Geology

Graduate Co-ordinator:  Osman Salad Hersi,  PhD

Faculty Listing

Department Description

The Department of Geology offers graduate work leading to the MSc 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.

Graduate Programs

The Department of Geology has a Master's of Science program and a PhD program. Our faculty members are active in various fields of geoscience research including petroleum and mineral resources and environmental studies. Graduate students have the opportunities to conduct field-based projects in various parts of Saskatchewan, Canada and elsewhere in the world as well as laboratory-based research. The Department of Geology closely co-operates on many projects with the Saskatchewan Geological Survey, which provide significant funding opportunities for graduate students.

Degree Requirements

Master of Science (MSc) in Geology (thesis)

*One must be from the GEOL 800AA-ZZ series.

Note: Students must complete a minimum of two credit hours of GEOL 900.

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

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Geology (after Master's)

Typically the PhD program is entered following the completion of a Master's program. The PhD 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:

Note: Students must complete a minimum of two credit hours of GEOL 900.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Geology (after Bachelor's)

In exceptional circumstances, a candidate may transfer into the PhD program without completion of a Master's degree. In these cases, the PhD 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:

Courses

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 MSc 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.

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 Issues and Topics in Geoscience (1)
Students registered in GEOL 900 should attend all seminars during that semester. Those who are unable to do so should make an arrangement with the instructor. Credit is Pass/Fail based on presenting successfully one seminar and attending all seminars. Each graduate student requires two GEOL 900: the first is at the beginning of the program; the second is prior to a thesis defense.

GEOL 901 Research (1-16)
Thesis research.