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- Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPSC) Faculty
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Minor Geology (18 credits)
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Minor Geochemistry (18 credits)
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Liberal Program - Core Science Component Earth and Planetary Sciences (45 credits)
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Earth and Planetary Sciences (66 credits)
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Geology (66 credits)
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Earth Sciences (75 credits)
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Geology (75 credits)
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Planetary Sciences (78 credits)
- Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPSC) Related Programs
Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPSC)
Location
Location
- Frank Dawson Adams Building, Room 238
- 3450 University Street
- Montreal QC H3A 0E8
- Telephone: 514-398-6767
- Fax: 514-398-4680
- Email: kristy.thornton [at] mcgill.ca
- Website: www.mcgill.ca/eps
About Earth and Planetary Sciences
About Earth and Planetary Sciences
Earth and Planetary Sciences is a multidisciplinary field that includes the solid Earth and its hydrosphere and extends to the neighbouring terrestrial planets. Principles of chemistry, physics, and mathematics are applied to elucidate the complex and diverse planetary processes at play as we seek to understand how planets like the Earth changed over time and continue to evolve.
Career opportunities are many and diverse in the Earth and Planetary Sciences. Graduates of the Major and Honours in Geology are often recruited by resource (fossil fuel and mineral) exploration companies, as well as the mining and environmental sectors. Industry or government agencies may hire undergraduate students during the summer months, providing them with both financial benefits and first-hand geoscientific experience. Career opportunities in planetary science can also be found in universities and research organizations.
The Department has a full-time staff of 17 professors and one faculty lecturer. There are approximately 50 graduate and 50 undergraduate students registered in the various programs offered. Classes are therefore small at all levels, resulting in an informal and friendly atmosphere throughout the Department in which most of the faculty and students interact on a first-name basis. Emphasis is placed equally on quality teaching and research, providing undergraduate students with a rich and exciting environment in which to explore and learn.
Undergraduate Studies
Undergraduate Studies in Earth and Planetary Sciences
The undergraduate curriculum is designed to provide both a strong foundation in the physical sciences and the flexibility to create an individualized program in preparation for careers in industry, teaching, or research. In addition to the Major and Honours undergraduate programs, the Department is one of the three departments that actively contribute to the Earth System Science Interdepartmental program, and also offers a Joint Major in Physics and Geophysics, which combines a rigorous mathematics and physics curriculum with exposure to the geosciences.
The Minor in Geology offers students from other departments the opportunity to discover the earth sciences in the classroom and in the field, while the Minor in Geochemistry is designed for Chemistry Major students who want to apply chemical principles to the study of planetary processes.
Students interested in any of the programs should inquire at:
- Frank Dawson Adams Building, Room 238
- Telephone: 514-398-6767
- Website: www.mcgill.ca/eps/studies/undergraduate
or should consult the Undergraduate Director:
- Professor Jeanne Paquette
- Frank Dawson Adams Building, Room 214
- Telephone: 514-398-4402
- Email: jeanne.paquette [at] mcgill.ca
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2016-2017 (last updated Aug. 16, 2016) (disclaimer)
Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPSC) Faculty
Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPSC) Faculty
| Chair |
|---|
| TBA |
| Emeritus Professors |
| Don M. Francis; B.Sc.(McG), M.Sc.(Br. Col.), Ph.D.(MIT) |
| Jafar Arkani-Hamed; B.Eng.(Tehran), Ph.D.(MIT) |
| Andrew Hynes; B.Sc.(Tor.), Ph.D.(Cant.) |
| Wallace H. MacLean; B.Geol.Eng.(Colorado Sch. of Mines), M.Sc.(A.), Ph.D.(McG.) |
| Robert F. Martin; B.Sc.(Ott.), M.S.(Penn. St.), Ph.D.(Stan.) |
| Colin W. Stearn; B.Sc.(McM.), M.S., Ph.D.(Yale), F.R.S.C. |
| Professors |
| Don R. Baker; A.B.(Chic.), Ph.D.(Penn. St.) |
| Olivia G. Jensen; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Br. Col.) |
| Alfonso Mucci; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(Miami) |
| John Stix; A.B.(Dart.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Tor.) |
| A.E. (Willy) Williams-Jones; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Natal), Ph.D.(Qu.) |
| Associate Professors |
| Galen Halverson; B.A.(Mont.), M.A., Ph.D.(Harv.) (T.H. Clark Chair in Sedimentary and Petroleum Geology) |
| Jeffrey McKenzie; B.Sc.(McG.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Syrac.) |
| Jeanne Paquette; B.Sc., M.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Stony Brook) (Undergraduate Director) |
| Boswell Wing; A.B.(Harv.), M.A., Ph.D.(Johns Hop.) |
| Assistant Professors |
| Kim Berlo; Propedeuse, Doctorandus(Utrecht), Ph.D.(Brist.) |
| Nicolas Cowan; B.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Wash.) (joint appt. with Physics) |
| Natalya Gomez; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Tor.), Ph.D.(Harv.) |
| Rebecca Harrington; B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.( Calif.-LA) |
| James Kirkpatrick; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Leeds), Ph.D.(Glas.) |
| Yajing Liu; B.Sc.(Peking), Ph.D.(Harv.) |
| Christie Rowe; A.B.(Smith), Ph.D.(Calif.-Santa Cruz) (Robert Wares Faculty Scholar) |
| Vincent van Hinsberg; Propedeuse, Doctorandus(Utrecht), Ph.D.(Brist.) (Osisko Faculty Scholar) |
| Faculty Lecturer |
| W. Minarik; B.A.(St. Olaf), M.Sc.(Wash.), Ph.D.(Rensselaer Poly.) |
| Adjunct Professors |
| E. Galbraith |
| R. Léveillé |
| H. Short |
| B. Sundby |
| Retired Professor |
| R. Hesse |
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2016-2017 (last updated Mar. 1, 2016) (disclaimer)
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Minor Geology (18 credits)
The Minor Geology offers students from other departments the opportunity to obtain exposure to the Earth Sciences.
For more information, see Minor Geology (18 credits).
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Minor Geochemistry (18 credits)
For more information, see Minor Geochemistry (18 credits).
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Liberal Program - Core Science Component Earth and Planetary Sciences (45 credits)
The B.Sc. (Liberal) program in Earth and Planetary Sciences provides the graduate with a solid core of knowledge of Geology, Geophysics, Earth Systems Science, and Planetary Science while allowing for a broadening of the student's educational experience with courses from the other sciences or the arts. The program is flexible, allowing students to assemble a truly...
For more information, see Liberal Program - Core Science Component Earth and Planetary Sciences (45 credits).
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Earth and Planetary Sciences (66 credits)
* Please note this program’s name is changing to B.Sc. in Geology. The program will also have some required and complementary course changes. These changes will appear in the eCalendar by the end of August. Until then, please consult the program adviser, Professor Jeanne Paquette (Jeanne.paquette [at] mcgill.ca) for any questions about the new program requirements.
The program curriculum is designed to provide a rigorous foundation in physical sciences and the flexibility to create an individualized program in preparation for careers in industry, teaching, and research. The program is accepted for professional qualification in most Canadian provinces.
plus 15 credits (five courses) chosen from the following:
Note: Other courses at the 300 level or higher in Earth and Planetary Sciences and in other departments in the Faculties of Science and Engineering may also be used as complementary credits with the permission of the Director of undergraduate studies.
| EPSC 330 | (3) | Earthquakes and Earth Structure |
| EPSC 425 | (3) | Sediments to Sequences |
| EPSC 435 | (3) | Applied Geophysics |
| EPSC 470D1 | (3) | Undergraduate Thesis Research |
| EPSC 470D2 | (3) | Undergraduate Thesis Research |
| EPSC 501 | (3) | Crystal Chemistry |
| EPSC 519 | (3) | Isotope Geology |
| EPSC 530 | (3) | Volcanology |
| EPSC 542 | (3) | Chemical Oceanography |
| EPSC 547 | (3) | Modelling Geochemical Processes |
| EPSC 548 | (3) | Processes of Igneous Petrology |
| EPSC 549 | (3) | Hydrogeology |
| EPSC 550 | (3) | Selected Topics 1 |
| EPSC 551 | (3) | Selected Topics 2 |
| EPSC 552 | (3) | Selected Topics 3 |
| EPSC 561 | (3) | Ore-forming Processes |
| EPSC 567 | (3) | Advanced Volcanology |
| EPSC 570 | (3) | Cosmochemistry |
| EPSC 580 | (3) | Aqueous Geochemistry |
| EPSC 590 | (3) | Applied Geochemistry Seminar |
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2016-2017 (last updated Aug. 12, 2016) (disclaimer)
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Geology (66 credits)
** NEW PROGRAM ** ...
For more information, see Major Geology (66 credits).
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Earth Sciences (75 credits)
* Please note this program’s name is changing to B.Sc. in Geology. The program will also have some required and complementary course changes. These changes will appear in the eCalendar by the end of August. Until then, please consult the program adviser, Professor Jeanne Paquette (Jeanne.paquette [at] mcgill.ca) for any questions about the new program requirements.
The program curriculum is designed to provide a rigorous foundation in physical sciences and the flexibility to create an individualized program in preparation for careers in industry, teaching, and research. It is intended to provide an excellent preparation for graduate work in the earth sciences. The program is accepted for professional qualification in most Canadian provinces.
Note: Honours students must maintain a CGPA equal to or greater than 3.20.
U2 and/or U3 Required Courses (33 credits)
| EPSC 320 | (3) | Elementary Earth Physics |
| EPSC 340 | (3) | Earth and Planetary Inference |
| EPSC 350 | (3) | Tectonics |
| EPSC 355 | (3) | Sedimentary Geology |
| EPSC 423 | (3) | Igneous Petrology |
| EPSC 445 | (3) | Metamorphic Petrology |
| EPSC 452 | (3) | Mineral Deposits |
| EPSC 480D1 | (3) | Honours Research Thesis |
| EPSC 480D2 | (3) | Honours Research Thesis |
| MATH 314 | (3) | Advanced Calculus |
| MATH 315 | (3) | Ordinary Differential Equations |
plus 15 credits (five courses) chosen from the following:
Note: Courses at the 300 level or higher in other departments in the Faculties of Science and Engineering may also be used as complementary credits, with the permission of the Director of undergraduate studies.
| EPSC 330 | (3) | Earthquakes and Earth Structure |
| EPSC 334 | (3) | Invertebrate Paleontology |
| EPSC 425 | (3) | Sediments to Sequences |
| EPSC 435 | (3) | Applied Geophysics |
| EPSC 501 | (3) | Crystal Chemistry |
| EPSC 510 | (3) | Geodynamics and Geomagnetism |
| EPSC 519 | (3) | Isotope Geology |
| EPSC 530 | (3) | Volcanology |
| EPSC 542 | (3) | Chemical Oceanography |
| EPSC 547 | (3) | Modelling Geochemical Processes |
| EPSC 548 | (3) | Processes of Igneous Petrology |
| EPSC 549 | (3) | Hydrogeology |
| EPSC 550 | (3) | Selected Topics 1 |
| EPSC 551 | (3) | Selected Topics 2 |
| EPSC 552 | (3) | Selected Topics 3 |
| EPSC 561 | (3) | Ore-forming Processes |
| EPSC 567 | (3) | Advanced Volcanology |
| EPSC 570 | (3) | Cosmochemistry |
| EPSC 580 | (3) | Aqueous Geochemistry |
| EPSC 590 | (3) | Applied Geochemistry Seminar |
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2016-2017 (last updated Aug. 12, 2016) (disclaimer)
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Geology (75 credits)
** NEW PROGRAM ** ...
For more information, see Honours Geology (75 credits).
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Planetary Sciences (78 credits)
The program curriculum is designed to provide a rigorous foundation in physical sciences and the flexibility to create an individualized program in preparation for careers in industry, teaching, and research. It is intended to provide an excellent preparation for graduate work in the earth and planetary sciences. ...
For more information, see Honours Planetary Sciences (78 credits).
Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPSC) Related Programs
Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPSC) Related Programs
Joint Major in Physics and Geophysics
Joint Major in Physics and Geophysics
For more information, see Physics (PHYS).
Earth System Science Interdepartmental Major
Earth System Science Interdepartmental Major
This program is offered by the Departments of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences; Earth and Planetary Sciences; and Geography. Students in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences who are interested in this program should contact Professor William Minarik (william.minarik [at] mcgill.ca).
For more information, see Earth System Science (ESYS).
Earth System Science Interdepartmental Honours
Earth System Science Interdepartmental Honours
This program is offered by the Departments of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences; Earth and Planetary Sciences; and Geography. Students in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences who are interested in this program should contact Professor William Minarik (william.minarik [at] mcgill.ca).
For more information, see Earth System Science (ESYS).
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2016-2017 (last updated Mar. 1, 2016) (disclaimer)
Faculty of Science—2016-2017 (last updated Aug. 16, 2016) (disclaimer)