Geochemistry Minor (B.Sc.) (18 credits)
Offered by: Earth & Planetary Sciences (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Program credit weight: 18
Program Description
The Minor in Geochemistry focuses on the chemistry of Earth’s lithosphere, its reactivity in contact with the atmosphere and/or the hydrosphere, and the chemistry of extra-terrestrial materials.
The appropriate background in chemistry is required: (CHEM 110 General Chemistry 1. and CHEM 120 General Chemistry 2., or their equivalent) and calculus (MATH 139 Calculus 1 with Precalculus. and MATH 141 Calculus 2., or their equivalent).
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Required Courses (9 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EPSC 201 | Understanding Planet Earth. | 3 |
Understanding Planet Earth. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Learn about Earth's origin, its place in the solar system, its internal structure, rocks and minerals, the formation of metal and fossil fuel deposits, and the extinction of dinosaurs. Discover the impact of the volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and mountain chains on Earth's past, present and future. Explore 125 million-year-old Mount Royal. | ||
| EPSC 210 | Introductory Mineralogy. | 3 |
Introductory Mineralogy. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Elementary crystallography, chemistry and identification of the principal rock-forming and ore minerals, in hand specimens and using optical microscopy. Demonstrations of other techniques applied to the identification of minerals and to the analysis of their composition and structure. Optional 2-day field trip. | ||
| EPSC 212 | Introductory Petrology. | 3 |
Introductory Petrology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A survey of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and the processes responsible for their formation. The laboratory will emphasize the recognition of rocks in both hand-specimen and thin section using optical microscopes. | ||
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
9 credits selected from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EPSC 220 | Principles of Geochemistry. | 3 |
Principles of Geochemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Basic concepts in geochemistry and the application of geochemical principles of chemistry to geological subdisciplines. Particular emphasis on origin of elements, controls on their distribution in Earth and cosmos, isotopes, organic geochemistry and water chemistry. Application of phase diagrams to geology. | ||
| EPSC 325 | Environmental Geochemistry. | 3 |
Environmental Geochemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The basic concepts and calculations needed to quantitatively understand the geochemical processes occurring between minerals and waters in Earth’s near-surface environment. The important concepts of thermodynamics and kinetics will be exemplified using examples that concentrate on reactions between minerals and water and their impact on the environment. | ||
| EPSC 501 | Crystal Chemistry. | 3 |
Crystal Chemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Discussion of crystal structures and compositions of important mineral groups, especially oxides, sulphides and silicates. Solid solution. Relation of structure to morphology and to chemical and physical properties of the rock-forming minerals. | ||
| EPSC 519 | Isotopes in Earth and Environmental Science. | 3 |
Isotopes in Earth and Environmental Science. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The theory and application of stable and radioactive isotope measurements in the Earth and environmental sciences, including applications in geology, hydrology, climatology, biogeochemistry, and ecology. | ||
| EPSC 549 | Hydrogeology. | 3 |
Hydrogeology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to groundwater flow through porous media. Notions of fluid potential and hydraulic head. Darcy flux and Darcy's Law. Physical properties of porous media and their measurement. Equation of groundwater flow. Flow systems. Hydraulics of pumping and recharging wells. Notions of hydrology. Groundwater quality and contamination. Physical processes of contaminant transport. | ||
| EPSC 570 | Cosmochemistry. | 3 |
Cosmochemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examines the implications of phase equilibria and the compositions of meteorites and the solar system for the formation and internal differentiation of the terrestrial planets and the nature of chemical fractionation processes in both planetary interiors and the solar system as a whole. | ||
| EPSC 590 | Applied Geochemistry Seminar. | 3 |
Applied Geochemistry Seminar. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Seminar course devoted to field case studies that illustrate the applications of geochemical principles to solving geologic problems. Each student will prepare and lead a class devoted to a geochemical subject of their own choosing. | ||