Graduate Courses
The course schedule is subject to change. Please refer to student centre for the most up to date information. Registration for fall courses opens in early August, Winter courses in December and Summer courses in April.
Fall 2026
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Geophysics 9509: Geophysical Field Techniques Aug 29 - Sep 8, 2026 Instructor: Sheri Molnar smolnar8@uwo.ca |
FIELD COURSE This course provides an introduction to the practical application of various geophysical techniques (gravity, magnetics, electrical, electro-magnetics, seismics, or GPR). Geophysical surveys are used for site characterization in assessment of hazard mitigation, anthropological, environmental, and civil engineering studies, and resource exploration. Students will plan, acquire, process, and interpret geophysical field surveys. For all details regarding this course please visit our Field Course Page *Crosslisted ES 4451 |
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Planetary Science 9603: Introduction to Planetary Science August 31 - September 6, 2026 Instructor: Catherine Neish cneish@uwo.ca |
SHORT COURSE This intensive 7-day course is designed for graduate students, researchers, industry professionals, and government employees. It is mandatory for new Western planetary science graduate students, ideally taken in the first year. The course covers fundamental processes shaping planets, moons, asteroids, and comets, with lectures by leading experts and hands-on activities using data from recent planetary missions.
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Gophysics 9572: Earth's Interior NEW online format Instructor: Rick Secco secco@uwo.ca Online |
An introduction to physics of the Earth's interior. Major topics are: Earth structure from seismic observations, heat flow, the physics of minerals under high temperatures and pressures, equations of state, seismological, thermal and compositional models.
*Crosslisted with ES 4321 |
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Geology 9506: Stable Isotope Geochemistry Instructor: Elizabeth Webb ewebb5@uwo.ca MWF 11:30AM-12:30PM |
Stable isotopes (O,H,C,S,N), atmosphere, hydrosphere, sedimentary and diagenetic systems, hydrothermal systems, fluid migration, ore-forming fluids, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Environmental applications: groundwater, oceans, wetlands, acid rain; acid mine drainage, climate fluctuation; global cycle modification.
*Crosslisted with ES 4431 |
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Geophysics 9573 / Hazards Risk Resilience 9573: Natural Catastrophes Instructor: Katsu Goda kgoda2@uwo.ca T 1:30-4:30PM |
Natural hazarads and disaster risk reduction is a rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field in Canada and globally, spanning natural sciences, applied engineering, data sciences, and risk financing. This course introduces natural catastrophe modelling, covering hazard characterization, exposure modelling, volunerability assessment, and financial risk analysis.
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Course Outline:
Winter 2027
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Geology 9369: Environmental Microbiology Instructor: Jeremiah Shuster jshuste3@uwo.ca Lec MW 9:30-10:30AM / Lab F 2:30-5:30PM |
An introduction to the role of microorganisms in geochemical processes within Earth’s diverse environments over time. Topics include methods for the analysis of bacteria, factors affecting their community structure and function, and their relationship to biogeochemistry. The laboratory component will introduce students to fundamental microbiological techniques and research methods.
*Crosslisted ES 3369 |
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Geology / Geophysics 9580: Grad Seminar Instructor: Roberta Flemming rflemmin@uwo.ca Time TBD |
This is a required course for all new M.Sc. and Ph.D. students. The objectives of the course are to: i) write and present a thesis/project proposal, ii) develop strong research skills, iii) learn how to effectively present information orally, iv) become familiar with grant proposal writing, and v) practice scientific and professional learning skills through teamwork exercises.
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Geology 9312: Origin of Planetary Materials Instructor: Roberta Flemming rflemmin@uwo.ca Lec T/Th 10:30-11:30AM Lab T 2:30-5:30PM |
This course reviews the origin and evolution of our solar system and formation of the rocky planets and other bodies by examining dynamical evidence and meteorites. We examine meteorite mineralogy and textures using optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and geochemical data. We also examine Earth impacts, the moon and Mars.
*Crosslisted ES 4312 |
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Geophysics 9505: Forward & Inverse Theory Modelling Instructor: Robert Shcherbakov rshcherb@uwo.ca Lec MW 11:30AM-12:30PM Lab T 2:30-5:30PM |
An introduction into parameter estimation and data inversion for several geophysical problems. Students will be given an overview of fundamental concepts related to the construction of forward models, design of optimization methods and algorithms, and inversion of data for the underlying geophysical processes. Topics will include discrete linear inverse problems, maximum likelihood methods, singular value decomposition,
*Crosslisted ES 4420 |
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Geophysics 9507: Advanced Mineral Physics Instructor: Sean Shieh sshieh@uwo.ca Lec T/Th 11:30AM-12:30PM Lab Th 1:30-4:30PM |
The course introduces elementary solid state theory, thermodynamics, elasticity, equation
*Crosslisted ES 4424 |
Notes
GL9576 Advanced Glacial Geology was offered in Winter 2026, will not be offered in Winter 2027, but will return in Winter 2028.
Summer 2027
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Geology 9650: Field Structural Analysis First two weeks of May 2027 Instructor: Dazhi Jiang djiang3@uwo.ca
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FIELD COURSE A field school in a deformed metamorphic region. Emphasis will be on mapping techniques at large scales (from individual outcrops to macroscopic scales). The students will learn how to identify, measure, and document geological features at the outcrop scale and to make connections between outcrops. They are required to understand the structure of their map area in three-dimensions and to establish a kinematic synthesis for the history of their map area. For all details regarding this course please visit our Field Course Page
*Crosslisted ES 3350 |
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Planetary Science 9604: Impact Cratering Short Course and Field School Late April or Mid-May 2027 Instructor: Gordon Osinski gosinski@uwo.ca
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FIELD COURSE This is a 7-day intensive field school that will take place in and around Sudbury, Ontario. Some reading assignments and watching of pre-recorded lectures will also be required prior to the in-person field school. Impact cratering is one of the most fundamental, yet poorly understood, geological processes in the Solar System. On many planets, impact craters are the dominant geological landform. On Earth, erosion, plate tectonics and volcanic resurfacing continually destroy the impact cratering record, but even here, the geological, biological, and environmental effects of impact cratering are apparent. For all details regarding this course please visit our Field Course Page
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