGO requirements.  
2.  The unspecified science elective credit is to be taken from BIOL, CHEM, COSC, MATH or PHYS (except ASTR 1F00, BIOL 1F25, CHEM 1P00, ERSC 1F90, 1P92, 1P93 and SCIE 1F30).  
3.  ERSC 3Q99 or BIOL 3P71 is required for entry to year 4.  
4.  ERSC 3P99 or 3Q99 is normally required at the end of year 3.  
5.  Students enrolled in the BSc Honours program are required to maintain a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent average in the remaining credits.  
6.  Students wishing to transfer from the BSc with Major program into BSc Honours program are required to have a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent average in the remaining credits.  
7.  In all 20 credit degree programs, at least 12 credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above, six of which must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above and of these, three must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above. In all 15 credit degree programs, at least seven credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above, three of which must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above.  

Honours Program

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Earth Sciences

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Year 1

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

Year 2

- ERSC 2P03, 2P05, 2P16, 2P17, 2P21 and 2P22
- one-half ERSC credit numbered 2(alpha)00 to 2(alpha)99
- PHYS 1P21 or 1P91(recommended)
- one of PHYS 1P22, 1P23, 1P92, 1P93 (recommended)
- WRIT 2P14

Year 3

- ERSC 3P01, 3P03, 3P21, 3P24, 3P31 and 3P61
- one ERSC credit numbered 2(alpha)00 to 3(alpha)99
- the Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit not taken in year 1

Year 4

- ERSC 3P99
- three and one-half credits from ERSC 3P94, 3P98, 3V90-3V99, 4F91, 4P01, 4P10, 4P16, 4P22, 4P52, 4P61
- one elective credit (see program note 1)
 

Environmental Geoscience

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Year 1

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

Year 2

- ERSC 2P03, 2P05, 2P09, 2P16, 2P17 and 2P21
- one-half ERSC credit numbered 2(alpha)00 to 2(alpha)99
- PHYS 1P21 or 1P91 (recommended)
- one of PHYS 1P22, 1P23, 1P92, 1P93 (recommended)
- WRIT 2P14

Year 3

- ERSC 3P03, 3P01, 3P24, 3P25 3P31, 3P36, 3P61 and 3Q99
- the Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit not taken in year 1

Year 4

- Four credits from ERSC 3P26, 3P33, 3P85, 3V90-3V99, 4F91, 4P15, 4P26, 4P28, 4P31, 4P61, 4P80
- one elective credit (see program note 1)
 

Earth Sciences Co-op (Honours only)

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Students admitted to the Co-op program must follow an approved program pattern. The most common pattern is listed below. For other approved patterns, consult the Co-op Office.

Year 1

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

Year 2

- ERSC 2P03, 2P05, 2P16, 2P17, 2P21 and 2P22
- one-half ERSC credit numbered 2(alpha)00 to 2(alpha)90
- PHYS 1P21 or 1P91 (recommended)
- one of PHYS 1P22, 1P23, 1P92, 1P93 (recommended)
- SCIE 0N90
- WRIT 2P14

Spring/Summer Sessions:

- ERSC 0N01

Year 3

Fall Term:

- ERSC 3P03, 3P21, 3P31 and 3P61
- one-half elective credit (see program note 1)

Winter Term:

- ERSC 0N02

Year 4

Fall Term:

- ERSC 0N03

Winter Term:

- ERSC 3P01 and 3P24
- one ERSC credit numbered 2(alpha)00 to 3(alpha)99
- one-half elective credit (see program note 1)

Spring/Summer Sessions:

- ERSC 3P99

Year 5

- Three and one-half credits from ERSC 3P94, 3P98, 3V90-99, 4F91, 4P01, 4P10, 4P16, 4P22, 4P52, 4P61
- the Humanities context credit or Social Sciences context credit not taken in year 1
 

Environmental Geoscience Co-op (Honours only)

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Year 1

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

Year 2

- ERSC 2P03, 2P05, 2P09, 2P16, 2P17 and 2P21
- one-half ERSC credit numbered 2(alpha)00 to 2(alpha)90
- PHYS 1P21 or 1P91 (recommended)
- one of PHYS 1P22, 1P23, 1P92, 1P93 (recommended)
- SCIE 0N90
- WRIT 2P14

Spring/Summer Sessions

- ERSC 0N01

Year 3

Fall Term:

- ERSC 3P03, 3P31, 3P36 and 3P61
- one-half elective credit (see program note 1)

Winter Term:

- ERSC 0N02

Year 4

Fall Term:

- ERSC 0N03

Winter Term:

- ERSC 3P01, 3P24 and 3P25
- one elective credit (see program note 1)

Year 5

- ERSC 3Q99
- three and one-half credits from ERSC 3P26, 3P33, 3P85, 3V90-99, 4F91, 4P15, 4P26, 4P28, 4P31, 4P61 and 4P80
- the Humanities context credit or Social Sciences context credit not taken in year 1
 

BSc with Major Program

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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

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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 2P03, 2P05, 2P12, 2P16, 2P17, 2P21 and 2P22
- one-half ERSC credit numbered 2(alpha)00 to 2(alpha)99
- PHYS 1P21 or 1P91 (recommended)
- one of PHYS 1P22, 1P23, 1P92, 1P93 (recommended)
- WRIT 2P14

Year 3

- ERSC 3P01, 3P03, 3P21, 3P24, 3P31 and 3P61
- one ERSC credit numbered 2(alpha)00 to 3(alpha)99
- the Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit not taken in year 1

Year 4

- ERSC 3P99
- three and one-half credits from ERSC 3P94, 3P98, 3V90-3V99, 4P01, 4P10, 4P16, 4P22, 4P52, 4P61
- one elective credit (see program notes 1 and 7)
 

Environmental Geoscience

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Year 1

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

Year 2

- ERSC 2P03, 2P05, 2P09, 2P16, 2P17 and 2P21
- one-half ERSC credit numbered 2(alpha)00 to 2(alpha)99
- PHYS 1P21or 1P91 (recommended)
- one of PHYS 1P22, 1P23, 1P92, 1P93 (recommended)
- WRIT 2P14

Year 3

- ERSC 3P01, 3P03, 3P24, 3P25 3P31, 3P36, 3P61and 3Q99
- the Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit not taken in year 1

Year 4

- Four credits from ERSC 3P26, 3P33, 3P85, 3V90-3V99, 4P15, 4P26, 4P28, 4P31, 4P61, 4P80
- one elective credit (see programs 1 and 7)
 

Pass Program

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

 

Concurrent BSc/BEd

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The Department of Earth Sciences and the Faculty of Education co-operate in offering a Concurrent BSc Integrated Studies (Pass)/BEd program for students interested in teaching mathematics or science at the Junior/Intermediate level (grades 4-8). Refer to the Education-Concurrent BSc Integrated Studies (Pass)/BEd Program listing for additional information.

 

Combined Major Program

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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. It should be noted that not all departments/centres provide a combined major option. Prospective students should have their programs approved by the two departments/centres concerned and are advised to follow one of the following patterns:

 

Earth Sciences and Biological Sciences

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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 2P03 and 2P16
- two credits from BIOL 2F01, 2P05, 2P92, 2P94, 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 ERSC or BIOL credit (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 Program

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

 

Earth Sciences and Chemistry

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Honours

Year 1

- ERSC 1F01
- CHEM 1F92
- MATH 1P01 and 1P02
- PHYS 1P21 or 1P22 (recommended)
- PHYS 1P22 or 1P92 (recommended)
- 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

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Honours

Year 1

- ERSC 1F01
- GEOG 1F91
- BIOL 1F90
- MATH 1P97
- one Social Science context credit (GEOG 1F90 strongly recommended)
- one-half elective credit

Year 2

- ERSC 2P05, 2P11, 2P17 and 2P21
- one of ERSC 2P04, 2P07, 2P09
- one-half ERSC credit numbered 2(alpha)00 to 2(alpha)99
- GEOG 2P12
- one Humanities context credit

Year 3

- ERSC 2P16
- GEOG 3P35 or 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 3(alpha)90 or above
- GEOG 4F99
- one GEOG credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above from group B
- one elective credit (see program notes 1 and 7)

Pass

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

 

Minor in Earth Sciences

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Students in other disciplines may obtain a Minor in Earth Sciences by successfully completing the following courses with a minimum 60 percent overall average:

- One credit from ERSC 1F01, 1F90, 1P92, 1P93
- two ERSC credits numbered 2(alpha)00 or above
- one ERSC credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
 

Master of Science (MSc) Program

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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.

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

 

Course Descriptions

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Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable term timetable for details.

# Indicates a cross listed course

* Indicates primary offering of a cross listed course

 

Prerequisites and Restrictions

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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.

ERSC 1F01

Planet Earth

Earth as a member in the solar system, minerals and rocks, plate tectonics, volcanoes, and earthquakes; the fossil record and the history of life; glacial geology, geomorphology, earth surface processes; paleoclimates and future climate change; environmental geoscience, hydrologic cycle, soil-groundwater contamination, hazardous waste disposal and alternatives.

Lectures, lab or local field trip, 5 hours per week.

Prerequisites: any two of biology, chemistry, environmental science, earth sciences, mathematics or physics beyond grade 11 or equivalent.

Note: students may not register concurrently in ERSC 1F90, 1P92 or 1P93.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in ERSC 1F90, 1F95, 1P92 and 1P93.

ERSC 1F90

Geology and the Environment

Intended primarily for non-science majors. Current hypotheses about the history of planet Earth; the significance of understanding modern environments in interpreting ancient settings and predicting future developments. Topics include earthquake prediction, hazardous waste disposal, floods, erosion, landslides, glaciation, global climate change and historical geology.

Lectures, 2 hours per week; lab, 2 hours per month.

Note: students may not register concurrently in ERSC 1F01, 1P92 or 1P93. Secondary school sciences are not a prerequisite. Students achieving an exceptional level of performance in ERSC 1F90 may, at the discretion of the department, register in upper year courses.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in ERSC 1F01, 1F95, 1P92 and 1P93.

ERSC 1P92

Extreme Earth

Extreme low frequency events and the geological record of their causes and effects, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, climatic change and impacts with extraterrestrial bodies.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Note: students may not register concurrently in ERSC 1F01 or 1F90. Secondary school sciences are not a prerequisite.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in ERSC 1F01, 1F90 and 1F95.

ERSC 1P93

North America's Parklands: Stories in Stone

Some of the Earth's most spectacular scenery, instructive geologic features and culturally significant places with North America's National, Provincial and State parks. Exploration of our continent's natural history, its dynamic processes and its influence on First Nations societies.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Note: students may not register concurrently in ERSC 1F01 or 1F90. Secondary school sciences are not a prerequisite.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in ERSC 1F01, 1F90 and 1F95.

ERSC 2P03

The History of the Earth

Principles of paleontology, classical stratigraphy, sequence stratigraphy. The origin and evolution of life and the history of the Earth.

Lectures, lab, 5 hours per week.

Prerequisite: one of ERSC 1F01 (1F95), 1F90, 1P92, 1P93.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in ERSC 2P32 and 3P10.

#ERSC 2P04

Introduction to Meteorology

(also offered as ENVI 2P04 and GEOG 2P04)

Principles, structure, composition and processes of the atmosphere; its energy budget, moisture balance and motion. Weather forecasting in middle and low latitudes, forecasting techniques and special problems in applied meteorology.

Lectures, lab, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to ERSC (single or combined), ENVI and GEOG (single or combined) majors until date specified in Registration guide.

Prerequisite: ERSC 1F01 (1F95), GEOG 1F91 or permission of instructor.

*ERSC 2P05

Earth Surface Processes

(also offered as ENVI 2P05 and GEOG 2P05)

Earth surface processes and geomorphology within global environments. A dynamic and physically based account of processes and the Earth's surface, linking the fields of sedimentology, physical geography and fluid mechanics.

Lectures, lab, field work, 5 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 1F01 (1F95), GEOG 1F91 or permission of the instructor.

#ERSC 2P07

Foundations of Geomatics

(also offered as GEOG 2P07)

Introduction to spatial, metric, graphic and other concepts common to cartography, photogrammetry, remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS). Properties of maps and air photos and satellite imagery. Principles of map compilation and design. Practical experience in computer mapmaking, image interpretation and GIS analysis.

Lectures, lab, field work, 4 hours per week.

Restriction: open to ERSC (single or combined), ENVI and GEOG (single or combined) majors until date specified in Registration guide.

Prerequisite: one of ERSC 1F01 (1F95), GEOG 1F90, 1F91 or permission of the instructor.

*ERSC 2P09

Principles of Biogeography

(also offered as ENVI 2P09 and GEOG 2P09)

Autoecological aspects of soils and plants including the human impact at all scales. Patterns of soils and plants and their explanation. Spatial patterns of soils and vegetation communities and their explanation.

Lectures, lab, 5 hours per week.

Prerequisite: one of ERSC 1F01 (1F95) CHEM 1F92 GEOG 1F91or permission of the instructor.

*ERSC 2P11

Research Methods in the Geosciences

(also offered as GEOG 2P11)

Appraisal of scientific method. Problems of research design and the acquisition of information from the field by mapping, instrumental measurement, sampling and the use of published and unpublished data sources. Quantitative analysis of data, interpretation and the communication of results.

Lectures, lab, seminar, 5 hours per week.

Prerequisites: ERSC 1F01 (1F95) or GEOG 1F91; MATH 1P98 or permission of the instructor.

*ERSC 2P15

Introduction to Oceanography

(also offered as GEOG 2P15)

Overview of the oceans, their origin, composition, circulation, geology and biota, from the coastal zone to the abyss. Importance of oceanography to humans, history of oceanography, overview of marine hazards and resources, ocean-atmosphere interactions and the global climate.

Lectures, lab, 5 hours per week.

Prerequisite: one of ERSC 1F01 (1F95), 1F90, BIOL 1F90, GEOG 1F91.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in ERSC 2P02.

*ERSC 2P16

Sedimentology

(also offered as GEOG 2P16)

Basic clastic sedimentology (grain size, shape, porosity/permeability, fabric) including fundamentals of unidirectional and oscillatory water flows, sediment transport under such flows and resulting sedimentary structures. Clastic rock classification. Carbonate sediment and rock classification; environments of formation, deposition and distribution in the oceans; carbonate diagenesis and dolomitization. Local field trips and carbonate sedimentology stratigraphy exercise.

Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 1F01 (1F95) or GEOG 1F91.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in ERSC 2P10.

*ERSC 2P17

Earth Science Methods

(also offered as GEOG 2P17)

Introduction to the study and description, in the field and the lab, of surficial deposits, sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks; structural analysis of geological maps and imagery.

Lectures, lab, field trips, 6 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 1F01 (1F95) or GEOG 1F91.

Note: field trips taken during lab periods and weekends to areas of geological interest. Weekend field trips taken early in the semester.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in ERSC 2P12.

ERSC 2P21

Introduction to Mineralogy and Mineral Associations

Crystal systems, symmetry operations, introduction to the 32 crystal classes; mineral composition and structure; physics and chemistry of minerals; mineral identification.

Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 1F01 (1F95).

ERSC 2P22

Optical Mineralogy

Properties of light and its interaction with mineral grains: reflection, refraction, polarization, interference phenomena, extinction, colour and pleochroism. Refractometry; isotropic, uniaxial and biaxial optics; interpretation of interference figures. Transmitted light petrography in the identification of and familiarization with major rock-forming minerals in grain mounts and in thin section.

Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 2P21.

ERSC 3P01

Structural Geology

Measurement and effects of stress and strain. Genesis of brittle and ductile structures and their classification. Methods of structural analysis.

Lectures, lab, 5 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 2P17 (2P12).

Completion of this course will replace previous grade in ERSC 2P01.

ERSC 3P03

Paleontology and Paleobiology

Biodiversity and ecosystems through geologic time; micro and macro evolution in paleobiology and evolutionary biology; large scale environmental change and the fossil record; functional morphology; phylogenetic and cladistic analysis of the fossil record.

Lectures, lab, 5 hours per week.

Prerequisite: one of ERSC 2P03, 2P15, BIOL 2P92.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in ERSC 2P32.

#ERSC 3P05

Geographic Information Systems

(also offered as GEOG 3P05)

Principles and use of computer-based systems for capturing, managing, manipulating, analysing and displaying data relating to the Earth's surface emphasizing raster applications. Practical work using Idrisi32.

Lectures, lab, 5 hours per week.

Restriction: open to ERSC (single or combined) and GEOG (single or combined) majors until date specified in Registration guide.

Prerequisite: ERSC 2P07 or permission of the instructor.

#ERSC 3P07

Remote Sensing

(also offered as GEOG 3P07)

Theory and practice of remote sensing. Photographic, thermal, multispectral, radar and laser imaging of the Earth's surface from airborne and spaceborne platforms. Image interpretation, and image-analysis techniques using Idrisi32.

Lectures, lab, 4 hours per week.

Restriction: open to ERSC (single or combined) and GEOG (single or combined) majors until date specified in Registration guide.

Prerequisite: ERSC 2P07 or permission of the instructor.

ERSC 3P10

Stratigraphy and Carbonate Sedimentology

Fundamentals of lithostratigraphy and introduction to the North American Stratigraphic code; subsurface geology techniques, subsurface mapping and correlation; geology and geological history of southern Ontario; introduction to facies and facies models; sequence stratigraphy. Formation of carbonate and chemical minerals and sediments; environments of formation; classification of carbonate minerals, rocks and environments of deposition; limestone diagenesis; dolomitization; hand specimen, thin section and rock section/sequence descriptions.

Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 2P10.

Completion of this course will replace previous grade in ERSC 2P03 and 3P71.

#ERSC 3P13

Applied Climatology

(also offered as GEOG 3P13)

Studies in selected topics from the field of energy and moisture exchanges, air pollution, climatic change, climatic impact assessment and bioclimatology. Human impact on the climate along with applied microclimatological investigations and climatic data analysis.

Lectures, lab, 4 hours per week.

Restriction: open to ERSC (single or combined) and GEOG (single or combined) majors until date specified in Registration guide.

Prerequisite: ERSC 2P04 or permission of the instructor.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in GEOG 3P10.

ERSC 3P21

Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

Igneous rocks: nomenclature and classification; magmatic processes. Application of one, two and three component phase diagrams to interpret the formation of igneous rocks. Metamorphic rocks: types, classification, mineral parageneses. Labs include the study of rocks in thin section, their mineralogy, textures, origin and classification.

Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.

Prerequisites: ERSC 2P22 and CHEM 1F92.

*ERSC 3P24

Glacial Geomorphology/Geology

(also offered as GEOG 3P24)

Introduction to glaciology; glacial processes, glacial deposits; their genesis and sedimentology. Relationship of glacial processes to landforms and surface topography. Glacial systems and facies associations. Applied aspects of glacial geology, such as drift exploration.

Lectures, lab, field work, 5 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 2P05 or permission of the instructor.

*ERSC 3P25

Quaternary Geology

(also offered as GEOG 3P25)

Glaciations in the geological record, causes of glaciations, biotic responses to climatic changes, eustatic and isostatic sea level changes in response to glaciation, Quaternary stratigraphy and correlation of glacial and non-glacial events, application of Quaternary geology to economic and environmental problems, methods of paleoclimatic reconstruction.

Lectures, lab, 5 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 2P16 (2P10), 3P24 or permission of the instructor.

*ERSC 3P26

Glacial Soils and Sediments

(also offered as GEOG 3P26)

Applied aspects of glacial deposits. Geotechnical and pedochemical properties and structural attributes of glacial soils and sediments. Micromorphology, glacial soil discontinuity analyses. Introductory aspects of soil mechanics. Drift exploration. Landfill problems and issues related to glacial soils and sediments.

Lectures, lab, 5 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 3P24, 3P25 or permission of the instructor.

ERSC 3P31

Geochemistry

Formation of the elements; nucleo-synthesis and cosmic abundances; classification of elements; crystal chemistry, bond energy, crystal defects and elemental partitioning/distribution; kinetic chemistry, elemental diffusion, nucleation and transformation; aqueous geochemistry, water-mineral interactions; Gibbs free energy and the formation/weathering of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks; introduction to isotope geochemistry.

Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.

Prerequisite: CHEM 1F92.

Note: students must supply their own safety equipment (safety glasses and lab coats).

*ERSC 3P33

Biodiversity

(also offered as GEOG 3P33)

Dispersal and migration, adaptation; speciation, extinction; ecological interaction, species invasion, plant and animal introductions, habitat fragmentation and application of biogeographical theory to conservation biology, and human impacts on fire regimes.

Lectures, lab, field work, 6 hours per week.

Prerequisite: one of ERSC 2P09, BIOL 2P05, 2Q04 or permission of the instructor.

*ERSC 3P35

Biomonitoring and Environmental Stress Assessment

(also offered as GEOG 3P35)

Use of biodiversity indicators, field methods and passive and active sensors to assess environmental quality. Collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data to investigate urban air and water pollution and forest health.

Restriction: students must have a minimum of 10.0 overall credits and permission of the department.

Prerequisite: one of ERSC 1F01(1F95), 2P09, BIOL 1F90 or permission of the instructor.

Note: one-week field study in the last week of the summer session with labs for 3 hours per week during the Fall term. Students are expected to pay their expenses.

*ERSC 3P36

Fluvial Geomorphology

(also offered as GEOG 3P36)

River basins, channel morphology, flood frequency analysis, elementary flow mechanics and sediment transport; analysis of river records; long term changes in river systems. Introduction to HEC-RAS flow modelling.

Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 2P05 or permission of the instructor.

ERSC 3P61

Groundwater Geology

Principles and fundamentals of Groundwater geology; Hydrologic cycle and groundwater basins; groundwater movement; hydraulic methods, testing and applications; groundwater resource management. Local field work-installation/testing of monitoring wells/piezometers.

Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.

Prerequisites: ERSC 1F01 (1F95) and MATH 1P97.

#ERSC 3P83

Geography of Water Resources

(also offered as GEOG 3P83)

Physical and human factors affecting patterns of use and development of water resources. Emphasis on patterns of supply and demand, approaches to development and management of the resource, problems and alternative strategies.

Lectures, seminar, 4 hours per week.

Restriction: open to ERSC (single or combined) and GEOG (single or combined) majors until date specified in Registration guide.

Prerequisite: one of ERSC 1F01 (1F95), GEOG 1F90, 1F91 or permission of the instructor.

*ERSC 3P85

Ecology of a Changing Planet

(also offered as BIOL 3P85 and GEOG 3P85)

Impact of environmental change and human activity on ecosystems. Topics include climate change and global warming, habitat fragmentation, extinction, invasive species, conservation biology and the management of ecological integrity.

Lectures, lab, 5 hours per week.

Prerequisite: one of ERSC 2P09, BIOL 2P05, 2Q04.

ERSC 3P94

Advanced Igneous Petrology

Igneous petrogenesis, with emphasis on the physical chemistry of igneous processes; igneous rock complexes; studies of a number of petrologically important areas.

Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 3P21.

#ERSC 3P95

Advanced Geographic Information Systems

(also offered as GEOG 3P95)

Further study of geographic information systems emphasizing vector and database applications and advanced analytical operations. Practical work using Idrisi32 and MapInfo Professional. Discussion of legal, ethical, management and other issues relating to GIS.

Lectures, lab, 5 hours per week.

Restriction: open to ERSC (single or combined) and GEOG (single or combined) majors until date specified in Registration guide.

Prerequisite: ERSC 3P05.

ERSC 3P96

Special Topics in Earth Sciences I

Selected issues and various methods of inquiry related to faculty expertise.

Restriction: consult the Chair and supervising instructor regarding permission to register. Open to ERSC (single or combined) majors with a major average of 70 percent and a minimum of 10.0 overall credits.

ERSC 3P98

Ore Geology

Mode of occurrence, distribution, genesis, evaluation of and exploration for metallic and industrial mineral deposits. Includes ore petrology and geochemistry as well as theory of ore deposition in hydrothermal systems.

Lectures, lab, seminar, 6 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 3P21.

Note: ERSC 3P31 is recommended.

ERSC 3P99

Field Camp-Solid Earth

Two-week immersion course offered after final examinations in year 3 introducing students to collecting, recording and synthesizing field data, airphoto mapping, preparing geologic maps and reports. Field area, situated in northern Ontario, consists of Archaean, Proterozoic and Paleozoic lithologies.

Restriction: consult the Department regarding permission to register. Students must have a minimum of 13.0 overall credits.

Note: registrants are expected to defray the cost of travel, accommodation and other expenses.

*ERSC 3Q99

Field School-Quaternary Geology

(also offered as GEOG 3Q99)

Field and laboratory methods for analysis of Quaternary landscapes based on field sites including fluvial, hillslope, coastal, glacial, and biosphere examples.

Lectures, lab, 5 hours per week.

Restriction: consult the Department regarding permission to register.

Prerequisite: ERSC 2P17 (2P12).

ERSC 3V90-3V99

Special Topics in Earth Sciences

Selected issues in Earth Sciences on the basis of faculty expertise and student interest.

Restriction: consult the Chair and supervising instructor regarding permission to register. Open to ERSC (single or combined) majors with a major average of 70 percent and a minimum of 10.0 overall credits.

ERSC 4F91

Thesis

Research on geological problems involving field or laboratory study under faculty supervision.

Restriction: open to ERSC (Honours) (single or combined) majors with a minimum of 13.5 overall credits and a minimum major average of 75 percent.

Note: submission and oral examination of thesis are required.

ERSC 4P01

Advanced Structural Geology

Deformation mechanisms; the use of kinematic indicators; relationships between micro and macrostructures; emphasis on recent topics and methods in structural geology.

Lectures, seminar, lab, 5 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 3P01 (2P01).

#ERSC 4P07

Advanced Remote Sensing

(also offered as GEOG 4P07)

Theory and practice of in situ, airborne and spaceborne remote sensing. Emphasis on techniques used to study natural and human-made environments. Topics include data acquisition and data preprocessing, image analysis, accuracy assessment and the production of information products. Image processing and analyses using commercially available image-analysis software.

Lectures, lab, 4 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 3P07 or permission of the instructor.

ERSC 4P10

Advanced Clastic Sedimentology

Team study of the subsurface geology of a selected area of a Lake Erie gas field. Drill cores and geophysical logs are used to correlate lithostratigraphic units and to construct structure contour maps and isopach maps of gas-bearing strata. Introduction to sedimentary facies models.

Lab, seminar, 4 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 2P16 (2P10) or 2P31.

ERSC 4P15

Photogeology and Remote Sensing

Analysis and geologic interpretation of aerial photography, including remote sensing data from airborne and satellite imagery. Temporal evolution and denudation of land masses in relation to tectonic, sedimentologic and climatic changes.

Lectures, seminar, lab, 5 hours per week.

Prerequisite: one of ERSC 3P24, 3P25, 3P26, 3P36.

Completion of this course will replace previous grade in ERSC 3P43.

ERSC 4P16

Precambrian Geology

Archaean and Proterozoic evolution of the Earth examining: geology, tectonics, stratigraphy and history of the Precambrian; evolution of the Earth's crust; Precambrian time scale; evolution of life, oceans and atmosphere.

Lectures, seminar, 4 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 3P21.

ERSC 4P22

Advanced Metamorphic Petrology

Synthesis of metamorphic textures, compositional variations and field characteristics with emphasis on the temperature-pressure relations of the metamorphic rocks and the role of fluids in metamorphism.

Lectures, lab, 6 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 3P21.

*ERSC 4P26

Advanced Fluvial Geomorphology

(also offered as GEOG 4P26)

Steep, rough river systems emphasizing boulder bed and rock bed channels.

Seminar, lab, field work, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 3P36 or permission of the instructor.

*ERSC 4P28

Advanced Glacial Sedimentology

(also offered as GEOG 4P28)

Sedimentology of present day glacial environments and of Quaternary sediments. Thermo-mechanical principles of glacier physics as applied to past and present glacier ice conditions. Glacial lithofacies associations. Glacio-tectonics and diagenesis. Principles of glacial erosion, entrainment and deposition.

Lectures, lab, local field trip, 5 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 3P24, 3P26 or permission of the instructor.

ERSC 4P31

Watershed Analysis

Hydrologic/watershed cycle; fundamentals and principles of watersheds-interaction of hydrosphere-lithosphere-biosphere; physical characteristics, effects and controls of stream sediments/contaminants/pollutants; aqueous geochemistry; introduction to watershed toxicology. Investigation of concerns with several watersheds. Major study and report of a local subwatershed.

Lectures, lab, local field work, 6 hours per week.

Prerequisite: one of ERSC 3P31, BIOL 3P71, 3P72, CHEM 2P42.

Note: students must supply their own safety equipment (safety glasses and lab coats).

ERSC 4P52

Industrial Mineral Deposits and Coal

Industrial rocks, minerals and aggregates; geologic origin, occurrence and mutual relationships; classification, extraction, preparation and uses; properties, classification and origin of coal; structural control, exploitation of ore deposits, grade and tonnage calculation.

Lectures, lab, seminar, field trip, 6 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 3P98.

ERSC 4P61

Surface Hydrology

Distribution and variation of run-off, recurrence of floods and droughts; fluvial processes and sediment transport; hydrologic and water management techniques; computer models for hydrologic and sediment analysis.

Lectures, lab, local field trip, 5 hours per week.

Prerequisite: ERSC 2P05 or 2P16 (2P10) or 2P31 or permission of the instructor.

*ERSC 4P80

Dendrochronology

(also offered as BIOL 4P80 and GEOG 4P80)

Principles and use of dendrochronology to study forest dynamics, geomorphic events and paleoenvironmental change; use of tree growth in the study of climate and environmental factors; measurement and statistical analysis of tree growth records.

Lectures, lab, local field trip, 6 hours per week.

Prerequisite: one of ERSC 2P09, BIOL 2P05, 2Q04.

 

CO-OP COURSES

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ERSC 0N01

Work Placement I

First Co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.

Restriction: open to ERSC Co-op students.

ERSC 0N02

Work Placement II

Second Co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.

Restriction: open to ERSC Co-op students.

ERSC 0N03

Work Placement III

Third Co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.

Restriction: open to ERSC Co-op students.

ERSC 0N04

Work Placement IV

Optional Co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.

Restriction: open to ERSC Co-op students.

ERSC 0N05

Work Placement V

Optional Co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.

Restriction: open to ERSC Co-op students.

 
Last updated: January 6, 2006 @ 02:50PM