Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

The Department offers the following graduate degree programs:

• Master of Science (MSc) in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
• Master of Science (MSc) in Integrated Petroleum Geosciences (in conjunction with the Department of Physics)
• Master of Arts (MA) in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences with specialization in Human Geography
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences with specialization in Human Geography
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences with specialization in Urban and Regional Planning
• Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning

Active research fields, which are listed on the Department's website (www.ualberta.ca/eas), include aqueous and sedimentary geochemistry; Arctic environments; atmosphere and ocean modelling; basin analysis; biogeography; carbonate sedimentology; clastic sedimentology; climatology; community engagement; community, health and environment; community planning; diamond geology; economic geology; environmental values, attitudes and behaviors; environmental chemistry; environmental geology; experimental petrology; fluvial and glacial geomorphology; geochemistry; geochronology; geographic information systems; geomicrobiology; geotectonics; glaciology, glacier hydrology and glacier chemistry; global change; hot-springs; human-environment interactions; human dimensions of environmental hazards; hydrogeology; ichnology; igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic petrology; invertebrate and vertebrate paleontology; isotope geology; land-use planning; marine icing; meso-scale meteorology; metalliferous mineral deposits; microclimatology; micrometeorology; micropaleontology; mineralogy; paleolimnology; paleoecology of siliceous microfossils; periglacial geomorphology; petroleum geology; physical oceanography, paleoceanography and numerical model development; planetary geology; Precambrian palaeoenvironments; qualitative research methods; Quaternary palaeoenvironments; regional planning; remote sensing; resilience; sedimentology; stratigraphy; structural geology; transportation planning; urban design; urban planning; tectonics; volcanology; winter city planning and design.

For thesis based programs the Department will approve only thesis topics which lie within the research expertise of one or more of its Faculty members.

The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences has a planning studio, digital imaging and printing facilities, research laboratories, instructional facilities, and technical support for numerous graduate students.

Master's Programs

Applicants are normally required to have completed a four-year baccalaureate degree, or its academic equivalent, from an academic institution recognized by the University of Alberta.

An admission grade point average of 3 on most 4-point grading systems or B on most letter grading systems, based on your most recent two years of full time study (or equivalent) is required.

Doctoral Programs

Applicants are normally required to have completed a master's degree, or its academic equivalent, from an academic institution recognized by the University of Alberta.

An admission grade point average of 3 on most 4-point grading systems or B on most letter grading systems, based on your most recent two years of full time study (or equivalent) is required.

Additional Requirements

Some departments have additional requirements, such as:

• Statement of research interests
• Previous work experience in the field
• Educational tests such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), or Miller Analogies Test

Contact the department directly to find out if there are any additional requirements.

Ensure that you have at least an hour to complete the online application. We recommend using the latest version of these browsers for the Graduate Application: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Safari.

The application requires digital copies (PDF - view instructions) of official documents. The documents are considered "unofficial" and will be used for the initial evaluation of the application.

Supporting documents may include the following:

• Application Requirements for Academic Documents (transcripts, degree certificates, marksheets)
• English Language Proficiency scores such as IELTS, Pearson, TOEFL, etc. (if applicable)
• Additional requirements might include:
  • CV, statement of intent, writing samples
  • GRE, GMAT, other test scores
  • References:
  • Will require the name of referees, title and email addresses.
  • An email with a secure link will only be sent to your referees after you submit and pay for your application.
  • Reference letters need to be in PDF and must be on your referees institution's or company's official letterhead or it will not be accepted.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that references and all required documents are received by the application deadline or the application will not be considered for admission.

A $135 CAD non-refundable application fee is required. Payments can be made using a valid credit card only. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discovery Card. Please note that the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research is no longer able to waive this application fee for students from specific countries; all applicants are required to pay the non-refundable application fee.

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