Non-Nordic Geology, Excursion and Project Thesis

The course is part of a Master's degree in Earth Sciences. The course can also be taken as an elective course subject to availability.

The course can be part of the following programme:

Master's Programme in Earth Sciences (N2GVS)

Admission to the course requires 120 credits within Earth Sciences with focus on geology or equivalent.

The main focus of the course is professional training in geological fieldwork and advanced interpretation of obtained data.

The course consist of two modules:

1. Non-Nordic excursion

The module consists of an obligatory excursion to a non-Nordic country.

2. Project work 

Students work in groups on geological questions. The project work is presented in writing and orally.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• show detailed as well as comprehensive knowledge of the development of the lithosphere and regional geology in a non-Nordic country or countries.
• independently and professionally interpret and discuss the bedrock orogenesis based on observations of the character of sedimentary, magmatic and metamorphic rock species and context.
• show comprehensive knowledge of ore-forming processes in various tectonic settings.
• account for both regional and local conditions regarding rock type, stratigraphy, quarternary and recent deposits, geomorphology and the relevant geoscientific processes.
• explain the variations between different areas regarding general geological principles.
• understand and assess the interplay between geological processes and society in terms of natural hazards and environmental risks.
• show detailed as well as comprehensive knowledge of the development of the landscape.
• independently and professionally interpret and discuss the landscape development and the natural geographical conditions based on observations in one holistic perspective.

Competence and skills

• increase skills in presenting achieved results orally and in writing. 
• investigate a geoscientific question with a field-based approach.
• comprehend the interplay among the Earth's different spheres in the field. 

Judgement and approach

• critically analyze large-scale geological structures in the field and present results in writing and orally. 
  
  
  
  
  

The teaching consists of group project work and seminars in preparation for and summation of the excursion. During the excursion, lecture and hands-on teaching occurs on location.

Language of instruction: English

Module 1: Non-nordic excursion, 7,5 credits: Fail (U) / Pass (G)

Module 2: Project work, 7,5 credits: Fail (U) / Pass (G) / Pass with Distinction (VG)

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course's intented learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course had been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaption of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local Rules Regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

To pass the course, a student needs to pass all sections of the course with a minimum of Pass (G). In order to achieve Pass with Distinction (VG) for the course grade Pass with Distinction is needed for the project work and Pass (G) for the excursion.

The students are given the opportunity to make an anonymous written evaluation of the course.

The result of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

Students admitted to Master's Programme in Earth Sciences (N2GVS) are given priority for admission to the course.

The excursion incurs additional costs for the student.