If Rocks Could Talk... More Geology Class Options!

Keep this teaching position

The Department of Geological Sciences is in dire need of (one or more) professor(s) to teach courses related to sedimentary and petroleum geology. It would not only give the students a chance to have a well-rounded geology degree, but would also give relieve to current professors who are overloaded.

I've attended the UofS over the period of close to 15 years off and on starting in the early 2000's to finish a geology degree. Over time, I've watched the geology department change into something that made it difficult for me and others to finish my degree there. In 2010, many students applied for field school but only half were allowed to go. Most of my classes weren't offered that I needed to graduate that following year so I took another hiatus and worked in the oil industry. When I came back in 2015, luckily Tim Prokopiuk was still there... If it wasn't for him I think a lot of students wouldn't have finished some of their courses. Many profs that comprised of the backbone of the department were leaving or gone by this point and it seems that the UofS Geology department was beginning to be a shell of its former self. This is unfortunate as it seemed like the department was there for its students. I'm curious to know why geology doesn't have the same importance as agriculture in a province that boasts about its minerals and resources. Hopefully this decision doesn't harm the future of student enrollment in geology at the UofS, unless that's the desired result. It would be a shame to see it crumble to ruins.

Keep our options open.

9 years ago Featured

Fundamental earth science courses are required for geophysics and geology. It's unacceptable to lack these necessary courses in a U15 Canadian university.

Who's behind this decision to not continue teaching this field? Who's against Saskatchewan resources?

9 years ago Featured

'Higher learning' requires the opportunity to do so. Students at the U of S need to be able to compete with their peers in Alberta for job opportunities in oil and gas. Removing key teaching positions like this makes us 2nd tier.

9 years ago Featured

These course are important for a well-rounded basis to start a career in geological sciences. I am a hard rock specific geologist but consider the sedimentary class I took, especially those conducted by Dr. Renaut, invaluable towards my understanding and appreciation of geology. These classes cannot be cut from the department if the school wants to continue to produce some of the world's most valued geologists.

Great classes should be cherished and recognized, not hid or discarded.

We need to keep our geology department more active

Having only completed my M.Sc. research in the U of S Geological Sciences Department, I was not immediately affected by this issue. However, as a graduate of the geology program at Queen's University in Kingston, I was able to compare and contrast the priorities and available courses in both departments. Furthermore, as someone who has gone through the process of fulfilling course requirements for APGO ("Ontario's APEGS"), it is often challenging when the required courses are so few that they conflict, or simply aren't offered. While it is inevitable that curricula vary as faculty cycles through the department, it is the responsibility of the University to do all it can to help its students finish their degrees with the tools necessary to begin their professional careers. In an increasingly challenging job market, the University should aim to ensure barriers to professional accreditation are as few as possible.

The geological sciences department, I believe, doesn't have the disciplinary diversity to loose this position. I studied at the university of Calgary for my BSc and having professors with a large variety of specialties makes a huge difference for finding your passion during your undergrad.

This program does not need anymore cuts to teaching positions or classes available. As a student who is interested in the soft rock side of geology the amount of classes available for this subjext is lacking. Cutting further classes that deal with soft rock geology puts students who wish to work in those fields at a significant disadvantage. I am finishing my degree this spring and do not feel confident with the knowledge I gained in these courses. The professors are overworked and can only do so much. They need the support of the College of Arts and Science. The College of Arts and Science owes it to the students to provide a quality education.

We need to keep our geology department alive!!

9 years ago Featured

As an undergraduate student from the Department of Geological Science at University of Saskatchewan, I strongly believe that to further advance the Geological research in every aspect, the Department of Geological Science, U of S really needs to increase the number of faculties with specialty in Sedimentology. For instance, from my personal experience, I truly want to improve my knowledge in advance sedimentology, and there are no longer "Advance Sedimentology" due to the retirement of Professor Renaut. At the present, to advance in geology, everyone needs to have good understanding in both "soft rock" and "hard rock".

This idea is so stupid, We need more position and keep the tranditional sedimentology and paleontology.

I do not think a faculty position should be eliminated.

I have personally experienced how stressed geology professors at the University of Saskatchewan have become due to the lack of positions in the department. We are extremely fortunate to have such renowned scientists at this school, but they too can only handle so much. It is difficult for them to handle teaching multiple classes, working with undergraduate/graduate students on research projects, completing research for industry, while also trying to make time to answer student's questions. I truly believe the University of Saskatchewan has potential to be one of the top geology schools in Canada, we need to make that happen!

9 years ago Featured

Many past U of S students have gone on to work in the oil and gas industry. With the current economic climate, we have seen a large downturn in the number of students who have had this opportunity. If we lose more soft rock classes, employers will start to count U of S students and grads out when considering them for summer and full time jobs, and we will essentially become a hard rock only program. Our program needs to have both hard and soft rock options if it is going to stay competitive.

9 years ago Featured

As a geology student at the University of Saskatchewan, I am disappointed to hear the a teaching position in the geology department will not be renewed. This limits geology course options and weakens the U of S geology reputation. A department with gaps in their courses offered cannot compete with other universities. This also puts a lot of pressure on current teaching staff to fill a gap in the department which may lead to a reduction in teaching quality as teachers become overworked. Please renew the teaching position.