Graduate Calendar Archives: 2007 / 2008

2125 Herzberg Building
Telephone: 613-520-5633
Fax: 613-520-5613
E-mail: earth_sciences@carleton.ca
Web site: www.earthsci.carleton.ca/ocgc

The Centre

Director of the Centre, R.T. Patterson

Established in 1982, the Ottawa-Carleton Geoscience Centre, a joint initiative of Carleton University and the University of Ottawa, offers programs leading to the degrees of M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Earth Sciences. The Centre houses modern instrumental facilities, and research activity includes most areas of the Earth Sciences.

The size of the Centre's research faculty and its location in the nation's capital offer unique opportunities for collaborative research over a broad range of disciplines. Of particular note is the Centre's close collaboration with the Geological Survey of Canada. The campuses are fifteen minutes apart by complimentary inter-university transport and within a short distance of most federal facilities.

Graduate students are enrolled in the university where their faculty supervisor holds an appointment. Students draw from a program of courses in English or French and may pursue their research in either language.

Applications for graduate admission are made to the Director of the Centre.

The research interests of members of the Centre are listed below.

Members of the Centre

The home department of each member is indicated by (CU) for the Department of Earth Sciences, Carleton University; (UO) for the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Ottawa; (CE) for the Department of Civil Engineering, Carleton University; (PHY) for the Department of Physics, University of Ottawa; (GEOGCU) for the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Carleton University; (GEOGUO) for the Department of Geography at the University of Ottawa.

• F.P. Agterberg, Geomathematics, evaluation of non-renewable resources, automated stratigraphic correlation (UO-Adjunct)
• R.W. Arnott, Clastic sedimentology, experimental sedimentology (UO)
• I. Asudeh, Seismology and instrumentation (CU-Adjunct)
• G.M. Atkinson, Engineering seismology, strong ground motion, seismic hazard (CU)
• J. Ayer, Archean greenstone belt evolution, economic geology, geochemistry
• A. Bannari, Remote sensing and geographic information systems (GEOGUO)
• Keith Bell, Isotope studies, petrology of alkaline rocks and carbonatites, geochronology (CU)
• Keith Benn, Structural geology, structural petrology, anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility, basement tectonics (UO)
• R.G. Berman, Metamorphic petrology, experimental petrology (CU-Adjunct)
• John Blenkinsop, Mass spectrometry, geochronology, isotope geochemistry (CU)
• G.F. Bonham-Carter, Spatial information systems, spatial data modeling (UO-Adjunct)
• R.L. Brown, Tectonics and structural geology (CU)
• C.R. Burn, Permafrost and ground ice, Yukon and Western Arctic (GEOGCU)
• S.D. Carr, Cordilleran and Grenville tectonics, U-Pb geochronology (CU)
• I.D. Clark, Hydrogeology, environmental isotope geochemistry (UO)
• B.L. Cousens, Igneous petrology, isotope geochemistry (CU-Adjunct)
• S.L. Cumbaa, Vertebrate paleontology and paleoecology (CU-Adjunct)
• André Desrochers, Carbonate sedimentology and diagenesis, Canadian Arctic (UO)
• G.R. Dix, Sedimentology and stratigraphy, emphasis on modern and ancient carbonate settings (CU)
• J.A. Donaldson, Precambrian stratigraphy and sedimentology (CU-Adjunct)
• R.M. Easton, Grenville and Proterozoic geology, physical volcanology, geochemistry (CU-Adjunct)
• T.S. Ercit, Origin and internal evolution of granitic pegmatites, application of mineral systematics to problems in the Earth Sciences and solid-state chemistry, mineralogy, geochemistry and economic geology of tantalum and niobium (CU-Adjunct)
• R. Ernst, Large igneous provinces (LIPS), on Earth and other planets, and links with Ni-Cu-PGE ore deposits and mantle plumes
• D. Fisher, Glaciology, ice cores, past climate change, Martian glaciology and planetary ices (UO-Adjunct)
• D. Fortin, Geomicrobiology, environmental geochemistry (OU)
• A.D. Fowler, Geochemistry, Archean metavolcanic belts, non-linear dynamics (UO)
• W. K. Fyson, Structural analyses in metamorphic terrains (OU-Adjunct)
• K. Gajewski, Climatology and climatic changes: Quaternary paleoecology (GEOGUO)
• M.-A. Geurts, Palynology and geomorphology, travertine (GEOGUO)
• H.J. Gibson, Subaqueous volcanic processes and metallic mineral deposits (CU-Adjunct)
• W.D. Goodfellow, Geochemistry of modern and ancient sediment-hosted deposits, mass extinction (UO-Adjunct)
• M.D. Hannington, Economic geology, mineral deposits (UO)
• K.H. Hattori, Isotope geochemistry, mineral deposits, Archean geology (UO)
• J. Hedenquist, Economic geology
• R. Herd, Mineralogy and textures of metamorphic rocks and meteorites
• D. D. Hogarth, Mineralogy, igneous and metamorphic petrology, alkalic rocks (OU-Adjunct)
• R. Holmes, Anatomy, functional morphology and systematics of Paleozoic and Mesozoic tetrapods
• P.G. Johnson, Glacial geomorphology, slope mass movements, glacier hydrology (GEOGUO)
• D.J. King, Remote sensing, vegetation damage assessment including geobotanical techniques, Geographic Information Systems (GEOGCU)
• T. Kotzer, Environmental isotope geochemistry, hydrogeology, radioisotopes (OU- Adjunct)
• J. Kukalova-Peck, Paleontology, fossil insects (CU-Adjunct)
• A.E. Lalonde, Petrology and mineralogy of plutonic rocks (UO)
• M. Lamontagne, Intraplate seismicity (CU-Adjunct)
• B. Lauriol, Geomorphology (GEOGUO)
• M.C. Lesher, Economic geology, igneous geochemistry, volcanology (UO-Adjunct)
• A.G. Lewkowicz, Permafrost geomorphology, hydrogeology, effect of global change on Arctic terrain (GEOGUO)
• Y. L'Heureux, Non-linear dynamics, crystal growth modeling (PHY)
• J. Lundberg, Karst, Quaternary studies, geochronology (GEOGCU)
• F.A. Michel, Isotope geochemistry, groundwater and permafrost studies (CU)
• D. Motazedian, Engineering seismology
• D. Murphy, Structural geology and tectonics, geology of the Canadian Cordillera (CU-Adjunct)
• R.T. Patterson, Micropaleontology specializing in foraminifera (CU)
• R. Peinitz, Quaternary geology (CU-Adjunct)
• J.A. Percival, Igneous and metamorphic petrology, geochemistry, structural geology, geochronology (UO-Adjunct)
• L. Poissant, Atmospheric toxic processes, mercury, pesticides, air-surface gas exchanges, geochemistry
• A. Prokoph, Quantitative stratigraphy (UO-Adjunct)
• R.H. Rainbird, Precambrian sedimentology and stratigraphy (CU-Adjunct)
• G. Ranalli, Rheology of the Earth, geodynamics, plate tectonics (CU)
• D.G. Rancourt, Mössbauer spectrometry, mineralogy, geobarometry, geothermometry, micas (PHY)
• P. Rasmussen, Environmental biochemistry (UO-Adjunct)
• M.R. Robin, Contaminant hydrogeology, geostatistics, geomathematics (UO)
• H. Roe, Quaternary geology (CU-Adjunct)
• N. Rybcznski, Evolution of Mesozoic and Cenozoic terrestrial communities in the Canadian Arctic
• C. Samson, Applied geophysics (CU)
• M. Sawada, Paleoclimatology, GIS, Quaternary, Holocene, climate change, spatial analysis, spatial statistics, analog, MAT (GEOGUO) (CU-Adjunct)
• C.J. Schröder-Adams, Micropaleontology, biostratigraphy, paleoecology, foraminifera, sequence stratigraphy (CU)
• G.B. Skippen, Metamorphic petrology, aqueous geochemistry (CU)
• M.W. Smith, Permafrost, microclimate, soil freezing (GEOGCU)
• R. Smith, Applied geophysics, airborne electromagnetic and magnetic methods
• R.P. Taylor, Mineral deposits, resource studies (CU)
• J.K. Torrance, Soil chemistry, clays, oxide minerals and geotechnical problems (GEOGCU)
• L. Trichtchenko, Investigations of space weather events from their origin on the Sun to their effects on the ground
• C. van Staal, Sedimentary and metamorphic terranes in Europe and North America and tectonic evolution of the Appalachian orogen (UO-Adjunct)
• J. Veizer, Sedimentary geochemistry, carbonates, diagenesis, ores, Precambrian sedimentology (UO)
• D.H. Watkinson, Metallic mineral deposits (CU)
• D. White
• P.J. Williams, Soil freezing and geotechnical problems, cold region pipelines (GEOGCU- Distinguished Research Professor)
• X.-C. Wu, Vertebrate paleontology (CU-Adjunct)

Master of Science

Admission Requirements

The requirement for admission to the program is an Honours B.Sc. degree, with at least high honours standing, in geology or a related discipline.

Program Requirements

• 1.5 credit of course work, 0.5 credit of which may be at the senior undergraduate level
• A research thesis (3.5 credits) defended at an oral examination
• A public lecture, preceding the oral examination, which is based on the thesis research
• Participation in the Geoscience Seminar Series (0.0 credit). Participation comprises one lecture (open to all members of the OCGC) describing an aspect of the candidate's research study and must be completed within 12 months of their registration in the M.Sc. program.

Academic Standing

A grade of B- or higher is required for each course counted towards the Master's degree.

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission Requirements

The requirement for admission to the Ph.D. Program is an M.Sc. degree in Earth Sciences or a related discipline.

Program Requirements

• A research thesis (9.0 credits), defended at an oral examination before an examination board that includes an external examiner
• A public lecture, preceding the oral examination, which is based on the thesis research
• A minimum of 1.0 credit of course work at the graduate level. Additional courses may be prescribed by the thesis advisory committee
• A comprehensive examination conducted by the thesis advisory committee. The comprehensive examination includes the presentation of a thesis proposal and involves three areas of geoscience specialization chosen by the student's advisory committee and approved by the Director of the Ottawa-Carleton Geoscience Centre
• Participation in the Geoscience Seminar Series (0.0 credit). Participation comprises one lecture (open to all Members of the OCGC) describing an aspect of the candidate's research study and must be completed within 12 months of their registration in the Ph.D. program.

Residence Requirement

The residence requirement for the Ph.D. degree is at least four terms of full-time study.

Guidelines for Completion of Master's and Doctoral Degrees

Full-time students enrolled in the 5.0 credit M.Sc. program are expected to complete the program by the end of six terms, and part-time students by the end of six years. A thesis proposal and selection of the thesis committee should be completed by the end of the second term for both Ph.D. and M.Sc. students.

Full-time students enrolled in the 10.0 credit Ph.D. program are expected to complete the program by the end of four years, and part-time students by the end of eight years, with the opportunity for extensions upon the recommendation of the supervisor and departmental supervisor of graduate studies. A comprehensive examination for Ph.D. students must be completed by the end of the first year.

Directed Studies Courses

Directed studies courses are not permitted as credit toward the graduate degree requirements. Such courses may be taken as extra to the minimum requirements for the M.Sc. or Ph.D. degrees.

Graduate Courses

Not all of the following courses are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca

University of Ottawa course numbers appear in parentheses after the Carleton course number and credit information.

ERTH 5001 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5101)

Seminars in Earth Sciences I

One-term modular courses covering a spectrum of Earth Science topics and current research problems, ranging from the geology and geophysics of the solid Earth, to its surface environment and crustal resources. A minimum of four modules offered per term, three must be completed to obtain course credit. Students may not take a module for credit that is offered by their supervisor, but may do so with the permission of the Director. Choice of modules must be approved by the Centre Director. Course complements ERTH 5002.

ERTH 5002 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5102)

Seminars in Earth Sciences II

One-term modular courses covering a spectrum of Earth Science topics and current research problems, ranging from the geology and geophysics of the solid Earth, to its surface environment and crustal resources. A minimum of four modules offered per term, three must be completed to obtain course credit. Students may not take a module for credit that is offered by their supervisor, but may do so with the permission of the Director. Choice of modules must be approved by the Centre Director. Course complements ERTH 5001.

ERTH 5104 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5114)

Mineralogy

An advanced course covering selected topics in mineralogy, such as crystallography, crystal chemistry, crystal structure, mineralogy of rock-forming mineral groups, and instrumental methods in mineralogical research, such as use of electronic optical instruments, spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography; seminar presentations and practical exercises.

ERTH 5202 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5122)

Volcanology

The distribution, classification and physical characteristics of volcanoes and other volcanic landforms; lava flows, tephra, breccias, and other rocks formed through volcanic activity. Magma chemistry and its influence on volcanic activity. Volcanic environments; recognition of ancient volcanic features; case histories.

ERTH 5203 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5123)

Metamorphic Petrology

Thermodynamics and kinetics of mineral reactions; metamorphic zones and isograds; mass transfer; regional and global aspects of metamorphism.

ERTH 5204 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5124)

Mineral Deposits

The nature and evolution of magmatic mineral deposits of both intrusive and extrusive character.

ERTH 5300 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5130)

Dynamics of Sedimentary Systems

Weathering, rivers, ocean and atmosphere, sedimentation and tectonism, basins and their sediments, P-T evolution, compaction, diagenesis, brines and fluid dynamics, mineralization, rock cycle and evolution through geologic time.

ERTH 5301 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5131)

Siliciclastic Sedimentology

Origin and significance of physical sedimentary processes and structures. Analysis of ancient siliciclastic depositional environments in a facies model and sequence stratigraphic framework. Course involves lectures, seminars and field excursions.

ERTH 5303 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5133)

Advanced Micropaleontology

Selected topics in micropaleontology covered including the paleoecology, biogeography and biology of foraminifera and other microfossil groups, and their application to biostratigraphy and paleo-oceanography.

ERTH 5305 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5135)

Carbonate Sedimentology

Aspects of modern depositional systems, dynamic facies models, sequence stratigraphy, mineralogy, and diagenesis of carbonate sediments. The practical part of the course will consist of a field-laboratory project that integrates various techniques in carbonate sedimentology (mapping, petrography, staining, Cathodoluminescence, fluorescence, SEM).

ERTH 5306 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5136)

Paleobiology

Selected topics in paleobiology of marine fossils. Topics include extinctions, micro- and macro-evolutionary processes, long-term trends and cycles in the Phanerozoic, and functional morphology.

ERTH 5309 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5139)

Glacial Sedimentology

Glacial and glacially related sedimentary environments and processes. Significance of genesis of glacial sediments for stratigraphic correlations, mineral exploration, interpretation of environmental geochemistry, aggregate evaluation, and hydrogeology.

Weekly two-hour lectures and field excursions.

ERTH 5400 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5140)

Pleistocene Permafrost and Periglacial Environments

Stratigraphical evidence for cold, non-glacial conditions during the Pleistocene when extensive areas of mid latitude were exposed to intense frost action and permafrost. Pleistocene periglacial sediments and sedimentary structures indicative of past permafrost.

ERTH 5401 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5141)

Permafrost Hydrology and Investigative Methods

Groundwater flow in permafrost regions. The importance of groundwater in the formation of various types of ground ice, and the effect of groundwater flow on permafrost distribution.

ERTH 5402 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5142)

Environmental Geoscience

Geological hazards, mineral and energy consumption and environmental degradation. The relation between development and the environment. Students prepare a report and present a seminar, participate in a research project centred in the Ottawa area.

ERTH 5403 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5143)

Environmental Isotopes and Groundwater Geochemistry

Stable environmental isotopes (18O, 2H, 13C, 34S, 15N) in studies of groundwater origin and flow, and geothermal studies. Groundwater dating techniques involving tritium and radio-carbon, and exotic radioisotopes (e.g.,36Cl, 39Ar, 85Kr). Low temperature aqueous geochemistry and mineral solubility with emphasis on the carbonate system. Some application to paleoclimatology will be discussed.

Prerequisite: permission of the Department.

ERTH 5404 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5144)

Groundwater Resources

Advanced topics in the exploration and development of groundwater resources, including detailed aquifer response analysis. Examination of hydrogeology in arid and undeveloped regions will also be included.

Prerequisite: permission of the Department.

ERTH 5406 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5146)

Numerical Methods in Hydrogeology

Application of numerical methods in hydrogeological problem solving, including a review of governing equations, initial and boundary conditions, and both finite element and finite difference methods. Additional topics to be explored include particle tracking, Laplace and Fourier transforms, and stochastic methods.

Prerequisite: permission of the Department.

ERTH 5407 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5147)

Geochemistry of Natural Waters

Aqueous speciation, solubility of metals, minerals and gas, reaction kinetics and equilibria. Chemistry and dynamics of groundwaters and hydrothermal fluids.

ERTH 5408 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5148)

Theory of Flow and Transport in Porous Media

Theory of fluid flow and solute transport through geological materials. Porous media. Types of fluids and porous media; saturated, unsaturated, and multi-phase flow; development of solute transport equations using continuum and stochastic approaches.
Prerequisites: fourth-year hydrogeology, second-year calculus, and first-year statistics, or permission of the instructor.

One three-hour lecture per week, reading and problem-solving assignments plus final examination.

ERTH 5501 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5151)

Precambrian Geology

Problems of Precambrian geology, emphasizing classical and current studies in North America; comparative study of the Canadian Shield and other Precambrian shields; research projects, field trips and petrologic studies of representative rock suites.

ERTH 5503 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5153)

Computer Techniques in the Earth Sciences

A practical course in the application of computer techniques in the acquisition and interpretation of geoscientific data. Topics may include: remote sensing and geographic information systems; geostatistical analysis techniques; analysis and modeling of geoscientific data.

Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor.

ERTH 5507 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5157)

Tectonic Processes Emphasizing Geochronology and Metamorphism

Applications of empirical, analytical and quantitative techniques to problems in regional geology and crustal tectonics; orogenic processes; heat and metamorphism; isotopic geochronology as applied to thermal history; derivation and interpretation of P-T-t paths.

ERTH 5600 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5160)

Chemistry of the Earth

An investigation of the geochemical constitution of the Earth and how the Earth has evolved. Topics include meteorites and the early history of the Earth; chemical and isotopic constraints on the geochemical evolution of the crust and mantle; Earth models and their limitations.

ERTH 5602 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5162)

Physical Geochemistry

Application of thermodynamics to geological problems. Experimental study of mineral equilibria.

ERTH 5603 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5163)

Stable Isotope Geochemistry

Mechanisms of isotope fractionation in nature; physical and chemical isotope fractionation, kinetic isotope effects. Variation of stable isotope ratios (hydrogen, carbon, oxygen and sulphur) in nature. Preparation techniques of natural samples for isotope analysis. Applications of stable isotopes to study magma genesis, ore genesis, nature of water and formation fluids and sedimentary environments.

ERTH 5609 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5169)

Radioisotope Geochemistry

Nucleosynthesis; chemical differentiation of the Earth. Evolution of large-scale isotopic reservoirs. Isotopic tracers (143Nd/144Nd, 87Sr/86Sr, common Pb). Geochronology; fundamentals and application of Sm/Nd, Rb/Sr, U/Pb, K/Ar and Lu/Hf methods. Evolution of the solid Earth from the isotopic perspective.

Precludes additional credit for Geology 67.565 (GEO 5165) (taken before 1997-98).

ERTH 5701 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5171)

Physics of the Earth

The physics and dynamics of the solid Earth: seismology; gravitational and magnetic fields, thermal state. Geophysical constraints on the structure and composition of the interior. Geodynamic processes.

ERTH 5702 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5172)

Tectonophysics

The physics of deformation; continuum mechanics approach (elasticity, strength, plasticity, viscosity), and micro-rheological approach (diffusion, dislocations, and flow mechanisms). Applications to tectonic processes.

ERTH 5703 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5173)

Structural Geology

Selected problems in structural geology treated in seminar and laboratory sessions. Emphasis on interpretation of fabrics developed during synmetamorphic strain. Students investigate and report on individual projects.

ERTH 5704 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5174)

Tectonics

An investigation of the structural style of mountain belts and their tectonic setting; tectonics of Precambrian deformed belts.

ERTH 5707 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5177)

Engineering Seismology

Seismological topics with engineering applications. Characterization of seismicity and seismic sources (areas and faults). Seismic hazard analysis. Empirical and theoretical modeling of strong ground motion in time and frequency domain.

ERTH 5708 [0.5 credit]

Earthquake Signal Processing

Theoretical and practical aspects of earthquake signal processing, seismic instrumentation, instrument response and application of spectral analysis and response spectra.

ERTH 5900 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5190)

Directed Studies

Directed reading and/or laboratory studies for 1.0 credit course, under the guidance of selected extramural or intramural directors. A written description of the project must be submitted for departmental approval prior to registration. This course does not count for credit toward the graduate degree requirements.

ERTH 5901 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5191)

Directed Studies

Directed reading and/or laboratory studies for 0.5 credit course, under the guidance of selected extramural or intramural directors. A written description of the project must be submitted for departmental approval prior to registration. This course does not count for credit toward the graduate degree requirements.

ERTH 5903 [0.5 credit] (GEO 5193)

Field Studies

Systematic investigations of geological problems, based on a minimum of fifteen days field work plus related library research and laboratory projects. Written report required.

ERTH 5909 (GEO 7999)

M.Sc. Thesis

A thesis proposal must be approved by the research advisory committee by the end of the first year of registration.

ERTH 6909 (GEO 9999)

Ph.D. Thesis

A thesis proposal must be approved by the research advisory committee by the end of the first year of registration.

Department of Geography, University of Ottawa

In addition to the Earth Sciences courses listed here, Geography courses are included in the Centre's program. A list of these appropriate courses are available through the Department of Earth Sciences - Graduate Offices and located on the Web at www.earthsci.carleton.ca/ocgc