| Field of Study: | Geology/Earth Science, General
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| Description: | Earth System Science (ESS) concentrates on the linkages between the biological, chemical, physical and human subsystems of the Earth. It focuses on the cycling of energy and matter through the biosphere, the atmosphere, the cryosphere, the hydrosphere and the solid earth, at time scales from days to billions of years. This new, integrated and holistic approach is needed to tackle the complex and challenging global problems facing the Earth today. It draws upon the expertise developed within disciplines such as Ecology, Environment, Geography, Geology, Meteorology and Oceanography.
The McGill program in ESS is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to address six "Grand Challenges" that are fundamental to our understanding of the way in which the Earth operates. These are: (1)Global biogeochemical cycles; (2) Climate Variability and Change; (3) Land use and land cover change; (4)Energy and resources; (5) Earth hazards, such as volcanoes, earthquakes and hurricanes; (6) Earth-atmosphere observation, analysis and prediction. |