The Best Place in the World to Study Geology
Sudbury's geographical location is near six main geological settings - great field experience and job opportunities for geoscience students!
01 / 04
1
Willet Green Miller Centre
The Willet Green Miller Centre (WGMC) is a building that is purpose-build for the geosciences. The WGMC houses the Harquail School of Earth Sciences and its Mineral Exploration Research Centre; the Ontario Geological Survey and their Ontario Geoscience Laboratories; the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development; the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks; other organizations.
2
Harquail School of Earth Sciences
The Harquail School of Earth Sciences (HES) and the Mineral Exploration Research Centre (MERC) at Laurentian University offer some of the most comprehensive field-, laboratory-, and theoretically-based geoscience programs in North America, training geoscientists for now more than 60 years.
When graduating with a BSc in Earth Sciences, you will meet the minimum knowledge requirements to be able to register as a professional geoscientist (P.Geo.) with Professional Geoscientists Ontario (PGO) .
3
Optical Mineralogy Lab
Petrographic microscopes are the main tool to identify rocks and minerals. They are polarizing microscopes used to examine polished thin sections in transmitted light, or polished sections in reflected light, and allow recording high-resolution imagery for research publications.
4
Economic Geology Lab
Ore deposit geology is the study of how ore deposits form and how to target finding critical minerals. It's a major research focus at the Harquail School of Earth Sciences. Natural resources such as base metals, precious metals, and rare earth elements, provide the necessary raw materials for modern societies.
01 / 04
1
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
Alyne Lalonde, SEM lab technologist, is processing data from geochemical analyses, and preparing samples for further investigation. Alyne is a BSc Earth Sciences (Hons) graduate from Laurentian U in 2011.
The Tescan Vega 3 scanning electron microscope Alyne is using for chemical mapping and phase identification serves by generating data for specific research publications.
2
Laser-Ablation ICP-MS Lab
Our labs are equipped with state-of-the-art analytical instruments, allowing students and researchers to conduct cutting-edge geological research. In the pictured laser-ablation (LA) system, a 193 nm excimer laser is used to vapourize a small portion of a mineral that is carried to the TQ-ICP-MS and/or the MC-ICP-MS for analysis.
3
Geochemistry Ultra-HD
The iCap-TQ-ICPMS is equipped with a collision-reaction cell (CRC) and a pre-CRC mass filter, enabling minimization of polyatomic and isobaric interferences, making it the ideal tool for accurate, ppb-level trace element analysis.
4
Geochronology
The Neptune-Plus MC-ICP-MS is used to determine the ages of formation of minerals and the rocks they are enclosed in. This is accomplished via high-precision analysis of U-Th-Pb, Lu-Hf, and Sm-Nd isotope ratios.
Laurentian U Campus Indoor Facilities
01 / 06
1
J.N.D. Library
The Brenda Wallace Room in the J.N.D. Library is the study space of choice for many students.
2
Parker Building
Student Services, Food Venues, Indigenous Learning and Sharing Centre, LU Administration, and so much more!
3
Parker Atrium
This modern sun-lit atrium is a central space at Laurentian University, connecting to food outlets, study lounges and student services.
4
The Great Hall
The biggest food outlet on campus offers all-inclusive dining with a variety of stations. There is also Subway, Tim Horton's and others nearby.
5
Residences
Living at the heart of the Laurentian campus is safe, convenient, and best of all, a great way to socialize.
6
Ben Avery Gym
Climbing, indoor track, basketball, weights, sports performance, soccer, squash, and so much more!
Laurentian U Campus Outdoors
01 / 04
1
Northern Outdoors
Endless hiking trails in the adjacent 950 hectare Laurentian Lake Conservation Area are accessible from the LU campus.
2
Laurentian U Beach
Laurentian U's sandy beach on Lake Nepahwin is a true recreational gem on our campus, used for swimming, canoeing, volleyball, and teaching of outdoor programs.
3
Cross-Country Skiing
Fourth-year Earth Sciences student Maddie Norman (sitting to the right ) is enjoying a great day of cross-country skiing by Lake Laurentian. Read her story here: https://laurentian.ca/stories/maddie-norman
More than 25 km of ski trails are maintained at the Laurentian Nordic Ski Club, which is connected to the trail network at the BioSki Cross-Country Ski and Snowshoe Club.
4
Rock Outcrops
Laurentian U Campus and Lake Laurentian Conservation Area are underlain by 2.4 billion-year-old rocks of the Mississagi Formation and the Nipissing Diabase. Many outcrops in this area show evidence of the Sudbury Impact Event!
Discover Earth Sciences at the Harquail School of Earth Sciences
Why our students choose Earth Sciences at Laurentian University
Earth Sciences BSc students (mostly) on their field trip to Bancroft, Ontario, with mineralogy prof Dr. Andy McDonald (kneeling front, centre) and metamorphic petrology prof Dr. Doug Tinkham (standing in back, right). Students (from 1st year - PhD) enjoy this annual outdoor learning experience.
"Amazing professors who are passionate about their work and teaching.
"Laurentian is known worldwide for geology; there are lots of opportunities to work in Sudbury; small class sizes.”
"I wanted to feel more connected to the planet and learn as much as possible about it… I feel like I’m exactly where I need to be.”
"Job opportunities, networking and contacts, field training, field trips, excellent staff and faculty, location.”
- Student survey responses collected in 2023
