Continuous development of skills and knowledge is a critical component of success in the field of exploration geology. Because of the constant demands of the workplace, exploration geologists can rarely afford to take significant amounts of time off to update their knowledge and skills. Recognizing this, we have designed a two year Master of Science program in Geology to meet these needs. The program comprises 6 two-week course modules, and a minor research project. If you would like more information, please view our Applied MSc Handbook.

Curriculum

In order to minimize the impact on other courses, the course work modules will be taught outside of the normal academic terms: one module will be taught in early September, one in mid-December, and one in mid-late April. The requirements for the program will be six course modules (no options) offered over a two-year time period plus an applied research project.

Coursework M.Sc. Program in Mineral Exploration - Tentative Schedule

08 - 17 December 2011
Exploration Geophysics
GEOL 5956
Dr. Richard Smith 
rssmith@laurentian.ca
Registration Form / Syllabus & Schedule / Logistics
Course is fully booked. Contact cmosher@laurentian.ca to be put on the waiting list.

10-22 April 2012
Exploration for Magmatic Ore Deposits
GEOL 5606
Dr. C. Michael Lesher
mlesher@laurentian.ca
Registration Form / Syllabus / Schedule / Logistics 

September 2012
Mineral Exploration in Volcanic Terrains
GEOL 5326
Dr. Harold Gibson 
hgibson@laurentian.ca
Registration Form / Syllabus / Schedule / Logistics

December 2012
Exploration Geochemistry
GEOL 5806
Dr. C. Michael Lesher 
mlesher@laurentian.ca
Registration Form / Syllabus / Schedule / Logistics

February 2013
Hydrothermal Ore Deposits
GEOL 5607
Dr. Mark Hannington
University of Ottawa Website 
Registration Form / Syllabus / Schedule / Logistics

Late August - Early September 2013
Structure, Tectonics, and Mineral Exploration
GEOL 5307
Dr. Bruno Lafrance
blafrance@laurentian.ca
Registration Form / Syllabus / Schedule / Logistics

Applied Research Project
GEOL 5055
Continuous

Lectures and labs in each module will be taught between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. over a period of two weeks, and will include problem sets, laboratory exercises, and/or mapping projects. Final projects for each course will normally be due no more than four weeks after completion of lectures.

Students must also complete a research project (Geol 5XXX) and it is expected that this course will normally be completed within two and a half years of commencement in the course work option. The scope and topic of the project will be determined by the faculty supervisor and will focus on a problem of interest to the student's employer, typically in one of their active exploration or mining areas.

Admission Requirements

Because this program is designed for geoscientists employed full time in the mineral exploration industry and needing an update on advances in explorationconcepts, information, and techniques applicable to the mineral exploration industry, entrance to the Coursework M.Sc. program will be restricted to geoscientists holding a four-year B.Sc. degree in the earth sciences, with at least a "B" average, and a minimum of two years industrial or equivalent experience. Admission will be competitive and applicants will be evaluated on the same criteria as the research-based M.Sc. in Geology: marks, references, and evaluation by the faculty in the program. Application materials may be obtained from the Geology Graduate Program webpage.

Enrollment and Residency Requirement

Students in the Applied M.Sc. program who are employed in the mineral exploration industry and maintain continuous enrollment are considered full time students and will pay normal full-time graduate student registration fees. Students who do not take the courses on a continuous basis will be classified as part time. Tuition fees are on the School of Graduate Studies and Research home page.

Students enrolled in the thesis-based M.Sc. in Geology or dissertation-based PhD in Mineral Deposits and Precambrian Geology programs at Laurentian University may take the courses as part of their normal program.

Students enrolled at other ONTARIO universities wishing to register and receive credit for these courses must complete an ONTARIO VISITING GRADUATE STUDENT form, which is available from http://ocgs.cou.on.ca/_bin/home/ovgs.cfm. The form must be signed by the Department Head and Dean at the home university and sent to the School of Graduate Studies at Laurentian University c/o Ms. Linda Weber (E-mail: lweber@laurentian.ca, Tel: (705) 675-1151 x3204, Fax: (705) 671-3840).

Canadian students enrolled at NON-ONTARIO universities wishing to register and receive credit for these courses must be admitted to Laurentian University as SPECIAL STUDENTS and, once admitted, must register as Part-Time Students. Please contact the Office of Admissions (admissions@laurentian.ca) for application forms and instructions. 2011-2012 tuition fees are $947.75.

Non-Canadian students enrolled at NON-ONTARIO universities wishing to register and receive credit for these courses must be admitted to Laurentian University as SPECIAL STUDENTS and, once admitted, must register as Part-Time Students. Please contact the Office of Admissions (admissions@laurentian.ca) for application forms and instructions. 2011-2012 tuition fees are $2,258.50.

Students not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Program are responsible for arranging their own medical and health insurance, which is not covered in the non-resident tuition fees.

Outside Registration

Non-students may take any of the course modules on a fee-paying basis at the rate of $2250 + GST for a full two-week course (including all course notes) or $250 for a single day (including relevant course notes).

Foreign Student/Participants

Please contact the Canadian Embassy or Consulate General Office in your home country or check the Citizen and Immigration Canada website at www.cic.gc.ca to determine whether you need a visa to visit or study in Canada. Obtaining a visitor's visa or study permit can take up to 3 months, so please do this as soon in advance as possible.

Department of Earth Sciences
Laurentian University
Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6 Canada
Tel: (705) 673-6575
Fax: (705) 675-4898
Email: DES@laurentian.ca