NIGK21001U Integrating Fundamental Concepts in Geosciences

Volume 2023/2024
Education

MSc Programme in Geology-Geoscience

Content

The course focuses on how different disciplines (e.g. geophysics, geochemistry, petrology, sedimentology, hydrology, paleontology, fieldwork) can be integrated in order to address specific geoscientific problems, such as the dynamics and evolution of the crust-mantle system, formation and development of sedimentary basins, and exploration and sustainable exploitation of Earth’s natural resources.

Lectures and exercises are used to demonstrate how various geoscientific methods and discipline can be used as well as supplement each other in order to address scientific questions. The course will focus on how combining different geoscientific methods can improve our understanding of geological systems in comparison to using the different disciplines in isolation. Databases containing a wide range of geoscientific data will be introduced.

There is an important fieldwork component in the course, involving multiple disciplines. Data collected during fieldwork will be combined with lectures and exercises. Practical exercises will cover a broad spectrum of geoscientific disciplines – from rock description, petrography, geochemistry, sediment characterization, and fossil identification to quantitative analysis and modeling of geophysical and hydrological data and more.

The goal of the course is to give the student an insight into how different methods and disciplines can be advantageously combined to provide integrated solutions to geoscientific questions. The student will then be able to critically evaluate various methods and assess their potential to interpret geological problems and geoscientific data.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

An overview of the theoretical background and fundamental principles of a broad range of integrated geoscientific disciplines

An understanding of the central methods and fundamental principles for evaluating and modeling data and evaluating their interpretative potential.

Skills

Describe the fundamental theoretical background for application of different geoscientific disciplines and their integration when addressing scientific questions

Carry out relevant collection, description, analysis and modelling of data when addressing specific geoscientific questions

Identify and quantify the most important uncertainties in integrated datasets

Present models based on integrated data and analyze the validity of the model.

Use methods for digitilization and presentation of data and models.

Competences

Explain the background for, and use of, various geoscientific methods and their integration

Explain the potential for integration and application of various geoscientific methods

To be able to critically compare different disciplines and methods and explain their applications.

To be capable of selecting different, relevant parameters for setting up specific geological models

To be competent in presenting geological models using spatial graphical tools

See Absalon

It is recommended that the student has completed the B.Sc programme in Geology-Geoscience or has equivalent competences from other similar degree programmes.
Teaching comprises lectures, practical exercises and computational exercises. Excursions and fieldwork are integral to the course, and data from these will be used during the course.
Some excursions will take place abroad and with overnight stays. Students need to pay a daily fee to partially cover costs (food and accommodation). Students are expected to assist with packing of instruments for fieldwork.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Preparation
  • 252
  • Exercises
  • 70
  • Field Work
  • 90
  • Total
  • 412
Individual
Collective
Feedback by final exam (In addition to the grade)

Combined individual and collective feedback during exercises and fieldwork. Individual feedback after the exam.

Credit
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, During course
Oral examination, 20 minutes
Type of assessment details
The written assignment is prepared during the course and must be handed in prior to the exam week. The oral exam uses the written assignment as its point of departure. It includes the titles listed in the officially approved reading list. A combined grade is given after the oral exam.
Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Re-exam

Re-submission of written assignment, 20 minutes oral examination. The written assignment must be handed in prior to the re-examination week. The oral exam uses the written assignment as its point of departure. It includes the titles listed in the officially approved reading list.

Criteria for exam assesment

Please see learning outcome.