Mineral Deposits and Precambrian Geology (PhD)

Laurentian University

Overview

Position yourself for employment success at the world-class Harquail School of Earth Sciences and its Mineral Exploration Research Centre; in Sudbury, the world’s largest mineral exploration and mining-service cluster.

Access one of the largest Earth science resource centres in North America that provides ample opportunities to find employment within your field while studying at Laurentian University. Expand your knowledge as a professional in a field full of research and networking opportunities. Located in the same building - the Willet Green Miller Centre - are several mining-related organizations such as the Goodman School of Mines, MIRARCO Mining Innovation, the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, and the Ontario Geological Survey.

Prepare for a career of pushing the boundaries of geoscience research and innovation in today's mineral exploration industry, government and consulting agencies. The Harquail School contains a wide array of analytical instrumentation to support both the research and educational needs, and benefits from sharing laboratory facilities with the Geo Labs, one of the largest and most advanced geoscience analytical facilities in North America.

Choose a research project based on your geoscience interest. Our faculties are recognized internationally, has won reputable awards and are leaders in their respective sub-disciplines. Research areas range widely from ore deposit geology, volcanology, structural geology, sedimentology, paleontology, mineralogy, igneous petrology, metamorphic petrology, to geophysics, environmental geosciences, and bioremediation.

Program Requirements

The Ph.D. program requires the completion of six one-term graduate level course equivalents beyond the B.Sc., or four one-term graduate-level courses beyond the M.Sc. In either case, one of the courses shall be the PhD Graduate Seminar (GEOL-6007EL - Research Seminar in Geology). In addition a candidate must prepare a Ph.D. research proposal within nine months of registration of the PhD program, pass an oral Ph.D. Qualifying Examination within 12, 18, or 24 months of registration (see below for details), and must successfully defend a Ph.D. Thesis (GEOL-6000EL - Thesis).

Residency Requirements

A minimum of two full academic terms of full-time residence is required for all Ph.D. students within their first two years of study. The minimum period of study is two years (full-time) for candidates holding a M.Sc. degree, or three years (full-time) for candidates entering the program with a B.Sc. Honours degree.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Mineral Deposits and Precambrian Geology (PhD) program have an expanded geoscience knowledge and are prepared for a career of pushing boundaries of research and innovation in the mineral exploration industry, some as geoscience consultants in agencies or government, some as leaders in academia and research – in geology, mineralogy and geophysics. A few of our PhD alumni have embarked on careers in analytical laboratory technology, and as specialists in 3D computer modeling and geostatistics.