Course Information
The following courses are expected to be offered during this Academic Year. Courses listed on this site are subject to change. For official course listings please refer to the 深夜福利站 Academic Calendar and
Have questions? Please reach out to Amy Wickham (Academic Program Coordinator) at es-ugrd-grd-coordinator@uwo.ca
2024-2025 will be available early June
Fall 2024 Earth Science Courses
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Earth Sciences 1022A: Earth Rocks Instructor: Cam Tsujita ctsujita@uwo.ca |
What our planet is made of, how it works, and how it affects us. Framed on the interactions of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. Specific topics include: geological time and earth history; formation of rocks and minerals; rock deformation; volcanoes and earthquakes; plate tectonics and mountain building; natural resources.
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Earth Sciences 1023A/2123F: Planet Earth Shaken and Stirred / The Dynamic Earth Instructor: Rick Secco secco@uwo.ca |
An overview of the origin and development of Earth and solar system; constitution and active processes of Earth interior; how these processes have shaped Earth evolution in the past and how they continue to control surface phenomena such as earthquake and volcanic activity. Labs will introduce the main resource exploration techniques.
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Earth Sciences 1083F: Life on Planet Earth Instructor: Jisuo Jin jjin@uwo.ca |
Concepts of the development of life on Earth. Darwinian evolution and modern concepts of evolution. Genetics and evolution. Mode and rate of evolution. A survey of the vertebrate fossil record with focus on particular groups, including dinosaurs. Major extinction events in the fossil record. Origin of the geological time scale.
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Earth Sciences 1086F: Orgin and Geology of the Solar System Instructor: Nigel Blamey nblamey2@uwo.ca |
Our best perception of the origin of the Universe, the Milky Way Galaxy, and our Solar System, meteorites, asteroids, comets and the formation of planets. The slow growth of Planetary Science reason and analysis of hypotheses. Why and how Earth evolved along a path radically different than the other planets.
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Earth Sciences 2200F: Plate Tectonic Theory, Environments and Products Instructor: Cam Tsujita ctsujita@uwo.ca |
Rock types and their distribution within the Earth's crust are a result of tectonics, including continental rifting, seafloor spreading, subduction, obduction, and orogenic uplift and collapse. Lectures synthesize and explain major rock types in primary and secondary tectonic settings. Laboratories examine rocks and textures in hand specimens.
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Earth Sciences 2206A: Mineral Systems, Crystallography and Optics Instructor: Roberta Flemming rflemmin@uwo.ca |
Introduction to mineral chemistry, crystal chemistry and mineral paragenesis, with emphasis on rock-forming minerals and ore minerals. Identification of minerals and mineral properties in hand specimen and thin section.
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Earth Sciences 2240F: Catastrophic Events in Earth History Instructor: Sean Shieh sshieh@uwo.ca |
Rare events so catastrophic that they leave evidence in the geologic record and threaten life on Earth. Included are impacts by asteroids and comets, eruptions from giant resurgent volcanic calderas, large to mega-earthquakes and associated tsunami, and dramatic reduction of atmospheric oxygen by release of reservoirs of methane hydrate.
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Earth Sciences 2260A: Stratigraphy and Sedimentology from Basins to Beds Instructor: Alina Shchepetkina ashchep@uwo.ca |
Origins of sedimentary grains. Transport processes. Characteristics of the main types of sedimentary basins. Stratigraphic methods, including litho-, allo-, bio-, chrono-, and magneto-stratigraphy. Labs include examination of sedimentary rocks, well-log correlation and seismic stratigraphic analysis. At least one field trip is organized.
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Earth Sciences 2265A: Paleobiology and Paleoecology Instructor: Jisuo Jin jjin@uwo.ca |
A survey of the fossil record from bacteria, protista, calcareous algae, to invertebrate animals. Topics on each group of fossils include functional morphology, evolutionary trend, ancient living environments, contribution to sediment accumulation and reef-building, utility for dating and correlating rocks and for understanding long-term biodiversity change.
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Earth Sciences 3023F: A Field Course in Land Healing and Responsibility Instructor: Desmond Moser dmoser22@uwo.ca |
This is an advanced community-based experiential course that combines in-class discussions with community-based research. Students will train in methodologies and ethics of working with First Nations communities. Areas of research may include but not limited to ecological restoration, land claims, self-government, education, health and wellness and urban issues.
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Earth Sciences 3240F: Global Water Sustainability Instructor: Robert Schincariol schincar@uwo.ca |
An exploration of the issues facing the world’s fresh water supply. Emphasis will be on major problems in the water arena (e.g., droughts, floods, pollution, population shifts & growth, region specific climate change, conflict, water rights and allocations).
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Earth Sciences 3313A: Igneous Petrology Instructor: Adrienne Larocque alaroc2@uwo.ca |
Study of igneous processes using rock and thin section descriptions (petrography). Discussion of how different compositions and conditions influence the phases present in a rock (phase equilibria). Association of different rock types with plate tectonic setting. |
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Earth Sciences 3321A: Physics of the Earth Instructor: Rick Secco secco@uwo.ca |
An introduction to physics of the Earth's interior. Major topics are: Earth structure from seismic observations, heat flow, the physics of minerals under high temperatures and pressures, equations of state, seismological, thermal and compositional models.
*Crosslisted with Geophysics 9572A |
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Earth Sciences 3340A: Watershed Hydrology Instructor: Robert Schincariol schincar@uwo.ca |
Occurrence, movement, and behavior of water in the hydrologic cycle. The development of quantitative representations of hydrologic processes (e.g., precipitation, evapotranspirtation, runoff, infiltration and unsaturated flow, saturated flow, surface flow). Analysis of stream response hydrographs. Statistical models of predicting flood responses and water resource management.
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Earth Sciences 3370A: Metallogeny I Ore Petrology Instructor: Nigel Blamey nblamey2@uwo.ca |
A survey course introducing the broad field of mineral deposit geology and the importance of mineral resources. Global theories of ore genesis are considered in deposit classification. Various methods of ore petrology are discussed within the context of specific applications. Laboratory work focuses on reflected light microscopy in the practical study of ore suites.
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Earth Sciences 4431A: Stable Isotope Geochemistry in Earth and Environmental Science Instructor: Fred Longstaffe flongsta@uwo.ca |
Stable isotopes (O,H,C,S,N), atmosphere, hydrosphere, sedimentary and diagenetic systems, hydrothermal systems, fluid migration, ore-forming fluids, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Environmental applications: groundwater, oceans, wetlands, acid rain; acid mine drainage, climate fluctuation; global cycle modification. *Crosslisted with Geology 9506A |
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Earth Sciences 4490E: Senior Thesis Instructor: Alina Shchepetkina ashchep@uwo.ca |
A presentation of research on a chosen problem. Original data must be generated from field or laboratory studies and analyzed using appropriate methodologies. The results must be integrated into the existing literature on the topic. Independence in the conduct and reporting of research must be demonstrated.
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Fall 2024 Environmental Science Courses
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Environmental Sciences 1021F: Environmental Science and Sustainability Instructor: Andrea Butnari aboyer@uwo.ca |
An overview of the science underlying key environmental issues (e.g. climate change, loss of biodiversity and ecosystem function, air and water pollution, and resource use) and how each issue impacts environmental sustainability from the local to global scale. |
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Environmental Sciences 2300F: Foundations in Environmental Sciences Instructor: Andrea Butnari aboyer@uwo.ca *Note: NEW course replacing EnvirSci 3300 |
A foundational course exposing students to the interdisciplinary fields of environmental science by identifying how current environmental issues (e.g., resource extraction, climate change) are addressed by different disciplines. Sustainability metrics will also be explored. Students will work through insightful case studies and assess scientific literature from different stakeholder perspectives.
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Environmental Sciences 4970F: Independent Study in Environmental Science Instructor: Alina Shchepetkina ashchep@uwo.ca |
A research project course in a particular field under the direction of a faculty member who is a member of the Centre for Environment and Sustainability.
 Course Outline: |
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Environmental Sciences 4999E: Honours Research Project Instructor: Alina Shchepetkina ashchep@uwo.ca |
A major laboratory or field project that emphasizes experimental design, instrumentation, collection and analysis of data, and communication of experimental results by oral and written presentations.
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Winter 2025 Earth Science Courses
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Earth Sciences 1022B: Earth Rocks Instructor: Cam Tsujita ctsujita@uwo.ca
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What our planet is made of, how it works, and how it affects us. Framed on the interactions of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. Specific topics include: geological time and earth history; formation of rocks and minerals; rock deformation; volcanoes and earthquakes; plate tectonics and mountain building; natural resources.
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Earth Sciences 1023B / 2123G: Planet Earth Shaken and Stirred / Dynamic Earth Instructor: Rick Secco secco@uwo.ca |
An overview of the origin and development of Earth and solar system; constitution and active processes of Earth interior; how these processes have shaped Earth evolution in the past and how they continue to control surface phenomena such as earthquake and volcanic activity. Labs will introduce the main resource exploration techniques.
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Earth Sciences 1086G: Origin and Geology of the Solar System Instructor: Neil Banerjee / Gordon Osinski |
Our best perception of the origin of the Universe, the Milky Way Galaxy, and our Solar System, meteorites, asteroids, comets and the formation of planets. The slow growth of Planetary Science reason and analysis of hypotheses. Why and how Earth evolved along a path radically different than the other planets.
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Earth Sciences 1089G: Earth, Art, Culture Instructor: Cam Tsujita ctsujita@uwo.ca |
An examination of Earth materials used over the history of human culture. Topics include: Earth materials as media in the Visual Arts (pigments, stone and clay); rocks, minerals and fossils as motifs in famous works of art; landscape photography; gemstones and jewelery; earth materials in wine and cuisine, and modern technology.
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Earth Sciences 2201B: Structural Geology Instructor: Dazhi Jiang |
Deformation of Earth's crust; description of geological structures; construction and interpretation of geologic maps, cross sections and block diagrams; stereographic and orthographic representation of structural data; mechanical behavior of rocks; origin and tectonic significance of geological structures.
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Earth Sciences 2220B: Environmental & Exploration Geophysics 1 Instructor: Robert Shcherbakov rshcherb@uwo.ca |
A brief introduction to applied seismology – the investigation of Earth structure using sound waves in rocks. Topics include: seismic reflection methods, a cornerstone of oil and gas exploration; seismic refraction methods; earthquake seismology. This lab-oriented course will provide hands-on experience with computers and analysis of large digital data sets.
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Earth Sciences 2222B: Data Anaylsis in Earth Sciences Instructor: Robert Shcherbakov rshcherb@uwo.ca |
An introduction to data analysis, digital signal processing, machine learning and visualization techniques. Topics include: statistical methods to characterize uni- to multi-variate data, spatial data, time series and Fourier analyses, digital signal processing and filtering, data analytics and machine learning applications. Geophysics and environmental science applications will be emphasized.
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Earth Sciences 2230B: Introduction to Geochemistry Instructor: Sean Shieh sshieh@uwo.ca |
Effects of temperature, pressure and bulk composition on stabilities of minerals in natural geological settings are evaluated using thermodynamic principles. Reaction rates among minerals and fluids, including the effects of natural catalysts and inhibitors, and biotic mediation are addressed. Introduction to the principles of radioisotope and stable isotope geochemistry.
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Earth Sciences 2240G: Catastrophic Events in Earth History Instructor: TBD |
Rare events so catastrophic that they leave evidence in the geologic record and threaten life on Earth. Included are impacts by asteroids and comets, eruptions from giant resurgent volcanic calderas, large to mega-earthquakes and associated tsunami, and dramatic reduction of atmospheric oxygen by release of reservoirs of methane hydrate.
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Earth Sciences 2266G: Dinosaur and Other Vertebrate Evolution Instructor: Jisuo Jin jjin@uwo.ca |
Introduction to the fossil record that documents the major steps in vertebrate evolution, including the origin and radiation of fishes, amphibians, mammal-like reptiles, dinosaurs, birds, and mammals.
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Earth Sciences 2281B: Geology for Engineers Instructor: Rob Schincariol schincar@uwo.ca |
Introduction to physical geology with emphasis on the engineering oriented aspects of the Earth Sciences. Topics include: minerals and rocks; mass movements; interpretation of aerial photographs, topographic and geologic maps; surficial processes and their manifestations; surface and ground water; structural geology and subsurface processes; and earth resources.
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Earth Sciences 3001B: Astrobiology Instructor: Catherine Neish cneish@uwo.ca |
The study of life in the universe, including the origin of life on Earth, the possibility of life elsewhere in the solar system/universe, and the future of human life off-Earth. This course will include topics that draw from biology, physics, astronomy, geology, chemistry, and other areas.
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Earth Sciences 3314B: Sedimentary Petrology Instructor: Patricia Corcoran pcorcor@uwo.ca |
Identification and description of various types of siliciclastic and carbonate rocks; the important characteristics of sedimentary rocks and their key sedimentary features for interpretation of present and ancient despositional environments; survey of diagenetic processes that alter original properties of primary sediments.
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Earth Sciences 3341B: Waters and Geochemical Cycles Instructor: Liz Webb ewebb5@uwo.ca |
Acquisition of solutes by rain, surface and subsurface waters and their transportation and deposition in natural environments (e.g., formation of ore deposits). Natural sources of potential pollutants (e.g., heavy metals). Geochemical cycles of solutes and waters.
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Earth Sciences 3369B: Geomicrobiology Instructor: Jeremiah Shuster jshuste3@uwo.ca |
A study of geomicrobiological processes recorded in the Earth record and bacteria interactions in contemporary systems, including methods for the analysis of prokaryotes. The factors affecting their community structure and function, and their relationship to geochemistry. In the laboratory, students will develop bacteriological culture techniques used in geomicrobiological research.
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Earth Sciences 4424B: Mineral Physics Instructor: Sean Shieh sshieh@uwo.ca |
Introduction to elementary solid state theory, high pressure geophysics, phase transformations, elasticity, physical properties and mineral physics of the Earth's mantle and core.
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Earth Sciences 4432B: Mineral Deposit Geochemistry Instructor: |
The principles of metal concentration and deposition in magmatic and hydrothermal environments are examined. Natural and experimental data, including fluid inclusion, stable isotope, metal solubility, mineral stability, and metal partition behavior, are used to develop genetic models for ore deposits. Such models form the basis of mineral exploration strategies.
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Earth Sciences 4606B: Remote Sensing for Earth Sciences Instructor: Catherine Neish cneish@uwo.ca |
Introduction to the technical and conceptual basis for applying remote sensing and image analysis to Earth and planetary science. Hands on experience in computer processing of remote sensing data from diverse terrestrial and planetary data sets.
Course Outline: 4606 |
Winter 2025 Environmental Science Courses
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Environmental Sciences 1021G: Environmental Science and Sustainability Instructor: Andrea Butnari aboyer@uwo.ca |
An overview of the science underlying key environmental issues (e.g. climate change, loss of biodiversity and ecosystem function, air and water pollution, and resource use) and how each issue impacts environmental sustainability from the local to global scale.
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Environmental Science 3350G: Research Techniques in Environmental Science Instructor: Maja Staniec mstaniec@uwo.ca |
A multi-module course where a case study approach will be used to acquaint students with the research tools of environmental science, and the analysis, interpretation and presentation of environmental data.
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Field Courses
*** EnviroSci 2300 will be replacing EnviroSci 3300 effective Fall 2024 ***
