Academic Calendar

Earth Sciences, Ph.D.

Degree Requirements

Program Requirements

The Department of Earth Sciences requires that where admission to the Ph.D. program is directly from a Master's degree, a thesis plus the following is required for a total of a minimum of 12 credit hours:

Course Title Hours
GEOL 7760Seminar in Geological Sciences3
Select a minimum of 9 credit hours (minimum 6 at the 7000 level, maximum 3 at the 3000 or 4000 level)9
Total Hours12

In the case of admission to the Ph.D. without a Master’s degree, a thesis plus the following is required for a total of a minimum of 15 credit hours:

Course Title Hours
GEOL 7760Seminar in Geological Sciences3
Select a minimum of 12 credit hours (minimum 9 at the 7000 level, maximum 3 at the 3000 or 4000 level)12
Total Hours15

Expected Time to Graduate: 4 years

Progression Chart

Ph.D. in Earth Sciences (with M.Sc. degree)

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Hours
GRAD 7300 Research Integrity Tutorial 0
GRAD 7500 Academic Integrity Tutorial 0
 Hours0
Years 1-2
GEOL 7760 Seminar in Geological Sciences (continues each term) 3
Select 9 credit hours from the following: 9
7XXX
Approved courses at 7000 level (6 min credit hours)
  
3XXX or 4XXX
Approved courses at 3000 or 4000 level (3 max credit hours)
  
GRAD 8010 Doctoral Candidacy Examination 0
 Hours12
Years 3-4
GRAD 8000 Doctoral Thesis 0
 Hours0
 Total Hours12

Ph.D. in Earth Sciences (transfer from Master’s program or admitted without Master’s degree)

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Hours
GRAD 7300 Research Integrity Tutorial 0
GRAD 7500 Academic Integrity Tutorial 0
 Hours0
Years 1-2
GEOL 7760 Seminar in Geological Sciences (continues each term) 3
Select 12 credit hours of the following: 12
7XXX
Approved courses at 7000 level (9 min credit hours)
  
3XXX or 4XXX
Approved courses at 3000 or 4000 level (3 max credit hours)
  
GRAD 8010 Doctoral Candidacy Examination 0
 Hours15
Years 3-4
GRAD 8000 Doctoral Thesis 0
 Hours0
 Total Hours15

Coursework is normally completed in the first 2 years, and thesis is normally completed Year 4–5. Adjustments may be made with the supervisor’s consultation and approval.

Students are required to complete a Ph.D. thesis proposal (normally within 12 months of start of program). The proposal must include an introduction with citation of relevant literature, the research objectives, the proposed methodology including a timetable, the anticipated significant of the research, and references. A proposed budget must be appended to the proposal.

Students are required to submit a report (proposals, results and timetable of thesis work) to the Head on or before February 1 annually. Reports are generally 1 to 2 pages in length.

Students must produce a thesis that is appropriate for the Ph.D. degree being sought and must successfully defend their thesis as determined by the assigned examining committee.

Registration Information

Students should familiarize themselves with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies ‘GRAD’ courses applicable to their program. If you have questions about which GRAD course(s) to register in, please consult your home department/unit.

All students must consult with their advisor prior to registration and present a completed Program Form to the administrative assistant. The selection of courses and changes in a student’s program must be approved by their advisor in the case of Master's students or their advisory committee in the case of doctoral students.

Students should consult the administrative assistant regarding the schedule of graduate course offerings in the department. Please note that some courses require a field component to be run before lectures begin in the fall. Courses with insufficient enrolment may be cancelled well in advance of the first week of lectures.

Regulations

Students must meet the requirements as outlined in both Supplementary Regulation and BFAR documents as approved by Senate.

Supplementary Regulations

Individual units may require specific requirements above and beyond those of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and students should consult unit supplementary regulations for these specific regulations. 

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR)

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR) represent the core academic requirements a graduate student must acquire in order to gain, and demonstrate acquisition of, essential knowledge and skills.

All students must successfully complete:

  • GRAD 7300 prior to applying to any ethics boards which are appropriate to the student’s research or within the student’s first year, whichever comes first; and
  • GRAD 7500 within the first term of registration;

unless these courses have been completed previously, as per Mandatory Academic Integrity Course and Mandatory Research Integrity Online Course.

Students must also meet additional BFAR requirements that may be specified for their program.

General Regulations

All students must:

  • maintain a minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 with no grade below C+,
  • meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum course requirements, and
  • meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum time requirements (in terms of time in program and lapse or expiration of credit of courses).

Courses

Earth Sciences

GEOL 7200  Earth Systems of Central Canada  3 cr  
An overview of the Earth structure, bedrock geology, surficial geology and hydrology of Manitoba and adjacent regions from an Earth systems perspective; and the occurrence and development of mineral, petroleum and water resources.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: enrolment in a M.Sc. or Ph.D. program, and permission of department.
GEOL 7230  Geophysics of the Earth's Crust and Mantle  3 cr  
Processes in crust-mantle evolution and geophysical methods used to study this region of the earth.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: (GEOL 4320), and (GEOL 4330).
GEOL 7310  Quaternary Geology  3 cr  
Seminars and lectures on sedimentary aspects of the Quaternary Epoch with emphasis on glaciation. The glacial and interglacial stratigraphic record on the continents and in the ocean basins. Three-day field trip in mid-September.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: (GEOL 3490), and (GEOL 3900).
GEOL 7350  Remote Sensing in the Earth and Planetary Sciences  3 cr  
Selected topics in remote sensing with emphasis on geophysical and geologic problems.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: B.Sc. (Honours Geology, Geophysics, or Geological Engineering), or permission of instructor for graduates of other disciplines.
GEOL 7470  Advanced Petroleum Geology and Geochemistry  3 cr  
Lectures and seminars examining the four major components of petroleum geology: source and migration, reservoir, trap, and economics. Major emphasis on the origin and generation of petroleum and source rock geology. Field trip and core logging required.
GEOL 7480  Advanced Seismology 1  3 cr  
Theory of wave propagation; source mechanisms; other selected topics.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: GEOL 7260.
GEOL 7490  Advanced Seismology 2  3 cr  
Seismic surface waves and normal modes of Earth, Earth tides and dynamic evolution.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: GEOL 7480 or equivalent.
GEOL 7540  Isotope Geology and Geochronology  3 cr  
The principles and methods of isotopic age determination and the measurement of geological rate processes using certain radioactive nuclides and the variations of the isotopic compositions of their daughter products. The evolution of the earth's mantle, continental and oceanic crust. The application of light, stable isotope fractionation to understanding geological processes.
GEOL 7550  Hydrothermal Petrochemistry  3 cr  
The chemistry, mineralogy, and petrology of mineral deposits and alteration zones of the hydrothermal type, and their association with igneous and tectonic events. Theory and experimental data on metasomatic processes.
GEOL 7590  Advanced Paleontology 1  3 cr  
Topics in paleobiology of the invertebrates, and principles of paleontology. Upon request, course may be adapted to individual requirements of students in other disciplines (for example, specific groups of invertebrates, paleoecology, trace fossils, etc.).
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: (GEOL 3310), and (GEOL 4310), or permission of instructor.
GEOL 7600  Advanced Paleontology 2  3 cr  
Topics in paleobiology of the invertebrates, and principles of paleontology. Upon request, course may be adapted to individual requirements of students in other disciplines (for example, specific groups of invertebrates, paleoecology, trace fossils, etc.).
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: GEOL 3310, or GEOL 4310, or permission of instructor.
GEOL 7700  Advanced Clastic Sedimentology  3 cr  
Lectures and seminars on clastic depositional environments. Critical evaluation of accepted facies models followed in each case by examination of the ancient record. One week field trip and core logging required.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: GEOL 3900, or permission of instructor.
GEOL 7720  Geophysical Imaging and Data Processing  3 cr  
Advanced frequency filter design; deconvolution methods for seismogram; velocity and wavefield stacking; various digital methods for potential field data; principles of tomography and geophysical imaging techniques.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: (GEOL 3740), and GEOL 7260, or permission of instructor.
GEOL 7740  Workshop in the Geological Sciences 1  3 cr  
Critical, in-depth group study of problems and new concepts in the geological sciences; discussion of current research by staff and visiting scientists; students will pursue individual research interests and will work with staff on specific topics.
GEOL 7750  Workshop in the Geological Sciences 2  3 cr  
Critical, in-depth group study of problems and new concepts in the geological sciences; discussion of current research by staff and visiting scientists; students will pursue individual research interests and will work with staff on specific topics.
GEOL 7760  Seminar in Geological Sciences  3 cr  
A discussion of topics of current interest from the whole spectrum of geological sciences to inform students on research work outside their specialty. Required of all graduate students. For ancillary credit only. Geological Sciences Colloquium. Weekly discussion of topics of current interest. Presentation of recent research from geological literature, the department, and visitors. Required of all graduate students who have received credit for GEOL 7760.
GEOL 7780  Advanced Carbonate Sedimentology  3 cr  
Lectures and seminars on selected topics of carbonate sedimentology, including depositional environments, lithofacies sequences and diagenesis.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: GEOL 3900, or permission of instructor.
GEOL 7790  Advanced Instrumental Techniques in Geology  3 cr  
Lectures and laboratory course covering the application of microbeam, mass spectrometer, diffraction and wet geochemical analytical techniques in mineralogy and geochemistry. Includes coverage of ICP, PIXE, powder and single crystal diffraction and electron microprobe analysis.
GEOL 7810  Electromagnetic Methods in Geophysics  3 cr  
Examination of the theory and application of electromagnetic methods in geophysics. Topics include: electrical properties of earth materials, review of EM methods, EM theory for layered media, EM responses of simple structures and case studies.
GEOL 7820  Environmental Geophysics  3 cr  
Examination of the application of geophysics to environmental targets. Topics will vary according to student interest and may include aspects of new-surface geophysics, engineering geophysics, geophysics of global climate change and geophysical risk assessment.