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Program Requirements

The Minor in Earth System Science (ESYS) is offered jointly by the following departments:
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC)
Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPSC)
Geography (GEOG)

Required Courses (12 credits)

• ESYS 200 Earth System Processes (3 credits)

  Offered by: Earth & Planetary Sciences (Faculty of Science)

  Overview

  Earth System Science : Complex interactions among the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere. Biological, chemical and physical processes within and between each "sphere" that extend over spatial scales ranging from microns to the size of planetary orbits and that span time scales from fractions of a second to billions of years.

  Terms: Winter 2024

  Instructors: Douglas, Peter (Winter)

  • Winter

  • 3 hours lecture

  • Prerequisite(s): ENVR 200 or permission of instructor.

• ESYS 300 Investigating the Earth System (3 credits)

  Offered by: Earth & Planetary Sciences (Faculty of Science)

  Overview

  Earth System Science : An understanding of the biological, chemical and physical fundamentals of the Earth system and how the different components interact. The mechanisms controlling interactions between reservoirs are quantitatively investigated. Special emphasis on the development and response of the Earth system to perturbations.

  Terms: Fall 2023

  Instructors: Tremblay, Bruno; Kalacska, Margaret (Fall)

  • Fall

  • 3 hours lecture

  • Prerequisite: ESYS 200 or equivalent.

• ESYS 301 Earth System Modelling (3 credits)

  Offered by: Earth & Planetary Sciences (Faculty of Science)

  Overview

  Earth System Science : Principal concepts of systems modelling related to earth system science and environmental science. Students explore the ideas of state, stability, equilibria, feedbacks, and complexity using simple models.

  Terms: Winter 2024

  Instructors: Tremblay, Bruno (Winter)

  • Winter

  • 3 hours lecture

  • Prerequisite: ESYS 200 or ENVR 200 or equivalent.

• ESYS 500 Earth System Applications (3 credits)

  Offered by: Earth & Planetary Sciences (Faculty of Science)

  Overview

  Earth System Science : Individual research projects that contribute to a group project that addresses one of the six scientific "Grand Challenges" crucial to humanity: global cycles (water and biogeochemical); climate variability and change; land use and land cover change; energy and resources; earth hazards; earth-atmosphere observation, monitoring, analysis and prediction.

  Terms: Fall 2023

  Instructors: Stix, John (Fall)

  • Fall

  • 3 hours seminar

Complementary Courses (6 credits)

Two courses from 2 of 3 ESYS Departments (EPSC, ATOC, or GEOG), 300 level or higher, in consultation with the ESS student adviser.