M.Sc, M.A.Sc, M.Sc in Applied Geology, Ph.D

The Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering provides opportunities for advanced studies and research in the Earth Sciences. Faculty interests span disciplines in geology, geochemistry and geoengineering often in a multi-disciplinary fashion and including applications to economic and environmental problems.

With high-tech geochemistry and geophysics labs, geomechanics computing tools and the Queen’s Facility for Isotope Research lab to work in, our students are well equipped to engage in cutting-edge geoscience and geoengineering research. Not only will you work in first-rate facilities with world-renowned scientists and research engineers, you will also have opportunities to collaborate with industrial leaders and engage in extensive fieldwork on six continents, making our program truly a world-class experience.

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"What has struck me most about my time as a graduate student in Geology is the quality of the academic environment. The faculty and staff here really want you to succeed and are prepared to drop everything to help you do it. The labs I work in are second-to-none and my supervisor is always eager to discuss my research with me and provide guidance and support when I need it. I’ve also had opportunities to take my work into the field; I’ve visited tunnels all across Europe to help get an understanding of what role my research can play in industry. On top of all that, the other students in my research group are some of the most talented people I’ve ever worked with. Whether we’re bouncing ideas off of each other or unwinding at the end of a long day, these people have played a huge role in my career and will stay a part of my life after I leave. Having these resources and opportunities at my fingertips has made my experience at Queen’s that much more interesting and exciting."

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Degrees Offered / Length of Program

• M.A.Sc.: 2 years
• M.Sc. in Applied Geology: 1 year
• Ph.D.: 4 years

Method of Completion

• M.A.Sc: course work plus thesis
• M.Sc in Applied Geology: project and course work or course work only
• Ph.D. (Engineering): course work plus thesis

Cross Disciplinary Aspects

Our students collaborate with other departments at Queen’s, including the GeoEngineering Centre at Queen’s & RMC, Mining, Environmental Science, and Civil Engineering. They also collaborate with industrial partners, government laboratories and surveys, and academic institutions worldwide.

Field Experience

Collaborations with industrial and government partners take our students to-on-site investigation and field projects on six continents. Projects include work in mineral exploration, mineral deposit foot printing, geomechanical assessment and design, tunnelling, geoenvironmental engineering and geological engineering and risk management.

 

Supervisors and Fields of Study

We strongly recommend contacting supervisors prior to applying, as we can only create a position where a faculty member can take on a student.

Approved fields of study and associated faculty are:

• Applied Geoenvironmental Sciences & Geotechnique: Dr. M.S. Diederichs, P.Eng., Dr. D.J. Hutchinson, P.Eng., Dr. H.E. Jamieson, Dr. V.H. Remenda, P.Eng.
• Geophysics and Geochronology: Dr. J.A. Hanes, Dr. J.K.W. Lee, P. Eng.
• Economic Geology & Mineral Exploration: Dr. G. Olivo, P.Eng., Dr. D. Layton-Matthews, Dr. T.K. Kyser.
• Petrology & Structural Geology: Dr. J.M. Dixon, Dr. L. Godin, Dr. D. Layton-Matthews, Dr. R.C. Peterson.
• Sedimentology, Sedimentary Geochemistry & Paleobiology: Dr. R.W. Dalrymple, P.Geo., Dr. N.P. James, Dr. T.K. Kyser, Dr. G.M. Narbonne

Employment Opportunities

• Academia: postdoctoral fellowship, professor, adjunct teaching position
• Industry: mining advisory position, geotechnical consultant, economic geologist, financial consultant to mineral exploration, geo-environmental consultant, stock market consultant.
• Government: mapping, consultant, research, advisory position

Funding Information

• M.Sc. in Applied Geology: not funded.
• M.A.Sc. Students: $21,000 minimum
• Ph.D. Students: $23,000 minimum

The packages include teaching assistantship renumeration. Additional funding is also available through external awards (NSERC, OGS, industry and private scholarships), internal awards (QGA and departmental scholarships) including NSERC Industrial (PS), departmental teaching assistantships and research assistantships. Queen's automatically issues a $5,000 top-up award to federal government Tri-Council Award winners. All, new international Doctoral students, admitted to full time study, are eligible to receive an International Tuition Award (ITA), to be held during all funding eligible years and is applied as a tuition credit.

Academic Prerequisites

Degrees in Geological Engineering, Mining Engineering or Civil Engineering are acceptable. Degrees in related fields such as Physics, Math, Computing or Environmental Sciences, are seriously considered, however, students will be required to take additional Geology courses.

We consider your work over the last 4 years, with emphasis on the last 2 years of schooling.

Test Requirements

If required, a TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) or TOEFL iBT minimum scores of: writing (24/30); speaking (22/30); reading (22/30); listening (20/30), for a total of 88/120. Applicants must have the minimum score in each test as well as the minimum overall score.

Program Profiles

• Laura Branscombe - took a different route to perpare for graduate study
• Kyle Larson - from the mountains at home to the Himalayas

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