Geological mapping is a critical and essential component of many research projects carried out at the MSc level. Because it is expensive and logistically difficult to operate a field mapping program in some areas and in order to promote interactive research activities between members of the Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) and the Department of Earth Sciences (DES), the two organizations have established a mapping program for which highly-qualified applicants are hired by the OGS for a minimum of three months. During this period the field mapping component of the thesis research will be carried out, which will normally represent a significant component of the overall field program. As senior field assistants they will have access to all modern computer facilities required to carry out their mapping work and they will be expected to contribute to the production of maps and texts for OGS Open File Reports.

Mapping School projects may also contain mineral structural, mineral chemical, whole-rock geochemical, and isotope data generated in the Solid-Phase Section of the Laurentian University Central Analytical Facility (SPS-CAF) and the Ontario Geoscience Laboratories (OGL), which are located in the Willett Green Miller Mineral and Mining Research Centre, adjacent to the Department of Earth Sciences, the Ontario Geological Survey, and the Ontario Mines Library. The these laboratories represent one the most modern and best-equipped facilities of its kind in North America.

Mapping School projects are normally supervised jointly by LU and OGS researchers. Applicants should contact potential supervisors and make the Graduate Coordinator aware of their interest in the program at the time they apply for admission to the School of Graduate Studies and Research. They should also formally apply for summer employment with the OGS well before the deadline date, which is normally at the end of February.

For further information please contact:

Department of Earth Sciences
Laurentian University
Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6 Canada
Tel: (705) 673-6575
Fax: (705) 675-4898
Email: DES@laurentian.ca