Geology Courses |
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First Year Seminars The 199Y1 and 199H1 seminars are designed to provide the opportunity to work closely with an instructor in a class of no more than twenty-four students. These interactive seminars are intended to stimulate the students’ curiosity and provide an opportunity to get to know a member of the professorial staff in a seminar environment during the first year of study. Details here. GLG102H1 Introduction to the functioning of the Earth as a chemical and physical system. Topics include formation of the Earth from the solar nebula, radioactive decay and age dating, meteorite impacts, melting and crystallization of rocks, erosion and sedimentation, the carbon cycle and its effects on climate, and the transport and remediation of pollutants in the environment. GLG103H1 Geologic hazards: earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, tsunamis. The distribution and politics of natural resources, including petroleum and ore deposits. Nuclear power and nuclear waste disposal. Global change: the geologic record of hot and cold climates, and how the earth survives. GLG105H1 The evolution of ideas about the origin and development of the earth from the Athenians to the 20th Century. With attention on whether the earth has an infinite or a finite life; on the evolution and disappearance of species; on the origin of oceans, continents and mountains; on the forces that have shaped the earth’s surface; and on the courage of scientists in confronting the religious and political views of their time. GLG110H1 The nature and evolution of the Earth; plate tectonics; rocks and minerals; volcanism; geological time; fossils; geology of Ontario; environmental issues. GLG130H1 Scientific findings of the solar system exploration program and their application to the origin of the earth and solar system; space resources; search for life on other planets. GLG202H1 An introduction to thermodynamics, phase diagrams and solution chemistry, with application to geological and environmental processes. GLG204H1 Solving quantitative problems associated with a variety of geological questions: plate velocities, CO2 in the atmosphere, heat flow, simple statistics and visualizations of geologic datasets. The course involves computer programming (to solve and model the questions), report writing, oral presentations, and developing team skills. GLG205H1 The emergence of society as a major geological force is considered in terms of the evolving debate about the consequences of human activity for the habitability of our planet. Major issues such as climate change, environmental pollution, and depletion of natural resources are examined. GLG206H1 An overview of the structural, chemical and optical properties of minerals. Laboratories on the identification of minerals in hand specimen and thin section. A mandatory 2 day field trip in late September. GLG207H1 Origin and classification of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and their associated ore deposits. Emphasis is placed on formation of rock types in the context of plate tectonic theory, and the practical aspects of rock identification in hand sample and thin section. GLG216H1 A survey of principal physical, biological and chemical processes shaping the Earth. Laboratories will explore these processes in more detail through a series of problem sets. GLG217H1 An introduction to the evolution of the biosphere from the earliest stabilization of the Earth’s crust. Patterns of evolution and extinction are related to physico-chemical and biologically-mediated changes at the Earth’s surface. Laboratories cover major groups of invertebrate fossils, microfossils, their classification and living analogues. ENV234Y1 See “Centre for Environment” GLG299Y1 Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details here. ENV315H1 See “Centre for Environment” GLG318H1 An overview of the nature and origin of igneous and metamorphic rocks, with particular emphasis on the interpretation of textures and mineral assemblages as they reflect conditions of rock formation. Laboratory exercises familiarise students with the most common igneous and metamorphic rock types, and provide practical examples of the theoretical principles discussed in lectures. This course also has a mandatory weekend field trip to view igneous and metamorphic rocks and structures. The venue for the trip alternates yearly between Bancroft and the Montreal area. GLG319H1 Descriptive petrography and classification of metamorphic rocks; metamorphic processes and evolution of metamorphic rocks; interpretation of metamorphic rocks. GLG340H1 A ten-day field course in mid-May or late August. Students are introduced to field geology and to basic field measurement, mapping and documentation techniques in the Espanola - Manitoulin Island area, west of Sudbury. Students are responsible for the cost of board and lodging and transport to and from the field area. GLG345H1 The development of geological structures at a variety of scales is examined using the concepts of stress, strain, material behaviour and tectonic setting. Laboratory work focuses on modern methods of structural analysis and their applications in geotechnical engineering and economic geology. GLG351H1 An introduction to aqueous environmental geochemistry emphasising the importance of chemical equilibria, mass transport, and microbiological activity in regulating the chemical composition of natural and contaminated systems. GLG360H1 An introduction to the methods for studying sedimentary rocks in surface and subsurface. Petrographic description and classification of sedimentary rocks are dealt with in lectures and laboratory exercises, followed by a treatment of the principles of stratigraphic documentation and correlation, facies-analysis methods, and a brief description of depositional systems. GLG371H1 GLG372Y1 An individual study program chosen by the student with the advice of, and under the supervision of, a staff member. Such work may involve obtaining data in the field or lab and analysing it, an interdisciplinary research project, and supervised readings. GLG398H0 GLG399Y0 An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting. Details here. GLG423H1 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. GLG430H1 Architecture and evolution of sedimentary basins in relation to plate-tectonic setting and crustal properties. Sequence stratigraphy: sequence models and sequence forcing mechanisms tectonism, eustasy, climate change. The global-cycle-chart controversy. World-wide review of basins in the context of plate tectonics. GLG436H1 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. JGP438H1 An introduction to the geophysical exploration of the subsurface. Topics include gravity, seismic, magnetic, electrical and electromagnetic surveying and their application in prospecting, hydrogeology, and environmental assessments. GLG440H1 Integrated field, experimental and theoretical approaches to understanding the petrological diversity of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Topics include development of thermobarometers for igneous and metamorphic rocks, the importance of oxygen fugacity in petrogenesis, melting/solidification and metamorphism and igneous activity in the context of global tectonics. GLG441H1 Remote sensing of Earth and terrestrial planets; introduces theory and principles of optical and radar remote sensing. Applications to new planetary data, including those from Earth, Mars, and the Moon, are emphasized. Practical components of the course involve GIS applications for the synthesis and analysis of multiple datasets. GLG442H1 Geology and geochemistry of ore deposits. Origin and interpretation; systematic ore mineralogy, in hand specimen and reflected light microscopy. GLG443H1 Genesis of ore deposits. The basic tools for studying ore genesis such as stable isotopes, fluid inclusions and sulfide mineralogy and their applications to selected types of ores. GLG445H1 Advanced geological mapping project in a challenging field environment. Students learn to compile existing geoscience data, create a geological map and prepare a professional final report on their activities and findings. Students are responsible for the costs of board, lodging and transportation for a 14-day field trip. GLG448H1 A two-week course in late summer designed to familiarize students in a variety of hydrogeological and biogeochemical field techniques; based at Atomic Energy Canada Laboratories, Chalk River, and includes a mixture of lecture, laboratory and field exercises. Students are responsible for the cost of board and lodging and transport to and from the field area. This is a summer session course and students must also register with the Department during the preceding term. GLG450H1 This course examines groundwater flow, the role of groundwater in geologic processes, and explores physical, chemical and isotopic constraints on contaminant source transport and attenuation GLG465H1 Exploration of physical Earth processes and their relationship to large-scale geological phenomena. Mantle convection as plate tectonic engine; intraplate/plate boundary lithospheric deformation including orogenesis and crustal subsidence. Focus on reconciling geodynamic theory/modelling with geological/geophysical observations. GLG470Y1 Laboratory research emphasizing methods and experimental techniques applicable to geology. Students must obtain the consent of an instructor and register with the Undergraduate Coordinator before enrolling and are urged to do so toward the end of their Third Year. Students are required to give an oral presentation of research results to an open meeting of the Department. GLG471H1 Laboratory research emphasizing methods and experimental techniques applicable to geology. Students must obtain the consent of an instructor and register with the Undergraduate Coordinator before enrolling and are urged to do so toward the end of their Third Year. Students are required to give an oral presentation of research results to an open meeting of the Department. |