Faculty List

Professor and Chair of the Department
S. Finkelstein, M.Phil., PhD

Associate Professor and Associate Chair (Graduate Studies)
A. Swidinsky, MSc, PhD

Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, and Associate Chair (Undergraduate)
D. Gregory, BSc, PhD

University Professor
B. Sherwood-Lollar, BA, PhD, FRSC

Professors
B.A. Bergquist, BSc, PhD
M. Chazan, M.Phil., PhD
M. L. Diamond, MSc, M.Sc. Eng., PhD
M. Dittrich, PhD (U of T Scarborough)
J. Halfar, Dip Geol, PhD (U of T Mississauga)
Q. Liu, MSc, PhD (joint appointment with Physics)
R. Pysklywec, MSc, PhD
L. Schoenbohm, BSc, PhD (U of T Mississauga)
U. Wortmann, Dipl. Geo., Dr. Rer. Nat.

Associate Professors
M.O. Anderson, BSc, MSc, PhD
J. Bollmann, Dipl. Geol., Sci. Nat. ETH
X. Chu, M.Phil., PhD
D. Gregory, BSc, PhD
M. Laflamme, PhD (U of T Mississauga)
A. Swidinsky, MSc, PhD

Assistant Professors
S. Ariano, BSc, MSc, PhD
N. Bennett, MSc, PhD
R. Correa Rangel, BSc, MSc, PhD
P. Heron, MSc, M. Geophys., PhD (U of T Scarborough)
S. Lui, PhD (U of T Mississauga)
C. Kin I Sio, BS, PhD
K. Wendt, MSc, PhD

Professor, Teaching Stream
Charly (Carl-Georg) Bank, MSc, PhD

Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream
S. Pierce, MSc, PhD
T. Santimano, MSc, PhD
Status Only Faculty
M. Head, MSc, PhD (Brock University)
K. Tait, MSc, PhD, ROM
Non-tenure Stream Faculty
M.A. Hamilton, MSc, PhD
S. Kamo, MSc, PhD

Professors Emeriti
G.M. Anderson, B. Eng, MSc, PhD
R. C. Bailey, BSc, PhD
D. Davis, MSc, PhD
J. R. Desloges (joint appointment with Geography), MSc, PhD, FRSC
N. Eyles, MSc, PhD (U of T Scarborough)
F.G. Ferris, BSc, PhD, FRSC
J. Gittins, MSc, PhD, Sc D (U)
H.C. Halls, MSc, PhD (U of T Mississauga)
G.S. Henderson, MSc, PhD
K.W.F. Howard, MSc, PhD (U of T Scarborough)
A.D. Miall, BSc, PhD, D. Sc., FRSC
B. Milkereit, MSc, PhD
P-Y. F. Robin, MSc, PhD (U of T Mississauga)
D.J. Schulze, MSc, PhD (U of T Mississauga)
W.M. Schwerdtner, Dipl. Geol., Dr. Rer. Nat.
E. T. C. Spooner, MA, PhD (U)
P.H. von Bitter, MA, PhD
J.A. Westgate, BSc, PhD (S)

Introduction

Do you like sciences but have a hard time choosing which one to pursue? Can you picture yourself performing experiments in the lab, or collecting data in the field, or developing and testing models on a computer? Then Earth Sciences is the discipline for you. It is the study of physical, chemical, and biological processes over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales in earth and planetary systems.

Our department offers various programs:

The three specialist programs – Geology, Environmental Geoscience, and Geophysics (offered in collaboration with the Department of Physics) – give students the skills to enter graduate studies and also allow them to become professional “geoscientists in training” after graduation. The Geology specialist program focuses on processes of the solid planetary bodies, including volcanoes, sedimentary environments, mountain building, the formation of minerals or ores, and Earth through time. The Environmental Geosciences specialist program in addition addresses processes related to groundwater and biochemical activities. The Geophysics specialist program allows students to model physical processes in and on Earth and other planets and to apply non-invasive methods of imaging the subsurface, often in 4D (i.e., space and time); targets may range from archaeological investigations to groundwater imaging and mineral exploration, but also include modeling of mountain-building processes and planetary magnetic fields.

The Geoscience Major program builds on a set of core courses and allows students to select elective courses that match their particular interests. Students have paired this program not just with other science programs but such diverse fields as geography, archaeology, economics, history, political science, or peace and conflict studies.

The Geoscience Minor program provides an introduction to Earth science topics and thinking.

The Earth and Environmental Systems Major program takes a holistic approach to understanding how the Earth system works and how it has evolved over tens to millions and billions of years. This requires understanding the dynamics and interactions of all aspects of the system (solid Earth, ocean, atmosphere, and biosphere) and provides the larger context at a time when climate change, resource consumption and global pollution weigh heavily on people and societies.

Our programs emphasise hands-on lab and field work. At least one field course is required in each program, and several courses have offered optional one-day to two-week long trips. In recent years courses have travelled to Newfoundland, Texas, Arizona, Hawaii, Chile, and New Zealand, and small groups of undergraduates have been involved with field research in Turkey, Peru, Greece and South Africa. These field training opportunities foster the establishment of peer networks, develop team-working skills, afford hands-on learning, and allow for a close collaboration and mentoring experience between individual students and instructors. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of extra and co-curricular opportunities such as study abroad, summer abroad, internships, or working in industry and non-governmental organizations.

More information (including an undergraduate handbook) can be found on the department website www.es.utoronto.ca. Students are encouraged to discuss their plans for program and course selection with the Undergraduate Associate Chair (undergradchair.earthsci@utoronto.ca).

Arts & Science Intership Program (ASIP)

The Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP) stream is available to students who are entering Year 2 or Year 3 of study and are enrolled in the Earth & Environmental Systems Major, Geoscience Major, Geology Specialist, Environmental Geosciences Specialist, and Geophysics Specialist.

Enrolment is limited and requires a supplemental application. Students enrolled in the ASIP stream will be required to complete mandatory Professional Development programming plus a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 20 months (Year 2 entry) or a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 16 months (Year-3 entry) of paid, full-time work experience. The time to degree completion for students enrolled in ASIP will normally be 5 years. There is an additional cost to participate in the ASIP stream.

Students will typically be admitted to the ASIP stream for the Fall term of Year 2 of study, however, in exceptional circumstances students, including transfer students, who enrolled in an eligible program in the Summer after Year 2 can be admitted to the ASIP stream for the Fall of Year 3. Acceptance into an ASIP stream in Year 3 is dependent on space and requires approval of the student’s academic unit and the Faculty of Arts & Science Experiential Learning & Outreach Support (ELOS) Office. Please refer to the ASIP eligibility page for further details. Please note Year 3 entry will not be available until Fall 2027.

Further details about ASIP, including eligibility requirements and application procedures, can be found in the ASIP section of the Calendar. Students may also visit the ASIP webpage or contact the ELOS office at asip@utoronto.ca.

Contact Information

Website: www.es.utoronto.ca/undergraduate

Undergraduate Office

Email: ugrad.earthsci@utoronto.ca
Phone: 416-978-1240

Note About Program Completion

Students can complete only one program type – Specialist, Major, or Minor – in an individual area referenced with the same four-digit program code.

The Earth Sciences programs impacted by the policy: ASSPE1253 and ASMIN1253; ASSPE0509, ASMAJ0509, and ASMIN0509