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Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPSC)
Location
Location
- Frank Dawson Adams Building, Room 238
- 3450 University Street
- Montreal, Quebec H3A 2A7
- Telephone: 514-398-6767
- Fax: 514-398-4680
- Email: kristy.thornton [at] mcgill.ca
- Website:
About Earth and Planetary Sciences
About Earth and Planetary Sciences
The domain of Earth and Planetary Sciences includes the solid Earth and its hydrosphere and extends to the neighbouring terrestrial planets. It is a multidisciplinary field in which the principles of chemistry, physics, and mathematics are applied to the rich problems of the real world in order to understand how planets like the Earth work; in the past, the present, and the future.
Career opportunities are many and varied for graduates in the Earth and Planetary Sciences. There is presently a demand for graduates with expertise in many disciplines of the Earth Sciences. Our students are recruited for employment in the petroleum and mining industries, and in the environmental sector.
During the summer months, undergraduate students are generally able to obtain employment from industry or government agencies, providing them with both financial benefits and first-hand geoscientific experience. Career opportunities in planetary science are present in universities and research organizations.
The Department has a full-time staff of 14 professors and one faculty lecturer. There are approximately 40 graduate and 35 undergraduate students. 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.
The undergraduate curriculum is designed to provide both a rigorous 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 part of the Earth System Science Inter-departmental program, and also offers a Joint Major in Physics and Geophysics which provides a rigorous mathematics and physics preparation and a geological background in the geosciences.
The Minor in Geology offers students from other departments the opportunity to obtain exposure to the Earth Sciences, while the Minor in Geochemistry is oriented towards Chemistry Major students who want to see the application of chemistry to problems in Earth and Planetary Sciences.
A Science Major Concentration in Earth, Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences is available to students pursuing the B.A. & Sc. degree. This Major Concentration is described in the Bachelor of Arts and Science section of this publication; see Bachelor of Arts and Science > Earth, Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences for details.
Students interested in any of the programs should inquire at Room 238, Frank Dawson Adams Building, 514-398-6767, or should consult the Undergraduate Director:
- Professor Jeanne Paquette
- Frank Dawson Adams Building, Room 214
- Email: jeanne.paquette [at] mcgill.ca
- Telephone: 514-398-4402
Jump To:
- 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.) - Honours Earth Sciences (75 credits)
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Planetary Sciences (81 credits)
- Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPSC) Related Programs
Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPSC) Faculty
Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPSC) Faculty
| Chair |
|---|
| TBA |
| Emeritus Professors |
|---|
| Jafar Arkani-Hamed; B.Eng.(Tehran), Ph.D.(MIT) |
| Wallace H. MacLean; B.Geol.Eng.(Colorado Sch. of Mines), M.Sc.(Appl.), Ph.D.(McG.) |
| Robert F. Martin; B.Sc.(Ott.), M.S.(Penn. St.), Ph.D.(Stan.) |
| Eric W. Mountjoy; B.A.Sc.(Br. Col.), Ph.D.(Tor.) (William E. Logan Emeritus Professor of Geology) |
| 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.) |
| Don M. Francis; B.Sc.(McG.), M.Sc.(Br. Col.), Ph.D.(MIT) (Dawson Professor of Geology) |
| Andrew J. Hynes; B.Sc.(Tor.), Ph.D.(Cant.) (William E. Logan Professor of Geology) |
| 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.(Harv.), Ph.D.(Harv.) (T.H. Clark Chair in Sedimentary and Petroleum Geology) |
| Jeanne Paquette; B.Sc., M.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Stonybrook) (Undergraduate Director) |
| Hojatollah Vali; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Munich) (Director, Electron Microscopy Centre) |
| Assistant Professors |
|---|
| Eric Galbraith; B.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Br. Col.) |
| Sarah Hall; B.A.(Hamilton), Ph.D.(Calif.-Santa Cruz) |
| Jeffrey McKenzie; B.Sc.(McG.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Syr.) |
| Boswell Wing; A.B.(Harv.), M.A., Ph.D.(Johns H.) (Canada Research Chair in Earth Systems Science (Geochemistry)) |
| Faculty Lecturer |
|---|
| W. Minarik; B.A.(St. Olaf), M.Sc.(Wash.), Ph.D.(Rensselaer) |
| Adjunct Professors |
|---|
| M. Duchesne |
| H. Hofmann |
| M. Riedel |
| H. Short |
| B. Sundby |
| Retired Professors |
|---|
| R. Hesse |
Faculty:
Faculty of Science—2010-2011 (last updated Apr. 22, 2010) (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.
9 credits selected from the list below and other 300-level and higher courses in Earth and Planetary Sciences may be substituted with permission.
| EPSC 203 | (3) | Structural Geology |
| EPSC 231 | (3) | Field School 1 |
| EPSC 334 | (3) | Invertebrate Paleontology |
| EPSC 350 | (3) | Tectonics |
| EPSC 451 | (3) | Hydrothermal Mineral Deposits |
| EPSC 452 | (3) | Mineral Deposits |
| EPSC 542 | (3) | Chemical Oceanography |
| EPSC 561 | (3) | Ore-forming Processes 1 |
Faculty:
Faculty of Science—2010-2011 (last updated Apr. 22, 2010) (disclaimer)
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Minor Geochemistry (18 credits)
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
9 credits selected from:
| EPSC 220 | (3) | Principles of Geochemistry |
| EPSC 501 | (3) | Crystal Chemistry |
| EPSC 519 | (3) | Isotope Geology |
| EPSC 542 | (3) | Chemical Oceanography |
| EPSC 545 | (3) | Low-Temperature Geochemistry |
| EPSC 561 | (3) | Ore-forming Processes 1 |
| EPSC 570 | (3) | Cosmochemistry |
| EPSC 590 | (3) | Applied Geochemistry Seminar |
Faculty:
Faculty of Science—2010-2011 (last updated Apr. 22, 2010) (disclaimer)
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 interdisciplinary degree.
plus 21 credits chosen from the following:
Note: Courses at the 300 or higher level 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 312 | (3) | Spectroscopy of Minerals |
| EPSC 330 | (3) | Earthquakes and Earth Structure |
| EPSC 334 | (3) | Invertebrate Paleontology |
| EPSC 340 | (3) | Earth and Planetary Inference |
| EPSC 350 | (3) | Tectonics |
| EPSC 423 | (3) | Igneous Petrology |
| EPSC 425 | (3) | Sediments to Sequences |
| EPSC 435 | (3) | Applied Geophysics |
| EPSC 445 | (3) | Metamorphic Petrology |
| EPSC 451 | (3) | Hydrothermal Mineral Deposits |
| EPSC 452 | (3) | Mineral Deposits |
| EPSC 455 | (3) | Sedimentary Geology |
| EPSC 501 | (3) | Crystal Chemistry |
| EPSC 519 | (3) | Isotope Geology |
| EPSC 525 | (3) | Subsurface Mapping |
| 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 1 |
| EPSC 562 | (3) | Ore-forming Processes 2 |
| EPSC 570 | (3) | Cosmochemistry |
| EPSC 580 | (3) | Aqueous Geochemistry |
| EPSC 590 | (3) | Applied Geochemistry Seminar |
| ESYS 300 | (3) | Investigating the Earth System |
| ESYS 301 | (3) | Earth System Modelling |
| ESYS 500 | (3) | Earth System Applications |
Faculty:
Faculty of Science—2010-2011 (last updated Apr. 22, 2010) (disclaimer)
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Earth and Planetary Sciences (66 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. The program is accepted for professional qualification in most Canadian provinces.
plus 15 credits (5 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 451 | (3) | Hydrothermal Mineral Deposits |
| 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 1 |
| EPSC 562 | (3) | Ore-forming Processes 2 |
| EPSC 570 | (3) | Cosmochemistry |
| EPSC 580 | (3) | Aqueous Geochemistry |
| EPSC 590 | (3) | Applied Geochemistry Seminar |
Faculty:
Faculty of Science—2010-2011 (last updated Apr. 22, 2010) (disclaimer)
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Earth Sciences (75 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 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 423 | (3) | Igneous Petrology |
| EPSC 445 | (3) | Metamorphic Petrology |
| EPSC 452 | (3) | Mineral Deposits |
| EPSC 455 | (3) | Sedimentary Geology |
| EPSC 480D1 | (3) | Honours Research Project |
| EPSC 480D2 | (3) | Honours Research Project |
| MATH 314 | (3) | Advanced Calculus |
| MATH 315 | (3) | Ordinary Differential Equations |
plus 15 credits (5 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 451 | (3) | Hydrothermal Mineral Deposits |
| EPSC 501 | (3) | Crystal Chemistry |
| EPSC 510 | (3) | Geodynamics and Geomagnetism |
| EPSC 519 | (3) | Isotope Geology |
| EPSC 525 | (3) | Subsurface Mapping |
| 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 1 |
| EPSC 562 | (3) | Ore-forming Processes 2 |
| EPSC 570 | (3) | Cosmochemistry |
| EPSC 580 | (3) | Aqueous Geochemistry |
| EPSC 590 | (3) | Applied Geochemistry Seminar |
Faculty:
Faculty of Science—2010-2011 (last updated Apr. 22, 2010) (disclaimer)
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Planetary Sciences (81 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.
Note: Honours students must maintain a CGPA equal to or greater than 3.20.
U2 and/or U3 Required Courses (42 credits)
| EPSC 320 | (3) | Elementary Earth Physics |
| EPSC 330 | (3) | Earthquakes and Earth Structure |
| EPSC 340 | (3) | Earth and Planetary Inference |
| EPSC 350 | (3) | Tectonics |
| EPSC 423 | (3) | Igneous Petrology |
| EPSC 480D1 | (3) | Honours Research Project |
| EPSC 480D2 | (3) | Honours Research Project |
| EPSC 510 | (3) | Geodynamics and Geomagnetism |
| EPSC 570 | (3) | Cosmochemistry |
| MATH 314 | (3) | Advanced Calculus |
| MATH 315 | (3) | Ordinary Differential Equations |
| MATH 317 | (3) | Numerical Analysis |
| MATH 319 | (3) | Introduction to Partial Differential Equations |
| PHYS 340 | (3) | Majors Electricity and Magnetism |
plus 9 credits (3 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 334 | (3) | Invertebrate Paleontology |
| EPSC 425 | (3) | Sediments to Sequences |
| EPSC 435 | (3) | Applied Geophysics |
| EPSC 451 | (3) | Hydrothermal Mineral Deposits |
| EPSC 501 | (3) | Crystal Chemistry |
| EPSC 519 | (3) | Isotope Geology |
| EPSC 525 | (3) | Subsurface Mapping |
| 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 1 |
| EPSC 562 | (3) | Ore-forming Processes 2 |
| EPSC 580 | (3) | Aqueous Geochemistry |
| EPSC 590 | (3) | Applied Geochemistry Seminar |
Faculty:
Faculty of Science—2010-2011 (last updated Apr. 22, 2010) (disclaimer)
Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPSC) Related Programs
Faculty:
Faculty of Science—2010-2011 (last updated Apr. 22, 2010) (disclaimer)
Faculty:
Faculty of Science—2010-2011 (last updated Apr. 22, 2010) (disclaimer)