Program Requirements
The Minor in Earth System Science combines interdisciplinary knowledge with quantitative tools to explore global connections between the atmosphere, oceans, solid Earth, and the dynamic ecological and human processes at the Earth surface. The program aims to provide fundamental understanding relevant to navigating the challenges of sustainability and climate change, and addresses timescales ranging from the vastness of Earth history to the fast-moving events of the Anthropocene.
Required Courses (12 credits)
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ESYS 200 Earth-System Interactions (3 credits)
Overview
Earth System Science : Topics related to climate change, biogeochemical cycles and natural resources are evaluated from an Earth System perspective. Exploration of the scientific literature in targeted areas of Earth system science with a focus on human-Earth interactions. Emphasis is on complex global issues that cross traditional disciplines, and interpreting and communicating academic knowledge derived from Earth system research.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Douglas, Peter; Lehner, Bernhard (Winter)
Winter
3 hours lecture
Prerequisite(s): ENVR 200 or permission of instructor.
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ESYS 300 Earth Data Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Earth System Science : An applied introduction to programming and statistical image processing tools used in Earth system science, typically covering linear regression, statistical significance, Fourier analysis, empirical orthogonal function analysis. Use of global remote-sensing and in-situ observations.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Tremblay, Bruno; Kalacska, Margaret (Fall)
Fall
3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: ESYS 200 or equivalent.
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ESYS 301 Earth System Modelling (3 credits)
Overview
Earth System Science : Introduction o principle concepts of systems modelling related to Earth system science and environmental science, including simple numerical models, conservation laws of mass, energy, and momentum, discretization of governing differential equations, the stability of numerical schemes, and exploration of the ideas of equilibria, feedbacks, and complexity.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Tremblay, Bruno (Winter)
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ESYS 500 Collaborative Research Project (3 credits)
Overview
Earth System Science : The main steps in developing an Earth System Science research project: identifying knowledge gaps using scientific literature, designing a research strategy (observational, analytical or computational), conducting the research, analyzing and synthesizing results, and communicating results as a formal scientific report.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Ali, Genevieve; Galbraith, Eric (Fall)
Fall
3 hours seminar
Prerequisites: ESYS 301 or permission of the instructor.
1 hour of lecture plus 2 hours of project per week.
Complementary Courses (6 credits)
6 credits (3 credits from two of the three ESYS Departments: EPSC, ATOC, or GEOG), at the 300 level or higher, in consultation with the ESS student adviser.
