Courses taught at University of Toronto

ERS101 Planet Earth

Recommended Prep: Review of Grade 9/10 Physical Science.

We discuss the age and origin of the Earth, the nature of its deep interior, the origin of mountains, oceans, earthquakes and volcanoes, and show how these features related in a unifying theory known as Plate Tectonics, that explains how the evolution of the Earth's surface is driven by internal processes. Practicals will include laboratory exercises devoted to the understanding and recognition of minerals, rocks and geological structures.

ERS303 Geophysics

Prerequisites: First-year math / physics and ERS202 (Tectonics)

This course will focus on important geophysical concepts that are used to understand the interior of the Earth and the theory of Plate Tectonics. Major topics include gravity, isostasy, magnetism, heat flow, and seismology. Students will learn to apply basic geophysical equations to address real-life geoscience problems. They will also be introduced to common applied-geophysical techniques used for subsurface sensing, with applications to resource exploration and engineering and environmental studies.  

ERS403 Earthquake Seismology 

Prerequisites: First-year math / physics and ERS202 (Tectonics)

Why do earthquakes occur and how do they cause damage? What is a seismogram and what can it tell us about earthquakes and the Earth's structure? Earthquakes tend to strike suddenly and without warning. Because of their destructive power, tremendous efforts and monetary resources are dedicated to advancing earthquake science and designing effective hazard mitigation controls. This course will provide an overview of the physics of earthquakes and seismic wave propagation, and current seismic hazard mitigation plans and policies. Concepts covered in this course include stress and strain relations, elastic wave equation, body and surface waves, seismic instrumentation and data, global earth structure, earthquake location, seismic source theory, earthquake mechanics, ground motion, the seismic cycle and earthquake recurrence models, seismic hazard analysis, and human-induced earthquakes.  

JPE2605 Advanced Seismology (co-taught with Prof. Qinya Liu)

This is a graduate-level advanced seismology course that covers a range of possible theoretical and computational topics related to seismic wave propagation, seismic tomography, full-waveform inversion, earthquake sources and fault dynamics, as well as exploration seismology. For Winter 2024, we will focus on Computational Seismology (Liu) and the Mechanics of Earthquakes and Faulting (Lui). 

Past courses 

CME 185 H1S Earth Systems Science (Spring 2018)
Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto

This course introduces students to the basic earth sciences with an emphasis on understanding the impact of humans on the natural earth systems. Beginning with a study of the lithosphere, principles of physical geology will be examined including the evolution and internal structure of the earth, dynamic processes that affect the earth, formation of minerals and rocks and soil, ore bodies and fossil-energy sources. Next, the biosphere will be studied, including the basic concepts of ecology including systems ecology and biogeochemical cycles. The influence of humans and the built environment on these natural systems will also be examined with a view to identifying more sustainable engineering practices. Finally, students will study the oceans and the atmosphere and the physical, chemical and thermodynamic processes involved in climate change.