NIGK23006U Field and Methods Course in Geology-Geoscience

Volume 2024/2025
Education

MSc Programme in Geology-Geoscience

Content

The fundamental goal of the course is to enable the student to independently organize and carry out geological fieldwork and to be able to analyze, evaluate, document and communicate the results of a geological field study.

The course is intended as preparation for a Master’s thesis and therefore takes place during Master’s courses and prior to carrying out a Master’s thesis. In the course, student will gain hands-on experience in a varied range of qualitative and quantitative field methods that are considered to have a broad application in both research- and industry-related fields.

The course comprises of three parts: i) Independent theoretical and methodological preparation for the fieldwork; ii) 5 to 10 days of fieldwork; iii) processing of data and poster presentation.

The course is generic in the sense that the description above is tailored to a range of geological destinations shifting from one year to another where various teachers participates and various geological disciplines are in focus (e.g. sedimentology, palaeontologi, petrology, geochemistry, geophysics, plate tectonics, hydrogeology etc.). Subject combination strive to both included a “hardrock” and “softrock” component.

Broadly, the course is tailored so the student can make a poster after the fieldwork based on limited processing of field data. However, in some cases the post fieldwork data processing will be more significant when there are fewer active fieldwork days.

The destinations currently planned (may be subject to change) may be viewed here:  https://ign.ku.dk/uddannelser/kursusbeskrivelser/msc-geology-field-and-methods-course/

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

• Organize and carry out fieldwork, analyze, evaluate, document and communicate the results of a scientific study

• Understand the didactical elements of a poster presentation

 

Skills:

• Can identify, propose and prepare suggestions for solving more complex scientific problems in relation to theoretical, methodological and empirical observations

• Can critically evaluate a choice of methods as well as propose procedures aimed at investigating and assessing the accuracy and possible sources of error of a method

• Can evaluate the suitability of a specific method for investigating a scientific problem

• Can compile results from several, and preferentially different, methods and apply these in to specific discussion and evaluation of their own results.

• Can make a professional poster with scientific results

 

Competences:

• Can use scientifically-correct language, present scientific arguments and justifications, participate in scientific discussions as well as communication of science.

• Can integrate, evaluate, discuss and put into perspective, theoretical, methodological and empirical choices including exhibiting a reflective and critical sense for these choices together with their scientific possibilities and limitations in relationship to a specific scientific problem.

Literature

Please see the Absalon course page.

The student must be enrolled in the MSc Programme in Geology-geoscience.
Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree in Geology is recommended.
The form of teaching is theory exercises combined with ad hoc lectures and a 10 days field trip. For the teaching plan, please see Absalon.
NOTE: It is only possible to take part in one Field and Methods course pr. student during the MSc programme.
Please note that prior to the formal course registration via the Self-Service the Department will arrange information meetings for students who are interested in this course.
Students shall pay for their own travel to and from the field-work area, as well as entry visa (if required), vaccinations (if required) and personal medicine (e.g.malaria medication) and 125 DKK per day for food and lodging. For outside DK destinations, the students are required to take out a private illness and repatriation insurance covering the field period.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Preparation
  • 50
  • Theory exercises
  • 50
  • Excursions
  • 106
  • Total
  • 206
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, during course
Oral examination, 20 minutes
Type of assessment details
The written poster 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 based on field participation, field notebook, poster and oral presentation.
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
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners.
Re-exam

Re-submission of written assignment, 20 minutes oral examination without preperation. 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.