Earth Sciences (ERTH) Courses
Seminars in Earth Sciences I
One-term modular courses covering a spectrum of Earth Science topics and current research problems, ranging from the geology and geophysics of the solid Earth, to its surface environment and crustal resources. Course complements ERTH 5002.
A minimum of four modules offered per term, three must be completed to obtain course credit. Choice of modules must be approved by the OCGC Director.
Seminars in Earth Sciences II
One-term modular courses covering a spectrum of Earth Science topics and current research problems, ranging from the geology and geophysics of the solid Earth, to its surface environment and crustal resources. Course complements ERTH 5001.
A minimum of four modules offered per term, three must be completed to obtain course credit. Choice of modules must be approved by the OCGC Director.
Mineralogy
An advanced course covering selected topics in mineralogy, such as crystallography, crystal chemistry, crystal structure, mineralogy of rock-forming mineral groups, and instrumental methods in mineralogical research, such as use of electronic optical instruments, spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography; seminar presentations and practical exercises.
Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, and Metamorphic Petrology
Phase equilibria, phase diagrams, and the kinetics of mineral reactions; mass transfer; regional and global aspects of metamorphic petrogenesis. Course may include one or two weeks of field-based instruction with costs borne by students.
Advanced Igneous Petrology
Integrates physical and chemical processes with the dynamics of magmatic systems to understand igneous processes. Course may involve a field trip with costs to be paid by students.
Geology and Geochemistry of Ore Deposits
An advanced course in ore deposits examining aspects of their geology, geochemistry, and exploration. Topics will be selected from a range of different deposit types, including hydrothermal and magmatic ore deposits, as well as laboratory and field examination of different ores and their host rocks.
Hydrothermal Ore Deposits
Advanced economic geology course on hydrothermal ore deposits including geology and geochemistry, physical and chemical controls on mineralization, recognition and characterization of ore-fluid reservoirs, nature of large-scale fluid flow and alteration, and applications to exploration.
Natural Hazards in Canada - Risk and Impact
Overview of natural hazards and severe weather phenomena in Canada. Notions of risk, return period, and probability of occurrence of natural disasters. Impact on society and infrastructure. Mitigation policies and strategies.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as ERTH 4815, for which additional credit is precluded.
Siliciclastic Sedimentology
Origin and significance of physical sedimentary processes and structures. Analysis of ancient siliciclastic depositional environments in a facies model and sequence stratigraphic framework. Course involves lectures, seminars and field excursions.
Carbonate Sedimentology
Aspects of modern depositional systems, dynamic facies models, sequence stratigraphy, mineralogy, and diagenesis of carbonate sediments. The practical part of the course will consist of a field-laboratory project that integrates various techniques in carbonate sedimentology (mapping, petrography, staining, cathodoluminescence, fluorescence, SEM).
Paleobiology
Extinctions, micro- and macro-evolutionary processes, long-term trends and cycles in the Phanerozoic; functional morphology; application of invertebrates to biostratigraphy, paleoceanography and paleolimnology. May include one or two weeks of field-based instruction with costs borne by the student.
Evolutionary Developmental Biology
This course explores the mechanistic basis of organismic evolution from genetic, morphogenetic and epigenetic perspectives, within a phylogenetic context of living and extinct vertebrates.
Advanced Micropaleontology
Paleobiology, biostratigraphy and paleoecology of microfossils in the context of paleoceanography, paleolimnology and paleoclimatology. Course may involve a field trip with costs to be paid by students.
Environmental Isotopes and Groundwater Geochemistry
Geochemistry and environmental isotopes in studies of groundwater dynamics, age and contaminant hydrogeology. Environments from shallow groundwater and surface water to deep crustal brines are examined. Low temperature aqueous geochemistry and mineral solubility with emphasis on the carbonate system.
Radioisotope Geochemistry Methods
Overview of the basic principles of radiochemistry and examination of the occurrence, sources and production of radionuclides in the earth system that have been used extensively in environmental and geochemical studies. Discussion of and practice using the key methods of radionuclide detection.
Aqueous Inorganic Geochemistry and Modelling
Covers concepts in aqueous geochemistry including ion hydration and hydrolysis, aqueous activity, complexation, mineral solubility, carbonate system, redox, adsorption/surface complexation and reaction kinetics. Bi-weekly assignments provide an introduction to equilibrium geochemical modelling.
Reactive Transport Modelling
Introduction to the theory of numerical models and application of reactive transport models in hydrogeology. Focus will be on development of appropriate conceptual models of flow, transport and bio- and geochemical reactions and simulation of these conceptual models using reactive transport codes.
Isotope Mapping and Provenance Applications
Isotopes are used to trace provenance of organic and inorganic materials. This course will discuss how traditional isotope systems vary in the environment at different spatiotemporal scales and how mapping their variations can solve problems in hydrology, climatology, ecology, and archeology.
Precambrian Geology
Geology of the main Archean cratons and Proterozoic belts with emphasis on North America. Formation of the Earth, composition and evolution of the crust and mantle during the first 4 billion years of Earth's history, from its formation to the end of the Proterozoic.
Computer Techniques in the Earth Sciences
A practical course for mapping; quantitative analysis, integration and modeling of spatial data related to geosciences and engineering applications using a combination of GIS, statistical and geostatistical analysis techniques.
Prerequisite(s): permission of the Department.
Climate Change
Considers climate changes and their driving mechanisms over a broad range of timescales based on observations from geological archives and more recent instrumented evidence. Future climate projections and their accuracy are also considered.
Tectonic Processes Emphasizing Geochronology and Metamorphism
Applications of empirical, analytical and quantitative techniques to problems in regional geology and crustal tectonics; orogenic processes; heat and metamorphism; isotopic geochronology as applied to thermal history.
Chemistry of the Earth
An examination of the composition of the mantle and crust in selected tectonic settings, such as subduction zones and hot spots. Topics may include how geochemical data constrain geodynamic settings of study areas.
Stable Isotope Geochemistry
Mechanisms of isotope fractionation in nature; physical and chemical isotope fractionation, kinetic isotope effects. Variation of stable isotope ratios (hydrogen/carbon/oxygen/sulphur) in nature. Preparation techniques of natural samples for isotope analysis. Applications of stable isotopes to study magma genesis, ore genesis, nature.
Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry
Radiogenic isotope systematics applied to the solid Earth and their use to understand various geological processes. Evolution of large-scale isotopic reservoirs throughout Earth's history. Application of different radiometric dating techniques, assessment of geochronological data, models and interpretations.
Physics of the Earth
The physics and dynamics of the solid Earth: seismology; gravitational and magnetic fields, thermal state. Geophysical constraints on the structure and composition of the interior. Geodynamic processes.
Structural Geology
Deformation processes and the analysis of geological structures at all scales.
Tectonics
Dynamic and geological aspects of plate tectonics throughout Earth history.
Engineering Seismology
Seismological topics with engineering applications. Characterization of seismicity and seismic sources (areas and faults). Seismic hazard analysis. Empirical and theoretical modeling of strong ground motion in time and frequency domain.
Earthquake Signal Processing
Theoretical and practical aspects of earthquake signal processing, seismic instrumentation, instrument response and application of spectral analysis and response spectra.
Research Topics in Earth Sciences
Directed reading/field/laboratory studies unrelated to thesis research, under the guidance of directors other than the thesis supervisor. A written proposal including research plan, deliverables, and evaluation, must be submitted for departmental approval prior to registration. Written report required.
Field Studies
Field investigations of geological problems, unrelated to thesis research, under the guidance of directors other than the thesis supervisor. Minimum of fifteen days field work. A written proposal including research plan, deliverables, and evaluation must be submitted for departmental approval prior to registration.
M.Sc. Geoscience Seminar
Participation in the Geoscience Seminar Series.
Ph.D. Geoscience Seminar
Participation in the Geoscience Seminar Series.
M.Sc. Thesis
A thesis proposal must be approved by the research advisory committee by the end of the first year of registration.
Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination
The Comprehensive Examination involves a thesis proposal and oral examination in three different areas of specialization. Students will receive a grade of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. This exam is taken within the first twelve months of registration in the program.
Ph.D. Thesis
A thesis proposal must be approved by the research advisory committee by the end of the first year of registration.
Note: Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca.
Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca