Earth Sciences

Novas and Supernovas, Solar Nebula Theory, Catastrophism and Uniformitarianism. Earth as a heat engine. Origin, growth and main features of the Earth's crust. Origin and evolution of oceans, continents and the atmosphere. The rock cycle, seafloor spreading, plate tectonics, mountain building and deformation of the Earth's crust. Earthquakes, igneous and metamorphic processes and their products, including mineral resources. Credit can be obtained for only one of ESCI 1001 or ESCI 1063 . 

A laboratory course designed to accompany ESCI 1001 . An introductory study covering topographic and geological maps (bedrock and surficial) and their interpretation; construction of cross sections; identification of common minerals, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks; geological structures (map analysis as a predictive tool); radiometric and relative age dating and the geological time scale; coastal processes; glaciations and glacial deposits; aspects of plate tectonics.

Natural resources and environmental problems in the context of the Earth's physical, biological and chemical processes.

A laboratory course designed to accompany ESCI 1012 . This course concentrates on environmental geology, especially the biosphere and hazards. It covers fossils and fossilization, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods, mass wasting (landslides and flows), meteorite impacts, and ground water issues. 

An introductory study covering topographic and geological maps (bedrock and surficial) and their interpretation; construction of cross sections; identification of common minerals, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks; geological structures (map analysis as a predictive tool); dating and the geological time scale; coastal processes; mass wasting (especially the recognition and amelioration of hazards related to debris flows, avalanche and landslides); and glaciations and glacial deposits (especially glacial deposits in eastern Canada and their significance to engineers).

An introductory study covering topographic and geological maps (bedrock and surficial) and their interpretation; construction of cross sections; identification of common minerals, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks; geological structures; dating and the geological time scale; coastal processes; mass wasting (in terrane analysis, and the recognition and avoidance of hazards); and glaciations and glacial deposits (especially in eastern Canada and their relevance to foresters).

Designed primarily for students in faculties other than Science, Engineering and Forestry and Environmental Management. Surveys the origin of the Earth as part of the solar system, formation of a dynamic planet, geophysical and geochemical characteristics, development and evolution of life, plate tectonics, geomorphology, rocks and minerals, deformation, sedimentation, climate change and geological hazards. Geological concepts are discussed through reference to features in parks and other famous sites across Canada. Credit can be obtained for only one of ESCI 1001 or ESCI 1063. 

Introduction to field observations, traversing, sampling and mapping in the first week of May or before classes begin in the fall. Accommodation expenses (Fredericton) paid by the student.

A study of geological materials and hazards for site investigation and assessment of risk and remediation; engineering classification of geological materials, properties and relationships; engineering in the existing and changing environment and exacerbation of natural processes; geological constraints for construction, foundations, tunnelling, waste disposal and mining, with case histories of geological problems in engineering projects.

Appraisal of the material properties of minerals and selected ceramics. Fundamentals of silicate chemistry and the behaviour of the major rock-forming minerals at varying pressures and temperatures. Laboratories focus on describing the physical properties of the more common minerals and on their identification in hand specimen. 

Lectures examine the composition, crystallography and optical properties of minerals and rocks, the thermodynamic parameters that control the behaviour of geological systems such as pressure, temperature, activity and fugacity and the kinetic parameters that control crystallisation rates of rocks and minerals. The laboratories focus on the practical aspects of mineral and rock description and identification using orthoscopic and conoscopic polarizing microscopy techniques. 

An in-depth examination of topical societal issues related to earth science (e.g., the uranium cycle, climate change and sea level rise, shale gas and groundwater resources, metals in the environment, mine development and remediation, earthquakes, tsunamis, active volcanism, medical geology, planetary geology, asbestos and industrial mineralogy). Topics will vary according to recent geological events and societal issues.

Nomenclature and taxonomy of main invertebrate groups. Paleoecology and factors governing distribution of modern and ancient organisms. Fossilization processes, life and death assemblages. Selected microfossil groups; taxonomy, function and affinities.

Lectures and labs cover: physical properties, mineralogy, and classification of sediment and sedimentary rock; origin of sediment, including weathering, biogenic sediment production, and precipitation; fluid flow, gravitational, chemical, and biological influence on sediment erosion, transportation, deposition, reworking, and lithification; sedimentary structures; and an introduction to stratigraphy. 

Emphasis on description and classification of folds, faults, foliations, lineations and joints, and the use of primary structures. Labs include geological maps and cross sections, and stereographic projection.

Origin of elements. Theories of the origin and chemical evolution of the earth, atmosphere, and oceans. Laws governing the distribution of elements in the earth. Application of phase diagrams to petrologic problems of the crust and mantle. Chemical weathering. Use of stable and radioactive isotopes in geology. Geobarometry and geothermometry. Hydrothermal process and base-metal ore deposits.

Principles of stratigraphy and geological mapping. Provides two weeks supervised training in field work and preparation of stratigraphic sections, geological maps, and cross sections. At least the cost of accommodation expenses is paid by the student. 

Petrology of igneous and metamorphic rocks with emphasis on their macroscopic textures, mineral associations, classification and field relations. Laboratories concentrate on the identification of the common igneous and metamorphic rocks using hand specimens and thin sections. 

Selected topics in paleontology and earth evolution including biostratigraphy, taphonomy, nature of the fossil record, lagerstätten, mass extinctions, paleobiology, origin of life, Precambrian life, and fossil communities. Offered alternate years.

Stress and strain, introduction to deformational behaviour of rocks. Origin of folds, foliations, lineations, joints and faults. Geometrical analysis. Labs will include simple experiments and advanced map problems. 

An introduction to the deformation and fracture of rocks when subjected to a natural or man-imposed stress field. The concepts of stress, strain, stress-strain relations; creep and strength are applied to geological materials. The mechanisms involved in the failure of continuous, discontinuous and layered rocks are discussed. 

An introduction to the global water cycle and water balance, catchment water balance, measurement and estimation of water balance parameters, aspects of sediment transport and erosion, monitoring the distribution of contamination by sediment sampling.  Assignments focus on aspects of catchment water balance.  Seminars and term papers are based on topics of regional and global importance with respect to water availability and quality.

This course presents various types of mineral deposit resources, integrated with economic and environmental considerations with impacts related to exploration and mining activity.

This multi-disciplinary subject is covered by introductory lectures on: chemical composition of petroleum (particularly oil and gas); the environment of petroleum (e.g. subsurface conditions, associated rock-types); theories of petroleum generation; migration and accumulation of oil and gas; sedimentology and heterogeneity of reservoir rocks; structural and stratigraphic traps; exploration and development of petroleum resources; Canadian petroleum resources; and world petroleum reserves. Lab focus on exploration methods, including geochemical fingerprinting, core analysis, and interpretation of petrophysical and seismic data. 

Application of geochemistry to mineral exploration. Distribution and controls on element migration in rocks and soils. Recognition of anomalous concentrations. Selected case histories. Laboratory covers common analytical methods for rock, soil, and water samples.

The principals of chemical equilibria, reaction kinetics and transport applied to natural water systems. Chemical weathering and diagenesis. Chemistry of surface waters, ground water and the oceans. Geochemical cycles. Applications to environmental problems. Labs include chemical analysis of water, carbonate equilibria and geochemical modeling. 

Principles of structural geology and geological mapping. Provides two weeks supervised training in field work and preparation of an independent structural map and report of a selected area. At least the costs of accommodation expenses are paid by the student. To be taken as part of the final year.

Applications of geological, geochemical, geophysical and hydrological methods to an environmental site investigation. Typically includes one week of field work followed by one week for the analysis of data and preparation of a comprehensive written report summarizing the field investigation, synthesizing results, drawing conclusions, and making recommendations. A cost will be associated with this course.

A written report on the scientific activities of the work term. Credit for the course is dependent in part on the employer's evaluation of the student's work activities. Students must be accepted into the Geology Coop program to register for this course. 

Study of Igneous and metamorphic rocks emphasizing the processes responsible for their formation in terms of heat, pressure and fluid effects related to tectonic setting. Laboratories primarily concentrate on the acquisition of observational skills via hand specimens and detailed petrographic work supported by interpretation of geochemical and isotopic datasets.

Physical volcanology, textural, petrologic, and petrogenetic study of ultramafic to felsic volcanic systems in a variety of tectonic environments are examined. Emphasis on magma/melt properties, phase relations and composition, crystallization processes, and gas exsolution and groundwater interaction processes are key. Laboratory studies emphasize petrology of volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks in a variety of geological settings. 

Labs cover microscopic examination of sedimentary rocks (classification, porosity, and diagenesis) and exercises relating to palaeogeography and stratigraphic correlation. Lectures focus on modern and ancient sedimentary environments and facies (including rivers, lakes, deltas, estuaries, beaches, barrier islands, shallow and deep oceans), and sequence stratigraphy.

Seminar course investigating the principles of crustal growth and recycling, plate tectonics, plate motions, plate margin processes, mantle anisotropy, and their application to Phanerozoic, Proterozoic, and Archean mantle and lithosphere evolution.

Application of material science to rock deformation. Theory of rock deformation. Development of microstructure and fabric in deformed rock. Labs will be concerned with observation and measurement of microstructure and fabric.

Study of the mass balance of glaciers and characteristics of flow, erosion and deposition by active and stagnant ice masses, facies relationships in processes and products of glaciated terrain, and assessment of terrain from air photos, maps, geophysical and core data. Practical applications include: relevance of sample collection and analyses for geotechnical evaluation and mineral prospecting, and identification of industrial resources and terrain hazards. 

The acquisition and use of geological data in the construction of engineering structures sited in rocks. The design of slopes in rock considering both the two and the three dimensional cases of sliding failure. The analysis of failed slopes to determine cohesion along the sliding surface. The improvement of rock slopes including the design of rock anchors.

Mineral exploration, evaluation, exploitation, processing, marketing and conservation.

Introduction to environmental impact assessment (EIA) from the Canadian perspective, covering the history, scope and need for EIA, as well as the general approach and regulatory framework used in Canada and New Brunswick. The majority of the course focuses on geosciences in environmental investigations. Topics include: goals of investigations; physical processes of dispersion in the atmosphere, surface water, groundwater and glacial systems; important geochemical concepts that influence the transport and fate of contaminants in the environment. 

General features of mineral deposits, their origin, localization and classification, with emphasis on exploration, evaluation and development. 

Advanced features of mineral deposits, their origin, localization and classification, with emphasis on exploration, evaluation and development. 

Introduction to the principles, survey procedures and interpretation techniques of the gravity, magnetic, and gamma radiation methods of geophysical exploration. Applications of these methods to geological mapping, mineral and hydrocarbon exploration, engineering and environmental applications. 

Introduction to principles, survey procedures and interpretation techniques of electrical, electromagnetic, and seismic methods of geophysical exploration. Applications of these methods to from mineral and hydrocarbon exploration as well as engineering and environmental investigations. 

Application of thermodynamics and kinetics to geological problems. Multicomponent equilibria and activity coefficients. Water-rock interactions. 

Theory and application of stable and radiogenic isotope geochemistry in geology. Coverage includes radiometric dating, radiogenic and stable isotopic systems in petrology and geochemistry, and applications of radiogenic and stable isotopes to the solution of problems in lithospheric evolution, paleoclimatology and environmental geochemistry. 

A written report on the scientific activities of the work term. Credit for the course is dependent in part on the employer's evaluation of the student's work activities. Students must be accepted into the Geology Coop program to register for this course. 

Students who intend to undertake a thesis project, either as an elective course or as a requirement for an Honours BSc degree, are advised to consult with their intended faculty supervisor near the end of their third year. Students must have CGPA of 3.0 or better. Additional requirements and guidelines for the project can be obtained from the Director of Undergraduate Studies. A written request for admission to the Honours programe and/or for permission to take this course must be submitted by the student to the Departmental Chair no later than October 1 of the student's final year; the letter must state the provisional title of the project and the name of the faculty member who has agreed to supervise the project.

Advanced studies in a topic in geological sciences. The topic is to be chosen jointly by the student, advisor and Chair of the Department. May be taken for credit more than once. Title of topic will appear on transcript.