Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Science in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences offers a range of graduate degree programs, including the Master of Science (MSc) in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. This program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the Earth and its systems, as well as the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a career in this field.

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences is a thesis-based program that requires students to complete a minimum of 9 units of coursework and a thesis. The program is normally completed in two academic years of work beyond an undergraduate degree.

Research Areas

The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences has a wide range of research areas, 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

Admission 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

The requirements for the MA and MSc degrees include satisfactory completion of a thesis and at least 9 units of coursework, with not more than 6 units from the same instructor. Normally, not more than 3 units of the required coursework 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.

Coursework

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. 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.

Scholarships and Financial Support

Additional scholarships are also available for specific faculties and programs. The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences has a planning studio, digital imaging and printing facilities, research laboratories, instructional facilities, and technical support for numerous graduate students.