course-details-portlet

GEOG2012

Field and Laboratory Methods in Physical Geography

Credits 7.5
Level Intermediate course, level II
Course start Autumn 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement School exam

About

About the course

Course content

The primary objective of this field and laboratory course is to provide an introduction to different methods used for conducting research projects in physical geography. In the field, students will learn how to recognize landforms, describe and measure Earth surface processes, and collect geological and hydrological samples; in the lab they will learn to analyse their data and interpret their results. Students will also learn different methods for quantifying the Earth’s surface and how to display and analyse these data using ArcGIS and other relevant programs.

Learning outcome

A student who has completed this course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

  • has introductory knowledge of and experience with state-of-the-art tools, technology, and field methods for capturing and processing various geographical, geological, and hydrological field data;
  • is able to identify common slope, marine, coastal, fluvial, glacial, and periglacial landforms, sediments, and processes in arctic and alpine environments;
  • has knowledge of how to organize and carry out field-, lab-, and computer-work that will enable them to answer a given research question;
  • understands the difference between data collection, analysis, and interpretation, and how to present measurement errors and work within the limits of their data.

Skills:

  • is able to develop a research project that falls under one or more sub-disciplines of physical geography and determine the type of data and methods required to answer their research questions;
  • is able to follow their research plans and collect data during a compulsory, 3-day field trip;
  • is able to conduct simple lab experiments for the purpose of characterizing basic sedimentological properties of their samples;
  • is able to retrieve, process, create, and analyze a digital elevation model of their field area;
  • is able to summarize and communicate their findings in a report or presentation;​

General competence:

  • is able to work in teams to develop research questions, conduct fieldwork, analyse data, and present their results in written and oral forms.

Learning methods and activities

Up to 10 hours lectures. Students will conduct preparatory fieldwork at Dragvoll Campus, and possibly other field sites in Trondheim. The three-day field course will take place in the Oppdal area.

Please note that mandatory activities and lectures will start prior to the registration deadline.

Teaching will only be given if a sufficient number of students register for the course and if the Department has sufficient teaching resources. See www.ntnu.edu/studies/courses for the most recent information on the courses not offered.

Compulsory assignments

  • Group work; poster and oral presentation
  • Mandatory attendance at pre-field lectures, during all fieldwork (incl that at Dragvoll), and during class presentations

Further on evaluation

The compulsory assignments must be completed and approved in order to be eligible to take the exam. The examination is a 4 hour written exam (worth 100% of the final grade). Same form of examination is given when re-sitting for the exam or improving the grade. The written exam is offered both in the autumn and spring semester.

Specific conditions

Admission to a programme of study is required:
Geography (BGEOG)
Geography with Teacher Education, years 8 - 13 (MLGEOG)

Required previous knowledge

GEOG1014 - Earth`s Natural Environment or equivalent.

Subject areas

  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Life Sciences
  • Social Sciences

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Geography and Social Anthropology

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: School exam
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

School exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code E Date 2025-11-19 Time 09:00 Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment
Place and room for school exam

The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.

Sluppenvegen 14
Room SL111 orange sone
16 candidates

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

School exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code E Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment Place and room Not specified yet.