Earth is the only planet in the solar system known to support life. Through directed readings, seminars, videos and lab visits, participants in this course will work with instructors whose own research tackles important questions concerning the origin of life on earth; the limits to life on this planet; implications for life under extreme conditions elsewhere in the solar system; and the life cycles of the planets themselves. The course will involve reading of scientific literature, student-led discussions, oral presentations and research projects, as well as potential field trips to sites in Southern Ontario. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This seminar will look through the lens of earth history to explore drivers of change in the biosphere and the impacts of these changes. We will focus on episodes of mass extinction, and the spectacular landscape changes and speciation events which often followed. Abrupt or gradual climatic changes, massive volcanism, asteroid impacts, catastrophic carbon releases, and human activity will be evaluated as the causes of major extinction events in Earth history. The course will involve reading of scientific literature, student-led discussions, oral presentations and research projects, as well as potential field trips to sites in Southern Ontario. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

The rise of humanity is intricately linked to the exploitation of natural resources. From its earliest attempts to use fire and extract metals from rocks, to coal-fired steam that brought the industrial revolution, hydrocarbons that fuel international travel and trade, nuclear energy to produce electricity, and the reliance on smartphones in our daily lives, the planet’s resources have brought innovation and problems and require us to ask questions regarding sustainability. This course will explore the gamut from resource extraction and trading, to its societal consequences including global politics, environmental pollution, and remediation. The course will involve reading of scientific literature, student-led discussions, oral presentations and research projects, and potentially field trips to sites in Southern Ontario. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Archaeologists and paleontologists depend on earth science to provide the contextual information that is essential to our understanding of human evolution. Among the topics this course will examine are the methods used to determine the age of discoveries, approaches to understanding the environments human ancestors lived in, and how geologists unravel site formation processes. Our discussions will include the role of fire in human evolution, the adaptations of Neanderthals, and the timing of the first appearance of modern humans. The course will be structured around key research localities including Hadar, the Cradle of Humankind, Olduvai Gorge, Wonderwerk Cave, Kebara Cave, Hohlefels, and Pinnacle Point. The course will involve reading of scientific literature, student-led discussions, oral presentations and research projects. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

The emergence of society as a major geological force is considered in terms of the evolving debate about the consequences of human activity for the habitability of our planet. Major issues such as climate change, environmental pollution, and depletion of natural resources are examined.

This course introduces students to the basic principles of geochemistry beginning with some fundamental chemical concepts concerning atoms, bonding and the periodic table. It continues with an overview of the wide ranging geochemical fields and concepts such as elemental distributions, fractionation and differentiation, and trace element cycling. The latter half of the courses leads into an introduction to basic thermodynamics as it applies to more advanced geochemical concepts found in mineralogy and petrology.

An introduction to atomic structure, chemistry, physical properties, and geological significance of rock-forming minerals and rocks. Field techniques and core concepts to identify important minerals and rocks in hand specimens and place them into their geological context. The development of practical skills is emphasized.

A two-week field course in early May or late August. Students are introduced to field geology and to basic field measurement, mapping and documentation techniques (for example in the Espanola - Manitoulin Island area, west of Sudbury). Students are responsible for the cost of board and lodging and transport to and from the field area. Not eligible for CR/NCR option. Note: Enrollment is handled by the department. For registration deadlines, additional fees associated with the field course, course dates, and special registration requirements, please consult the departmental announcements or inquire with ugrad@es.utoronto.ca. Additional fee of up to $900 will apply.

Field observations, description and classification of geological structures: stratigraphic and intrusive contacts, unconformities; relative age determination; folds and fold systems; faults and fault systems; boudinage, foliations and lineations; spherical projections and mechanical principles (stress, strain, rheology). Practical work focuses on reading geological maps, constructing cross-sections, and interpreting both in terms of geological processes and histories.

A practical introduction to programming. This course will teach an operational knowledge on how to write and execute self written computer programs. Course topics touch upon using a computer without a graphical interface, using an integrated development environment, programming, documenting, debugging, reading and writing data, graphical output, how to navigate existing documentation and internet resources, and last but not least how to effectively ask for help. Students will work individually and in small groups in an inverted classroom setting on earth science related problem sets. Previous programming experience is not required.

Interrelationships between Earths atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere and biosphere through time; including patterns of evolution and extinction as they are related to changes at the earth's surface and recorded in the rock record. Laboratories cover major groups of fossils, their classification, use in biostratigraphy, and living analogues. NOTE: ESS261H1 and ESS262H1 may be taken in either order; and both are required for advanced courses.

An introduction to how our planet works, focusing on physical processes that govern the nature and composition of Earth with an emphasis on the dynamic nature of the planet. Topics include surface processes (e.g., weathering and erosion, ocean and atmospheric circulation, weather and climate), crustal processes (e.g., plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, biogeochemical cycles), and earth-environment interactions (e.g., natural hazards, resource development, and sustainability).

Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-opportunities-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

An introduction to aqueous environmental geochemistry emphasising the importance of chemical equilibria, mass transport, and microbiological activity in regulating the chemical composition of natural and contaminated systems.

Groundwater flow, the role of groundwater in geologic processes, and physical, chemical and biological constraints on contaminant source transport and attenuation.

One of humanity's key challenges is growing environmental pollution by a wide range of contaminants entering the environment due to anthropogenic activities, including the mining for critical minerals needed for "green energy". This course explores environmental contamination and solutions to stem contamination, with a focus on mining. Topics covered will include the sources, transport and fate of inorganic and organic contaminants using geochemical, geobiological, and geophysical lenses. Students will investigate the need for mining, remediation and mitigation strategies, and will discuss ethical issues related to activities that lead to contaminant releases and their impact on human and environmental health.

Systematic mineralogy (including identification, classification, and description); physical and chemical properties of minerals; crystallography and crystal systems (symmetry, crystal structure, crystal systems); optical techniques in mineral identification.

An overview of the nature and origin of igneous rocks, with particular emphasis on the interpretation of textures and mineral assemblages as they reflect rock-forming processes. Topics include the physical and chemical properties of magma, origin, and evolution of different magmatic series in specific igneous/tectonic environments, geochemical and isotopic characteristics of igneous rocks, and the assimilation, fractionation & crystallization processes.

A two-week advanced geological mapping project in a challenging field environment. Students learn to compile existing geoscience data, create a geological map and prepare a professional final report on their activities and findings. Not eligible for CR/NCR option. For registration deadlines, additional fees associated with the field course, course dates, and special registration requirements, please consult the departmental announcements or inquire with ugrad@es.utoronto.ca. Additional fee of up to $900 will apply.

Formal principles of stratigraphy, types of stratigraphic unit, methods of dating and correlation (biostratigraphic methods, magnetostratigraphy, radiometric dating). Methods of study in surface and subsurface (outcrop measurement, elementary introduction to wireline logs, seismic methods). The principles of facies analysis; sediment transport - sedimentary structures, the flow regime, and sediment gravity flows. The carbonate factory and carbonate rock classification. Trace fossils. Laboratory exercises in understanding facies mapping, isopachs and isolith maps.

An introduction to the physical, geological, chemical, and biological processes governing the world’s oceans. The course emphasizes critical thinking, environmental issues, and interrelationships among scientific disciplines.

Exchange of energy and matter (elements and minerals) between the Earth’s atmosphere, ocean, biosphere, and geosphere. Course-related topics include global biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, silicon, iron, and zinc (amongst other elements) and will include both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Examples and case studies will be viewed from the paleo-, contemporary and potential future global change perspectives.

A survey of current thinking in Earth science. Topics may include isotope geochemistry, ore genesis, or planetary remote sensing.

An individual study program chosen by the student with the advice, and under the supervision, of a faculty member. Such work may involve obtaining data in the field or lab and analyzing it, an interdisciplinary research project, and supervised readings. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

An individual study program chosen by the student with the advice, and under the supervision, of a faculty member. Such work may involve obtaining data in the field or lab and analyzing it, an interdisciplinary research project, and supervised readings. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-excursions-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-excursions-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

A ten-day field course in late summer at the Deep River field site designed to familiarize students in a variety of hydrogeological and biogeochemical field techniques; includes a mixture of lecture, laboratory and field exercises. Not eligible for CR/NCR option. Note: Enrollment is handled by the department. For registration deadlines, additional fees associated with the field course, course dates, and special registration requirements, please consult the departmental announcements or inquire with ugrad@es.utoronto.ca. Additional fee of up to $900 will apply.

This course investigates the geochemistry, geology, and mineralogy of mineral systems. Practical skills that will be developed include identification of ore and gangue minerals in hand and polished sections as well as understanding ore systems from source to the deposit. This will be of interest to students interested in a career in mineral exploration and mining as it will lead to an increased understanding of mineral systems, skills used in mineral exploration, and how to use these to find mineral deposits. Additionally, it will be of interest to students interested environmental science as it will teach identification of ore minerals and associated minerals that are important for assessing and developing remediation techniques for acid mine drainage sites. Finally, it will be of interest to students interested in geochemistry as we will investigate high temperature reactions between fluids and wallrocks.

This course provides a basic understanding of the formative processes of metamorphic rocks through quantitative applications of simple thermodynamic and kinetic principles. Topics include processes of heat and mass transport in orogenic belts, fluid-rock interaction in metasomatic systems, pressure-temperature-time paths of metamorphic rocks, temporospatial patterns of metamorphism through geologic time, and metamorphism in extreme conditions.