GEOLOGY
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES
APPLICATION DEADLINE
FINANCIAL AID
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
SPECIAL RESEARCH FACILITIES
COURSES
FACULTY
HONORARY RESEARCH ASSOCIATESThe Department of Geology offers instruction and research training leading to the MSc degree with two options. One option involves six courses and a thesis. The other option is offered in conjunction with the Nova Scotia Community College - College of Geographic Sciences Campus (CoGS), Lawrencetown, NS, and involves completion of a Diploma in Remote Sensing or a Diploma in Geographic Information Systems, followed by three 3h courses at Acadia and a thesis. Courses and research supervision in both options are offered int he general areas of igneous petrology, volcanology, metamorphic petrology, regional tectonics, economic geology, sedimentology, micropaleontology, Quaternary geology, and environmental Earth science. Candidates normally require at least two full academic years (September to April) plus the intervening summer to complete the MSc requirements. Candidates in the joint MSc program with CoGS will spend the first nine months at the College of Geographic Sciences and are likely to require a subsequent 16 months to complete the MSc requirements.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES
Honours degree or equivalent in Geology. Initial inquiries should be addressed to Graduate Coordinator, Department of Geology. Applications should be sent to the Registrar, Acadia University, with the Department Information Form sent separately to the Geology Department. Applications are reviewed upon receipt.APPLICATION DEADLINE
February 1 is the deadline for applications if you wish to be considered for possible funding. Applications to the joing MSc program with CoGS must first apply to the diploma program at CoGS; application to Acadia will normally be done during the nine months of study at CoGS.FINANCIAL AID
Acadia Teaching Assistantships are currently $8000 for the eight-month academic year, and summer stipends may also be available from supervisor's research funds.PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The MSc (Geology) program requires the student to complete 6 (three-hours) courses at an advanced level and a thesis. A typical course involves formal instruction 3 hours per week for one term (13 weeks) plus laboratory exercises. Some courses may be taught in tutorial sessions, or be seminar and/or research oriented. At least two courses must be at the 5000-level, and it is strongly recommended that at least 2 of the additional courses be at the 5000-level or at an enriched 3000 or 4000- level. Candidates should consult the Undergraduate Calendar for descriptions of advanced undergraduate courses. A thesis proposal must be completed during the student's first year of study, and before the initiation of field work.
Th MSc program is conjunction with CoGS involves satisfactory completion of the Diploma in Remote Sensing or the Diploma in Geographic Information Systems at CoGS, followed by 3 advanced level courses and a thesis. At least 2 courses must be at the 5000-level. Geol 5903, Graduate Seminar, is strongly recommended. A proposal for a thesis involving applications of remote sensing or GIS to Geology must be completed during the course work period.SPECIAL RESEARCH FACILITIES
The Department of Geology has laboratory facilities and equipment for most of the major fields of Geology. These facilities include research microscopes, photomicrographic equipment, atomic absorptions spectrophotometer, facilities for sedimentological studies, a computer-based image-analysis laboratory, and a thin section and polished section preparation centre. A scanning electron microscope is available in the Biology Department. Major research facilities, including electron microprobe, X-ray fluorescence, neutron activation, and isotopic analysis are available through cooperation with other universities in the region. Numerous computer systems and software applicable to the Remote Sensing and GIS programs are available at CoGS.COURSES
GEOL 5013 Appalachian Geology
An overview of the geology and tectonic evolution of the Appalachian mountain belt. Emphasis is on Atlantic Canada; however, the entire orogen is covered, and comparison is made with correlative mountain systems in Europe and elsewhere.GEOL 5226 Paleoecology
Principals of paleoecology and the application of these to actual field problems.GEOL 5303 Advanced Topics in Sedimentology
Advanced studies in sedimentology; topics to be emphasized per term may include; trace fossils and stromatolites, inorganic sedimentary structure, precipitate and evaporite sediments, diagenesis, carbonate petrology and geology, and siliciclastic sediments and sedimentary rocks.GEOL 5433/5443 Advanced Igneous Petrology
Modern approaches to theoretical and practical study of selected igneous rock groups - petrography, geochemistry, magma genesis in relation to tectonic environment, relations to metallogenesis.GEOL 5423 Advanced Volcanology
Volcanism and magma genesis in relation to tectonic environment. Morphology and structures of flows and volcaniclastic rocks. Volcanic rock textures, stratigraphy and facies as indicators of paleogeography.GEOL 5533 Advanced Metamorphic Geology
Studies in metamorphic geology, including some of structural-metamorphic geology, chemography, phase relationships of metamorphic rocks, tectonics and metamorphism.GEOL 5633 Applied Structural Geology
Structural methods used in the analysis of deformed rocks, statistical treatment of data, sections, polydeformation, low to high metamorphic grade terrains, migmatites and gneisses, granite tectonics and fabrics, mylonites.GEOL 5873 Advanced Economic Geology
Studies in economic geology which may include occurrence, nature, geochemistry and genesis of one or more types of mineral deposit, opaque mineral petrography and interpretations of ore mineral textures.GEOL 5903 Graduate Seminar
Review of current research topics and problems in the Geological Sciences. Instruction on presenting seminars, writing papers and preparing abstracts may be included. Weekly seminars throughout the year.GEOL 5913/5923/5933 Special Topics in Geology
Review and analysis of selected topics and problems in Geology, utilizing library, field and laboratory methods as required and involving preparation and presentation of formal papers. Specific topics, format, and content of the course will be established for each student by the department.GEOL 5960 Graduate Thesis
Head:
R.P. Raeside, BSc, MSc, PhD (Calgary)
Metamorphic petrology, structural geology, tectonicsGraduate Coordinator:
S.M. Barr, B.Sc., Ph.D. (UBC)
Igneous petrology and geochemistry, regional tectonicsFaculty:
B.W. Cameron, BA, MA, PhD (Columbia)
Sedimentation and stratigraphy, paleontology, petroleum geology, coastal marine geologyJ.A. Colwell, BSc, MSc, PhD (Michigan State)
Economic geology, geochemistry, mineralogyI.S. Spooner, BSc, MSc, PhD (Calgary)
Quaternary geology, geomorphology, palynology, hydrogeology, environmental geologyN.A. Van Wagoner, BA, BSc, PhD (Dalhousie)
Physical and chemical volcanologyL. Grecco, Licenciada, Doctor (U. Nacional del Sur, Bahia Blanca, Argentina)
A.S.Macdonald, BSc, PhD (UBC)
Consultant, Wolfville; economic geology, structural geologyJ.R. Jones, BSc, MA, PhD (Boston) PhD (Pittsburgh)
U.S. Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, Penn.; coastal sedimentology, biostratigraphyJ.B. Murphy, BSc, MSc, PhD (McGill)
St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, N.S.; Structural geology, tectonics, igneous petrology