Program Overview

Introduction to the University Program

The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences offers a range of graduate degree programs, including the Master of Arts (MA) in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Master of Science (MSc) in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Master of Science (MSc) in Integrated Energy Geosciences, Master of Arts (MA) in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences with specialization in Human Geography, Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences with specialization in Human Geography or Urban and Regional Planning.

Program Details

The Department has a wide range of active research fields, including:

• Aqueous and sedimentary geochemistry
• Arctic environments
• Atmosphere and ocean modelling
• Basin analysis
• Biogeography
• Carbonate sedimentology
• Clastic sedimentology
• Climatology
• Community engagement
• Community, health and environment
• Community planning
• Diamond geology
• Economic geology
• Environmental values, attitudes and behaviors
• Environmental chemistry
• Environmental geology
• Experimental petrology
• Fluvial and glacial geomorphology
• Geochemistry
• Geochronology
• Geographic information systems
• Geomicrobiology
• Geotectonics
• Glaciology, glacier hydrology and glacier chemistry
• Global change
• Hot-springs
• Human-environment interactions
• Human dimensions of environmental hazards
• Hydrogeology
• Ichnology
• Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic petrology
• Invertebrate and vertebrate paleontology
• Isotope geology
• Land-use planning
• Marine icing
• Meso-scale meteorology
• Metalliferous mineral deposits
• Microclimatology
• Micrometeorology
• Micropaleontology
• Mineralogy
• Paleolimnology
• Paleoecology of siliceous microfossils
• Periglacial geomorphology
• Petroleum geology
• Physical oceanography, paleoceanography and numerical model development
• Planetary geology
• Precambrian palaeoenvironments
• Qualitative research methods
• Quaternary palaeoenvironments
• Regional planning
• Remote sensing
• Resilience
• Sedimentology
• Stratigraphy
• Structural geology
• Transportation planning
• Urban design
• Urban planning
• Tectonics
• Volcanology
• Winter city planning and design

Entrance Requirements

The Department's minimum admission requirements are a relevant undergraduate degree with an average of 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate work (or graduate work) at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. A TOEFL score of 90 (Internet-based) or equivalent is also required, where applicable.

Program Requirements

Requirements for the MA and MSc degrees include satisfactory completion of a thesis and at least 9 units of course work at the University of Alberta, with not more than 6 units from the same instructor. More course work will be necessary if there is a significant change in discipline area from the undergraduate program. Normally, not more than 3 units of the required course work may be at the 400-level within the Department, and only one 3-unit research or reading (directed studies) course may be counted towards the requirement, except with permission of the Department.

Length of Program

An MA or MSc program should normally be completed in two academic years of work beyond an undergraduate degree.

Courses

Graduate course descriptions can be found under the following subject headings:

• Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)
• Human Geography (HGEO)
• Integrated Petroleum Geosciences (IPG)
• Paleontology (PALEO)
• Planning (PLAN)

Tuition and Fees

In addition to scholarships administered by the University, a number of graduate assistantships and discipline-specific scholarships are awarded by the Department.

Scholarships and Financial Support

The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies administers over $29 million each year in scholarships, awards, and financial support for graduate students, as well as financial and loan advising. Additional scholarships are also available for specific faculties and programs.