Modular Course Curriculum
The Harquail School of Earth Sciences at Laurentian University offers some of the most comprehensive field- and laboratory-based Earth Science graduate research and education courses in the world.
Our modular courses are designed for geoscientists employed full-time in the mineral exploration industry, industry professionals needing professional development and accreditation, and graduate students.
On Campus and Live Webcast Options
Several of the modules are available to industry professionals/non-students via live webcast from our state-of-the-art Executive Learning Centre, which provides an immersive experience if remote participants are using high-speed fibre internet connections and high-quality headsets. Students enrolling for credit must enroll in the on-campus course to complete the laboratory exercises, but the remote option may be preferable for industry participants who are not seeking university credits.
Courses Offered
*Find course details, registration, and contact information under course details below. You can also download our Modular Course Booklet, last revised in April 2026.
Exploration for Magmatic Ore Deposits
GEOL 5606
April 8-17, 2026 & 2028 - 3cr
Course Description: 10-day intensive course in magmatic Ni-Cu-(PGE), PGE, Cr, and Ti-V deposits, including 3 days of theoretical material, 5 days of case studies, and 2 days of exploration methods. Topics include: S and Cr solubility and metal partitioning in mafic-ultramafic magmas; generation of fertile magmas; applications of stable and radiogenic isotopes (including mass-independent S isotopes) in identifying S and metal sources; sulfide transport and localization mechanisms; textures and deformation of Fe-Ni-Cu sulfide ores, sulfide recalculation and plotting methods; geology/genesis of and exploration for Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits in mafic-ultramafic lava channels, feeder sills/dikes, and magma conduits; geology/genesis of and exploration for PGE deposits in mafic-ultramafic layered intrusions; geology/genesis of and exploration for stratiform and podiform Cr deposits and Ti-V deposits in anorthosites and mafic-ultramafic intrusions. Case studies and laboratory exercises will include: Alexo (ON), Duluth (MN), Eagle (MI), Eagle’s Nest (ON), Kambalda (WA), Jinchuan and other deposits in China, Noril’sk-Talnakh and Pechenga (RU), Tamarack (MN), Thompson (MB), Raglan (Nunavik), Sudbury (ON), and Voisey’s Bay (Labrador) Ni-Cu-PGE; and Bushveld (SA) and Stillwater (MT) PGE and Cr; and ‘Ring of Fire” (ON) Cr. Exploration methods include geological/mineralogical/ lithogeochemical/geophysical applications to greenfields/regional/brownfields targeting.
Past Speakers: Dr Steven Barnes (CSIRO), Dr Sarah Dare (UQAC), Dr Pedro Jugo (HES/MERC), Dr Michel Houlé (GSC/HES), Alan King (Geoscience North), Prof Michael Lesher (HES/MERC), Dr Eduardo Mansur (NGU), Dr Louise Schoneveld (CSIRO)
Format: On-campus in the Executive Learning Centre at Laurentian University and via live webcast
| In-person | In-person | Online | Online | |
| Full Course | Per Day | Full Course | Per Day | |
| Regular Price | $3,600 | $420 | $2,700 | $310 |
| MERC Member | $2,880 | $336 | $2160 | $248 |
The number of industry participants is capped at 20. MERC members benefit from a 20% discount.
Laurentian University students register through standard course registration procedures. Graduate students enrolled in other Ontario universities will register through the Ontario Visiting Graduate Student Program and pay fees directly to their university.
DOWNLOADS: 2026 > Registration Form, Poster, Schedule. Reference: 2022 > Syllabus Zoom Requirements
Contact Ms Roxane Mehes rmehes@laurentian.ca to register. Contact Dr. Pedro Jugo pjugo@laurentian.ca for additional information.
The Business of Exploration
GEOL 5136
May 1-11, 2026 / next in 2028
Primary Guest Lecturer: Dr. Michael Doggett
Coordinator: Dr. Ross Sherlock
This 11-day intensive course provides the financial tools necessary to operate effectively in the modern mineral exploration business.
It includes methods to evaluate mineral projects at various stages of advancement and examines exploration strategies and decision-making for majors and juniors through commodity and project cycles.
Students will learn to:
• Critically evaluate the basic components of financial markets and the implications of different corporate strategies.
• Calculate and evaluate the intrinsic value of projects and companies by applying discounted cash flow models and assessing the impact of key inputs.
• Evaluate competing exploration scenarios and strategies appropriate for each type of company in the mineral exploration industry and recommend a path forward based on technical feasibility, risk assessment, and financial upside.
• Critically analyze and defend the selection between growth by exploration vs acquisition in the context of metals and industrial minerals producers.
• Assess the benefits and drawbacks of different types of financing, project development and operational agreements that companies negotiate
through the life cycle of a project, from financing and exploration through production and sales to
mine closure.
PREREQUISITES
Background in geoscience, business, engineering or related field.
FORMAT
Six days (days 2-7) will be taught by Dr. Michael Doggett and will include lectures, case studies and practical group lab exercises. The other five days will include lectures by academic and industry subject experts, group work on a real-world project evaluation, labs and project presentations. The course will be delivered in person, in the Executive Learning Centre, at Laurentian University, in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
| DAY | TOPICS |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Roles of exploration and mining companies Financing and financial statements |
| 2 |
Interface of science and economics Exploration as an essential component of the mineral business |
| 3 | Money and cash flow, net smelter revenues |
| 4 |
Costs and returns for mining projects Building a cash flow model |
| 5 |
Time value and discounting Discounted cash flow metrics |
| 6 |
Taxation, private royalties and metal streams Sensitivity, risk and targeting |
| 7 |
Focus on early-stage projects and the junior sector Option agreements and joint ventures |
| 8 | Working in the junior space and working in the major space |
| 9 | Legal, social, Indigenous and environmental framework |
| 10 | Sustainability and emerging trends |
| 11 | Participant project presentations |
| FULL COURSE | EARLY BIRD - 20% DISCOUNT (by March 31) | PER DAY | EARLY BIRD - 20% DISCOUNT (by March 31) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REGULAR | $3600.00 | $2880.00 | $420.00 | $336.00 |
| MERC MEMBER | $2880.00 |
$2304.00 |
$336.00 | $268.80 |
Course capacity: 30 students.
Industry participants (not enrolled as university students) are encouraged to register by March 31 to take advantage of our 20% off discounted pricing.
Enrolment in this professional development course does not count towards a degree except for university-enrolled students. Email Lisa Gibson at lgibson2@laurentian.ca to determine your eligibility for degree program application or admission.
Contact: Dr. Ross Sherlock, Coordinator; rsherlock@laurentian.ca
Registration: Roxane Mehes, Administrative Assistant; rmehes@laurentian.ca / 705-673-6575
Mineral Exploration in Volcanic Terrains
GEOL 5326 (field-based)
August 2026 (dates TBA), next in 2028
This 10-day course focuses on recognizing, describing, and mapping volcanic lithofacies, alteration types, mineralization, and deformation in a well-exposed Precambrian volcanic succession hosting base and precious metal deposits. The course is delivered as a mapping project with evening lectures and discussions following a one-day introductory field trip. An introduction to graphic core logging is provided. Mapping is conducted in teams, and grades are based on the map, structural cross-sections, and a final report, which includes a description and interpretation of the geology and structure and an assessment of exploration potential with recommendations.
Cost for industry participants: $4,000 + HST = $4520. Cost includes course tuition, return transportation from Sudbury, hotel breakfasts, and double-occupancy lodging at Quality Inn, Rouyn-Noranda. Lunch and dinner are the students’ responsibility. The class size will be limited to 20 participants.
Contact Dr. Ross Sherlock at rsherlock@laurentian.ca for additional course/content information.
Contact Ms. Roxane Mehes rmehes@laurentian.ca for registration, logistics, and accommodation information.
Exploration Geochemistry
GEOL 5806
December 2026 - 3cr - On-Site and Remote Webcast
Description:
Register for this comprehensive 10-day course in exploration geochemistry that addresses principles and methods of lithogeochemical and surficial geochemical exploration. Topics include planning, sampling, analysis, QAQC, data handling and analysis (basic geostatistics, introductory machine learning, ioGAS), and their interpretation.
Students will review case histories and their applications to magmatic, magmatic-hydrothermal, and hydrothermal mineral deposits and work on laboratory exercises relevant to mineral exploration.
The geochemical software ioGAS will be used throughout the course. On December 5, a one-day optional and highly recommended ioGAS tutorial will be held.
The entire course and recommended ioGAS tutorial will provide an excellent professional development opportunity to upskill or refresh your existing knowledge. Graduate students will gain relevant training and essential tools used in mineral exploration.
Advanced undergraduate-level (3rd or 4th-year training) in mineral deposits, geochemistry, and petrology is highly recommended.
Graduate students outside of Ontario may take the course as part of their program's required credits and should consult their home institution regarding this.
For further information on the course, contact Dr. Stefanie Brueckner at sbrueckner@laurentian.ca.
Registration & Costs: See the Registration Form below. Costs vary depending on whether you are 1) a student registered at LU, another university in Ontario, or elsewhere, or 2) a non-student (industry professional). Discounts are available for MERC members.
VIEW / DOWNLOAD 2024 REGISTRATION FORM
Contact Ms Roxane Mehes at rmehes@laurentian.ca for additional information and to register.
Exploration for Hydrothermal Ore Deposits
GEOL 5607
April 2025 and 2027
(April 5-14, 2025)
This 10-day in-person course features morning lectures and hands-on afternoon labs examining representative ore suites.
The course focuses on the geological (regional setting, deposit-scale features), mineralogical, alliteration, and geochemical parameters used to classify and explore for the major magmatic-hydrothermal ore-deposit systems.
Following an introduction to relevant geochemical principles used to study these deposits, the course begins at the magmatic-hydrothermal transition represented by critical metal-rich (Li, Ta-Nb, Cs, REEs) pegmatite and alkaline-rock settings (e.g., carbonatites) before examining high- and low-temperature deposit types (i.e., porphyry- and skarn-types (Cu, Au, Mo, and Sn-W), epithermal Au-Ag, VMS, orogenic and intrusion-related Au, sediment-hosted Cu-Pb-Zn-Co (Sedex/MVT, red-bed), and uranium).
Knowledge gained from relevant undergraduate courses in ore deposit geology, petrology, and high-temperature geochemistry are recommended.
Cost for industry participants:
Full course (on campus): CDN $2,750 + 13% HST ($357.50) = $3,107.50
Individual days (on campus): CDN $300/day + 13% HST ($39) = $339
Discounts for MERC members (Foundation: 20%, Tier 1: 10%, Tier 2: 5%). Contact us for pricing options for multiple participants in the same company.
Download Registration & Payment Form
Contact Ms Roxane Mehes rmehes@laurentian.ca to register.
Contact Dr. Dan Kontak dkontak@laurentian.ca for course information.
Structure, Tectonics, and Mineral Exploration
GEOL 5307 (field-based)
September 2 – 14, 2025, and in Fall 2027
Join Dr. Bruno Lafrance for this 12-day field- and lecture-based course that addresses the fundamentals of structural field analysis.
The course will be held in Sudbury and Kirkland Lake, Ontario. In Sudbury, participants will investigate the development of regional folds, cleavages, and shear zones in the Paleoproterozoic Southern Province and Mesoproterozoic Grenville Province. This will provide the participants with the tools needed to interpret the regional tectonic controls and local structural controls on orogenic gold mineralization in the world-renowned Kirkland Lake gold district. Mapping exercises will be complemented by lectures, allowing the unique opportunity to directly apply classroom learning to the field.
By the end of the course, participants will have learned how to:
-
conduct a geometrical structural analysis of a multiply deformed terrane
-
complete a structural interpretation of a deformed terrane
-
determine the sense of movement in shear zones
-
determine the geometry and dynamic significance of orogenic quartz vein systems
Course Cost for Professional Participants: CDN $3,850 + 13% HST ($500.50) = $4,350.50. This includes shared accommodation in Kirkland Lake on the nights of Sept. 10, 11, 12 & transportation during the field school. Professional registrants are responsible for their accommodations in Sudbury for the nights of Sept. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 13. Food/meals are not covered. Discount for MERC members: (Foundation: 20%, Tier 1: 10%, Tier 2: 5%).
VIEW/DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM
UNIVERSITY Students: See the enrollment page for further information.
Contact Ms Roxane Mehes rmehes@laurentian.ca AND Prof Bruno Lafrance blafrance@laurentian.ca for further information and to register.
Exploration Geophysics
GEOL 5956
December 4-13, 2025 and 2027
Syllabus, Schedule and Logistical Information; Registration Form
This 10-day course includes an introduction to the physical properties of rocks and how these can be inferred from geophysical data. The role that geophysics plays in mineral exploration programs will also be discussed. Methods covered gravity, magnetics, electrical and induced polarization, electromagnetics, gamma-ray spectrometry, reflection seismology, borehole, and airborne methods. There are daily exercises, many involving computer applications, and the final day will include a regional interpretation of public domain geophysical data.
Details: This 10-day intensive course in geophysical methods applied to mineral exploration is offered by the Harquail School of Earth Sciences (HES) and the Mineral Exploration Research Centre (MERC) at Laurentian University. The course will be classroom-based with lectures in the morning and part of the afternoon. Students taking the course for credit undertake laboratory exercises in the late afternoon. Topics to be covered include the physical properties of rocks and how these can be inferred from geophysical data. The role that geophysics plays in mineral exploration programs will also be discussed. The course is structured such that each day will cover one of the methods commonly used in mineral exploration. In each case, the material will be presented by an academic or industry person who is an expert practitioner in that method. The specific methods covered are gravity methods, magnetic methods, electrical and induced polarization methods, electromagnetic methods, gamma-ray spectrometry, reflection seismology and borehole methods. There will also be talks from industry representatives discussing the importance of airborne geophysical methods in exploration, and how borehole EM is used in the search for and delineation of conductive ore. The final day will be a presentation by staff from the Ontario Geological Survey on the role that public domain data can have in the mineral exploration process. A regional interpretation of public domain data will also be undertaken. The course does not rely heavily in mathematics, but attempts to impart an understanding of the basic scientific principles. There is a strong emphasis on case studies.
Prerequisites: Advanced undergraduate-level courses in geology or physics.
Course Format: lectures, laboratory practicals, and problems.
Course Credit: 3 credits, applicable toward thesis-based or coursework-based MSc programs and PhD programs; also applicable toward continuing education and continuing professional development requirements for Professional Registration. A participation certificate will be issued on request, with hours listed.
Grading: Laboratory practicals and problems 100%.
Non-student cost:
On campus: $2750.00 plus HST = $3107.50 for the full course, or $300.00 plus HST = $339.00 per day.
Remote: $1200.00 plus HST = $1356.00 for the full course, or $120.00 plus HST = $135.60 per day.
Discounts for MERC Members (see registration form).
Laurentian student fees are subject to change.
Contact Ms Roxane Mehes rmehes@laurentian.ca to register. Contact Prof Richard Smith rssmith@laurentian.ca for additional information.
Applied Research Project
GEOL 5055*
This course is required for and limited to students enrolled in the coursework-based Applied MSc in Mineral Exploration program. A research topic relevant to mineral exploration is selected in consultation with a faculty advisor and students submit, in writing, the results of their research at the end of the program. *Students register for this course only in the term they plan to submit their research project paper.
Contact Lisa Gibson at lgibson2@laurentian.ca for additional information.
