NIGK15033U Marine Geoscience

Volume 2017/2018
Education

MSc Programme in Geography and Geoinformatics
MSc Programme in Geology-Geoscience

Content

The purpose of this course is to provide the student an understanding of marine sedimentary and depositional processes, marine transport processes and morphodynamics in shallow and deep water, marine environment and climate relations, palaeoceanography and practical experience in marine research methods, focusing on the Quaternary, Holocene and recent environments and deposits.  An important element of the course is the interdisciplinary approach combining geophysics (seismics and other acoustic methods), geomorphology, sedimentary studies and micropalaeontology (especially foraminifera). Another crucial aspect is the combination of theoretical and practical work, incl. active offshore marine geoscience fieldwork.

This theoretical and practical course in marine geoscience focusing on sedimentary and depositional processes linked to ocean currents and shallow-water coastal processes. The course will combine the use of acoustic methods (incl. seismics, multibeam imaging, subbottom profiling) and investigation of marine sediment cores.

The course is a compact course taking place on a field station as well as in the field. As part of the course, the students will partake in geomorphological field work in the shallow-marine/coastal region as well as on board a sea-going research vessel.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

Ability to assess issues related to the management of marine arears as well being trained in the ability to analyse specific problems and scientific relations related to dynamics, sedimentary environments, bottom morphology and stratigraphy in the marine environment.

Skills

Knowledge of how marine geoscience instruments such as seismic devices, multibeams, ADCPs etc. functions, and training in handling algorithms related to assessing results coming from such devises as well as results based on lab analysis of collected samples.

Competences

The course is focused on giving the student an overall ability to collect marine geoscience data, be able to sort, ennoble and evaluate the data into a final result, and use this for drawing meaningful conclusions related to dynamics, sedimentary environments, bottom morphology and stratigraphy in marine environments. 

Please see Absalon course page.

BSc in Geography and Geoinformatics, Geology-Geoscience or equivalent is recommended.
Lectures, individual and group exercises, field work on board R/V Aurora, and a written report to be handed in 4 weeks after the course. It is an intensive course of 8 days duration taking place as a summer school course. The students are expected to be familiar with the theoretical parts before the course, corresponding to a work load of 11 hours. During the 8-day course, the average of 12 hours/day of teaching and practicals is expected. The report is expected to have a work load of 30 hours.
The students pay for their own travel to and from the teaching location as well as for food. The expenses for lodging will be provided by the university. The students will pay a course-fee of 800 kr.

This course is carried out in cooperation with the Institute for Geoscience at Aarhus University. It is unique in the sense that this is the only Geoscience course in Denmark making use of a modern state of the art equipped research vessel : “R/V Aurora”. In 2016 the target area is Lillebælt and Vejle Fjord.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 30
  • Excursions
  • 72
  • Preparation
  • 17,5
  • Theory exercises
  • 18
  • Total
  • 137,5
Credit
5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, During course
Written assignment with a deadline for handing-in report 4 weeks after completion of the 8 days course
Exam registration requirements

Approved participation in the fieldwork. If the student does not take part in the fieldwork, the student cannot take part in the exam or re-exam and will have to re-take the course on next occasion.

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners.
Re-exam

If the exam registration requirement have not been fulfilled students must retake the course.

Re-examination Identical to the ordinary examination.

Criteria for exam assesment

Please see learning outcomes