Field and Laboratory Course in Quarternary Geology

ECTS Credits

10 ECTS

Level of Study

Bachelor

Teaching semester

Autumn

Place of Instruction

Bergen, + field trip to nearby area

Objectives and Content

The methods useful in Quaternary geological / natural geographic research are constantly changing, and new technology is constantly being used as a sign in order to better study the process environment and sediments that are deposited by various exogenous processes. The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to various methods that are useful for conducting Quaternary geological and natural geographic research projects, and to make students better equipped to meet the practical challenges associated with field and laboratory-based research projects in Quaternary geology, natural geography and paleoclimate.

The course aims to provide an introduction to different methods for studying surface shapes and sedimentary deposits (Quaternary geological mapping, drone photogrammetry, georadar, LiDAR, CHIRP, sonar, etc.), and how to collect geological samples from the Earth's surface (sediment cores, soil samples etc.). Furthermore, the student will work with the same samples and data that one has collected through the fieldwork in the laboratory, where they will get an introduction to some key methods (magnetic, geochemical and physical sediment parameters etc.) to be able to characterize sediments deposited by different geomorphological agents. The students will also work with various methods for handsaming geographical information collected during the fieldwork (georadar data, depth data from lakes, map data, etc.), and there will be an introduction to statistical methods, as well as handling and visualization of quantitative data. In this work you will get acquainted with different types of software such as ArcGIS Pro, RadExplorer, PiX4D, R, Microsoft Excel.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the student must have the following learning outcome defined in knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student can

• identify the most important methods used in Quaternary geological fieldwork
• outline what techniques are suitable for analysis of different types of sediment in the laboratory based on given problems
• know how to obtain and describe geophysical field datak
• now how to present and interpret geographical data that can be used in research contexts

Skills

The student can

• plan and carry out fieldwork based on given issues
• use different types of sampling equipment to take drill cores in lakes
• summarize and interpret information obtained with different geophysical methods
• interpret Quaternary geological maps, seismic diagrams and graphs depicting time series
• produce and discuss data collected using various field techniques
• conclude on genesis and process environment for different types of collected geological material

General competence

The student can

• assess which field techniques can be used to solve various Quaternary geological problems
• plan and carry out field work in accordance with current HSE guidelines
• plan and carry out a laboratory experiment in accordance with current HSE guidelines
• can demonstrate the ability to work individually and in groups in the field situation and in the laboratory

Required Previous Knowledge

The student must have advanced knowledge in Earth Sciences or Physical/Natural Geography, and should be in the end of a bachelor's program to attend this course.

Recommended Previous Knowledge

A bachelor in Earth Sciences, Natural geopgraphy or equivalent.

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

10 ECTS overlap with GEO313 (for students with exam from 2012 or later); 5 ECTS with GEO313 (for students with exam up to 2012).

Access to the Course

Access to the course requires admission to a programme of study at The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Teaching and learning methods

Seminar/lectures: each week (apart from the weeks with field- and laboratory exercises)

Field course: three days

Laboratory course: three days

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Reflection note, group presentation, poster presentation, and participation in seminars, field exercises and laboratory work.

Compulsory requirements can only be taken once and are valid from the semester they have been completed and accepted.

Forms of Assessment

Portfolio assessment of:

• Multiple choice test/quiz - 40 %
• Term paper - 60 %

Both parts of the portfolio must be accepted in the same semester.

Grading Scale

Passed/ failed

Assessment Semester

Assessment in teaching semester only.