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S.96-38

•

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

OFFICE OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT, ACADEMIC

MEMORANDUM

To:

Senate

From: ?

D. Gagan

Chair, Senate Committee on Academic

Planning

Subject: ?

Revised

M.Sc. Program in Earth Sciences

Date: ?

April 11, 1996

Action undertaken by the Senate Graduate Studies Committee and the Senate

Committee on Academic Planning gives rise to the following motion:

Motion:

"That Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors

as set forth in S.96 -

/ the proposed revised M.Sc. in Earth Sciences"

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

MEMORANDUM

To:

Alison Watt, Secretary

Senate

Committee on Academic

Planning

Subject: Proposed M.Sc. in Earth

Sciences

From: B.P. Clayman

Vice-President Research!

Dean of Graduate Studies

Date: March 26, 1996

* ************* ** ******** **************** ************* * *** ***

The

proposed Master of Science Program in Earth Sciences

was approved by the Senate Graduate Studies Committee, at its

Meeting on March 25, 1996, and is now being forwarded to the

Senate Committee on Academic Planning for approval.

I ?-:::

^Q

"

C 0 4 

a .

^ I ^ 

The following courses are part of the M.Sc. Earth Sciences

Introduction to Graduate Studies

Sedimentology

Stratigraphy

Groundwater Hydrology

Subsurface Techniques

Environmental Geoscience

Special Topics in Earth Sciences I

Special Topics in Earth Sciences II

Special Topics in Earth Sciences ffi

B.P. Clayman

Vice-President Research!

Dean of Graduate Studies

EASC 898

M.Sc. Thesis (Earth Science)

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

GS. 96.1O

DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDIES

Memorandum

TO:

B. P.

Senate Graduate Studies Committee

Chair, ACNGP

SUBJECT:

Proposal for

MSc in Earth Sciences DATE:

March 6, 1996

I am pleased to report that the Assessment Committee for New Graduate Programs (ACNGP) has

approved and recommends to the SGSC for approval the proposal for a

Master of Science in

Earth Sciences.

The first draft of the proposal was received on April 26,

1995.

Please place this proposal on the agenda of the next meeting of the SGSC. By copy of this

memorandum, I am inviting E. Hickin or his designate to attend this meeting as a representative of

the proposed program.

. ? THE EARTH SCIENCES PROGRAM (EASC)

Faculty of Science

THE GRADUATE PROGRAM

I GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Title of program:

Earth Sciences Graduate Program

Credential to be awarded to graduates:

Master of Science, M.Sc.

Faculty

unit to offer program:

Faculty of Science, Earth Sciences Program

Date of Senate approval:

The Graduate Program in Earth Sciences was approved by the

Senate and Board of Governors in October 1988.

Schedule of implementation:

The Earth Sciences Program was first funded by the

Academic Enhancement Fund and the Faculty of Science in 1993. Five faculty have

been appointed and an additional position authorized for 1995/6. It is planned to

admit the first graduate students in September, 1996 (as specified in the Calendar).

0 ?

II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND RELATED MATTERS

Objectives:

To provide research training and experience for earth scientists and to

meet the University commitment to the research programs of the Earth Science faculty

members.

2. In relation to the role and mission of the university:

The Earth Sciences graduate Program will

diversify the research and graduate educational experience offered in the Faculty of

Science and in the University and will significantly strengthen the Faculty's role in

environmental education on campus. Furthermore, it will allow the Earth Science

faculty members to mount their research programs.

In relation to programs at other institutions:

In the sense that the SFU Earth Sciences Graduate

Program is designed to attract students in the environmentaVQuatemary/"soft-rock"

areas, it most closely parallels the Environmental Sciences Program at the University

of Waterloo and contrasts sharply with the "hard-rock" and prospecting focus of most

other geology programs.

4. Complementarity and distinctiveness:

Since SFU has no other geology program, the EASC

graduate program is distinct from other graduate programs at SFU. It complements the

Physical Geography M.Sc. Program and may lead to some interaction of students and

sharing of resources if that is seen to be mutually beneficial.

Curriculum:

The Earth Sciences M.Sc. program conforms structurally to the other M.Sc.

programs offered by the Faculty of Science. It is based on a mentoring/apprenticeship

model in which the role of the Senior Supervisor and the thesis are central to the

degree. In addition, the completion of five graduate courses are required from the

Earth Science courses listed below or in certain circumstances from those in other

programs.

EASC courses:

EASC 600-0

Introduction to Graduate Studies (a mandatory non-credit course)

Groundwater Hydrology

EASC 614-3

Subsurface Techniques

Environmental Geoscience

EASC 701

­

Special Topics in Earth Sciences I

EASC 701-2

Special Topics in Earth Sciences II

EASC 70-3

Special Topics in Earth Sciences Ill

EASC 898

M.Sc. Thesis (Earth Science)

III NEED FOR THE PROGRAM

1. General:

As predicted in the 1988 program rationale, the demand in industry and

government for geoscientists broadly trained in environmental geology has grown

significantly to date. The demand for graduate-level environmental geoscientists

•

currently far outpaces the very limited supply. The Provincial Ministry of Forests, for

example, are unable to fill most of the regional environmental geology/geomorphology

positions required under the Forest Practices Code. Similarly, shortages of

geoscientists to undertake environmental geoscience in watershed restoration and

management in industry has pushed starting salaries to the Associate Professor range

during the last two years. These circumstances are recognized by the External

Reviewers and are confirmed by the Association of Professional Engineers and

Geoscientists of British Columbia (Dr Gerath's letter is appended).

2. Student demand: In this climate of strong interest in environmental geology there is a

strong and growing client interest in graduate degrees in this area. The Earth

Sciences faculty have received numerous enquiries from prospective students about

graduate studies and experience in the Physical Geography Program suggests that

the Earth Sciences M.Sc. Program will be in a position to be quite selective even at the

first student intake.

The Earth Sciences M.Sc. Program likely will not exceed 12-15 students in its first few

years of operation and likely will remain small in the intermediate term (-20 students).

Types of jobs:

The Earth Sciences M.Sc. will qualify its candidates immediately for

many supervisory/project director - type geoscience positions in government and

industry. Depending on their first degree background (geology, geological

engineering, environmental science, physical geography) graduates of the Earth

Sciences M.Sc. program will find management-training positions as engineers,

geologists, and professional geoscientists.

IV PRESENT AND PROJECTED RESOURCES

1. Administrative personnel:

Resources for the EASC M.Sc. Program have been committed

by The Dean of Science and the Academic Enhancement Fund. An EASC Program

Assistant and Laboratory Instructor have been appointed. A secretarial position will be

added when Program growth warrants the appointment.

2. Faculty: Five faculty are already hired and the search for a sixth currently is

underway. Three additional faculty will be appointed over the next several years.

Library resources:

Library resources are adequate in the main and deficiencies will be

met through committed money in the Program Operating Budget. ?

4. Capital costs:

Present needs have been met by the Dean of Science and future offices

and labs will be allocated as needed by the Faculty of Science.

Faculty research awards:

All faculty are established scientists and are NSERC supported

or have applied for the first time this year. Industry funding in kind has been very

generous (Pan Pacific has made a large gift of core samples for teaching and

research) and Geological Survey of Canada geoscientists are committed to

developing cooperative research projects with the new SFU EASC M.Sc. Program

(Three senior GSC research scientists are waiting on the Earth Science M.Sc.

Program implementation in order to formalize Adjunct status with the Program.

CALENDAR ENTRY

Earth Science Program

Location:

SSB 8103

Telephone: ?

291-4657

Director: ?

M.C.Roberts BSc (Lond), MA (Tor), PhD (Iowa), PGeo

Graduate Program Chair:

E.J. Hickin BA, PhD (Syd), PGeo

Faculty and Areas of Research

E.J.

Hickin

Fluvial geomorphology and sedimentology

J.A.

MacEachern

Ichnology, sedimentology, stratigraphy of clastic rocks

P.S.

Mustard

Cordilleran sedimentary basins

M.C.Roberts

Geomorphology, modem deltaic environments

D. J.

Thorkelson

Cordilleran tectonics

MSc Program

• The Earth Sciences Program offers an M.Sc. degree in Earth Sciences, with

emphases on earth surface processes and environmental geoscience, surficial

and Quaternary geology, and sedimentology.

Admission

For admission requirements, refer to the General Graduate Regulations.

Students should normally have a B.Sc. degree, or equivalent, in an honours

program with at least a good second-class standing (3.0 GPA) in the Earth

Sciences (for example: geology, geological engineering, geophysics,

geomorphology, soil science, or physical geography).

Degree Requirements

Course Work

All students in the program will be required to take EASC 600 (Introduction to

Graduate Studies) and a minimum of 12 semester hours composed of at least

four courses from the list below, or with the Graduate Chair's approval, from

. ?

Chemistry, Physics, Biological Sciences, and Natural Resources and

Environmental Management. Course selections will include no more than 3

credit hours from 700-numbered Earth Sciences courses. In addition a thesis is

required for the degree. The actual course selection will be a reflection of the

student's research interest and guidance from the Advisor.

Research

Graduates of this program will be required to conduct original research and

report their results in a thesis.

Introduction to Graduate Studies

Sedimentology

Stratigraphy

Groundwater Hydrology

Subsurface Techniques

Environmental Geoscience

EASC 70-1

Special Topics in Earth Sciences I

EASC 70Z-2

Special Topics in Earth Sciences II

EASC 703-3 ?

Special Topics in Earth Sciences III

EASC 898

M.Sc. Thesis (Earth Science)

• X-Sender: gobas@popserver.sfu.ca

X-Sender: gobas © popserver.sfu.ca

Mime-Version: 1.0

Date: Mon, 04 Mar 1996 08:19:55 -0800

To: hickin@sfu.ca

(Ted Hickin)

From: gobas@sfu.ca

Subject: Re: Earth Science graduate courses

Dear Ted

This is to confirm that there appears to be no significant overlap in the

course contents of the proposed Earth Sciences program with current courses

being offered in REM. The only REM course that has some overlap with the

proposed Earth Siences curriculum is MRM631 (Geomorphology). However, I do

not think that this overlap is significant. MRM631 is an applied course

focussing on streams and river morphology with a focus on site remediation.

If you wish to discuss in more detail, please let me know.

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS

of the Province of British Columbia

February 20, 1996

Simon Fraser University

Earth

Sciences Program

Burnaby, British Columbia

V5A 1S6

Attention: Dr. Michael Roberts, P.Geo.

Chair,

Earth

Sciences Program

Dear Dr. Roberts,

It has come to our attention that there may be some concern at Simon Fraser University over the

marketability of graduate students from your new Earth Sciences Program.

It may be important to note that the practices of geoscience and engineering in B.C. are legally

limited to members of our Association. Our academic training standards in geoscience are higher

than any other province in Canada, and most U.S. states. These standards reflect unique

geoscience challenges in British Columbia.

There is a very high demand for professional geoscientists with academic training or experience

in Quaternary geology, geomorphology, aerial photo interpretation, hydrology, environmental

geoscience, slope hazard work, and broad geology skills. Salaries are correspondingly high.

The demand is driven by legislation such as the B. C. Forest Practices Code, elements of the B. C.

Municipal Act, and growing unease over seismic risks in the lower mainland. Current need is

expressed by forest companies, consultants, and the Provincial Government. The demand has

never been as high as it is at present; it will extend well into the future.

Until May, 1994, I was a practicing (20-yr) professional geoscientist (geotechnics) with a major

geotechnical engineering company in Vancouver. Over 30 years ago, this company recognized

-1-

#200-4010 REGENT ST BURNABY BC CANADA V5C 6N2 TELEPHONE (604)

430-8035

FAX(604)430-8085 E-MAIL apeginfo@apeg.bc.ca

20 February 1996

Earth Sciences Graduate Program--SFU . .Continued

the importance of interactions between engineers and geoscientists. It and many other such

companies generally hire professional personnel at an M.Sc. level.

The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C. strongly encourages Simon

Fraser University to develop a graduate program in Earth Sciences. I can also give the

encouragement of our Joint Practices Board with the Association of B. C. Professional Foresters

and our Division of Engineers and Geoscientists in the Forest Industry.

I will be pleased to provide more information on these matters and am willing to address

members of the SF0 community in support of an Earth Sciences graduate program.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Assistant Director, Professional Practice

1etters\roberts.1kb

cToc

DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDIES

BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA

-4255

Geological Survey of Canada

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

Dear Dr. Neale,

As you may recall, there was a proposal, in 1986, to form a Department of Earth Sciences at

Simon Fraser University. At that time, you contributed to the external review of the proposal for a

Master of Science in Earth Sciences. The proposed program subsequently received Senate

approval, but was not implemented at that time.

Implementation has now become feasible, the proposal has been reactivated, and the Assessment

Committee for New Graduate Programs, which I chair, has been directed to obtain an external

review. I am accordingly writing to you to request your assistance in updating your original

review. I would be most grateful to receive, by the year-end or at your earliest convenience in the

new year, your evaluation with reference to the academic merit and

structural integrity of the

proposed program.

You will find attached a copy of the revised and updated program proposal, including new course

proposals and course outlines. I have also enclosed, to assist you in your evaluation, a copy of

your previous report, which has been considered by the current Assessment Committee. I have

also included, finally, at the request of Dr. Michael Roberts, draft of his letter to you presenting

the philosophy and guiding principles of the Earth Sciences program.

Please feel free to contact me if any clarification is required.

I greatly appreciate your willingness to assist us in the review of this proposal.

Yours truly,

QL H.

Phyllis M. Wrenn

Associate Dean of Graduate Studies

cc: E. Hickin

M. Roberts

C.H.W. Jones

EASC-RV3.DOC 7-Dec-95

EXTERNAL REVIEW FOR M.SC. IN EARTH SCIENCES

Dr. E. R. W. Neale?

Geological Survey of Canada?

3303 - 33rd Street N.W.?

Calgary, Alberta T2L 2A7

EXT-COV2.DOC 02105/96

fERWNEALE

5108 CARNEYRDNW

QOL

CALGARYALTA

I ?

T2LIG2

Dr.Phyllis Wrenn, 

?

-.--•--"96/Ol/O3 

Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, 

Simon Fraser University 

Dear Dr. Wrenn: 

This is in answer to your request to (again) review the 

proposal for a Master of Science program in Earth Sciences at 

S.F.U. My review has entailed reading all the documentation that 

you provided and also discussing the proposal with a 

knowledgeable colleague, Dr. Robert Vance of the Geological 

Survey of Canada. I find that most or all the criticisms that I 

made of the original program, in my letter of January 5, 1987, 

have been adequately addressed. I conclude that the MSc prgram, 

as presently proposed, is well-conceived, well-balanced and 

should fill an academic niche that is presently unoccupied in 

British Columbia. ? 

I am favourably impressed by the range of courses that will 

be available and also by the emphasis that will be placed on the 

thesis. Also, in these hard times, the promise of providing 

adequate library and laboratory facilities is reassuring. The 

proposed program does not appear to overlap with the largely 

marine-based environmental, work underway at University of 

Victoria or with the program in the TJBC Geography department. 

Your earth science MSc graduates should be welcomed by 

industrial and governmental employers throughout Canada. 

In the attached memorandum addressed to me,Bob Vance makes 

several good points that could help strengthen the program. One 

is the need to emphasize the multidisciplinary nature of 

environmental studies and to increase student awareness of the 

importance and the availability of training in other 

disciplines. My own view is that with people such Rolf Mathewes 

of Biology and David Huntley of Physics on hand, interactions 

will occur spontaneously. Also, the proposed adjuncts: John 

Clague, John Luternauer and Lionel Jackson are all renowned for 

their interdisciplinary interests. Still, Vance's point is valid 

that EASC 600-0, the mandatory non-credit course, could be made 

much more useful by eliminating much of the procedural 

instruction and, instead, introducing students to the 

opportunities for cooperation in SFU and external labs. 

Bob Vance is right in stating that global change should be a 

mandatory part of the curriculum. This is a criticism that 

deserves serious attention. His concern about the amount of 

course work was based on a misconception, namely that these were 

full year rather than term courses.I also had that concern but 

now it is cleared up, I realize that a good student could 

complete the degree in two academic years or less. 

Most important to the success of the program will be the new 

appointments. The three most recent seem to have solid 

backgrounds on paper but all are fairly junior in research and 

instructional experience. Might it be worthwhile seeking a more 

experienced person with an established reputation for the next 

opening? Could it be worthwhile seeking input from the 

designated adjuncts when choosin 

g

this person? 

In conclusion, I heartily endorse the proposal to implement 

this Earth Sciences graduate program at S.F.U. and I wish it the 

success it richly deserves. My best wishes to all involved 

Sincerely Yours, 

E . R.W.Neale 

• ?

Government Gouvernement ?

4 ?

of Canada du Canada ?

MEMORANDUM ?

Hazards and Environmental Geology Subdivision

GSC, Calgary

DEAN OF

GRADUATEI

Security Classifition -

Our File - Notre référence

Your File - Votre référence

Date

3 January 1996

Proposal: Earth Sciences M.Sc. Program at Simon Fraser University

As a Simon Fraser graduate I am especially pleased to see that the new Earth Sciences graduate program is

ready to begin this year. I feel that the program will make a great step toward addressing the growing new for

well rounded geoscientists capable of evaluating and formulating realistic solutions to environmental problems.

With few reservations, I find the proposed program to be well structured and feel that it should be successful

in attracting students. Graduates should have reasonable employment opportunities, and will be well qualified

to move on to doctoral studies. The program is well designed to capitalize on the expertise of the two long

standing members of the Simon Fraser faculty, and the three recent additions appear well qualified to

teacWL

their fields of expertise. I am particulary pleased to see that the program is research oriented and that a th

is required.

Earth and Environmental Sciences are extremely broad, multidisciplinary fields of study that, in my view,

present great challenges to post secondary educators. Programs must produce graduates that have a solid,

working understanding in their chosen speciality, but at the same time must be well versed in a variety of other

fields to successfully interact in the multidisciplinary environment that is increasingly required to tackle current

environmental issues. Addressing this balance is becoming more of a challenge, given the scope and complexity

of current environmental issues and declining university resources. This is a difficult tightrope on which to

manoeuvre, but I must admit that my main reservation about the Earth Sciences M.Sc. program as outlined is

that it may be too narrow in focus. For example, in the enclosed overview a need for broadly trained

geoscientists is identified as justification for launching the program, and is supported by an example of the

inability of the B.C. Ministry of Forests to fill regional environmental geology/geomorphology positions. A

graduate of the program outlined here would certainly be able to fill this need, but would surely benefit greatly

from some training in and exposure to, for example, forest ecology (specifically for background on disturbance

regimes), biogeography and paleoecology (the historical development of the coastal rainforest), since it is the

forest resources that are the important component of the complex earth system the graduates will be expected

to contribute toward managing, even if they are focused on other issues such as slope stability. I realize that

there is neither the time nor resources to train students in all disciplines, but I feel the program should make

a greater effort to increase student awareness of graduate programs in other departments at SFU, or even UBC,

that may better train them for the multidisciplinary field they will be entering as professionals. To this end, I

think the EASC 600-0 mandatory introduction to graduate studies course could be restructured to meet this n

by eliminating sections on graduate studies, the role of the Dean, sources of summer fieldwork support, the

'1101

tough

APE

GBC,

intellectual property rights, etc. (couldn't the students be supplied with resource packages to read

and discuss with their supervisors to meet these needs, rather than taking valuable instruction time?),

replacing these sections with time spent outlining course offerings in other departments or institutions (probably

best done by a series of guest lectures highlighting current environmental research), thereby broadening the

student's understanding of the discipline's scope and the options of study available. In that way, students would

still be positioned to capitalize on the expertise in sedimentology and geology available within their own

department, but at the same time be encouraged to look beyond this foundation to meet their own needs and

interests.

I find restriction of global warming to one section of an optional(?) course puzzling. The broader issue of

global change is at the heart of geological sciences, since geology is in essence the study of past global change,

and is at the forefront of many environmental and policy issues today. Moreover, global change will

significantly impact many of the areas of study highlighted in the current program (e.g. slope stability, floods

and floodplains, sea-level, groundwater, etc). In my view, the topic should be front and center in the overview

of environmental geology, perhaps best included in EASC 600-0, given the program's current structure. To

follow up, a 'special topics' course could be encouraged to allow meaningful development of the student's

interests, should they exceed the department's current expertise, with two 'core' courses in the realm of

sedimentology and geology remaining compulsory. In short, by solidifying and broadening the introductory

course and encouraging students to widen their scope of study I feel the program could become moreinnovative

and produce students with a wide-ranging understanding of environmental geology, at the same time consistently

turning out graduates with a solid grounding in 'hard science'.

e I am encouraging expansion of program boundaries and applauding the thesis requirement, I must admit

at the thesis in addition to four courses may look rather daunting to prospective students, particularly at a time

when M.Sc. bypasses to a Ph.D. are becoming more common. When I graduated from SFU in 1991, there were

rumours that the Dean of Graduate Studies was about to impose a two year limit for completion of a M.Sc. (and

four years for a Ph.D.). If such limitations have indeed been imposed, it may be expecting a great deal from

a student to complete course work, research a topic and produce a meaningful thesis in such a short time. Such

demands may actually discourage students from entering the program. Again, I can appreciate what a high wire

act it must be to develop a program that will produce high quality graduates in such an all encompassing field,

at the same time not appearing too demanding to prospective students. Given these concerns, I wonder if as

many as 15-20 students will consistently enroll in the proposed program.

In summary, I feel that the existing program is a timely addition to the SFU calendar and would produce

valuable graduates as it stands. With some fine tuning though, I feel the program could become truly innovative

and ultimately turn out graduates with a distinctive stamp of the M.Sc. Earth Sciences Program of Simon Fraser

University.

Yours sincerely,

ber, E. Vance

EXTERNAL REVIEW FOR M.SC. IN EARTH SCIENCES

Dr. Dirk Tempelman-Kluit ?

4697

West

4th ?

Vancouver,

B.0 V6R iRS

ECF-cOV2.DOC 02/05/96

•

t TUDt oic

Dr Phyllis M. Wrenn 

Associate Dean of Graduate Studies 

Simon Fraser University 

Burnaby, B.C. 

V5A 1S6 

Dear Dr. Wrenn 

This is in delayed response to yours of December 15. You 

asked me for my evaluation of the academic merit and 

structural integrity of the proposed MSc in Earth Sciences 

to be offered by your new Earth Sciences unit. I take this 

opportunity to congratulate the University on funding the 

new Earth Science Program; the decision recognizes our 

society's dependence on the Earth for life, sustenance and 

resources. It recognizes the important niche in 

Environmental geoscience that until now was unmet in 

western Canada. 

The undergraduate program is well underway. It has 

excellent leadership in Professor Roberts, has attracted 

three outstanding new faculty in Mustard, Thorkelsen and 

MacEachern and benefits from the reassignment of Professors 

Roberts and Hickin. The first two years of courses offered 

make sense and fit well in the context of an four year 

program focussed on environinetal geoscience. The strong 

link to the existing department of Geography at SF11 are 

further plus for the program. 

Let me turn to your specific request about the proposed 

graduate (MSc) program. As to the need for the program I 

continue to feel that this is strong and hitherto still 

unmet in western Canada. Formal training in Environmental 

Earth Science at the undergraduate and graduate level have 

not been available in western Canada. Environmental issues 

are as imporant as they are anywhere and the concern for 

matters environmental is arguably higher. The demand in 

industry for individuals with an environmental focus in 

earth Science continues. There are more jobs than well 

qualified applicants in this field; this is in marked 

contrast to traditional Earth Science. Increasingly these 

jobs require a graduate degree with a sound undergraduate 

grounding. The undergraduate program is a good start, but 

only that; augmenting it with an advanced degree will 

improve the offering and its attractivenes to students and 

employers. The advanced degree will not only increase the 

relevance of what SFU offers it will strengthen the 

undergrad program in a kind of symbiosis or positive 

feedback. 

Further on the academic merit and structural integrity 

question which you posed. I will comment on the planned 

. ?

philosophy and the people. The idea of grounding the MSc 

through a strong thesis requirement with a mentoring 

approach and a requirement for four graduate credit courses 

seems sound and I think will work well. 

It will be important to make sure that each thesis topic 

chosen is relevant to the department's mission and meets a 

real need in society. There is no shortage of topics and 

wise choices will ultimately reflect on the staff and on 

the department who will guide the decisions. 

Similarly it will be key to ensure good long term 

connections between each student and her/his supervisor as 

the

fundamental

offering of the program will be the 

apprenticeship. 

For the thesis topic decision and the 

student-teacher linkage the decision of which individuals 

you have hired or tranferred as faculty is paramount. I 

have 

known

Professors Roberts and Hickin for many years; 

they will provide thoughtful leadership and have a long 

record of working closely and well with graduate students. 

They will set excellent examples for the three new staff. 

Two of your three new staff (Mustard and Thorkelsen) I also 

know through having worked with them as graduate students 

or Post Doctoral Fellows during the last decade. They are 

wonderfully enthusiastic, energetic and respected 

•

?

professionals with productive track records and good 

communication and people skills. They will certainly be 

attractive mentors to prospective MSc candidates in your 

proposed program. I don't know MacEachern except by his CV 

which you sent me, but he looks equally impressive from 

this. 

The graduate course offerings list of 600 and 700 level 

courses is appropriate to the mission of the Environmental 

Earth Science unit. It certainly matches the qualifications 

of your new and transferred staff so that these offerings 

will be done justice. In time the offerings might be 

broadened to include other subjects. For example the 

distribution, movement and concentrations in the 

environment of organic and inorganic chemicals, both 

injurious and beneficial to human health are poorly studied 

and represent a largely untapped field of research. 

Understanding this 

huge field will become increasingly 

important to questions about agriculture and food growing, 

questions about water supply, for waste disposal decisions 

and for answers about healthful living environmnents for 

people. 

I continue to feel that familiarity and comfort with earth 

materials is the critical gift that must be imparted to 

• ? 

earth science students. Real opportunities exist among the 

proposed graduate course offerings to maximize this 

exposure. For example the Quaternary Geology course can 

take advantage of new construction excavations all over 

Greater Vancouver to give students this tool, to increase 

relevance of the courses to students, to build strong links 

with an important industry and to improve the understanding 

of the subsurface geology of this region. 

In summary I think there continues to be a strong need for 

the proposed MSc program, I like the philosophy as 

conceived that the degree should be rooted in a strong 

thesis with emphasis on apprenticeship, and I consider you 

have done well to attract and transfer outstanding 

individuals to guide and deliver it. I say "Go for it" in 

the words of the other university's motto "tuum est". 

Yours truly 

Dirk 

Tenipelman-Kluit 

EXTERNAL REVIEW FOR M.SC. IN EARTH SCIENCES

Dr. Hugh C. Morris

Padre Resources Corp. ?

5326 - 4A Avenua

Delta, B.0 V4M iRS

EXT-COV2.DOC 02/05/96

KADUATO

PADRE RESOURCES CORPORATION 

P.O. Box 1205, Station ? 

Delta, B.C., Canadaj—V4M 

Phone/Fax 604-943-5066 

January 4, 1996 

Dr. Phyllis M. Wrenn, 

Dean of Graduate Studies 

Simon Fraser University 

Burnaby, British Columbia 

V5A 1S6 

Dear Dr. Wrenn, 

Thank you for your letter of December 7 regarding the proposed Master 

of Science program at the newly constituted Department of Earth 

Sciences at Simon Fraser University. It is a pleasure to see that 

this initiative is now about to be fulfilled and I wish Simon Fraser 

every success 

its implementation. 

My comments on the material which you have sent to me in some ways 

repeat those made in 1987. 

this letter I have tried to re-assess 

remarks made in my past letters (Jan. 26, 1987 and Mar. 30, 1987) 

together with some observations on the proposed Masters Program in the 

context of the evolution of Earth Sciences in Canada over the past 9 

years. There are also a few specific thoughts I would like to offer 

based on my reading of the proposed graduate program and its course 

requirements. 

THE PROGRAM IN GENERAL 

As in 1987, I continue to support the principle that a Department of 

Earth Science is essential at Simon Fraser University. Now, as then, 

I believe it would be wise to maintain a practical focus on selected 

areas of the discipline and not try to spread too broadly. Today, 

perhaps even more than 

1987 a Master's Degree program is a most 

desirable component of the work of a successful Department. The 

current proposal aims at specialization in surficial and environmental 

geology. Now as before I believe this is a wise choice. 

The program which will be offered has good academic content and focus 

while still providing sufficient built-in flexibility to accommodate 

the needs of individual research initiatives. It will be important 

that the "Special Topics" courses be selected and given with proper 

relevance. This should be readily achieved from the proposed 

mix

of

faculty and adjuncts. ? 

1

.

It must be noted, however, that the environmental industry has 

discovered over the past half decade that it, too, is not immune from 

the employment contraction. 

Six

to ten years ago it appeared that 

environmental activity, and with it environmental geoscience, was 

virtually recession-proof. Today the market is quite mixed with 

environmental firms being forced to down-size in a number of areas due 

to the absence of work while at the same time in some regions, 

regulators have been actively stimulating the employment of trained 

professionals. The situation is further complicated by the nationwide 

current focus on restraint with its attendant pressure to reduce the 

staffs of government professional and scientific organizations. What 

this will likely lead to is a continued demand for post-graduates from 

a handful of schools which have the most appropriate and effective 

graduate programs. For Simon Fraser, I suspect this means simply that 

continued attention, flexibility and upgrading will be most important 

for the future prosperity of the program. 

In the recent Allocation Committee exercise undertaken by NSERC in 

1994, the dynamics of all disciplines were studied. The forecasts 

provided by Statistics Canada suggested that there would be 

continuing

but modest growth in employment in environmental areas. It can also 

be noted that the research funds allocated to this sub-committee of 

NSERC were trimmed more than the average. Clearly it will be 

important for the new graduate program at Simon Fraser to attend 

carefully to all the prospective sources of funding, including those 

• from less conventional sources than NSERC. 

These problems face all Earth Science Departments in Canada :and to 

that extent may provide Simon Fraser with as much of an opportunity as 

a difficulty. There is considerable financial pressure on many of the 

smaller universities in the East with a resulting de-emphasis of their 

environmental earth science programs. A well conceived Masters 

program at Simon Fraser should be at a distinct advantage. 

The nature of earth sciences and earth science research is under 

considerable debate in Canada at this time and has recently been 

reviewed comprehensively by the Canadian Geoscience Council. There is 

considerable support for a highly integrated, inter-disciplinary 

approach, - Earth Systems Science, as it is frequently described, 

wherein the boundaries between the traditional sub-disciplines are 

disappearing. To achieve this approach requires a much larger and 

more diversified department than that planned for Simon Fraser. It is 

not recommended that an attempt be made to pursue this philosophy, but 

it is noted here because a smaller specialized department may have 

profitable opportunities for "partnership" with research groups at 

other institutions in developing, implementing important research 

initiatives, and funding them. In addition, modern geoscience is 

increasingly dependent on expensive, complicated and specialized 

equipment which will doubtless be beyond the scope of the capital 

available to the department and program. Here again, the concept of 

partnership with other allied or related researchers may be of 

critical importance in the success of research projects. 

The

SOME 

content 

SPECIFIC 

of

COMMENTSthe 

course 

?

work for the Masters Program focuses heavily 

on physical and mechanical as well as chronological aspects. There is 

little reference to geochemistry. This is a concern since chemical 

aspects of environmental processes are of steadily increasing 

importance. 

Land use planning at all levels, from provincial to municipal, is 

rapidly becoming a major part of the "economic geology" of surficial 

and environmental earth science. The connection is perhaps implicit 

in some parts of the documentation. However, I suspect more advantage 

could be taken of explicit attention to this area and to the relevance 

of the proposed courses to the topic. 

The comments regarding library resources underscore the importance 

that this function has in any post-graduate activity. I suggest that 

the new department may benefit through a call soliciting donations of 

texts and/or past holdings of serial publications for addition to the 

expanded earth science section of the library. It is a little 

startling to see such prominent and relevant journals as "The Canadian 

Journal of Earth Sciences" and "Geology" omitted from the offered list 

of serials. The library may also wish to approach Canadian Geoscience 

Associations such as the Geological Association of Canada, the 

Mineralogical Association of Canada, and The 

Canadian

Society of 

Petroleum Geologists for donated copies of their high-inventory 

publications. 

CONCLUSIONS 

To sum up, I believe that present plans to implement an Earth Science 

department and Masters degree program at Simon Fraser University are 

timely, important and complementary. The proposal as presented is 

wise in its decision to retain substantial focus on surf icial and 

environmental geology, which are still under-represented in western 

Canada and particularly in British Columbia. The Masters program 

outline is sound and well-conceived 

and

the only amendment suggested 

would be an increased reference to chemical aspects of surf icial 

geology and hydrology. 

I hope that these remarks will be of some assistance to you in your 

further deliberations. Please do not hesitate to call me for any 

further clarification or comment. 

Yours sincerely, 

Hugh C. Morris 

President 

EXTERNAL REVIEW FOR M.SC IN EARTH SCIENCES

Dr. Robert Rogerson

Department of Geography

University of Lethbridge

Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4

ExT-c0v2.Doc 02105/96

:.

uA.p1 

- ?

______

DEPARTMENT OFEouKA

4401 University Drive

Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

T1K3M4

TEL: (403) 329-2225

FAX: (403) 329-2016

The

University of

Lethbridge

'tat ilil

26th January 1996 

Phyllis M. Wrenn 

Associate Dean of Graduate Studies 

Simon Fraser University 

Burnaby, British Columbia 

V5A 1S6 

Dear Ms. Wrenn, 

I have completed a careful review of the proposal for the offering 

of a Master of Science in Earth Sciences at your university. I 

would like to make the following comments: 

1. General 

I have no doubt that there is a need for a program of this type and 

that it will attract sufficient enrolment to develop into an 

established program very quickly. There appear to be good 

employment prospects in BC at present and positions must be filled 

with qualified personnel, but whether prospects 5 or 10 years from 

now remain a selling point for the program, no-one knows. The 

program appears to complement rather than compete with other 

graduate programs in the earth/ environmental sciences in British 

Columbia, indeed, there will be nothing quite like it anywhere in 

western Canada, unless the new department of Earth and Atmospheric 

Sciences at University of Alberta decides to move in a deliberate 

fashion in this direction: they have the personnel and facilities, 

but as far. as I know have not come together as they should to 

design a program like this. 

2.

The Program 

The form of programs is always subject to the vision and experience 

of the individuals concerned, as indeed it must be. I see the 

program as somewhat 'technical' in orientation with courses which 

for the most part incline towards sub-specialties. Yet there is no 

course which is concerned with 'geotechnique' as a whole: surely 

many of the technical methods for individual courses might be 

served by an appropriate geotechniques course which could act as a 

core. I see no course in Geomorphology as such, yet note that the 

two most experienced faculty are well-known in the field. Is it 

possible that the Earth Science students could do a graduate course 

in Geomorphology in the Geography Graduate program? Which makes me 

wonder why articulation or cross-listing seems to be absent from 

the material here.. Is it regarded as a bad thing at SFU? Other 

areas of contact, with Geography or other departments, might cover 

those areas which must loom as important to practising earth 

.

.

. ? -2- 

scientists in the coming decades. I see these as being: 

1.

Remote sensing image analysis: this is an important 

tool in forestry and many of the contexts within 

which environmental geology will be practised will 

require an understanding of the use and 

manipulation of such images. 

2.

Geographical Information Systems: particularly the 

use of analytical modeling techniques involving 

digital terrain models on which so many monitoring 

programs depend. 

3.

Environmental Philosophy: this is one of the most 

rapidly advancing areas of knowledge. It is 

important that newly graduated representatives of 

an environmental field are not ignorant of the 

major issues which are galvanizing society and 

industries in British Columbia, and that they learn 

the importance of seeing issues from a variety of 

different views. 

4.

Glaciology, Glacial and Mountain Geomorphology:. I 

know that these will be touched on in other 

. courses, but for my money they are sufficiently 

important in British Columbia that I would expect 

to see these topics appear more evident in the 

program. 

It is very likely that graduate courses in these areas already 

exist in Simon Fraser and I am simply wondering whether they could 

be accessed by Earth Science graduate students. 

It may seem that I now proceed to contradict myself by pointing out 

that I consider the required course load to be quite heavy, 

especially if the courses presented are tough, as I expect. 

Combining four credit courses with one compulsory non-credit course 

and the expectation that the Master's thesis reports on "original 

research" is quite demanding. It will fall within the capability of 

10 to 20% of your students to complete this in 24 months of full- 

time study, but I expect the majority will take significantly 

longer. This is entirely in accord with the Canadian average for 

Masters degrees with thesis. The latest report from the Canadian 

Association for Graduate Studies indicates that the average time 

for completion in the category 'Natural and Applied Sciences' is 

36.5 months, while my own calculations suggest it is more like 40 

months. We may throw up our hands at these statistics, in dismay, 

but we cannot ignore them. The Canadian Masters is a tough degree, 

and probably the toughest in the English-speaking world. So be it: 

.

?

?

it is also worthwhile and a significant qualification for those who 

?

graduate. Most of us would be loath to alter that. 

3. The Faculty 

?

-3-

?

Perhaps the strongest part of this proposal is the small team of 

excellent faculty that has been formed to be involved in teaching 

and supervision in this program. I have met only the two senior 

members of the group, Dr. Roberts and Dr. Hickin: they are both 

excellent established scholars who exemplify both individual 

scholarly excellence and recognized academic leadership. I would 

hope that their involvement in this program does not detract from 

their involvement in Geography: as a discipline we cannot afford to 

lose them. But I also recognize that like many academic leaders 

they are both inclined to seek new challenges and respond, as 

society requires us, to new opportunities. I imagine they have 

'hand picked' the new faculty members, and I hope that they prove 

to be as excellent as their resumés indicate. As a group they 

probably represent the strongest academic team of this size in 

Earth Sciences: certainly the strongest that I have ever seen: a 

kind of 'dream team'! If they work together as well as they have 

worked prior to arriving at Simon Fraser, you have an enviable 

group and I would forecast considerable success. 

You asked me to comment on the academic merit and structural 

integrity of the program. I believe the program will have 

considerable academic merit, since such usually derives from a 

combination of good faculty, good courses, good supervision, a good 

institution, relevance to the local community. All you need now are 

good students, and I 

cannot

doubt that you will attract them. 

As for structural integrity, well I an sure it is there, although 

my vision differs slightly from that on which this program is 

based. I would have inclined towards a core course in environmental 

philosophy, a core in geotechnique, then one and only one course 

(for a total of 3) where the first two are applied in a number of 

areas of earth science practise. There is no reason why you could 

not move towards this model if your experience of the model of 4 

credit courses in four discrete areas does not appear to work. Your 

model will be a good 

foundation,

and indeed may from some 

viewpoints be superior to mine. I accept that, and I do not mean my 

comments to detract from your program in any way, only to provide 

some food for thought or some basis for future discussion as your 

program evolves. 

I hope the program is approved and I hope it is as successful as it 

appears to me it should be. Please do not hesitate to contact me if 

you feel I could help you further or if you need further 

explanation

of my opinion. 

Yours sincerely, 

Rober J. 

Professor and Chair 

.0;.:.'

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

FEB 121996

OP ERADUM1

EARTH SCIENCES PROGRAM?

Memorandum

To: Phyllis Wrenn

Date:

12 February, 1996

Associate Dean, Graduate Studies

From:

Ted Hickin, Graduate Studies Chair

Subject:

Earth Science M.Sc. reviews

We are pleased to note that the four external reviewers of the academic merit and

structural integrity of the Earth Science graduate program unanimously and

enthusiastically support its implementation without change.

Our responses to the few suggestions for consideration contained within the review

letters follow:

From Dr E.R.W. Neale

• He suggests that EASC 600 might be more useful if it contained less material on

"procedural" matters and more on "opportunities for cooperation in SFU and external

labs": We agree that this course should fully explore all such local resources for

graduate students and fulfilling that role is among its intended functions. It is our

experience in the Physical Geography M.Sc. Program that new students find a

course like EASC 600 (with its concern for "procedural" matters) to be extremely

useful in rapidly developing candidate orientation and focus.

• We agree with the observation that "global change" is important; indeed, its

consideration is implicit in almost all aspects of geology (which is concerned with

behaviour of geological systems over all time and space scales). Nevertheless, our

graduate program is not designed for, nor would we admit, students interested in

modeling global climatic change, for example.

From Dr Dirk Tempelman-Kluit

We agree that the program could be further strengthened if "in time the offerings might

be broadened to include......for example, the distribution, movement, and concentration

in the environment of organic and inorganic chemicals....". It may be possible to

achieve this sooner rather than later when our next faculty appointment (in

hyd rogeology/envi ron mental geology) is completed in the next few weeks.

From Dr Hugh C. Morris

• Although the comment does not bear directly on the review mandate, we agree with

his suggestion that our faculty seek "partnerships" to enhance graduate research

and employment opportunities. In fact, this is part of our

modus operandi

and has

already resulted in new substantive links with industry and government.

• We also agree with his suggestions for strengthening our offerings in geochemistry

and environmental geochemistry and we propose to do so (see the response to Dr

Templeman-Kluit's review above) as the program grows. Meanwhile, of course, our

graduate students do have access to very relevant low-temperature geochemistry

expertise in the Departments of Geography (Lance Lesack in particular) and in

Chemistry.

• We do not agree that landuse planning should become the primary subject of new

graduate courses in Earth Sciences. These broader resource management issues

are beyond the scope of our graduate program by design and introducing them

would detract from what we believe to be the highly desirable physical research

focus of this particular M.Sc.. Such land use-oriented programs are available, of

course, elsewhere in the University (in Geography and REM, for example).

• We have no idea why The Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences and Geology are

missing from the serials list - SFU has subscribed to these journals for many years.

From Dr Robert J.Rogerson

• We concur that there is a technical orientation to the coursework program. It is

designed, in part, to produce graduates who are immediately attractive to employers

as working scientists rather than generalists in need of considerable technical-skills

training. Remember that we will be admitting only graduate students already broadly

trained in earth science.

• We do not believe that a general "Geotechnique" course is as useful as the present

model in which techniques appropriate to each graduate course are developed

within each offering. This opinion is based on prior experience in the Physical

Geography Program at SFU.

• We confirm that EASC graduate students will have access to geomorphology

(including glacial geomorphology) in graduate courses in the Physical Geography

Program as well as to remote sensing image analysis, and GIS, among others.

There is a strong tradition in the Physical Geography Program, which will be

emulated in the Earth Sciences Program, of encouraging graduate students to

complete appropriate courses in other Departments. Indeed, neither the

undergraduate program nor the graduate program in Earth Sciences at SFU could

function as effectively if it were not for these cross-Department arrangements.

Although this is a necessity dictated by finite resources, it also turns out to be one of

the great strengths of the SFU program because it minimizes course duplication

across the University while ensuring healthy cross-disciplinary thinking.

• We share Dr Rogerson's view that the Canadian M.Sc. research degree (as

opposed to a coursework degree) represents one of the most demanding credentials

offered by universities anywhere. We further agree that the four-course requirement

for the M.Sc. is heavy for a research degree and certainly we would prefer to see

this load reduced. Meanwhile, however, we are obliged to meet this University

requirement.

Copied to Dr Cohn Jones, Dean of Science

• ?

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

New Graduate Course Proposal Form

• CALENDAR INFORMATION:

Department: ?

Earth Sciences Program

Course Number:

EASC 600 - 0

Title:

Introduction to Graduate Studies

Description:

A required course designed to acquaint new graduate students with the

research strengths of the Program, research facilities in the university and its

vicinity. Procedures and policies relating to preparation, conduct and presentation of

thesis research will be discussed.

Credit Hours: 0

Vector: Seminar

Prerequisite: None

ENROLLMENT AND SCHEDULING:

Estimated

Enrollment:

When will

the course first be offered:

• This course provides a mechanism for introducing students to the research strengths

of the department, research facilities in the University and within the Faculty, and

for developing an esprit de corps among the graduate student body.

New Program

RESOURCES:

Which Faculty member will normally teach the course:

The Chairman of Graduate Studies

What are the budgetary implications of mounting the course:

None

Are there sufficient Library resources (append details):

Library materials are not critical in this course

Appended:

a) Outline of the Course

An indication of the competence of the Faculty member to give the course.

Library resources

Approved: Departmental Graduate Studies Committee:

Date:______________

Faculty Graduate Studies Committee:

Senate Graduate Studies CommitteeNc

Date:

Senate: ?

• ?

Date:________________

Simon Fraser University

EASC 600-0

Earth Sciences Program

Dr EJ Hickin

Fall Semester, 1996

Course Outline

INTRODUCTION TO GRADUATE STUDIES

Preamble

This course is a combination of seminars and occasional lectures by visiting speakers.

At the beginning of the semester there will a one day workshop dealing with such

topics as graduate regulations, the role of the senior supervisor, teaching

assistantships, the nature of thesis, and accessing the resources of local libraries.

Course Topics

Graduate studies at SFU: general regulations;

Dean of Graduate Studies office - function, funding sources;

Review of research projects in the Proram;

Sources of summer fieldwork support;

Defining a problem within the context of the thesis;

5. Technical writing;

Practicing as a registered professional in BC; the role of the APEGBC;

Intellectual property rights and professional ethics;

Grading

Grading will

be on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis (S/U).

Senate Graduate Studies Committee:

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

New Graduate Course ProDosal Form

CALENDAR INFORMATION:

Department: ?

Earth Sciences Program ?

Course Number:

EASC 611 - 3

Title:

Sedimentology

Description:

Review of sediment transport, bedforms and sedimentary structures. Facies analysis

of selected clastic environments.

Undergraduate course in sedimentology

ENROLLMENT AND SCHEDULING:

Estimated Enrollment:

5 ?

When will the course first be offered: 1996-3

How often will the course be offered:

Every other year

JUSTIFICATION:

One of the major research and teaching thrusts of the program is the study of

sedimentary rocks; sedimentology deals with the physical and biological processes

involved in the formation of sedimentary rocks. This course is fundamental to the

analytical understanding and the field interpretation of sedimentary rocks. The

course fulfills an academic requirement for professional registration (APEGBC).

New Program

RESOURCES:

Which Faculty member will normally teach the course:

New faculty (Sept. 1995)

What are the budgetary implications of mounting the course:

$5,000 for laboratory equipment and materials; This money will come from the

departmental capital budget

Are there sufficient Library resources (append details):

Yes

Appended:

a) Outline of the Course

An indication of the competence of the Faculty member to give the course.

Library resources

Approved: Departmental Graduate Studies Committee:

fIb'

Faculty Graduate Studies

Senate: _Date:_________________

Simon Fraser University

EASC 611

Earth Sciences Program

New faculty

Fall Semester, 1996

Course Outline

Sedimentology

General

The course during this semester will involve a detailed examination of Coarse Clastic

Sedimentary Facies with a particular emphasis on deposits in high-energy alpine

environments (Coast Mountains, BC)

Textbook

Walker, R.G., 1984, Facies Models. (2nd Edit.), Geoscience Canada Reprint Series

No. 1. 317pp.

Course Topics

Coarse alluvial fan deposits

Case study I - Cheakamus Fan

Braided gravel-bed river facies

Case study II - Squamish River

Wandering gravel-bed river facies

Case study III - Lower Fraser River

Deposits of mass movement (rockfalls & debris flows)

Case study IV - Hope Slide & Wahleach Creek)

Grading

Research paper

50%

b. Seminar presentation 20%

Field project report ?

30%

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

• ?

New Graduate Course Proposal Form

CALENDAR INFORMATION:

Department: ?

Earth Sciences Program

Course Number:

EASC 612 3

Title: ?

Stratigraphy

Description:

Evaluation of sequence and genetic stratigraphies. Basin concepts. Problems of clastic

and non-clastic sedimentary deposition.

Credit Hours:

3 ?

Vector:2-0-2

Prerequisite(s) if any:

ENROLLMENT AND SCHEDULING:

Estimated

Enrollment:

When will

the course first be offered:

Stratigraphy is one of the fundamental areas of geology and this course will be an

essential component of many MSc student's programs. The course fulfills an

academic requirement for professional registration (APEGBC).

New Program

RESOURCES:

Which Faculty member will normally teach the course:

New faculty appointment (Sept

1995)

What are the budgetary implications of mounting the course.

None, it is a course reliant on library sources.

Are there sufficient Library resources (append details): Yes

Appended: ?

a) Outline of the Course

An indication of the competence of the Faculty member to give the course.

Library resources

Approved

Departmental Graduate Studies Committee:

Date:

Faculty Graduate Studies Committee: ?

Date:__________

Faculty:

Q S&

Senate Graduate Studies Committee

Date: 2

Senate:

Date:_________________

Simon Fraser University

EASC 612

Earth Sciences Program

New faculty

Fall Semester, 1996

Course Outline

STRATIGRAPHY

General

This course will be devoted to the examination of the development of sequence

stratigraphic concepts and their application to the interpretation of subsurface units.

The Van Wagoner text will be supplemented by papers from the sequence literature.

Textbook

Van Wagoner, J.C., et al., 1990. Siliclastic sequence stratigraphy in well logs, cores,

and outcrops. Amer. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists, Methods in Exploration Series, No.

7. Tulsa, Okla.

Course Topics

1. The contribution of Sloss and Vail

2. The scope of the contribution of the Esso Research Group to eustatic ideas.

3. Parasequence - definition

4. Sequence stratigraphy and the heirarchy of strata[ units

5. Parasequence sets

5. Vertical & lateral fades relationships in parasequence sets

6. Application of sequence stratigraphy to oil plays and Quaternary settings

Grading

a. Research paper

70%

Seminar presentation 20%

Field project report ?

10%

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

•

New Graduate Course Proposal Form

CALENDAR INFORMATION:

Department: ?

Earth Sciences Program ?

Course Number: EASC 613 -

Title: Groundwater Hydrology

Description:

Groundwater flow in the saturated and non-saturated zones; application to regional

groundwater flow, groundwater recharge. Aquifer evaluation.

Credit Hours: ?

3 ?

Vector:2-0-2 ?

Prerequisite(s) if any:

Undergraduate course in groundwater hydrology.

Physics 

the course first be offered: ?

1997-3

How often will the course

For those students who will enter the field of Environmental Geology upon

completion of their MSc degree this course will the theoretical base of much of their

•

work. The course fulfills an academic requirement for professional registration

(APEGBC).

New program

RESOURCES:

Which Faculty member will normally teach the course: New

faculty appointment (96

What are the budgetary implications of mounting the course:

None

Are there sufficient Library resources (append details): Yes

Appended: ?

a) Outline of the Course

An indication of the competence of the Faculty member to give the course.

Library resources

Approved: Departmental Graduate Studies Committee:___

"-' ?

Date:/'S

Faculty Graduate Studies Committee:

Senate Graduate Studies Committee: ?

Simon Fraser University

Earth Sciences Program

GROUNDWATER HYDROLOGY

General

It is assumed that you taken an undergraduate course in hydrogeology. The main

objective of the course, during this semester, will be the modelling of flow nets and the

application of flow net models to groundwater. evaluation.

Course Topics

Flow in perfectly confined aquifers

Flow through semipervious strata - leaky aquifers

Hydrodynamical conditions within an aquifer

4. Modelling of flow nets

An evaluation of modelling software

5. Groundwater evaluation

Grading

Seminar presentation ?

1 7-^ 

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

New Graduate Course Proposal Form

CALENDAR INFORMATION:

Department:

Earth Sciences Program

Course Number:

EASC 614 3

Title: Subsurface

Techniques

Description:

Advanced topics in subsurface exploration methods. Methods of drilling; core

description and analysis; well logging.

Credit Hours:

Vector: 1-0-3 ?

Prerequisite(s) if any:

ENROLLMENT AND SCHEDULING:

Estimated

Enrollment:

When will

the course first be offered: 98-1

At one time subsurface analysis was only used in mineral exploration, but in the last

two decades the use of subsurface information is now the norm in the solution of

environmental geoscience problems. The course fulfills an academic requirement for

professional registration (APEGBC).

New program

RESOURCES:

Which Faculty member will normally teach the course:

M.C. Roberts

What are the budgetary implications of mounting the course:

$5,000

from the program's capital budget

Are there sufficient Library resources (append details):

Appended: ?

a) Outline of the Course

An indication of the competence of the Faculty member to give the course.

At41

Approved: Departmental Graduate Studies

Faculty Graduate Studies Co

. ?

Faculty:

Senate Graduate Studies Committee:

Senate: ?

Date:________________

Simon Fraser University

Earth Sciences Program

Spring Semester, 1997

Course Outline?

SUBSURFACE TECHNIQUES

EASC 614

DR M.C.Roberts

Preamble

This course is an introduction to the collection, analysis and interpretation of drill cores

and well logs. The course will include a series of field seminars on the operation of

drilling and logging equipment.

Course Topics

Drilling technologies: rotary

Core recovery and logging

Establishment of drilling targets

Well logging:

spontaneous potential & resistivity

gamma

Analysis of well logs

Field workshops

Grading

Log analysis reports ?

50%

Field project

50%

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSiTY

•

New Graduate Course Proposal Form

CALENDAR INFORMATION:

Department:

Earth Sciences Program ?

Course Number:

EASC 615 - 3

Title: Applied Geophysics

Description:

Instrumentation, application and limitations of electrical, seismic, radar and gravity

methods in the exploration for mineral resources and in engineering applications.

Credit Hours:

Vector: 1-0-3

Prerequisite(s) if any:

ENROLLMENT AND SCHEDULING:

Estimated Enrollment:

5 ?

When will the course first be offered: 1997-1

How often will the course be offered:

Every other year

JUSTIFICATION:

This course is designed for those students who specialize in the geophysical aspects

of environmental geoscience. The course fulfills an academic requirement for

professional registration (APEGB C).

New program

RESOURCES:

Which Faculty member will normally teach the course:

New faculty appointment

What are the budgetary implications of mounting the course:

$10,000 for equipment and software (some of this equipment will also be used in the

undergraduate geophysic' s course.

Are there sufficient Library resources (append details):

Appended: ?

a) Outline of the Course

An indication of the competence of the Faculty member to give the

course.

Library resources

Approved: Departmental Graduate Studies Committee: ?

Date:_______________

Faculty Graduate Studies Committee: ?

Senate Graduate Studies Committee:

k—tilf-l

Senate: ?

Date:_________________

EASC 615

New faculty

Simon Fraser University

Earth Sciences Program

Spring Semester, 1997

Course Outline

APPLIED GEOPHYSICS

General

An introduction to the principles and application of selected geophysical survey

methods.

Textbook

There is no textbook for this course; a reading list will distributed at the first

meeting.

Course Topics

Theory of refraction seismic surveying

Refraction seismic field survey

Theory of reflection seismic surveying

Reflection seismic field survey

Theory of ground penetrating radar

GPR field survey

Theory of resistivity surveying

Resistivity survey

Principles of downhole logging

Gamma logging - Fraser Delta

Grading

Field reports - 70%

Theory examination - 30%

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

•

New Graduate Course Proposal Form

CALENDAR INFORMATION:

Department: ?

Earth Sciences Program

Course Number:

EASC 616 - 3

Title: Fluvial Systems

Description:

Fluid mechanics of open-channel flow; physical sedimentology and sediment transport in

aqueous environments.

Credit Hours:

3 ?

Vector:2-0-2 ?

Prerequisite(s) if any:

Appropriate standing in Applied Mathematics and in 

ENROLLMENT AND SCHEDULING:

Physics 

Estimated Enrollment: ?

5 ?

When will the course first be offered:

97 - 1 

How often will the course be offered: Every year

JUSTIFICATION:

This course is an advanced treatment of fluvial depositional systems. The course

fulfills an academic requirement for professional registration (APEGBC).

New Program

RESOURCES:

Which Faculty member will normally teach the course:

E.J. Hickin

What are the budgetary implications of mounting the course:

None

Are there sufficient Library resources (append details):

Appended:

a) Outline of the Course

An indication of the competence of the Faculty member to give the course.

Library resources

Approved: Departmental Graduate Studies Committee:

Date:

fñ<

Faculty Graduate Studies Committee:

Senate Graduate Studies Committee:'_

Date: 26

Senate: _Date:________________

Simon Fraser University

EASC 616

Earth Sciences Program

General

Geography 726 is an advanced course in open-channel fluid mechanics and

sediment transport. The course is organized in three distinct parts:

Course Topics

Review of basic mechanics; dimensional analysis; laminar &

turbulent flow; Reynolds No., shear stress; flow resistance.

The energy equation.

The momentum-impulse equation.

Boundary layer theory & the derivation and application of the

universal velocity distributions over smooth & rough boundaries.

Sediment transport - initiation of particle movement

General sediment transport theory

Textbook

There is no textbook for this course; several sets of course

notes will be distributed in class.

Grades

Class assignments and seminars: 50%

Theory examination: 50%

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

•

New Graduate Course Proposal Form

CALENDAR INFORMATION:

Department: ?

Earth Sciences Program

Course Number:

EASC 617 - 3

Title: Quaternary Geology

Description:

Environments of deposition of glacial and proglacial deposits. Quaternar3

Prerequisite(s) if any:

ENROLLMENT AND SCHEDULING:

Estimated

Enrollment:

When will

the course first be offered:

A course exploring advanced issues in Quaternary geology. It will, incidentally, fulfil

an academic requirement for professional registration (APEGBC) in the province.

0

New Program.

RESOURCES:

Which Faculty member will normally teach the course: M.C. Roberts

What are the budgetary implications of mounting the course:

$2,000 - for maps and aerial photography - from the program's operating budget.

Are there sufficient Library resources (append details):

Appended: ?

a) Outline of the Course

An indication of the competence of the Faculty member to give the course.

Library resources

Approved: Departmental Graduate Studies Committee:

4^_

Date: ?

A A

Faculty Graduate Studies Committee:

SSenate Graduate Studies Committee

_i12.

Date:

Senate: _Date:________________

Simon Fraser University

Earth Sciences Program

Spring Semester, 1997

EASC 617

Dr M.C.Roberts

Course Outline

QUATERNARY GEOLOGY

This course will examine selected aspects of the stratigraphy, geomorphology

and surficial geology of the Quaternary. The regional emphasis of the course will be

on southwestern British Columbia and the adjacent parts of the U.S.

Two weekend fieldtrips are planned:

(a)

In early March, we will spend a weekend in the interior on a field mapping

exercise. The exact date will be announced later.

(b)

In March, we will take a three day fieldtrip to Channeled Scablands of central

Washington.

Required Text:

M. Hambrey, 1994, Glacial Environments, UBC Press.

Course Syllabus:

The Quaternary Period - an overview.

A review of glacial and periglacial geomorphology.

Stratigraphic concepts: stratigraphic procedures for surface outcrops and

subsurface cores; concepts unique to the Quaternary; terminology; the

application of the stratigraphic code; correlation; type sections.

Geochronological techniques applicable to the Quaternary.

Quaternary stratigraphy: the evolution of Quaternary stratigraphic concepts; the

classical regions - Alps and Midwest.

The Quaternary of BC emphasizing the record of southwestern British

Seminar presentations ?

40%

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

• ?

New Graduate Course Proposal Form

CALENDAR INFORMATION:

Department:

Earth Sciences Program

Course Number:

EASC 618 - 3

Title:

Structural ?

Geology

Description:

Studies of natural deformation of rock using advanced techniques.

ENROLLMENT AND SCHEDULING:

Estimated

Enrollment:

When will

the course first be offered:

For those students specializing in structural and

or stratigraphic topics an advancec

treatment of structure is an essential component of their graduate education. The

course fulfills an academic requirement for professional registration (APEGBC).

New program

RESOURCES:

Which Faculty member will normally teach the course: New faculty appointment (Sept. 1995)

What are the budgetary implications of mounting the course:

$500 per semester for field work costs • (from the program's operating budget)

Are there sufficient Library resources (append details):

Appended: ?

a) Outline of the Course

An indication of the competence of the Faculty member to give the course.

Library resources

Approved: Departmental Graduate Studies Committee:

Date:/

Faculty Graduate Studies Committee:

Li" ?

Senate Graduate Studies Committee:

C ?

Date-6

Senate:

Date:________________

Simon Fraser University

EASC 618

Earth Sciences Program ?

New faculty

Fall Semester, 1997

Course Outline

STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY

General

EASC 618 is an advanced course in the description and analysis of deformation of

geological materials. The course will focus on the analysis of stress strain relations

from geological evidence in hand samples, aerial photographs, geological maps and

field relationships.

Course Topics

Structural analysis: descriptive, kinematic and dynamic

Structures: contacts, primary structure, faults, joints, folds, lineations

Introduction to computer models of deformation

Case studies in selected Cordilleran terranes

Readings

A reading list of relevant research papers will be distributed in the first class

Course Grade

Senate Graduate Studies Co

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

• ?

New Graduate Course Proposal Form

CALENDAR INFORMATION:

Department:

Earth Sciences Program

EASC 619 -

Geoscience

An examination of the concepts, methods and techniques used in advanced case

studies of environmental geoscience problems.

Credit Hours: ?

3 ?

Vector:2-0-2

Prerequisite(s) if any:

ENROLLMENT AND SCHEDULING:

Estimated Enrollment:

When will

the course first be offered:

A course in applied geoscience that will assist those students who intend to enter

geoscience practice. The course fulfills an academic requirement for professional

registration (APEGBC).

New program

Which Faculty member will normally teach the course:

What are the budgetary implications of mounting the course

$2,000 for maps and aerial photographs for the case studies.

Are there sufficient Library resources (append details):

Appended: ?

a) Outline of the Course

An indication of the competence of the Faculty member to give the course.

Library resources

Approved

Departmental Graduate Studies Committee:

Date:_______________

Faculty Graduate Studies Committee:

I ?

Date:________________

Simon Fraser University

EASC 619

Earth Sciences Program

New faculty

Fall Semester, 1997

Course Outline

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCE

General

This course is designed to elaborate on the central role of geology in the

interdisciplinary field of environmental science. The course is based largely on the

examination of case studies of environmental problems in British Columbia in which

geology plays a large part in the problem and in the geotechnical solutions.

Course Topics

Geologic hazards - earthquakes & tsunamis

- slope failures

- volcanoes

- floods and floodplains

- global warming and sea-level change

Risk assessment

Geology and land-use planning

Selected case studies:

Grading

Term paper-40%

Seminar presentation - 20%

Project analysis - 40%

Lions Bay debris flow hazards

The Barrier and planning response

Urban slope failure problems

Point Grey coastal erosion & engineering response

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

New Graduate Course Proposal Form

CALENDAR INFORMATION:

Department: ?

Earth Sciences Program

Course Number:

EASC 701 - 1

Title: Special Topics in Earth Sciences I

Description:

Credit Hours:

Vector: 1-0-0

Prerequisite(s) if any:

ENROLLMENT AND SCHEDULING:

Estimated Enrollment:

When will the course first be offered:

How often will the course be offered: At

an appropriate time

JUSTIFICATION:

New program

Which Faculty member will normally teach the course:

What are the budgetary implications of mounting the course:

Are there sufficient Library resources (append details):

Appended: ?

a) Outline of the Course

An indication of the competence of the Faculty member to give the course.

Library resources

Approved: Departmental Graduate Studies Committee:

Date: ?

Faculty Graduate Studies

/904^ 

Senate Graduate Studies Committee:\

?CQ,.._... ?

Date:2

Senate:

1 -7. ^ 

Simon Fraser University ?

EASC 701 - 1

Earth Sciences Program ?

Faculty

Fall Semester, 1997

Course Outline

SPECIAL TOPICS IN EARTH SCIENCES

This course will be offered at infrequent intervals to accomodate those earth science

topics which are not covered by the regular course rubric.

SiMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

New Graduate Course Proposal Form

CALENDAR INFORMATION:

Department: ?

Earth Sciences Program ?

Course Number: EASC 702 2

Title:

Special Topics in Earth Sciences II

Description:

Credit Hours:

Vector: 2-0-0 ?

Prerequisite(s) if any:

Estimated Enrollment:

When will the course first be offered:

How often will the course be offered:

At an appropriate time

JUSTIFICATION:

New program

RESOURCES:

Which Faculty member will normally teach the course:

What are the budgetary implications of mounting the course:

Are there sufficient Library resources (append details):

Appended: ?

a) Outline of the Course

b) An indication of the competence of the Faculty member to give the course.

Library resources

Approved: Departmental Graduate Studies Committee:

_4tL(L

L ?

Date:

(QQ'

Faculty Graduate Studies Committee: ?

fY'

Senate Graduate Studies ?

Date:1

Senate: ?

Date:________________

Simon Fraser University

EASC 702 - 2

Earth Sciences Program

Faculty

Fall Semester, 1997

Course Outline

SPECIAL TOPICS IN EARTH SCIENCES

This course will be offered at infrequent intervals toaccomodate those earth science

topics which are not covered by the regular course rubric.

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

New Graduate Course Proposal Form

CALENDAR INFORMATION:

Department: ?

Earth Sciences Program

Course Number:

EASC 703 - 3

Title:

Special Topics in Earth Sciences III

Prerequisite(s) if any:

ENROLLMENT AND SCHEDULING:

Estimated Enrollment: ?

When will the course first be offered:

How often will the course be offered:

At an appropriate time

JUSTIFICATION:

New program

RESOURCES:

Which Faculty member will normally teach the course:

What are the budgetary implications of mounting the course:

Are there sufficient Library resources (append details):

Appended:

a) Outline of the Course

An indication of the competence of the Faculty member to give the course.

Library resources

Approved: Departmental Graduate Studies Committee4U

'Date:

AhAA..

Faculty Graduate Studies Committee:

Senate Graduate Studies Committee.c._____..

Date:-C

Senate: ?

Date:

Simon Fraser University

EASC 703 - 3

Earth Sciences Program

Faculty

Fall Semester, 1997

Course Outline

SPECIAL TOPICS IN EARTH SCIENCES

This course will be offered at infrequent intervals to accomodate those earth science

topics which are not covered by the regular course rubric.

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY ?

New Graduate Course Proposal Form

CALENDAR INFORMATION:

892

Department: ?

Earth Sciences Program

M.Sc. Thesis

Prerequisite(s) if any:

ENROLLMENT AND SCHEDULING:

Estimated Enrollment: ?

When will the course first be offered:

How often will the course be offered:

JUSTIFICATION:

New Program

RESOURCES:

Which Faculty member will normally teach the course:

What are the budgetary implications of mounting the course

Are there sufficient Library resources (append details):

Appended: ?

a) Outline of the Course

An indication of the competence of the Faculty member to give the course.

Library resources

Approved: Departmental Graduate Studies Committee:

Faculty Graduate

Graduate Studies Committee:

Senate Graduate Studies Committee.

2-j

Senate: ?

Date:

Simon Fraser University

Earth Sciences Program

Fall Semester, 1996

M.Sc. Thesis

There is no course outline for the MSc Thesis.

EASC1

Faculty ?