Geology
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
Master of Science
The M.Sc. course consists of the following requirements:
| Minimum 2 (GEOL 8xx) courses* | 6 credit hours |
| GEOL 900 | 2 credit hours (minimum) |
| Thesis research (GEOL 901) | 22 credit hours |
| Total | 30 credit hours |
* one must be from the Geol 800AA-ZZ series
Students may be required to take a departmental diagnostic examination immediately prior to first registration.
Ph.D.
- Typically the Ph.D. program is entered following the
completion of a Master's program. The Ph.D. program consists
of a minimum of 14 credit hours of course work and 46 credit
hours of GEOL 901. The minimum course work will typically
consist of:
The Ph.D. Program for candidate with MSc. in Geology consists of the following requirements:
GEOL 801 6 credit hours 2 additional graduate courses 6 credit hours GEOL 900 2 credit hours (minimum) GEOL 901 46 credit hours Total 60 credit hours - In exceptional circumstances, a candidate may transfer
into the Ph.D. program without completion of a Master's
degree. In these cases, the Ph.D. program consists of a
minimum of 20 credit hours of course work and 70 hours of GEOL
901. The minimum course work will typically consist of:
GEOL 801 6 credit hours 4 additional graduate courses 12 credit hours GEOL 900 2 credit hours (minimum) GEOL 901 70 credit hours Total 90 credit hours
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.
One is required of all candidates for the M.Sc. degree.
GEOL 801 PhD Comprehensive Exam (6)
This course is required of all
students registered in a PhD program and it must be completed within
16 months of beginning the program. The candidate's supervisory
committee will examine the students knowledge in the area(s) of
Geology related to the student's research. Students will submit a
comprehensive research proposal which will form the basis for the
oral examination.
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.
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.
