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Vår 2021

GEO-3136 Practical geochronological methods - 10 stp


The course is administrated by

Institutt for geovitenskap

Type of course

This course is available as a single course.

Course contents

Within the scope of this course, students will get applied training in key geochronological methods to solve challenges for their own studies of terrestrial and marine geological archives. The course takes advantage of easy access from UiT to geohazards, glacial landscapes, and fjord sites around Tromsø. Students ability to choose sample locations, analyze and interpret geochronological data is the key to understand past interactions between the geohazards, Earth system and climate change. The course starts with a theoretical background and physical principles of key geochronological methods. A field course and excursion will provide hands-on experience in sampling strategies and techniques. Key methods that will be discussed are radiocarbon dating, optically stimulated luminescence dating, cosmogenic nuclide dating, and tephrochronology. Lectures, seminars and exercises will alternate to provide background information for current challenges and avenues of dating methods in high latitude environments and in geohazard studies.

With exercises and data analyses, students will focus on practical challenges of the dating techniques, like building age-depth models and evaluation of uncertainties. In seminars, student groups will critically assess published case studies with regard to age constraints, interpretations and related challenges.

The course is recommended for students in marine geology and geophysics, sedimentology, geohazards, and Quaternary geology.


Application deadline

Applicants from Nordic countries: 1 December for the spring semester. Exchange students and Fulbright students: 1 October for the spring semester.

Admission requirements

Bachelor's degree in geology or a similar degree following a programme of study of at least three years duration, or similar education approved in accordance with the Norwegian Universities Act section 3-4. In addition, specialization in geology worth the equivalent of at least 80 ECTS credits is required. Normally, an average mark of C or better is required at the bachelor's degree level or other programme for basis of admission.

Application code: 9371.


Objective of the course

Knowledge

The student has

Skills

The student can

General competences

The student can


Language of instruction

English.

Teaching methods

16 hours of lectures, 20 hours of practical exercises, 8 hours of seminars, 2 days of field course and excursion.

Assessment

Poster presentation of data analysis (counts 25% of the final grade), report including poster/oral presentation (counts 75% of the final grade). Both parts must be passed in order to pass the course.

Grading scale: Letter grades A-F, where of F is fail. A re-sit examination for students that did not pass the previous ordinary examination will not be arranged.

Compulsory learning activities

Approval of training in health, safety, and environment prior to the field course and excursion. This includes the use of helmets, high-visibility safety vests etc., and the use of geological equipment (e.g., hammer, spade, scraper, magnifier) in the field.

Active participation in at least 80% of the lectures and seminars.

Approval of the practical exercises.

Participation in the field course and excursion is mandatory.