Faculty of Arts & Science 2013-2014 Calendar

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Earth Sciences

Faculty

Earth scientists contribute significantly to the wealth and well-being of society. Earth scientists explore mineral resources, locate safe drinking water, assist in safe waste disposal, analyse the causes of natural disasters and investigate environmental problems ranging from groundwater remediation to climate change. However, Earth scientists do not only study the Earth, they also investigate other planetary bodies, moons, and meteorites in order to gain a fundamental understanding of the universe. All this requires thinking in a wide range of spatial (atomic to planetary) and temporal (seconds to billions of years) scales while working in an interdisciplinary dialogue involving other scientists and policymakers. Earth scientists are able to master this wide range of tasks because they have been trained to solve problems by considering other scientific disciplines (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics), combining distinct and often incomplete data sets, thinking in 4 dimensions, considering long time spans, and making careful observations in the field and in the laboratory. Thus, they gain a profound understanding of how the Earth works and can contribute significantly to the discussion of issues important to society. Earth scientists are in high demand worldwide and can find rewarding careers working in diverse occupations in industry, the finance and insurance

Our department offers various programs. Three specialist programs provide sufficient depth of knowledge to allow students to enter a career as a professional geoscientist or to pursue research at the graduate level. The Geology Specialist program focuses on processes of the solid Earth, and is particularly suited for students considering the resource industry. The Environmental Geosciences Specialist program explores processes at the interface of hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere, including human impacts connected to pollution, remediation, and sustainable development. The Geophysics Specialist program focuses on methods of imaging the subsurface in non-invasive ways and modeling physical processes in and on Earth. The Geoscience Major program allows students to combine Earth science with another subject of their choice; logical complements are not just another science (e.g., chemistry, biology, computer science), but also other programs like archaeology, commerce, or architecture given the importance of Earth materials and processes in these fields. The Geoscience Minor program provides an introduction to geologic topics and thinking. Students are encouraged to discuss their plans on program and course selection with the Associate Chair (Undergraduate Studies) or Program Supervisor. Students wishing to enter a Specialist program in our department should have taken the following courses in Grade 12: English ENG4U, Chemistry SCH4U, Physics SPH4U, and Functions MCB4U or equivalent.

Fieldwork and skills development are important aspects of our programs. At least one fieldcourse is required even for the Geoscience Major. Fieldtrips range from one day or a weekend to two weeks; in recent years groups of undergraduate students have traveled to Newfoundland, Texas, Arizona, Chile and New Zealand. In addition, small groups of undergraduates have been involved with field research in Peru, Turkey, Greece, BC, Maine and New Mexico. These opportunities do not only foster friendships, they also afford hands-on learning and allow for a close collaboration between individual students and instructor. Assignments hone critical engagement with material as well as skills development including written and oral presentation, teamwork, information literacy, quantitative reasoning, and ethical thinking, which are all weaved throughout the curriculum. Students are encouraged to consider the Professional Experience Year program (an optional 16-month work term which provides industrial experience) or study abroad for a semester.

More information about undergraduate studies in Earth Sciences can be found on the department website www.es.utoronto.ca.

Undergraduate Coordinator: Charly Bank (416-978-4381) email: undergradchair@es.utoronto.ca
Enquiries: Department of Earth Sciences, Earth Sciences Centre (416-978-3022)

Earth Sciences Programs

The introductory 100-level course ESS102H1 is strongly recommended for enrolment in all programs in the Department of Earth Sciences.

This program has unlimited enrolment and no specific admission requirements. All students who have completed at least 4.0 courses are eligible to enrol.

Consult the Undergraduate Coordinator, Department of Geology, Earth Sciences Centre

(14 full courses or their equivalent)

5.0 FCE foundation courses:
(CHM138H1, CHM139H1) / CHM151Y1; MAT135H1 & MAT136H1; (PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/(PHY151H1, PHY152H1); BIO120H1 / MAT223H1; STA220H1 / GGR270H1; GGR201H1; CSC108H1 / ESS345H1; recommended: GLG102H1

6.0 FCE core courses:
ESS211H1 / ENV233H1, ESS221H1, ESS222H1, ESS241H1, ESS261H1, JGA305H1, ESS311H1, ESS312H1, ESS322H1, ESS331H1, ESS332H1, ESS441H1

1.0 FCE field courses:
ESS330H1, ESS420H1 / ESS490H1

2.0 FCE electives chosen from:
ESS381H1, ESS423H1, ESS425H1, ESS445H1, ESS461H1, ESS481H1, ESS420H1 / ESS490H1, ESS491H1 / ESS492Y1

note: ESS391H1, ESS392Y1, ESS398H0 and ESS399Y0 do not count towards requirements for the specialist program, but may be taken as additional credits.

This program has unlimited enrolment and no specific admission requirements. All students who have completed at least 4.0 courses are eligible to enrol.

Consult Departments of Geology and Physics

(13.5 to 14 full courses or their equivalent with at least one course at the 400-level)

9.0 FCEs core courses:

First year:  PHY131H1/PHY151H1, PHY132H1/PHY152H1; (MAT135H1, MAT136H1)/MAT137Y1

Second year:  PHY250H1, PHY254H1; MAT235Y1/MAT237Y1; ESS221H1, ESS241H1

Third year:  PHY395H1; JGA305H1, ESS331H1

Fourth year:  PHY408H1, PHY493H1, PHY494H1; ESS441H1, ESS445H1

0.5 to 1.0 FCEs ethics course chosen from the following list: JPH441H1, ENV333H1, PHL273H1, PHL275H1, ABS201Y1

4.0 to 4.5 additional FCEs chosen from Groups A, B, and/or C:

Group A -- courses required for professional registration (APGO): 
CHM139H1; ESS345H1/CSC108H1; STA220H1/GGR270H1; MAT223H1, MAT224H1; APM346H1; ESS450H1

Group B -- emphasis on physics (suitable for graduate school preparation in a physics program):
PHY252H1, PHY350H1, PHY354H1, PHY392H1, PHY454H1, PHY495H1

Group C -- other relevant courses:
PHY224H1, MAT244H1, MAT335H1, ESS211H1, ESS222H1, ESS311H1, ESS312H1, ESS322H1, ESS330H1, ESS410H1

This program has unlimited enrolment and no specific admission requirements. All students who have completed at least 4.0 courses are eligible to enrol.

(8 full courses or their equivalent including at least 2.0 FCE at 300+ series with at least 0.5 FCE at 400 level series.)

2.0 to 2.5 FCE chosen from BIO120H1; CHM138H1, CHM139H1; MAT135H1, MAT136H1, MAT137Y1; PHY131H1, PHY132H1; ESS102H1

2.5 FCE core courses: ESS221H1, ESS222H1, ESS241H1, ESS261H1, ESS331H1

0.5 FCE field course: ESS330H1/ESS410H1/ESS450H1

2.0 to 2.5 FCE chosen from 300/400 level ESS courses/JGA305H1; note course progressions and prerequisites.

We suggest students consider the following logical course clusters in their higher years:
(a) Earth/planetary materials and mineral resources: ESS211H1/ENV233H1, ESS322H1, ESS332H1, ESS423H1
(b) tectonics: JGA305H1, ESS345H1, ESS441H1, ESS445H1
(c) environmental and biogeochemistry: ESS211H1/ENV233H1, ESS311H1, ESS312H1, ESS410H1, ESS461H1
(d) geoarchaeology: JGA305H1, ESS461H1

This program has unlimited enrolment and no specific admission requirements. All students who have completed at least 4.0 courses are eligible to enrol.

(4 full courses or their equivalent, with at least 1.0 FCE at 300+ series.)

1. 1.0 FCE of 100-series CHM, BIO, or PHY courses.

2. 1.0 FCE of 100-level ESS courses (ESS102H1 recommended).

3. 1.0 FCE of 200-level ESS courses.

4. 1.0 FCE of 300/400 level ESS courses, including JGA305H1.

Be aware of course prerequisites, check clusters of courses listed for the geoscience major program, and consult the geology undergraduate handbook for logical course progressions.

Jointly sponsored by the School for the Environment and the Department of Earth Sciences. Topics include earth materials, sedimentary geology, aqueous geochemistry, hydrogeology and biogeochemistry. For more information, please contact Dr. C. Bank, Department of Earth Sciences, undergradchair@es.utoronto.ca.  Students should note that under the Professional Geoscientists Act of 2000, individuals practicing Environmental Geoscience in Ontario require education that fulfills APGO knowledge requirements or a P.Eng.

This program has unlimited enrolment and no specific admission requirements. All students who have completed at least 4.0 courses are eligible to enrol.

(14 full courses or their equivalent which includes fulfillment of the Faculty’s Distribution requirement ; must include at least four 300+-series courses, one of which must be at the 400-level)

Environmental Geosciences Specialist
First Year: CHM151Y1/(CHM138H1, CHM139H1); (MAT135H1, MAT136H1) / MAT137Y1; PHY131H1, PHY132H1
First or Second Year: BIO120H1
Second to Fourth Years:
ESS211H1 / ENV233H1, ESS221H1, ESS222H1, ESS241H1; GGR201H1; ENV234H1/ESS261H1/EEB214H1; CHM210H1, ENV235H1; MAT235Y1/(MAT221H1/MAT223H1, ESS345H1); STA220H1/GGR270H1; ESS311H1, ESS312H1, ESS331H1; ESS425H1/ENV315H1; ESS461H1, ESS410H1
2.0 FCE from: JGA305H1, ESS381H1, ESS450H1, ESS441H1, ESS445H1, ESS481H1, ESS491H1 / ESS492Y1

This program has unlimited enrolment and no specific admission requirements. All students who have completed at least 4.0 courses are eligible to enrol.

(8.5 full courses or their equivalent; must include at least two full-course equivalents at the 300+-level)

(CHM138H1, CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1; (MAT135H1, MAT136H1)/MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1; (PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/(PHY151H1, PHY152H1)
Second Year:
ENV235Y1/(CHM210H1, ENV235H1); ENV233H1; ESS221H1, ESS222H1, ESS241H1, ESS261H1

Third and Fourth Years:
ESS311H1, ESS312H1, ESS461H1, ESS410H1

This program has unlimited enrolment and no specific admission requirements. All students who have completed at least 4.0 courses are eligible to enrol.

(4 full courses or their equivalent; must include at least one full-course equivalent at the 300+-level)

1. ENV235Y1/(CHM210H1, ENV235H1)
2. ENV233H1; ESS221H1, ESS222H1, ESS311H1, ESS312H1, ESS410H1

Earth Sciences Courses

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 can be found at www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/course/.

This multidisciplinary course draws on elements from geology, soil science, and ecology to understand past and present environments and human impacts on landscapes and ecosystems. Emphasis on the structure, functioning and connectivity of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Field trips and labs. Mandatory weekend day-long field trip (total cost about $20). (Lab Materials Fee: $25).

Application of near-surface geophysical methods to investigate environmental and archaeological sites; in particular magnetometry, resistivity, ground-probing radar, and seismic surveys. Course will cover background on the various methods, and allow students to run field surveys and present on case studies.

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.

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.  ESS103H1 is primarily intended as a science Distribution Requirement course for Humanities and Social Science, it will be taught in odd years.

The evolution of ideas about the origin and development of the earth from the Athenians to the 20th Century, with attention on the age of earth; on the evolution and disappearance of species; on the origin of oceans, continents and mountains; on climate change; and on the courage of scientists in confronting the religious and political views of their time.  ESS104H1 is primarily intended as a science Distribution Requirement course for Humanities and Social Science students. Taught in even years.

The nature and evolution of the Earth; plate tectonics; rocks and minerals; volcanism; geological time; fossils; geology of Ontario; environmental issues; and human interactions with the planet.  ESS105H1 is primarily intended as a science Distribution Requirement course for Humanities and Social Science students

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.

An introduction to thermodynamics, phase diagrams and solution chemistry, with application to geological and environmental processes.

Systematic mineralogy (including: identification, classification and description), Physical and chemical properties of minerals. Crystallography and crystal systems (symmetry, crystal structure, crystal systems) Descriptions of rocks in hand samples. Optical techniques in mineral identification.

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.

Field observations, description and classification of geological structures: stratigraphic and intrusive contacts, unconformities; relative age determination; folds and fold systems; faults and fault systems; boudinage, foliations and lineations; spherical projections and mechanical principles (stress, strain, rheology). Practical work focuses on reading geological maps, constructing cross-sections, and interpreting both in terms of geological processes and histories.

Interrelationships between Earths atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere and biosphere through time; including patterns of evolution and extinction as they are related to changes at the earth's surface and recorded in the rock record. Laboratories cover major groups of fossils, their classification, use in biostratigraphy, and living analogues.

Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details at http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/course/rop.

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.

Groundwater flow, the role of groundwater in geologic processes, and physical, chemical and isotopic constraints on contaminant source transport and attenuation.

An overview of the nature and origin of igneous as well as metamorphic rocks, with particular emphasis on the interpretation of textures and mineral assemblages as they reflect rock-forming processes. Laboratory exercises familiarise students with the most common 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 in the Bancroft or Montreal area. This course includes an International Course Module in 2013-14. (Note that enrolment in the course does not guarantee a place in the Module.)

A two-week field course in early May or late August. Students are introduced to field geology and to basic field measurement, mapping and documentation techniques (for example 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.

Principles of correlation, facies concept, dynamic processes and their geological record.

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 description of depositional systems.

High-level computer programming to manipulate, analyse, and visualise geologic datasets, and to solve geologic problems that require mathematical and physical concepts. Students work in Matlab, write reports, give oral presentations, and work in teams.

A survey of current thinking in Earth science. Topics may include isotope geochemistry, ore genesis, or planetary remote sensing.

An individual study program chosen by the student with the advice, and under the supervision, of a faculty member. Such work may involve obtaining data in the field or lab and analysing it, an interdisciplinary research project, and supervised readings.

An individual study program chosen by the student with the advice, and under the supervision, of a faculty member. Such work may involve obtaining data in the field or lab and anlysing it, an interdisciplinary research project, and supervised readings.

An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting. Details at http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/course/399.

An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting. Details at http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/course/399.

A ten-day field course in late summer at the Deep River field site designed to familiarize students in a variety of hydrogeological and biogeochemical field techniques; includes a mixture of lecture, laboratory and field exercises.

A two-week 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.

Geology and geochemistry of ore deposits. Origin and interpretation; systematic ore mineralogy, in hand specimen and reflected light microscopy.

Theory and hands-on learning of current analytical techniques (laboratory work is worth 50% of the final grade). In each lab, groups of two students receive instruction from an experienced analyst and acquire hands-on experience using state-of-the-art analytical equipment. Where possible, samples supplied by the students are analyzed. Techniques covered include Neutron Activation, X-ray Fluorescence, X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Gas Chromatography, Ion Chromatography, Atomic Absorption, Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry.

Principles of geological mechanics: stress, strain, rheology. Faulting, folding and development of tectonic foliations and lineations. Structural analysis of fractures, folds and tectonites.

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.

A ten-day field course in late August at the Deep River field site. Students get hands-on experience using geophysical instrumentation, applying various data collection techniques, and performing data analysis in gravity, magnetic, seismic, electrical, electromagnetic, and radar surveys.

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.

An in-depth study of a modern earth science question, for example mineralogy and material science, advanced petrology, or exploration geochemistry.

A two-week excursion in late summer/early fall to a challenging field setting. Students will integrate field observations with their accumulated knowledge of rock-forming processes, structural geology, and landscape evolution to understand large-scale geological events.

Research emphasising methods used in field and experimental work. Students must obtain the consent of an instructor and register with the undergraduate coordinator and are urged to do so toward the end of their third year. In addition to submitting a thesis, students are required to give an oral presentation of their research results to an open meeting of the department.

Research emphasising methods used in field and experimental work. Students must obtain the consent of an instructor and register with the undergraduate coordinator and are urged to do so toward the end of their third year. In addition to submitting a thesis, students are required to give an oral presentation of their research results to an open meeting of the department.

The impact of 7 billion people on the planet is enormous and challenges future generations. What are these impacts today and in future? What solutions and tools can avert societal collapse? Using an integrated and interdisciplinary systems approach, we explore problems and solutions to the earth’s limits to growth.