Earth Sciences

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences offers a broad range of programs with a focus on the general area of Environmental Geology. Research is carried out in the interpretation of geologic and hydrogeologic processes, the description and interpretation of modern and ancient geologic environments, the response of geologic and hydrogeologic systems to human interference, and many other topics.

Our major areas are in hydrogeology, groundwater modelling and remediation, aqueous, organic and isotope geochemistry, isotope hydrology, atmospheric science, economic geology, mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, engineering geology, geophysics, sedimentology and Quaternary geology.

Fields (areas of research)

• Aqueous and Organic Hydrogeochemistry
• Hydrogeology
• Isotope Hydrology and Geochemistry
• Solid Earth Sciences
• Water Cycle Modelling

PhD Comprehensive Examination

• The purpose of the Comprehensive Examination is two-fold:
  • To assess the candidate's general competence in their discipline, subdiscipline, and area of specialization, at a level considered by the Examining Committee to be appropriate for the PhD degree.
  • To assess the candidate's ability to complete their PhD program.
• Questions may cover the entire spectrum of scientific knowledge which the candidate is expected to be familiar with and will probe their in-depth expertise in their area of specialization. In particular, the candidate will be expected to demonstrate a thorough grasp of the fundamental principles underlying their branch of science.

PhD Thesis Proposal

• This is a 30 minute presentation by PhD students of an overview of their proposed research. The PhD Thesis Proposal Milestone is to be completed by the student sometime in between terms 4 to 6.

PhD Thesis

• Students must submit and successfully defend a PhD thesis.

Requirements

• The program is open to students who have completed a Master of Science (MSc) degree with a 75% average and who have outstanding academic credentials and a demonstrated ability to do original scholarly work.
• A normal requirement is a background in geology or geological engineering, but other experience relevant to a candidate's research interests will be considered. Candidates will be evaluated on an individual basis.
• University regulations permit that under exceptional circumstances, outstanding students with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree, can be admitted directly into the PhD program.
• Before applying to the program, students are strongly advised to establish contact with potential supervisors. It is a good strategy to identify whether the potential supervisors that students would like to undertake research with have available positions and funding.
• Admission from the BSc degree to the Doctoral program: in exceptional cases where a student demonstrates academic excellence including: research potential, scientific maturity and good writing skills, they may be allowed, at the discretion of the Graduate Committee, to proceed directly to the PhD degree from the BSc, without the completion of the MSc.
• Résumé
• Supplementary information form
• Transcript(s)
• 3 academic references
• TOEFL 90, IELTS 7.0.

Scholarships

• International Master's (IMSA) & International Doctoral Student Awards (IDSA)
• Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
• Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS)
• Trudeau Foundation Scholarships
• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS)