Course content

Earth's structure, minerals, and rocks. Formation and deformation of rocks and continents. Igneous and metamorphic processes, plate tectonics, minerals, weathering, sedimentation, stratigraphy, geologic time. Exercises in identification of minerals, rocks, thin section photos, and fossils. Interpretation of geological maps and sections. Three 8-hour field trips involving observation, interpretation, and mapping in Gauldalen, Tautra, and Agdenes.

Learning outcome

KNOWLEDGE:
The goal of the course is to develop knowledge about Earth's structure, minerals, and rocks; formation and deformation of rocks and continents through plate tectonics; igneous and metamorphic processes, weathering, erosion, sedimentation, stratigraphy, Earth's development through geologic time. After passing the course, the student will have the necessary basis for advanced and more applied courses within geology.

SKILLS:
Among skills, the students willl be able to identify about 100 different minerals, rocks and fossils.
They will develop understanding of geologic processes. They will understand that many facts in geology are interpretations that are subject to discussion.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, compulsory field trips, two compulsory midway assessments. Field work may be scheduled for a weekend. The course is evaluated by anonymous feedback during and after the teaching period.

Compulsory assignments

• Midway assessment
• Midway assessment
• Field excursions

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

The course is primarily intended for the study programs Geology bachelor (BGEOL), Geotechnology (MTTEKGEO), Petroleum Geoscience and Engineering (MTPETR), and Geography bachelor (BGEOG). Students in other programs can apply to the department for admittance.

Course materials

EENS1110-Lecture Notes by Stephen A. Nelson.
Bergarter og mineraler by Erik Schou Jensen.
Various maps and items from internet, including NGU.no.

Credit reductions