Earth Sciences (MSc)

Master of Science in Earth Sciences

Program Website: Earth Sciences

Field(s) of Specialization

• Geology
• Earth Sciences

Faculty and Administration

For a listing of program faculty and administrative contacts, please visit the program directory.

Program Description

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 search for water and life on Mars using NASA Rovers and geochemistry, documenting sedimentary and structural features on Mars and Earth; measuring atmospheric oxygen of the Proterozoic & Phanerozoic using halite and dolomite; paleoclimatology of the Carribean - Deep Sea cores, Quaternary and Pliocene paleoceanography on a global scale; studying modern and fossil dinoflagellate cysts, geology and geomorphology, hydrological and hydrochemical impacts of landscape mitigating practices in wetlands; Lower Great Lakes nutrient loads, refining the International Geological Time Scale for the Quaternary.

Earth Sciences graduates are prepared for careers responding to the needs of governments, industries and society facing global change.

Facilities

• The Department is fully equipped with geochemistry, palynology, sedimentology, hydrology, flume, petrographic and micromorphology laboratories.
• Equipment housed in other Departments (e.g., SEM, ICP-MS, etc.) are available to graduate students in the Earth Sciences.
• The Department shares an x-ray diffractometer (XRD) with the Physics Department and the facilities of electronic, machine, woodworking and glassblowing shops with other departments.

Admission Requirements

• Successful completion of an Honours Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in Earth Sciences, with a minimum 75% average.
• Agreement from a faculty advisor to supervise the student is required for admission to the program.
• The Graduate Admissions Committee reviews all applications and recommends admission for 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 may not necessarily guarantee acceptance into the program.
• Part-time study is available.