Staff

Department Head: J.E. Dale, Ph.D.

Professors: K.M. Bergman, Ph.D.; H. Qing, Ph.D.;

Associate Professors: S.L. Bend, Ph.D.; K.M. Bethune, Ph.D.; G. Chi, Ph.D; I.M. Coulson, Ph.D.

Department Description

The Department of Geology offers graduate work leading to the M.Sc. degree. Areas of specialization include quaternary and soil studies; geochemical, igneous, metamorphic, and structural studies of the Canadian Shield; Phanerozoic carbonate, clastic, and evaporite studies; and coal, petroleum, mineralization, geothermometry and fluid inclusion studies, isotope, and uranium, studies. Resources are available for particular western regional projects. Close co-operation with the Saskatchewan Industry and Resources gives excellent opportunity for field work in the Shield and for access to sedimentary cores and data relating to the Phanerozoic rocks of Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Geological Society provides a pool of highly qualified personnel from which the department draws strength. On campus, staff and students of the department work in co-operation with the Energy Research Unit.

Degree Requirements

The M.Sc. course consists of the following requirements:

Students may be required to take a departmental diagnostic examination immediately prior to first registration.

Course Description

GEOL 800AA-ZZ Review of a Current Problem in Earth Sciences (3)
A review of present knowledge and current research in the thesis topic, followed by a written or oral final examination, or both. Required of all candidates for the M.Sc. degree.

GEOG 802 Applied Geographic Research (3)
A systematic introduction to the methods and applications of current geographic research. Topics include: physical and human data collection; research design; and scholarly writing.

GEOG 803 Geography Thesis Proposal (0)
Seminars presented by graduate students based on their proposed or ongoing thesis research. This course is a forum for the discussion of thesis research during its initial stages.  It is evaluated on a pass/fail basis.
Note:  This is a renumbering of GEOG 900 to better fit course sequencing.  The course content remains unchanged.

GEOG 804 – Research Seminar (0)
A series of invited presentations on a variety of topics of geographical interest.  All graduate students in their first and second years must attend and make at least one presentation.
Note:  This is a new course formalization of an existing departmental seminar series.

GEOL 810 Studies in Regional Metamorphism (3)
Problems of regional metamorphism illustrated by Precambrian basement terranes and more recent orogenic belts. Review of experimental work in metamorphic mineral stability and recrystallization.

GEOL 811 Advanced Mineralogy (3)
Laboratory aspects of R.I. determination, model analysis, reflectivity, micro-hardness, cathodo-luminescence, chemical and X-ray analysis and their application in natural mineral systems and assemblages.

GEOL 840AA-ZZ Topics in Sedimentology (3)
Selected topics in depositional environments, tectonic control, diagenesis, and petrology of clastic and chemical sedimentary deposits. May be repeated for credit if different topics are discussed on the second occasion.

GEOL 841 Regional Problems in Stratigraphy (3)
Stratigraphic sequence, depositional framework, and historical geology of the Western Canada Basin and contiguous areas. Emphasis on the principles of exploration for petroleum, ground water, and economic mineral deposits.

GEOL 842 Sedimentary Economic Geology (3)
Geology, origin, exploration for and exploitation of fossil fuels and industrial mineral deposits.

GEOL 843 Recent Advances in Petrology (3)
Modern work in pure and applied petrology, including recent developments in research methodology and instrumentation concerning the investigation of crustal inorganic and/or organic matter.

GEOL 850 Topics in Structural Geology (3)
Relationships between internal and external stress and the resultant strain features in rocks, including mathematical analysis and analog computer studies.

GEOL 870 Recent Advances in Geochemistry (3)
Modern work in pure and applied geochemistry, including elemental distribution and migration in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock; hydrocarbon occurrence and organic studies; agricultural and medical aspects.

GEOL 872 Geology of Base Metal Deposits (3)
Basic factors controlling ore formation in the igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic environments including study of the supergene/hypogene controversy concerning ore formation.

GEOL 874 Geology of Fluids (3)
Occurrence and movement of fluids in the subsurface; pore geometry and fluid flow applied to ground water, petroleum geology, engineering geology, geothermal energy, and genesis of hydrothermal ore deposits.

GEOL 876 Precambrian Geology (3)
The Precambrian geological record, and petrological, chemical and tectonic evolution of the crust and mantle. Special emphasis will be placed on North American Archean and Proterozoic record.

GEOL 880AA-ZZ Selected topics in Geology (3)
Selected topics in Geology

GEOL 890AA-ZZ Directed Readings in Geology (3)
Directed Readings in Geology

GEOL 900 Seminar in Earth Science (1)
All students are required to attend all departmental seminars during every semester in which they are in residence. All students are required to register for two (2) credit hours of GEOL 900 during the time of their residency. Credit for GEOL 900 will be granted on the basis of the presentation of two (2) departmental seminars and attendance at all seminars. Credit is Pass/Fail.
It is expected that one seminar will usually be given by the student at the beginning of their graduate program, within the first year of study, and the second seminar will be given prior to defence of the thesis.

GEOL 901 Research (Variable credit 1-16)
Thesis research.