Note: This is the 2010–2011 edition of the eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or click here to jump to the newest eCalendar.
Program Requirements
The Major in Earth System Science (ESYS) is offered jointly by the following departments:
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC)
Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPSC)
Geography (GEOG)
Earth System Science (ESYS) views Earth as a single integrated system that provides a unifying context to examine the interrelationships between all components of the Earth system. The approach concentrates on the nature of linkages among the biological, chemical, human and physical subsystems of the Earth. Earth System Science primarily involves studying the cycling of matter and energy through the atmosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, exosphere, and hydrosphere. It examines the dynamics and interrelationships among these processes at time scales that range from billions of years to days, and seeks to understand how these interrelationships have changed over time.
Required Courses (36 credits)
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ATOC 214 Introduction: Physics of the Atmosphere (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : An introduction to physical meteorology designed for students in the physical sciences. Topics include: composition of the atmosphere; heat transfer; the upper atmosphere; atmospheric optics; formation of clouds and precipitation; instability; adiabatic charts.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Atallah, Eyad Hashem; Gyakum, John Richard (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite: CEGEP Physics
-
BIOL 215 Introduction to Ecology and Evolution (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : An introduction to the fundamental processes of ecology and evolution that bear on the nature and diversity of organisms and the processes that govern their assembly into ecological communities and their roles in ecosystem function.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Price, Neil; Larsson, Hans Carl; Potvin, Catherine (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite: BIOL 111
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ENVR 202
-
ENVR 200 The Global Environment (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : A systems approach to study the different components of the environment involved in global climate change: the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. The interactions among these components. Their role in global climate change. The human dimension to global change.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: McCourt, George; Fyles, James W; Fabry, Frederic; Rhemtulla, Jeanine; Atallah, Eyad Hashem (Fall)
- Fall
- Section 001: Downtown Campus
- Section 051: Macdonald Campus
-
ENVR 201 Society, Environment and Sustainability (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : This course deals with how scientific-technological, socio-economic, political-institutional and behavioural factors mediate society-environment interactions. Issues discussed include population and resources; consumption, impacts and institutions; integrating environmental values in societal decision-making; and the challenges associated with, and strategies for, promoting sustainability. Case studies in various sectors and contexts are used.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Badami, Madhav Govind; Bennett, Elena; Purdon, Mark; Kosoy, Nicolas (Fall)
- Fall
- Section 001: Downtown Campus
- Section 051: Macdonald Campus
-
ESYS 200 Earth System Processes (3 credits)
Overview
Earth System Science : Complex interactions among the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere. Biological, chemical and physical processes within and between each "sphere" that extend over spatial scales ranging from microns to the size of planetary orbits and that span time scales from fractions of a second to billions of years.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Wing, Boswell; Lehner, Bernhard (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite(s): ENVR 200 or permission of instructor.
-
ESYS 300 Investigating the Earth System (3 credits)
Overview
Earth System Science : An understanding of the biological, chemical and physical fundamentals of the Earth system and how the different components interact. The mechanisms controlling interactions between reservoirs are quantitatively investigated. Special emphasis on the development and response of the Earth system to perturbations.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: McKenzie, Jeffrey; Kollias, Pavlos; Kalacska, Margaret (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite: ESYS 200 or equivalent.
-
ESYS 301 Earth System Modelling (3 credits)
Overview
Earth System Science : Principal concepts of systems modelling related to earth system science and environmental science. Students explore the ideas of state, stability, equilibria, feedbacks, and complexity using simple models.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Tremblay, Bruno; Ramankutty, Navin (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite: ESYS 200 or ENVR 200 or equivalent.
-
ESYS 500 Earth System Applications (3 credits)
Overview
Earth System Science : Individual research projects that contribute to a group project that addresses one of the six scientific "Grand Challenges" crucial to humanity: global cycles (water and biogeochemical); climate variability and change; land use and land cover change; energy and resources; earth hazards; earth-atmosphere observation, monitoring, analysis and prediction.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Wing, Boswell; Ramankutty, Navin; Kollias, Pavlos (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours seminar
-
GEOG 203 Environmental Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : An introduction to system-level interactions among climate, hydrology, soils and vegetation at the scale of drainage basins, including the study of the global geographical variability in these land-surface systems. The knowledge acquired is used to study the impact on the environment of various human activities such as deforestation and urbanisation.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Chmura, Gail L; Murphy, Meaghan (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours
- Restriction: Because of quantitative science content of course, not recommended for B.A. and B.Ed. students in their U0 year.
-
GEOG 308 Principles of Remote Sensing (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : A conceptual view of remote sensing and the underlying physical principles. Covers ground-based, aerial, satellite systems, and the electromagnetic spectrum, from visible to microwave. Emphasis on application of remotely sensed data in geography including land cover change and ecological processes.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Kalacska, Margaret (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours and laboratory periods
- Corequisite(s): GEOG 201
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ATOC 308
-
MATH 203 Principles of Statistics 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Examples of statistical data and the use of graphical means to summarize the data. Basic distributions arising in the natural and behavioural sciences. The logical meaning of a test of significance and a confidence interval. Tests of significance and confidence intervals in the one and two sample setting (means, variances and proportions).
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Summer 2011
Instructors: Khalili Mahmoudabadi, Abbas; Correa, Jose Andres (Fall)
- No calculus prerequisites
- Restriction: This course is intended for students in all disciplines. For extensive course restrictions covering statistics courses see Section 3.6.1 of the Arts and of the Science sections of the calendar regarding course overlaps.
- You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar. Students should consult for information regarding transfer credits for this course.
-
MATH 222 Calculus 3 (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Summer 2011
Instructors: Jonsson, Wilbur; Sancho, Neville G F (Fall) Jonsson, Wilbur (Winter)
- Prerequisite: MATH 141. Familiarity with vector geometry or Corequisite: MATH 133
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CEGEP course 201-303 or MATH 150, MATH 151 or MATH 227
Complementary Courses (21 credits)
3 credits, one of the following courses:
-
EPSC 210 Introductory Mineralogy (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : Crystal chemistry and identification of the principal rock-forming and ore minerals. Elementary crystallography. Optional 2-day field trip.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Paquette, Jeanne (Fall)
- Fall
- 2 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory
- Corequisite: EPSC 201 or EPSC 233
-
EPSC 220 Principles of Geochemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : Basic concepts in geochemistry and the application of geochemical principles of chemistry to geological subdisciplines. Particular emphasis on origin of elements, controls on their distribution in Earth and cosmos, isotopes, organic geochemistry and water chemistry. Application of phase diagrams to geology.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Baker, Don (Fall)
- Fall
- 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory
18 credits from the following course list, with at least 3 credits from each of subject codes ATOC, EPSC, and GEOG. At least 9 of the 18 credits must be at the 400-level or higher.
Note: Courses at the 300-level or higher in other departments in the Faculties of Science and Engineering may also be used as complementary credits, with the permission of an academic adviser. Please see the list posted on the Departmental web page.
-
ATOC 215 Oceans, Weather and Climate (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Laws of motion, geostrophic wind, gradient wind. General circulation of the atmosphere and oceans, local circulation features. Air-sea interaction, including hurricanes and sea-ice formation, extra-tropical weather systems and fronts, role of the atmosphere and oceans in climate.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Yau, Man K (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite: ATOC 214
-
ATOC 309 Weather Radars and Satellites (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Basic notions of radiative transfer and applications of satellite and radar data to mesoscale and synoptic-scale systems are discussed. Emphasis will be put on the contribution of remote sensing to atmospheric and oceanic sciences.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Fabry, Frederic; Szejwach, Gerard (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite: ATOC 215
-
ATOC 315 Water in the Atmosphere (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Global distribution of water in the atmosphere. Moist processes. Global and mesoscale precipitation systems. Quantitative forecasting of precipitation. Extreme precipitation events. Large-scale influences. Precipitation modification.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Son, Seok-Woo (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite: ATOC 214
-
ATOC 412 Atmospheric Dynamics (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Equations of motion in rotating coordinates, elementary applications, circulation and vorticity, the planetary boundary layer, synoptic scale motions, Rossby waves and inertial oscillations.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Straub, David N (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisites: MATH 314, MATH 315.
-
ATOC 419 Advances in Chemistry of Atmosphere (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Selected areas of atmospheric chemistry from field and laboratory to theoretical modelling are examined. The principles of atmospheric reactions (gas, liquid and heterogeneous phases in aerosols and clouds) and issues related to chemical global change will be explored.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Ariya, Parisa A (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisites: CHEM 243, and CHEM 263 or CHEM 213 and CHEM 273, MATH 222 and MATH 315 (or equivalents) or permission of instructor.
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CHEM 419, CHEM 619, and ATOC 619
- Offered in odd years. Students should register in CHEM 419 in even years
-
ATOC 512 Atmospheric and Oceanic Dynamics (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Introduction to the fluid dynamics of large-scale flows of the atmosphere and oceans. Stratification of atmosphere and oceans. Equations of state, thermodynamics and momentum. Kinematics, circulation, and vorticity. Hydrostatic and quasi-geostrophic flows. Brief introduction to wave motions, flow over topography, Ekman boundary layers, turbulence.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Bartello, Peter (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite (Undergraduate): Permission of instructor
-
ATOC 513 Waves and Stability (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Linear theory of waves in rotating and stratified media. Geostrophic adjustment and model initialization. Wave propagation in slowly varying media. Mountain waves; waves in shear flows. Barotropic, baroclinic, symmetric, and Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. Wave-mean flow interaction. Equatorially trapped waves.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Son, Seok-Woo (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite (Undergraduate): Permission of instructor
-
ATOC 530 Paleoclimate Dynamics (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Introduction to the components of the climate system. Review of paleoclimates. Physical processes and models of climate and climate change.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite (Undergraduate): Permission of instructor
- Restriction: Graduate students and final-year Honours Atmospheric Science students. Others by special permission.
-
ATOC 531 Dynamics of Current Climates (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : The general circulation of the atmosphere and oceans. Atmospheric and oceanic general circulation models. Observations and models of the El Niño and Southern Oscillation phenomena.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Straub, David N (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite (Undergraduate): Permission of instructor
- Restriction: Graduate students and final-year Honours Atmospheric Science students. Others by special permission.
-
ATOC 540 Synoptic Meteorology 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Analysis of current meteorological data. Description of a geostrophic, hydrostatic atmosphere. Ageostrophic circulations and hydrostatic instabilities. Kinematic and thermodynamic methods of computing vertical motions. Tropical and extratropical condensation rates. Barotropic and equivalent barotropic atmospheres.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Atallah, Eyad Hashem (Fall)
- Fall
- 2 hours lecture; 2 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite (Undergraduate): Permission of instructor
-
ATOC 541 Synoptic Meteorology 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences : Analysis of current meteorological data. Quasi-geostrophic theory, including the omega equation, as it relates to extratropical cyclone and anticyclone development. Frontogenesis and frontal circulations in the lower and upper troposphere. Cumulus convection and its relationship to tropical and extratropical circulations. Diagnostic case study work.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Atallah, Eyad Hashem (Winter)
- Winter
- 2 hours lecture; 2 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite (Undergraduate): ATOC 412 and ATOC 540 or permission of instructor.
-
BIOL 308 Ecological Dynamics (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Principles of population, community, and ecosystem dynamics: population growth and regulation, species interactions, dynamics of competitive interactions and of predator/prey systems; evolutionary dynamics.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Guichard, Frederic (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lecture, 1 hour computer lab/tutorial
- Prerequisite: BIOL 215 or both ENVR 200 and ENVR 202
-
BIOL 309 Mathematical Models in Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Application of finite difference and differential equations to problems in cell and developmental biology, ecology and physiology. Qualitative, quantitative and graphical techniques are used to analyze mathematical models and to compare theoretical predictions with experimental data.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Glass, Leon (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite: one year of calculus. An additional course in calculus is recommended
-
BIOL 432 Limnology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : A study of the physical, chemical and biological properties of lakes and other inland waters, with emphasis on their functioning as systems.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Gregory-Eaves, Irene (Fall)
- Fall
- 2 hours lecture; 2 weekends at field station equivalent to 3 hours laboratory per week
- Prerequisites: BIOL 206 and BIOL 215 or permission of instructor.
- This course, involving two field weekends, has an additional fee of $225, which includes room and board and transportation. The fee is refundable during the period where a student can drop the course with full refund. The Department of Biology subsidizes a portion of the cost for this activity.
-
BIOL 434 Theoretical Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Study of theoretical ecology and of mathematical tools available to explore the dynamical behaviour of model populations, communities and ecosystems. Models addressing major ecological theories including population stability, community dynamics and ecosystem functioning, epidemic and disturbance dynamics, spatial models, game theory.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Guichard, Frederic; Seizilles de Mazancourt, Claire (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisites: BIOL 308 or BIOL 309 or permission of instructor.
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken BIOL 534.
-
BIOL 441 Biological Oceanography (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : An introduction to how the ocean functions biologically: biology and ecology of marine plankton; regulation, extent and fate of production in the sea.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Price, Neil (Winter)
- Winter
- 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory/conference
- Prerequisites: BIOL 206; and BIOL 215 or both ENVR 200 and ENVR 202.
-
BIOL 465 Conservation Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Discussion of relevant theoretical and applied issues in conservation biology. Topics: biodiversity, population viability analysis, community dynamics, biology of rarity, extinction, habitat fragmentation, social issues.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Green, David M; Gonzalez, Andrew (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite: BIOL 215 OR both ENVR 200 and ENVR 202
-
BIOL 540 Ecology of Species Invasions (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Causes and consequences of biological invasion, as well as risk assessment methods and management strategies for dealing with invasive species.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Ricciardi, Anthony (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite: BIOL 308 or permission of instructor
- Restriction: Not open to U1 or U2 students
- Restriction: Not open to students who are taking or have taken ENVR 540.
-
BREE 319 Engineering Mathematics (3 credits)
Overview
Bioresource Engineering : Advanced topics in engineering mathematics, including special functions, orthogonal functions and Fourier series, boundary value problems in various coordinate systems, integral transforms, partial differential equations and introduction to complex variable theory. The use of computer-based mathematical tools will be an integral part of the course.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Knutt, Marcia E (Fall)
- 3 lectures, 2-hour lab, conference
- Prerequisite: AEMA 305 or equivalent and BREE 252
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ABEN 319.
-
ECON 347 Economics of Climate Change (3 credits)
Overview
Economics (Arts) : The course focuses on the economic implications of, and problems posed by, predictions of global warming due to anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases. Attention is given to economic policies such as carbon taxes and tradeable emission permits and to the problems of displacing fossil fuels with new energy technologies.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Galiana, Isabel (Winter)
- Prerequisites: ECON 208 and ECON 209 or those listed under Prerequisites above
-
ECON 405 Natural Resource Economics (3 credits)
Overview
Economics (Arts) : Topics include: Malthusian and Ricardian Scarcity; optimal depletion of renewable and non-renewable resources; exploration, risk and industry structure, and current resources, rent and taxation. Current public policies applied to the resource industries, particularly those of a regulatory nature.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Cairns, Robert D (Winter)
- Prerequisite: ECON 230 or ECON 250
-
EPSC 212 Introductory Petrology (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : A survey of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and the processes responsible for their formation. The laboratory will emphasize the recognition of rocks in both hand-specimen and thin section using optical microscopes.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Trzcienski, Walter Edward (Winter)
- Winter
- 2 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite: EPSC 210
-
EPSC 312 Spectroscopy of Minerals (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : Interaction of minerals with electromagnetic radiation. Optical mineralogy on thin and polished sections. Demonstrations of other spectroscopic techniques applied to the identification of minerals and to the analysis of their composition and structure.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- 6 hours laboratory and relevant in-lab lectures
- Prerequisite: EPSC 210
-
EPSC 320 Elementary Earth Physics (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : Physical properties of Earth and the processes associated with its existence as inferred from astronomy, geodesy, seismology, geology, terrestrial magnetism and thermal evolution.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Jensen, Olivia (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lectures
- Prerequisite: MATH 222
-
EPSC 330 Earthquakes and Earth Structure (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : Seismic wave theory; body waves, surface waves and free oscillations; seismicity and earthquakes; seismology and Earth's internal structure.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Jensen, Olivia (Winter)
- Fall
- 3 hours lectures, tutorial as required
- Prerequisites: MATH 314, EPSC 320.
- Corequisites: MATH 319
-
EPSC 331 Field School 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : Two week field studies in selected branches of the geosciences.
Terms: Winter 2011, Summer 2011
Instructors: Hall, Sarah (Winter) Hall, Sarah (Summer)
- Two-week intensive field school to a range of national and international locations.
- Prerequisites: enrollment in U2 or U3 EPS program and permission of the instructor.
- Alternates years with EPSC 341.
-
EPSC 334 Invertebrate Paleontology (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : Preservation of fossils; the fossil record of invertebrates; use of fossils in stratigraphy and paleoecology; fossils in evolutionary studies. Fossils of invertebrates are studied in the laboratory.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Paquette, Jeanne (Winter)
- Winter
- 2 hours lectures and one laboratory period
-
EPSC 341 Field School 3 (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : Two week field studies in selected branches of the geosciences to examine processes in geology.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Two week intensive field school to a range of national and international locations.
- Prerequisites: Enrolment in U2 or U3 EPS program and permission of the instructor.
- Alternates years with EPSC 331.
-
EPSC 350 Tectonics (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : Rheology of the Earth, mechanics of the crust and mantle and core, convection in the mantle, evolution and kinematics and deformations of the oceanic and continental plates, thermal evolution of the Earth, the unifying theory of plate tectonics.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- 3 hours lectures
- Prerequisites: EPSC 320, Calculus 3 or equivalent
-
EPSC 423 Igneous Petrology (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : Physical properties, nucleation, crystallization, differentiation and emplacement of magmas. Integrated studies on various rock suites.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Fall
- 2 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory
- Prerequisites: EPSC 212, EPSC 312
-
EPSC 425 Sediments to Sequences (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : Processes and products of modern and ancient carbonate and siliciclastic depositional environments. Sequence stratigraphy as a tool for studying the fundamental controls (sea level, tectonics, sediment supply, etc.) on stratigraphic architecture.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- 2 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory
- Prerequisites: EPSC 210, EPSC 212
-
EPSC 445 Metamorphic Petrology (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : The origin, classification and petrological significance of metamorphic rocks, from the point of view of theory, experiment and field observations.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Williams-Jones, Anthony E (Winter)
- Winter
- 2 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory
- Prerequisites: EPSC 212, EPSC 312
-
EPSC 451 Hydrothermal Mineral Deposits (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : The principles of hydrothermal ore-forming processes. Application of these principles to understanding the nature and mode of occurrence of selected types of metallic mineral deposits.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- 2 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite: EPSC 220
-
EPSC 452 Mineral Deposits (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : A systematic review of the nature and origin of the major types of metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits; typical occurrences; geographic distribution; applications to exploration. Emphasis on magmatic ores, massive sulfides, iron formations.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Williams-Jones, Anthony E (Fall)
- Fall
- 2 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite: EPSC 312, EPSC 220
-
EPSC 455 Sedimentary Geology (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : This course discusses the origin, diagenesis, classification and economic importance of sedimentary rocks. Students will learn about the physical properties of sedimentary rocks, including porosity and permeability, different techniques for analyzing those rocks (thin sections, hand specimens, wireline logs) and the types of sedimentary basins within which sediments accumulate.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- 2 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory
- Prerequisites: EPSC 210, EPSC 212
-
EPSC 519 Isotope Geology (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : Geochronology, the fractionation of the stable isotopes, and applications to petrology and mineral deposits.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Wing, Boswell (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lectures
- Prerequisites: equivalent of the U2 core program.
-
EPSC 525 Subsurface Mapping (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : This course will provide participants the opportunity to learn how different types of data (wireline logs, seismic, etc.) are employed to map geological features in the subsurface. Lectures will teach participants about the physical basis of each of the data types, and the basic mapping and analytical techniques (e.g., geostatistics, gridding) that are employed in subsurface mapping. The principal focus will be on applying these techniques and concepts to real-world data sets.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- 2 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory
- Prerequisites: EPSC 455 or equivalent, or permission of instructor.
-
EPSC 530 Volcanology (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : The physical mechanisms which drive volcanoes and volcanic activity are presented. Descriptive, practical and theoretical approaches to the study of volcanoes are discussed.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- 2 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory
- Prerequisites: EPSC 212 and EPSC 312, or equivalent, or permission of instructor.
-
EPSC 542 Chemical Oceanography (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : History of chemical oceanography. Seawater composition and definition of salinity/chlorinity. Minor and trace-element distribution in the ocean. Geochemical mass balance. Dissolved gases in sea water. CO2 and the carbonate system. Chemical speciation. Physical chemistry of seawater. Organic matter and the carbon cycle in the marine environment. Sediment geochemistry.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Mucci, Alfonso (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lectures
- Prerequisites: CHEM 213, CHEM 257 or equivalents, or registration in the Graduate Program in Oceanography.
-
EPSC 549 Hydrogeology (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : Introduction to groundwater flow through porous media. Notions of fluid potential and hydraulic head. Darcy flux and Darcy's Law. Physical properties of porous media and their measurement. Equation of groundwater flow. Flow systems. Hydraulics of pumping and recharging wells. Notions of hydrology. Groundwater quality and contamination. Physical processes of contaminant transport.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: McKenzie, Jeffrey (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours lectures, 1-2 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite: permission of the instructor
-
EPSC 580 Aqueous Geochemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : The use of chemical thermodynamics to study fluid-rock interactions with an emphasis on the aqueous phase. The course will introduce basic concepts and will discuss aqueous complexation, mineral surface adsorption, and other controls on crustal fluid compositions. Applications will range from considering contaminated groundwater systems to metamorphic reactions.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Fall
- 3 hours lectures
- Prerequisites: EPSC 210, EPSC 212, or equivalent, or permission of instructor.
-
EPSC 590 Applied Geochemistry Seminar (3 credits)
Overview
Earth & Planetary Sciences : Seminar course devoted to field case studies that illustrate the applications of geochemical principles to solving geologic problems. Each student will prepare and lead a class devoted to a geochemical subject of their own choosing.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Mucci, Alfonso; Baker, Don (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours seminar
- Prerequisite: permission of instructor
-
GEOG 272 Earth's Changing Surface (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Introduction to the study of landforms as products of geomorphic and geologic systems acting at and near the Earth's surface. The process geomorphology approach will be used to demonstrate how landforms of different geomorphic settings represent a dynamic balance between forces acting in the environment and the physical properties of materials present.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Pollard, Wayne H (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours
-
GEOG 305 Soils and Environment (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Discussion of the major properties of soils; soil formation, classification and mapping; land capability assessment; the role and response of soils in natural and disturbed environments (e.g. global change, ecosystem disturbance).
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Fall
- 3 hours and laboratory
- Prerequisite: GEOG 203 or introductory course in biology or geology
-
GEOG 306 Raster Geo-Information Science (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Formal introduction to a computer-based Geographical Information System (GIS). Topics will focus on map analysis and on transforming and displaying spatial data. GIS will be used by students to solve problems in both physical and human geography.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Lehner, Bernhard (Winter)
- Winter
- 2 hours and laboratory
- Prerequisite: GEOG 201
-
GEOG 307 Socioeconomic Applications of GIS (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : GIS applied to the spatial analysis of socioeconomic and market data. Topics include geographic market segmentation, geodemographics, spatial decision-support systems and modelling applications of GIS. Empirical focus is on analysing spatial patterns of population and consumption characteristics in cities and on facility location problems. Emphasis on visualization and problem solving.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Sengupta, Raja (Winter)
- Winter
- 2 hours and laboratory
- Prerequisites: GEOG 201, MATH 203 or equivalent
-
GEOG 321 Climatic Environments (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Scope of climatology, physical, dynamic and applied. The Earth/atmosphere system, radiation and energy balances, governing meteorological processes. Movement and circulation of the atmosphere on a local and global scale. Resulting weather systems.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Strachan, Ian Brett (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: GEOG 203 or ATOC 210 or permission of instructor
-
GEOG 322 Environmental Hydrology (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Quantitative, experimental study of the principles governing the movement of water at or near the Earth's surface and how the research relates to the chemistry and biology of ecosystems.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Lehner, Bernhard (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: GEOG 203 or equivalent
-
GEOG 350 Ecological Biogeography (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : The study of the patterns of distribution of organisms in space and time with emphasis on plant communities. Ecological, geographical, historical and anthropological factors affecting these distribution patterns will be discussed. Particular consideration is given to methods for description and classification of plant communities.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Fall
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: GEOG 203 or ENVR 200 or ENVR 202
- Note: Offered at Macdonald campus in alternate years.
-
GEOG 351 Quantitative Methods (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Multiple regression and correlation, logit models, discrete choice models, gravity models, facility location algorithms, survey design, population projection.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Breau, Sebastien (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: MATH 203 or permission of instructor
- You may not be able to get credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar.
-
GEOG 372 Running Water Environments (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : The course focuses on the physical habitat conditions found in streams, rivers, estuaries and deltas. Based on the laws governing flow of water and sediment transport, it emphasizes differences among these environments, in terms of channel form, flow patterns, substrate composition and mode of evolution. Flooding, damming, channelisation, forestry impacts.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Lapointe, Michel F (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours
- Prerequisites: GEOG 203 and GEOG 272, or ENVR 200 and ENVR 202
-
GEOG 380 Adaptive Environmental Management (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Articulates and evaluates competing hypotheses about the functioning of human-dominated ecosystems. Introduces the use of statistics, ecological modeling, and management in an integrated ecological management context. Case studies examine factors that impede and enhance adaptive management.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- 3 hours
- Pre/Co-requisites: GEOG 202 or equivalent, GEOG 203, ENVR 200, BIOL 215, or equivalent.
-
GEOG 495 Field Studies - Physical Geography (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Field research projects in physical geography. Held locally in Monteregian or Eastern Township regions. The course is organised around field projects designed to formulate and test scientific hypotheses in a physical geography discipline. May Summer session. Preregistration in Department required by March 16.
Terms: Summer 2011
Instructors: Pollard, Wayne H (Summer)
- 2-week field school
- Prerequisites: 6 credits from the following list of Systematic Physical Geography courses: GEOG 305, GEOG 321, GEOG 322, GEOG 350, GEOG 372
-
GEOG 499 Subarctic Field Studies (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : An introduction to the geography of the subarctic with emphasis on the application of field methods in physical and/or human geography.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Pollard, Wayne H (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisite: GEOG 203 or GEOG 301
-
GEOG 505 Global Biogeochemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : An examination of the storage, transfers and cycling of major elements and substances, with an emphasis on the global scale and the linkages between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Roulet, Nigel Thomas (Winter)
- Winter
- 2 hours and research
- Prerequisite: GEOG 305 or GEOG 322 and permission of instructor
-
GEOG 506 Advanced Geographic Information Science (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Critically analyse major themes in geographic information science and draw out the practical ramifications for spatial technologies and research. Topics such as spatial interoperability, data quality, scale, visualization, location based services and ontologies are covered.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Sieber, Renee (Winter)
- Winter
- 2 hours and laboratory
- Prerequisite (Undergraduate): GEOG 201 and GEOG 307 and permission of instructor.
-
GEOG 522 Advanced Environmental Hydrology (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Surface and shallow ground water determine the availability of moisture and many chemical elements at the Earth's surface. This course discusses the link between surface water and ground water flow systems and the role this link plays in stream flow production and biogeochemical cycling in lake, riparian and terrestrial ecosystems.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- 2 hours and 1 tutorial
- Prerequisite: GEOG 322, or permission of instructor
- Cross-listed with CASN 300
-
GEOG 535 Remote Sensing and Interpretation (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Basic photogrammetry and interpretation procedures for aircraft and space craft photography and imagery.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Kalacska, Margaret (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: GEOG 308 and written permission of instructor
-
GEOG 536 Geocryology (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Study of the unique geomorphic aspects of periglacial and permafrost environments. The focus will be on processes in cold climates, the impact of human activity on permafrost landscapes and potential impacts of climatic change.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Fall
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: GEOG 272 and any 300-level geomorphology course approved by instructor
-
GEOG 537 Advanced Fluvial Geomorphology (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : An examination of current advances in fluvial geomorphology: sediment entrainment and transport, alluviation and river channel evolution.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- Prerequisite (Undergraduate): permission of instructor
-
GEOG 550 Historical Ecology Techniques (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : Principles and methods of Quaternary paleoecology and vegetation reconstruction. Examination of ecosystem response to human disturbance and environmental change.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Chmura, Gail L (Fall)
- Fall
- 2 hours, laboratory and seminar
- Prerequisite: GEOG 350 or BIOL 215 or PLNT 460 or permission of instructor.
-
MATH 314 Advanced Calculus (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Derivative as a matrix. Chain rule. Implicit functions. Constrained maxima and minima. Jacobians. Multiple integration. Line and surface integrals. Theorems of Green, Stokes and Gauss.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Summer 2011
Instructors: Jonsson, Wilbur (Fall) Jonsson, Wilbur (Winter) Roth, Charles (Summer)
- Prerequisites: MATH 133, MATH 222
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 248
-
MATH 315 Ordinary Differential Equations (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : First order ordinary differential equations including elementary numerical methods. Linear differential equations. Laplace transforms. Series solutions.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Summer 2011
Instructors: Sancho, Neville G F (Fall) Xu, Jian-Jun (Winter)
- Prerequisite: MATH 222.
- Corequisite: MATH 133.
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 325.
-
MATH 317 Numerical Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Error analysis. Numerical solutions of equations by iteration. Interpolation. Numerical differentiation and integration. Introduction to numerical solutions of differential equations.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Bartello, Peter (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisites: MATH 315 or MATH 325 or MATH 263, and COMP 202 or permission of instructor.
-
MATH 319 Introduction to Partial Differential Equations (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : First order equations, geometric theory; second order equations, classification; Laplace, wave and heat equations, Sturm-Liouville theory, Fourier series, boundary and initial value problems.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Tsogtgerel, Gantumur (Winter)
- Winter
- Prerequisites: MATH 223 or MATH 236, MATH 314, MATH 315
-
MATH 323 Probability (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Sample space, events, conditional probability, independence of events, Bayes' Theorem. Basic combinatorial probability, random variables, discrete and continuous univariate and multivariate distributions. Independence of random variables. Inequalities, weak law of large numbers, central limit theorem.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Summer 2011
Instructors: Anderson, William J (Fall) Partovi Nia, Vahid (Winter)
- Prerequisites: MATH 141 or equivalent.
- Restriction: Intended for students in Science, Engineering and related disciplines, who have had differential and integral calculus
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 356
-
MATH 326 Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Linear systems of differential equations, linear stability theory. Nonlinear systems: existence and uniqueness, numerical methods, one and two dimensional flows, phase space, limit cycles, Poincare-Bendixson theorem, bifurcations, Hopf bifurcation, the Lorenz equations and chaos.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Humphries, Antony Raymond (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisites: MATH 222, MATH 223
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 376
-
MATH 423 Regression and Analysis of Variance (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Least-squares estimators and their properties. Analysis of variance. Linear models with general covariance. Multivariate normal and chi-squared distributions; quadratic forms. General linear hypothesis: F-test and t-test. Prediction and confidence intervals. Transformations and residual plot. Balanced designs.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Khalili Mahmoudabadi, Abbas (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisites: MATH 324, and MATH 223 or MATH 236
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 533.
-
MATH 437 Mathematical Methods in Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : The formulation and treatment of realistic mathematical models describing biological phenomena through such qualitative and quantitative mathematical techniques as local and global stability theory, bifurcation analysis and phase plane analysis. Numerical simulation. Concrete and detailed examples will be drawn from molecular, cellular and population biology and mammalian physiology.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Mackey, Michael C (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisites: MATH 315 or MATH 325, and MATH 323 or MATH 356, a CEGEP or higher level computer programming course
-
MATH 447 Introduction to Stochastic Processes (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Conditional probability and conditional expectation, generating functions. Branching processes and random walk. Markov chains, transition matrices, classification of states, ergodic theorem, examples. Birth and death processes, queueing theory.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Addario-Berry, Dana Louis (Winter)
- Winter
- Prerequisite: MATH 323
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 547.
-
MATH 525 Sampling Theory and Applications (4 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Simple random sampling, domains, ratio and regression estimators, superpopulation models, stratified sampling, optimal stratification, cluster sampling, sampling with unequal probabilities, multistage sampling, complex surveys, nonresponse.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Prerequisite: MATH 324 or equivalent
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MATH 425
-
NRSC 540 Socio-Cultural Issues in Water (3 credits)
Overview
Natural Resource Sciences : Discussion of current debates and problems related to water, especially in developing countries. Topics include: gender relations and health in the context of cultural and economic systems, and the impacts of new technologies, market structures and population growth.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- Prerequisite: A 300- or 400-level course in water or permission of instructor.
- 3-hour seminar
-
PHYS 331 Topics in Classical Mechanics (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : Forced and damped oscillators, Newtonian mechanics in three dimensions, rotational motion, Lagrangian mechanics, small vibrations, normal modes. Introduction to Hamiltonian mechanics.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Gervais, Guillaume (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours lectures
- Prerequisite: PHYS 230
- Corequisite: MATH 315
- Restriction: Not open to students having passed PHYS 451 or PHYS 351
-
PHYS 332 Physics of Fluids (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : The physical properties of fluids. The kinematics and dynamics of flow. The effects of viscosity and turbulence. Applications of fluid mechanics in biophysics, geophysics and engineering.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- 3 hours lectures
- Prerequisites: PHYS 230, MATH 223, MATH 314, MATH 315
-
PHYS 340 Majors Electricity and Magnetism (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : The electrostatic field and scalar potential. Dielectric properties of matter. Energy in the electrostatic field. Methods for solving problems in electrostatics. The magnetic field. Induction and inductance. Energy in the magnetic field. Magnetic properties of matter. Maxwell's equations. The dipole approximation.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Rutledge, Robert (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lectures
- Prerequisites: CEGEP physics or PHYS 142, MATH 222
- Corequisite: MATH 314
- Restriction: Not open to students who have passed PHYS 242 or PHYS 350
-
PHYS 342 Majors Electromagnetic Waves (3 credits)
Overview
Physics : Maxwell's equations. The wave equation. The electromagnetic wave, reflection, refraction, polarization. Guided waves. Transmission lines and wave guides. Vector potential. Radiation. The elemental dipole; the half-wave dipole; vertical dipole; folded dipoles; Yagi antennas. Accelerating charged particles.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Hilke, Michael (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours lectures
- Prerequisites: PHYS 340 or PHYS 242, Mathematics MATH 314, MATH 315
Faculty of Science—2010-2011 (last updated Jan. 19, 2011) (disclaimer)