2012-2013 Calendar Proof
EARTH SCIENCES OPTION
DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCES
General Office: Forestry & Geology Building, Room 112
Mailing Address: Department of Earth Sciences,
University of New Brunswick,
P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, N. B.,
Canada, E3B 5A3
Phone:
(506) 453-4804
Fax:
(506) 453-5055
Email:
geology@unb.ca
Website:
http://www.unb.ca/fredericton/science/geology/
FACULTY


















Al, Tom, BSc (Memorial), MSc (Memorial), PhD (Waterloo), Prof - 1996
Broster, Bruce, BSc (Waterloo), PhD (UWO), Prof - 1987
Butler, Karl E., P. Eng, BSc (Queen’s), MSc (UBC), PhD (UBC), Prof – 1999
Dingwell, Don BSc (Memorial), PhD (Alberta), Adjunct Prof – 2005
Donovan, Stephen, BSc (Manchester), PhD, DSc (Liverpool.), Adjunct Prof – 2000
Grieve, Richard, BSc (Aberdeen), MSc, PhD (Toronto), MA (Brown), Dsc (Aberdeen), Adjunct
Prof - 1995
Keighley, David, BSc (Manchester), PhD (UNB), Assoc Prof - 2004
Lentz, David R., BSc (UNB), MSc (UNB), PhD (Ottawa), Prof - 2000
McCutcheon, Steven, BSc, PhD (UNB), Adjunct Prof – 2001
McFarlane, Chris R.M., BSc (Toronto), MSc (Calg), PhD (Austin), Assoc Prof – 2007
Miller, Randall, BSc, MSc, PhD (Waterloo), Adjunct Prof - 1995
Park, Adrian, BSc (Leicester), PhD (Glasgow), Senior Instructor - 2002
Pickerill, Ronald K., BSc, PhD (Liverpool), Prof - 1975
Shaw, Cliff, BSc (Goldsmith), MSc, PhD (Western), Prof & Chair – 2002
Spray, John G., BSc (Cardiff), PhD (Cambridge), Prof - 1986
Susak, Nicholas John, BS (Penn State), MA, PhD (Princeton), Assoc Prof – 1982
White, Joseph C., BSc, PhD (Western), Prof - 1981
Williams, Paul F., BSc (Durham), MSc (NSW), PhD (Sydney), Em. Prof - 1980
General Information
Earth Science is the natural science that deals with Earth, the interior make-up, and surficial
features, its formative and destructive processes, its age, history and development through time.
Earth is the natural habitat of all life including mankind. Urban and land-use planning and efforts to
clean up our environment require a sound knowledge of geology and geological processes. Earth
2012-2013 Calendar Proof
scientists are concerned with a diverse range of issues such as the origin, migration and quality of
groundwater, river and coastal erosion, desert-dune migration, the origin and evolution of oceans
and continents, of mountain ranges, valleys and canyons. Studies concerning the causes and
effects of natural hazards, such as those created by land and rock slides, earthquakes, floods and
droughts, and volcanic eruptions all fall within the realm of Earth Sciences.
Geologists research the origin of Earth's natural resources, and are extensively involved in the
discovery, development, and conservation of the metallic minerals we use, the clay, sand, gravel,
cement, and fertilizer we need to improve our living conditions, the water we drink and the coal,
oil and natural gas we use to serve our energy requirements.
Earth Sciences includes studies of the origin, history and evolution of life through time. Most
importantly, Earth Science is concerned with the special set of circumstances that makes life on
Earth possible and Planet Earth so unique in our Solar System if not in the Universe.
Geochemists deal with the chemical make-up of magmas and rocks in the earth's crusts, and are
concerned with using geochemical techniques in the discovery of new ore reserves and in
addressing environmental concerns. Geophysicists measure and study the gravity, magnetic and
electrical fields of the earth and record and analyse seismic waves generated by earthquakes and
manmade sources. This information is used to investigate the nature and form of the Earth's
interior, from the near surface to the inner core, in mineral and petroleum exploration,
engineering site investigations, and in the solution of environmental Earth Science problems.
Biogeologists are concerned with the taxonomy, biogeography and behavioural evolution of fossils,
paleoecological aspects of ancient life forms, history and evolution of life and establishing a
relative time frame for past geological events. Mineral economics is mainly concerned with
applying economic principles to the unimpeded and ordered supply of metals and energy
resources for an expanding society on a global basis.
Geologists, geochemists, geophysicists, biogeologists and mineral economists find employment in
the mineral industry, including exploration for oil, metals, and industrial minerals, in government
surveys, in University teaching and research, and as independent consultants to the mining
industry and engineering and environmental organizations.
W.E. Hale Fund
In addition to the required field schools, the Department supports non-credit field trips through
the W.E. Hale Fund. This fund partly defrays the cost of student-initiated field trips. These field
trips are generally scheduled during spring break or at the end of term. In the past the Hale Fund
has sponsored trips to southern British Columbia and the Mt. St. Helen’s region of Washington, to
the Grand Canyon and the Basin and Range Province of the southwest USA, to Cape Breton Island
and Newfoundland, and Iceland. This fund was established by the friends and colleagues of the late
Dr. W.E. Hale, a Professor and former Chair of the Department of Earth Sciences.
2012-2013 Calendar Proof
Earth Sciences Programs
Three programs are offered to students starting their second year in Science and wishing to
specialize in Earth Sciences: Major, Honours, and Pass. Two required off-schedule field schools for
Major and Honours programs contribute 12ch to the program totals. The Pass program includes
6ch of second year field school.
Honours students follow the Major Program and are only identified as Honours students in their
final year. Students must consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies of the Department of
Earth Sciences prior to selecting programs and courses. Note that many third year and most fourth
year courses are offered on an alternate year (A) basis. Consult the department’s undergraduate
advisor or webpage for anticipated third and fourth year elective offerings.
1. Honours Program (173ch + 12 ch field schools): This program is designed for properly
qualified students entering the final year of their undergraduate studies who wish to
explore in some detail an Earth Sciences subject area of particular personal interest and to
gain practical experience in research and in presentation of the results in a written form.
The Honours degree is the standard for professional registration in New Brunswick.
Entrance to the Department of Earth Sciences Honours Program requires a cumulative
grade point average of at least 3.0 overall, by the end of the year prior to the student's final
year. A written request for admission to this program must be submitted to the
Departmental Chair.
For graduation with an Honours degree, a minimum cumulative grade point average overall
of 3.0 and a grade of B- or higher in GEOL 4900 are required. Students failing to meet these
requirements will be awarded a Major degree.
2. Major Program (166 ch + 12 ch field schools): This is the program selected by students
specializing in Earth Sciences. Minimum course requirements are given below.
3. Pass Program (141 ch + 6 ch field school): This program is designed for those students who
are looking for a minimal specialization in Earth Sciences and the opportunity of taking
more elective courses outside the Department. Minimum course requirements are given
below. The Pass Program can be tailored to meet the requirements for professional
registration in New Brunswick.
4. Minor Program: The Department can also offer a Minor in Earth Sciences following the
University guidelines outlined in the online calendar. A Minor consists of a coherent
grouping of courses totalling at least 24 credit hours (with a grade of C or better) approved
by the department. Courses required as part of a declared degree program may not
2012-2013 Calendar Proof
normally be counted towards the Minor. The Earth Sciences Minor typically does not meet
the requirements for professional registration in New Brunswick.
Students are reminded that courses offered by other Departments can form an important
complementary part of the overall course of studies.
Honours Program
First Year
ESCI 1001 , ESCI 1012 , one of ESCI 1006 , 1026 , or 1036 ; MATH 1003 or 1053 , MATH 1013 or
1063; CHEM 1001 , CHEM 1006 , CHEM 1012 , CHEM 1017; PHYS 1061, PHYS 1062 , PHYS 1091,
PHYS 1092; plus an additional 4 ch (38 ch minimum).
Second Year
ESCI 2131 , ESCI 2142 , ESCI 2202 , ESCI 2211 , ESCI 2321 , ESCI 2602 , ESCI 2703 , 6 ch of
mathematics or statistics chosen from MATH 1503 , MATH 2003 , MATH 2013 , MATH 2213 , STAT
2513 , STAT 2253 , STAT 2264 or STAT 2593 . It is strongly recommended that these seven ‘core’
second year Earth Sciences courses and second year field school be taken as a coherent group.
Third Year
ESCI 3131 , ESCI 3322 , ESCI 3703, plus sufficient electives to meet program requirements.
Fourth Year
ESCI 4312 , ESCI 4900 , plus sufficient electives to meet program requirements.
Electives
A minimum of 35 ch of Earth Sciences at or above the 2000 level.
The electives must include one course each of geophysics, quaternary geology and resource
geology.
A minimum of 9 ch in the Faculty of Science outside of Earth Sciences.
A minimum of 12 ch of approved courses outside of the Department of Earth Sciences. A minimum
of 15 ch of free electives.
Major Program
First Year
2012-2013 Calendar Proof
ESCI 1001 , ESCI 1012 , one of ESCI 1006 , 1026 , or 1036 ; MATH 1003 or 1053, MATH 1013 or
1063; CHEM 1001 , CHEM 1006 , CHEM 1012 , CHEM 1017; PHYS 1061, PHYS 1062 , PHYS 1091,
PHYS 1092; plus an additional 4 ch (38 ch minimum).
Second Year
ESCI 2131 , ESCI 2142 , ESCI 2202 , ESCI 2211 , ESCI 2321 , ESCI 2602 , ESCI 2703; 6 ch of
mathematics or statistics chosen from MATH 1503 , MATH 2003 , MATH 2013 , MATH 2213 , MATH
2513 , STAT 2253 , STAT 2264 or STAT 2593 . It is strongly recommended that these seven ‘core’
second year Earth Sciences courses and second year field school be taken as a coherent group.
Third Year
ESCI 3131 , ESCI 3322 , ESCI 3703 , plus sufficient electives to meet program requirements
Fourth Year
ESCI 4312 , plus sufficient electives to meet program requirements.
Electives
A minimum of 35 ch of Earth Sciences at or above the 2000 level.
A minimum of 9 ch in the Faculty of Science other than Earth Sciences.
A minimum of 12 ch of approved courses outside of the Department of Earth Sciences.
A minimum of 15 ch of free electives.
Pass Program
First Year
ESCI 1001 , 1012 , one of ESCI 1006 , 1026 , or 1036 ; MATH 1003 or 1053 , 1013 or 1063; CHEM
1001 , CHEM 1006 , CHEM 1012 , CHEM 1017 . A minimum of 2 term courses of lectures chosen
from BIOL 1001 , 1012 , or PHYS 1061, 1062. A minimum of 1 term course of labs chosen from BIOL
1006 , 1017 , ESCI 1017 , or PHYS 1091, 1092; plus an additional 6 ch (38 ch minimum).
Second, Third and Fourth Year
ESCI 2131 , 2142 , 2211 , 2321 , 2602 , 2703 , 3131 , 4312 , plus at least 25 ch of Earth Sciences
courses at or above the 2000 level, plus at least 45 ch of other approved electives (which may
include Earth Sciences courses).
Note: All of the 2000 level Earth Sciences courses listed above need not be taken in the second
year of the program but students should be aware that most of these courses are prerequisite to
2012-2013 Calendar Proof
many 3000 and 4000 level courses. See Description of Courses, Earth Sciences for prerequisite
requirements for specific courses.
Co-op Program
MAJOR AND HONOURS ONLY
The Department of Earth Sciences operates a Co-operative Education (Co-op) Program that is
available to academically qualified Earth Sciences students who have completed two years of
study. The program allows students to put classroom knowledge to practical and profitable use in
the Canadian workplace. At UNB the Co-op Program in Earth Sciences consists of eight study terms
of four months each and two work terms of eight months each. This program is normally
completed in five years compared to the regular four year program and allows students to obtain a
Majors or Honours designation in Earth Sciences. Students normally apply for this program during
their third term of study and enter the program at the end of their second year.
1. Students must normally have achieved a minimum of a 2.7 cgpa in the study term
preceding their application for employment.
2. Students must register for each work term in order that they be considered as full-time
students while working.
3. A work term fee will be charged for each 8 month work term registered.
4. The overall assessment of the work period is the responsibility of the Department of Earth
Sciences. The work period assessment shall consist of two components: 1) student
performance as evaluated by a coordinator, given input from the employer, and 2) a work
report graded by a coordinator or a member of faculty.
5. Students will normally have at least one study term after their last work term.
6. Students must be registered as full-time students in order to be eligible to apply for Co-op
jobs.
First Year
ESCI 1001 , ESCI 1012 , one of ESCI 1006 , 1026 , or 1036 ; MATH 1003 or 1053, MATH 1013 or
1063; CHEM 1001 , CHEM 1006 , CHEM 1012 , CHEM 1017; PHYS 1061, PHYS 1062 , PHYS 1091,
PHYS 1092; plus an additional 4 ch (38 ch minimum).
Second Year
ESCI 2131 , 2142 , 2202 , 2211 , 2321 , 2602 , 2703 , 6 ch of mathematics or statistics chosen from
MATH 1503 , 2003 , 2013 , 2213 , 2513, STAT 2253 , 2264 , 2593 .
Third, Fourth and Fifth Year
2012-2013 Calendar Proof
ESCI 3131 , 3322 , 3703 , 4312 (plus ESCI 4900 for the Honours Program), a minimum of 35 ch of
approved Earth Sciences electives, plus a minimum of 9ch in the Faculty of Science other than
Earth Sciences, plus a minimum of 12 ch of approved courses outside of the Department of Earth
Sciences, plus a minimum of 15 ch of approved electives that may include Earth Sciences courses.
Courses must be selected such that Work Term #1 ( ESCI 3803 ) starts in the winter term of the
third year and terminates at the end of summer term of the third year. Work Term #2 ( ESCI 4803 )
will start in the summer term of the fourth year and terminate at the end of the fall term in the
fifth year.
ESCI 3703 must be taken in the Fall Term of the Third year.