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To view the Spring 2025 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2025/spring.
Earth Sciences Minor
Program Requirements
Students are subject to the general regulations of the faculty in which they are enrolled. Students must obtain a C- grade or better in all EASC and prerequisite courses. In addition, a program GPA of 2.0 must be obtained on the overall course work (CGPA) as well as on the upper division subset of that work (UDGPA) in the program area.
Students will complete
Dynamic Earth offers an introduction to minerals, rocks, geologic resources and processes. Plate tectonics is the unifying theory of geology and is the focus as we learn how the Earth changes over geologic time and results in the formation of volcanoes and mountain belts, faults, folds and earthquakes. Breadth-Science.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cindy Hansen Daniel Gibson |
May 12 鈥� Aug 8, 2025: Mon, Wed, 11:30 a.m.鈥�12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
| D101 |
May 12 鈥� Aug 8, 2025: Mon, 1:30鈥�3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
| D102 |
May 12 鈥� Aug 8, 2025: Mon, 1:30鈥�3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
| D103 |
May 12 鈥� Aug 8, 2025: Wed, 1:30鈥�3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
| D104 |
May 12 鈥� Aug 8, 2025: Wed, 1:30鈥�3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
The Earth has evolved dramatically over its 4.6 billion-year history. We explore the evolution of Earth's tectonic plates, oceans and atmosphere through time. We also review the appearance of life, its evolution and diversification, biological-geological interactions, and the occurrence and impact of mass extinction events. Prerequisite: EASC 101 with a grade of C- or better. Breadth-Science.
and at least three of
An introduction to the description and interpretation of sedimentary media. Topics include principles of sedimentology, the facies concept and facies analysis, depositional environments, stratigraphy and stratigraphic correlation. Prerequisite: EASC 101 with a grade of C- or better. EASC 210 recommended.
Optical phenomena related to the use of the polarizing microscope in the identification of minerals in thin section. Petrogenesis and classification of igneous sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Hand specimen and thin section identification of rocks and minerals. Prerequisite: EASC 202, CHEM 122, and one of: (PHYS 102 and PHYS 133), (PHYS 121 and PHYS 133), (PHYS 126 and PHYS 133) or (PHYS 141). All with a grade of C- or better.
An introduction to field methods and technological applications used to navigate, systematically observe, characterize, record, and interpret geologic features and events. Includes one or two mandatory weekend field trips as well as several local field trips. Prerequisite: EASC 101 with a grade of C- or better. Corequisite: EASC 210.
Distribution and cycles of elements, minerals and rocks on and within Earth. Understanding and evolution of Earth systems through high and low temperature fluid-rock interaction, aqueous geochemistry, stable and radiogenic isotopes. Prerequisite: EASC 202, CHEM 121, 122 and 126. All with a grade of C- or better. Quantitative.
Environmental geology is a branch of Earth science that deals with the relationship of people to their geological habitat. Topics covered will include environmental impact of mineral extraction and logging; erosion and sedimentation in rural and urban environments; and mass movements in mountainous terrain. The course includes two 1-day field trips that usually occur on Saturdays. This course is primarily designed for EASC program students and those pursuing degrees in other Departments and Faculties that require a strong foundational course in Environmental Geoscience. Prerequisite: EASC 101 with a grade of C- or better. Students with credits for EASC 303W may not take this course for credit. Writing.
and a minimum of 15 units in 300 and 400-level EASC courses, together with all prerequisites, excluding EASC 491, EASC 492, EASC 493, and EASC 498.
Students can select EASC courses focused in areas of environmental geoscience or geology. Students are encouraged to select their lower division courses in consultation with an advisor in order to ensure that prerequisite requirements for desired upper division courses are met.
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to 丁香园AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
| Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
| W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at 丁香园AV within the student's major subject; two courses (minimum three units each) |
|
| Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division; two courses (total six units or more) | |
| B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth |
Must be outside the student's major subject, and may be lower or upper division: Two courses (total six units or more) Social Sciences: B-Soc |
|
6 |
Additional Breadth |
Two courses (total six units or more) outside the student's major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements). Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas. |
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