Advanced Structural Geology

The course includes 7,5 credits at master's level. The course is offered 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 a focus in geology or equivalent, and at least 7,5 credits in structural geology.

The course examines the deformation of the Earth's lithosphere. The course aims to highlight advanced theoretical aspects of rock deformation.

In addition to the quantitative aspects of stress and strain analyses, the broad spectrum of deformation complexity in contractional, extensional and strike-slip regimes at various scales are discussed.

The course also provides an in-depth understanding of the rheological properties of the lithosphere, including brittle and plastic deformation processes at the microscale. Focus is also given to sustainability aspects related to geological fieldwork.

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

Knowledge and understanding

• have an advanced understanding of stress, strain, rheology and deformation.
• recognize moderatly complex structures and can relate these to specific deformation regimes. 
• have an advanced insight into brittle and plastic deformation processes at the microscale.
• have an insight into sustainability aspects related to geological work in the field.

Competence and skills

• qualitatively describe conditions for brittle and viscous failure.
• plot and interpret advanced structural data sets.
• use advanced software to quantify structural geology data sets.
• discusss aspects in structural geology and tectonics with respect to the regional geology of Gothenburg and/or Sweden.
• interpret structural geology map from field data.

Judgement and apporach

• understand and evaluate structural data from experiments, maps and publications.
• participate in discussions in structural geology and tectonics at a moderate level.
• use advanced software for quantitative evaluation of complex structural data.
• carry out a structural field investigation of moderate complexity.

The teaching consists of lectures (online and/or on campus) and graded assignments (e.g. laboratory work, group work, student presentations, fieldwork, excursions).

Language of instruction: English

Graded assignments, 7,5 credits: Fail/Pass/Pass with Distinction

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 intended 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 has 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).

For the grade Pass (G) on the entire course, all graded assignments must be passed and at least >50% of the maximum points for each assignment must be achieved. For the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) on the entire course, all graded assignments must be passed and at least >85% of the maximum points for each assignment must be achieved.

Students are given the opportunity to make a written, anonymous evaluation of the course.

The result and any changes in the course structure must be communicated to both the students, who completed the evaluation and to the students who will start the course.

Excursions may involve additional costs for students. According to the department's policy, students participating in an excursion must pay up to 200 SEK / night for transportation and accomodation.

Fieldwork may take place in cold, wintry weather conditions, so students must have apporpriate clothing.