Department Head D. Layton Matthews (Interim)
Chair of Undergraduate Studies
Undergraduate Faculty Advisor G. Fotopoulos, PEng,
Undergraduate Assistant R. Dew
Office Miller Hall, 240 Bruce Wing
Telephone (613) 533-2597
E-mail geolugrd@queensu.ca
Departmental Web Site http://www.queensu.ca/geol/
Geological Engineering is a broad and creative field of engineering which combines practical application of geological principles, concepts and techniques with engineering investigation, analysis and design, providing reliable and sustainable engineered solutions to human needs.
Geological Engineering at Queen's University prepares students for the creative problem solving, analysis, interpretation and decision making necessary to tackle engineering challenges related to:
- Design and application of advanced surface and subsurface investigation, field and lab data interpretation, advanced analysis and geological modelling in aid of engineering design;
- Environmental engineering including subsurface water resource exploration and protection, ground contaminant remediation, sustainable mine/urban/industrial waste management/engineering;
- Geotechnical engineering and construction on, with or through earth materials (rock and soil) including tunnels, caverns, mines, transportation infrastructure, foundations, dams, waste storage;
- Geo-hazard assessment and risk mitigation including landslides, subsidence, earthquakes and floods;
- Mineral and energy resource exploration, evaluation, development and sustainable management, including environmental protection and remediation before, during and after geo-resource extraction;
- Applied Geophysics (eg. Seismics, electro-magnetics, gravity, laser, radar, etc) for remote probing (from the ground or from space) and visualization of the subsurface environment to facilitate geotechnical, geo-hazard, geo-environmental or geo-resource engineering.
The academic plan provides an enhanced understanding of the geological model associated with a particular challenge from the list above allowing in-depth assessment and understanding of the engineering properties of earth materials, including natural variability within and between different environments, sensitivity of these materials to genesis and tectonic history, the changes to earth materials with time within an engineering context, and the impacts on the reliability and sustainability of design solutions.
The Geological Engineering plan offers a common second year curriculum, to provide students with a foundation in geological sciences, math and physics in addition to broad introductory exposure to a variety of geo-engineering problems and design approaches. The extensive and well-rounded core program offered in third and fourth year is augmented by a number of technical elective choices. This allows each student to gain in-depth specialization by taking several courses in an area of interest, geotechnical engineering, geo-environmental engineering, including mineral and energy exploration, or geophysics. Alternatively, a student can choose to build a breadth of knowledge across the discipline of Geological Engineering.
Geological Engineering Curriculum
It is recommended that students consult the academic advisor at least once in each year of their plan, to ensure that they are taking the required number of Technical Electives and Complementary Studies courses to fulfill the academic plan requirements as well as those of the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board. Students need to plan ahead to ensure that they take courses in the appropriate years along with the necessary prerequisites.
Revisions to the Geological Engineering plan are ongoing. There are separate sections for the Classes of 2017, 2018, and 2019. Please refer to the appropriate calendar for your year of graduation.
The Technical Elective (TE) List is given at the end of this section. Complementary Studies (CE) are discussed at the end of each year calendar entry. For the classes of 2018 and 2019, students may take elective courses (4 TE and 3 CE) in any of the elective slots available in the 3rd and 4th years of the plan. For the class of 2017, a total of 5 TE and 3 CE are required.
Field Work
Field work is an essential part of Geological Engineering training, both to gain field skills and to understand the sources and nature of the data to be used for analysis and design. Field trips and field projects are offered in each year of study because the Department wishes to provide the best experience-based education possible. Employers and alumni from the Department are universally enthusiastic about the value of this component of the Geological Engineering plan. In accordance with University policies, students will receive specialized instruction in field safety.
A field skills course, with trips around the Kingston area, is undertaken during the fall term of second year. A two-week Geological Engineering field school is held in the spring immediately following final exams. Students are expected to take this course at the end of their second year. This course requires teams of students to design and carry out geological and engineering site investigations related to specific geological engineering problems. Core field courses in fourth year deal either with engineering and design issues related to geo-environmental, geotechnical and resource management issues within the mineral industry, or with engineering site investigation design using applied geophysics.
The cost of field trips and courses, including transportation, accommodation and food (when it is supplied), will be borne by the student. A list of the field education costs for each course is provided on the departmental web page (http://www.queensu.ca/geol/undergrad/field-trips).
These costs are subject to change, and will be finalized by June 1 each year for the following academic year. These costs will be payable by the due dates listed in the table. Subsidies will be provided by the Department when funding permits.
Students may incur additional field trip costs for courses they elect to take as a part of their degree. Students should consult with course instructors regarding these costs before registering in courses with a field trip component.
Courses
NOT OFFERED 2024-2025
(Lec: 3, Lab: 0, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the physical properties of the various objects in the Solar System.
- Synthesize theories and observations related to course material.
- Integrate theoretical and observational information to explain the origin and evolution of various objects in the Solar System.
- Apply knowledge of the Solar System’s dynamic processes to develop a group space exploration project (poster presentation).
- Develop writing and communication skills and project development related to planetary science and space exploration.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 0.5, Tut: )
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate an understanding of geological time, recall specific details of the timescale, and recognize the relationships between biological evolution and environment through geologic timeDemonstrate proficiency in geological and paleontological terminology.
- Identify, describe and classify fossil specimens using basic principles of taxonomy.
- Apply knowledge to solve simple geological and paleontological problems.
- Recall significant taxa based on visual recognition and recognize their geologic importance.
- Identify and classify organisms through recognizable characters and assess degree of similarity. Synthesize observations into a biologically sound cladogram.
- Demonstrate the ability to interpret a geological/ paleontological dataset and alter interpretations given new paleontological information.
- Synthesize information learned into global scale cause-effect relationships.
- Assess, criticize, and reflect on the evolution of knowledge in the field of paleontology and how it has influenced interpretations.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 2, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate that they can plan and conduct field investigations in a safe, ethical, socially and environmentally responsible manner with scientific and academic integrity.
- Demonstrate facility with basic field and lab techniques for reliable and meaningful measuring and characterizing of key geological and geological engineering parameters.
- Categorize and compare the rocks in an area and be able to explain the variability of the characteristics of components in a natural system.
- Demonstrate proficiency with basic principles of historical geology which they will be able to use to logically determine the sequence of geological events in an area.
- Apply knowledge to solve geological and geological engineering problems with an incomplete or sparse data set in three dimensions.
- Demonstrate spatial and temporal reasoning on all scales in real time during field work and during analysis of field data.
- Select, analyze, synthesize, discuss (oral) and professionally report (written, visual) on geological data as presented on maps and cross-sections.
- In groups and individually, critically evaluate geological data and related information from a variety of sources on specific topics in field geology, and report the results in a variety of formats.
- Collect and Interpret data obtained while on the field trips, and design and submit a written report with maps and recommendations on a site-specific engineering problem.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 1.5, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Categorize and compare symmetry and crystal forms exhibited by crystals.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how the atomic structure of minerals controls their chemical and physical properties.
- Classify and name minerals by their atomic structure, chemical composition and occurrence in nature.
- Understand the components and function of a petrographic microscope.
- Produce consistently accurate measurements/observations/calculations/descriptions of minerals using a petrographic microscope.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 1, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Identify and describe igneous and metamorphic rocks and their structures in the hand samples and in microscopic thin section investigation.
- Demonstrate (orally and in writing) the processes of formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks.
- Implement the relations between magmatism/ volcanism/ metamorphism and plate tectonics.
- Classify igneous and metamorphic rocks properly in hand specimen and thin section.
- Identify and compare specific igneous and metamorphic processes involved in the formation of the rock examined through careful analysis of its mineralogical composition and texture.
- Understand and summarize the evolution of the crust and mantle.
- Produce microscope observations in a laboratory and reduce the data obtained to interpret the formation of rocks.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 1, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Describe and classify the major types of sedimentary rocks and interpret sedimentary processes based their composition and sedimentary structures.
- Explain basic principles of stratigraphy and how these principles are applied for interpreting the sedimentary rock record.
- Identify the depositional environment in which various sedimentary deposits formed and differentiate between the deposits of different environments.
- Demonstrate understanding of the large-scale controls on the organization of sedimentary successions.
- Plot, interpret, and synthesize real-world sedimentary data to make inferences on process and environment of deposition.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 0, Tut: 0.5)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate facility with basic mathematics, including elementary algebra and introductory calculus.
- Demonstrate proficiency in using basic principles and equations of physics, including elements of solid and fluid mechanics.
- Understand the linkage between geological observables and mathematical models with regard to geological models and situations.
- Apply knowledge to solve geological and geophysical problems.
- Synthesize geophysical and geological knowledge and methods to constrain and solve geological problems with incomplete information.
- In groups, critically evaluate available information in order to assess the utility of geophysical data to geoscience problems.
- Understand foundation concepts in the geophysical characterization of the Earth in their historical and scientific context.
- Understand the implications of seismic hazards for human wellbeing.
- Apply basic programming to solve geological and geophysical problems.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 0.75, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Recognize the terminology related to mineral types, the processes of ore formation, and ore deposits.
- Identify common rocks and minerals.
- Explain the analytical tools in mineralogy that are used to evaluate ore deposits.
- Indicate the properties that have geometallurgical and environmental implications.
- Describe geological structures, regional stress and regional seismicity and implement basic concepts of rock mass characterization.
- Identify field data collection methods including outcrop mapping and logging, core drilling and logging.
- Classify the major styles and formation processes of ore deposits and the associated minerals and metals of each type.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 0, Tut: 1)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate understanding of fundamental concepts in groundwater, soil and rock mechanics as well as an awareness of elements of geophysics and resource engineering.
- Distinguish between geomaterials based on engineering properties and expected behavior rather than or in addition to geological designations.
- Formally Categorize and Classify engineering geomaterials based on expected behaviour.
- Solve basic analytical problems in geological engineering.
- Create engineering tools for rapid and repeatable assessment of design problems.
- Devise or Reconfigure an engineering model for a new and complex situation and proceed to Analyze and Solve the model.
- Form an educated viewpoint and Communicate effectively about scientific, engineering and societal issues.
COURSE DELETED 2021-2022
(Lec: 2, Lab: 1.5, Tut: 0)
K4(Lec: Yes, Lab: Yes, Tut: Yes)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate knowledge of and facility with basic field and advanced field mapping skills, orienteering skills and field data collection including geological, geomechanical, geophysical and hydrological data.
- Demonstrate proficiency in accurate structural measurement, thin section rock analysis, geophysical interpretation, geotechnical characterization, mapping protocols.
- Identify, Differentiate and Compare rock types in the field with complications due to weathering, deformation and ground cover.
- Interpret and Defend a model for complex geology in 4D based on field data.
- Apply knowledge to solve geotechnical, geoenvironmental, resource and hydrogeological Design problems.
- Synthesize all findings into a geological history and engineering roadmap for future engineering Design, development and/or remediation.
- Plan, Design, Evaluate and Implement, Optimize (Revise-Design) an evolving site investigation program in the field.
- Justify, Defend a written Report on the geological model at different scales and on resource and engineering implications.
(Lec: 0, Lab: 1.5, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Describe sedimentary rocks using the appropriate classification schemes and terminology.
- Identify fossils and use them to interpret limiting factors in the depositional environment.
- Interpret depositional environments using stratigraphic, sedimentologic, and paleontologic evidence that you observed.
- Apply graphic logging techniques to document stratigraphic successions and utilize those logs to reconstruct the evolution of depositional environments through time.
- Through writing, describing, sketching, naming, illustrating, and more, transfer real-world outcrop data into a field book in a manner that allows it to be clearly and effectively revisited and understood later.
- Synthesize these real-world observations into a holistic understanding of the tectonic and sedimentary evolution of eastern North America during the Ordovician and Devonian.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 1, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate understanding of key concepts in rock mechanics and engineering.
- Classify engineering materials for rock engineering problems.
- Analyze site investigation and test data to obtain representative rockmass parameters.
- Define practical and valid ranges of parameters for rock engineering applications.
- Create representative rock engineering models for analysis.
- Solve the physics and mathematics involved in rock engineering problems.
- Interpret rock engineering modelling and analysis in a meaningful fashion.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 1, Tut: 0.5)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Implement geophysical methods to solve geoscience and geological engineering problems.
- Evaluate the advantages and limitations of geophysical methods.
- Process and analyze geophysical data for geological subsurface models.
- Employ synergistic approaches by combining geophysical with other geoscience methods.
- Design geophysical experiments considering advantages, limitations and site conditions.
- Perform geological site investigation and justify the methods used.
(Lec: 2.75, Lab: 1.3, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate an ability to identify, describe and document significant geologic features that relate to solving structural geology problems.
- Demonstrate an understanding of specific geologic features that display strain and apply appropriate techniques to measure that strain.
- Interpret the strain history preserved in rocks to draw conclusions about the stress history (or deformation history) that caused that strain.
- Categorize and compare the strain response of different rock types at different environmental conditions and thus become familiar with the concept of rheology.
- Become familiar with the use of the Mohr Circle as a tool to graphically measure, calculate and evaluate stress states in rocks.
- Demonstrate an ability to use fundamental mapping and graphical techniques to interpret subsurface geologic structures and extrapolate geologic interpretations into areas of little to no geologic data.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 1, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate facility with applying basic mathematical methods to terrain problems including problem recognition, calculation, and assessment of validity of results.
- Demonstrate knowledge of geological elements of the landscape.
- Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts of computing, GIS, photography, and remote sensing.
- Demonstrate the ability to use air photos, GIS software, and Internet tools to assess geological and geographic site conditions.
- Understand the linkage between geological observables and mathematical models with regards to geological models and situations.
- Apply knowledge to solve geological and problems.
- Synthesize remote sensing and geological knowledge and methods to constrain and solve geological problems with incomplete information.
- Critically evaluate available information in the light of contradictory indications.
- Understand the significance of new technical innovations (in computer science and sensor technology) to adapting existing and proposing new methods of site investigation.
- Critically evaluate claims made for new technology and for field studies in the light of reasonable limits to tools and methods.
- Synthesize results into well structured and concise reports that match real-world expectations.
(Lec: 2.75, Lab: 1, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate knowledge of principles of paleontology, with emphasis on taphonomy, paleoecology, functional morphology, and evolution.
- Identify and classify invertebrate fossils and to determine their ecology using standard reference works.
- Integrate field observations, laboratory identification, and online database research to assess the global ecologic and biogeographic significance of Kingston-area fossils.
(Lec: 0, Lab: 0, Tut: 3)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- CLOs coming soon; please refer to your course syllabus in the meantime.
(Lec: 0, Lab: 0, Tut: 3)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- CLOs coming soon; please refer to your course syllabus in the meantime.
(Lec: 2.5, Lab: 0, Tut: 1)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Identify key physicochemical factors and corresponding hydrogeological parameters controlling groundwater occurrence, flow, and contamination.
- Translate a real-world hydrogeological situation into a conceptual model and then boundary value problem.
- Categorize and solve basic equations for groundwater flow and contaminant transport; be able to explain the variables, ranges, and limitations of these equations.
- Characterize hydrogeological systems quantitatively by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting field and laboratory data.
- Assess groundwater sustainability and principal controls on regional water management; conceptualize engineering pathways for optimization.
- Critically evaluate expert information on groundwater management and remediation, develop alternative engineering solutions, and disseminate and produce reports on groundwater engineering problems.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 1, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the phased approach to site investigation, and design of Phase 1 and Phase 2 study.
- Select, synthesize, critically evaluate the literature and report on, orally and in writing, an area of interest in Geological Engineering producing a literature review.
- Reflect on the process of conducing and preparing a literature review.
- Create and report on a plan, including a statement of work and timelines, that demonstrates an effective use of resources for undertaking the project.
- Create a design for finding, operating, or repurposing a major infrastructure/resource facility.
- Report, orally and in writing, the design above.
(Lec: 1.5, Lab: 1.5, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Acquire skills in high-performance computing and machine learning.
- Collect, process, and interpret data from anthropogenic and natural music, sound, noise, and vibration.
- Identify complex problems in science and engineering and solve them using cutting-edge computational technology and artificial intelligence.
- Demonstrate awareness of the environmental impact of anthropogenic sound.
- Apply computational knowledge and skills to simulate and investigate complex human-environment interactions.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 0.5, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Program certain numerical methods proficiently in MATLAB.
- Apply general numerical methods to solve complex, geological engineering and science computational problems.
- Demonstrate knowledge of data collection process, data errors and data input/output for numerical analysis.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of different numerical algorithms for a given engineering/science calculation.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 1.5, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate ability to recognize the major macroscopic characteristics of various types of mineral deposits by describing the samples mineralogy, structures, textures and integrating and interpreting data.
- Demonstrate proficiency in using principles of igneous and metamorphic petrology, sedimentology, fluid-rock interaction, structural geology and geochemistry to interpret the formation of mineral deposits.
- Categorize and compare the tectonics, structural, mineralogical, textural, geochemical attributes of various types of mineral deposits in order to recognize the similarities and differences, and explain the processes by which they formed.
- Categorize, compare and analyze the tectonics, structural, mineralogical, textural, geochemical and geophysical attributes of various types of mineral deposits in order to recognize the tools that can be applied to design exploration programs.
- Categorize, compare and analyze the mineralogical, textural, and geochemical attributes of various types of ore and host rocks in order to evaluate the constrains and strategies to design possible methods for extraction.
- Demonstrate ability to apply knowledge to calculate ore grade for the various types of mineral deposits in order to critically evaluate problems related to ore estimation.
- Produce consistently accurate measurements of mineral proportions/observations of minerals, structures and textural relationships /calculations in the lab and, reduce and interpret the data obtained to create a conceptualization of a mineral deposits system and its application to mineral exploration, processing and environmental engineering issues.
- Critically evaluate information from their own observations in the laboratory and from a variety of refereed scientific articles on petrology, mineral deposit and mineral exploration, engineering and report the data and design strategies for specific problems at the end of each laboratory section (in groups) and through exams (individual).
- Select, synthesize, report on and discuss the mineral deposits attributes (including lab observations) and integrate with knowledge from the literature and lectures to design sustainable solutions to specific problems related to their mineral exploration and engineering issues related to exploitation, ore processing and environment impacts.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 1, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate facility with lab techniques for measuring key geochemical parameters.
- Demonstrate proficiency in using basic principles and equations of geochemistry.
- Apply knowledge to solve geochemical problems.
- Discuss and Report on the results of the lab activities.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 1.5, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Identify and classify carbonate sedimentary rocks in hand specimen, drill core, and thin section.
- Apply the lithofacies concept to carbonate sedimentary rocks to interpret paleoenvironments of deposition.
- Understand and apply the relationship between relative sea level change and carbonate production to interpret lithofacies stacking patterns through time.
- Interpret the paragenesis of carbonate sedimentary rocks in thin section to evaluate reservoir potential.
(Lec: 0, Lab: 1.5, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- CLOs coming soon; please refer to your course syllabus in the meantime.
NOT OFFERED 2024-2025
K4(Lec: Yes, Lab: Yes, Tut: Yes)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the mining cycle, including key roles and responsibilities of professional engineersTechnical focus on exploration, extraction, processing and remediation.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the legislative environment for mining and closure planning.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the site investigation process.
- Understand the responsibility of Professional Engineers to clearly communicate technical issues, quandaries, and solutions to a range of stakeholders including the public.
- Understand the role of published literature and reports in developing a perspective on key issues at problem sites Develop skills at locating and critically evaluating such literature.
- Apply the site investigation framework to a range of site problems including rock, water, and soil within the context of the mining cycle.
- Synthesize (in a teamwork setting) geological and engineering concepts and design approaches in order to optimize design solutions to long-standing problems.
- Innovate novel solutions beyond current site practices and understand the challenges of implementing such solutions in complex and heavily regulated environments.
- Communicate clearly on a range of issuesThe development of reports ensures that students can establish context and credibility during communication with senior professionals guiding site visits.
(Lec: 2, Lab: 1.5, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate understanding of key concepts in rock mechanics and engineering.
- Classify engineering materials for rock engineering problems.
- Analyze site investigation data to obtain representative rockmass parameters.
- Define practical and valid ranges of parameters for rock engineering applications.
- Create representative rock engineering models for analysis.
- Solve the physics and mathematics involved in rock engineering problems.
- Interpret rock engineering modelling and analysis in a meaningful fashion.
- Critique the validity of models and results and Suggest/Make Revisions if necessary.
- Design complex rock engineering systems by synthesizing analyses.
- Justify and Defend analysis and design in the face of uncertainty.
NOT OFFERED 2024-2025
K3.5(Lec: Yes, Lab: No, Tut: Yes)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Analyze global and Canadian energy and hydrocarbon supply and demand within the business and geopolitical context of the industry, current business issues, including taxes and incentives, environmental regulations and policy—including water use and CO2 emissions.
- Examine, distinguish, and relate the six elements of a working hydrocarbon (HC) system , and recognize the geological controls of each element.
- Analyse how these geological controls underpin the techniques used for HC exploration and reservoir characterization.
- Apply Chemical Engineering principles to design appropriate equipment and facilities for the drilling, completion and production of oil and gas wells.
- Assess the role of horizontal well drilling technology along with both the development of multi-stage hydraulic fracturing and SAGD, and the impact on the production of hydrocarbons in North America. Critique the environmental impacts of these technologies.
- Appraise the different methods for how heavy oil and bitumen are produced, processed and transported along with the environmental issues involved.
- Assess how to optimize regional refinery and gas plant flow plans through an understanding of supply chain systems including pipelines, rail, trucking and ocean tankers in respect to both crude oil, products, natural gas and LNG.
- Recognize the different technical roles in the oil and gas industry and describe the main functions of various careers in relation to exploration, production, processing or business processes through weekly guest lectures.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 1.5, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- CLOs coming soon; please refer to your course syllabus in the meantime.
NOT OFFERED 2024-2025
K4(Lec: Yes, Lab: Yes, Tut: Yes)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Survey Execution: Collect data using appropriate and varied instrumentation
- Survey Design: Make decisions on which techniques to use and on how surveys should be setup
- Data Processing & Interpretation: Draw meaningful conclusions from field data
- Communication: Effectively document work completed and results
K3(Lec: Yes, Lab: Yes, Tut: Yes)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- CLOs coming soon; please refer to your course syllabus in the meantime.
K3(Lec: No, Lab: No, Tut: Yes)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- CLOs coming soon; please refer to your course syllabus in the meantime.
(Lec: 2, Lab: 2, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- CLOs coming soon; please refer to your course syllabus in the meantime.
K4(Lec: Yes, Lab: Yes, Tut: Yes)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Identify and refine the design problem (question) to be solved, including the components and scope of the problem.
- Using defensible criteria and sources, critically review, synthesize, and report on the information, methods, tools, and technical regulations and procedures relevant to the problem and its components.
- Create and regularly report updates on a plan, including a statement of work and timelines, that demonstrates an effective use of resources for undertaking the design project.
- Identify, where possible, potential opportunities and threats to the completion of the project, and how they might be leveraged or mitigated.
- Identify constraints including: health and safety risks, applicable standards or regulations, economic, environmental, cultural, societal and ethical considerations.
- Demonstrate appropriate iterative design process involving disciplinary knowledge, creativity, analysis, and tools, as well as sound rationale for decision-making.
- Report, both orally and in writing, the design solution and alternatives where applicable, including limitations, and the process by which the design was createdWritten and oral, and graphical communications are concise, precise, and clear.
K5.5(Lec: Yes, Lab: Yes, Tut: Yes)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Create and regularly report updates on a plan, including a statement of work and timelines, that demonstrates an effective use of resources for undertaking the design project.
- Develop detailed specifications and metrics including performance requirements.
- Identify constraints including: health and safety risks, applicable standards or regulations, economic, environmental, cultural, societal and ethical considerations.
- Create, and/or use and assess the results of: calculations, models, simulations, analysis, and/or prototypes with complexity and focus appropriate to the scope of the design problem.
- Demonstrate appropriate iterative design process involving disciplinary knowledge, creativity, analysis, and tools, as well as sound rationale for decision-making.
- Report, both orally and in writing, the design solution and alternatives where applicable, including limitations, and the process by which the design was createdWritten and oral, and graphical communications are concise, precise, and clear.
- Demonstrate, on an ongoing basis, the ability to assess own knowledge in relation to the design problem, to identify gaps/need, and undertake new learning to meet these gaps/needs.
- Demonstrate professional behavior including acknowledging the work of others, effective team work, ethics, social responsibility.
NOT OFFERED 2024-2025
(Lec: 2, Lab: 1, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- CLOs coming soon; please refer to your course syllabus in the meantime.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 1.5, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- CLOs coming soon; please refer to your course syllabus in the meantime.
(Lec: 2, Lab: 1.5, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate facility with applying basic computational and mathematical methods to terrain and bedrock mapping problems including problem recognition, calculation, and assessment of the validity of results.
- Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental aspects of computer technology, computer science, and information science.
- Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts of GIS, spatial analysis, and spatial statistics.
- Demonstrate the ability to use GIS tools and related spatial analysis methods to analyze realistic geological situations.
- Understand the linkage between geological observables and mathematical models with regards to geological models and situations.
- Apply tools and methods to poorly specified problems (i.e. problem - tool relationship recognition).
- Synthesize disparate methods and foundation knowledges to understand new and forthcoming technology.
- Communicate clearly with a fusion of 2d, 3d and textual information.
- Understand the significance of new technical innovations (in computer science and cartographic technology) to adapting existing and proposing new methods of site investigation.
- Critically evaluate claims made for new technology and for field studies in the light of reasonable limits to tools and methods.
(Lec: 1, Lab: , Tut: 0.5)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Explain the key concepts in computer graphics, including animation, relevant to creating natural sciences visualization products, in technical summaries in hands-on project work.
- Identify the key concepts and methods in human-centred research relevant to effective communication using visualizations and educational games with reference to literature and best practices.
- Identify the key concepts in computer game design relevant to interactive visualization using next generation tools, including those that incorporate augmented and virtual reality, and apply these to hands-on projects and in supporting reports.
- Identify and evaluate the state of practice in the application of 3d modeling and animation techiques in the geosciences, including those used in the mining, petroleum, environmental, and climate change sectors. Explain how new methods might be applied to increase decision support effectiveness.
- Interact in seminars based on key literature papers; make connections between ideas in cognitive science, computer graphics, game design, and the geosciences.
- Apply new techniques and methods to practical problems with a high component of novel and exploratory design, using GIS, animation, terrain rendering, game design, mine modeling, and scientific visualization tools.
NOT OFFERED 2024-2025
(Lec: 3, Lab: 1, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- CLOs coming soon; please refer to your course syllabus in the meantime.
(Lec: 2.75, Lab: 1.8, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- CLOs coming soon; please refer to your course syllabus in the meantime.
(Lec: 2, Lab: 1.5, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Integrate knowledge of sedimentary structures, petrography, and facies architecture to comprehensively analyze clastic sedimentary systems.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how interactions between tectonics, climate, and sediment transport processes shape sedimentary architecture on various scales.
- Apply concepts of sequence stratigraphy and basin analysis to interpret depositional sequences and important stratigraphic surfaces.
- Synthesize peer-reviewed publications to gain a deeper understanding of the current state of scientific literature within the field of clastic sedimentology.
NOT OFFERED 2024-2025
(Lec: 2, Lab: 1.5, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- CLOs coming soon; please refer to your course syllabus in the meantime.
(Lec: 3, Lab: 0, Tut: 0)
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Identify the tectonic and sedimentary elements that compose the North American continent.
- Understand the history of events that shaped the North American continent through geologic time.
- Place this new understanding of the North American continent in the context of Earth system evolution.