course-details-portlet

TGB4150

Structural Geology, Basic Course

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 7.5
Level Third-year courses, level III
Course start Spring 2027
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement School exam

About

About the course

Course content

This course provides an introduction to the description, classification, and interpretation of geological structures, including faults, folds, foliations, lineations, shear zones, and kinematic indicators. Students will explore the relationships between these structures and tectonic processes such as mountain building (compression) and basin formation (extension). The course emphasizes visualization and analysis of folded and faulted rock layers, both on geological maps and in cross-sections. A multi-day field course provides hands-on experience in geological mapping and structural data collection.

Learning outcome

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Describe, classify, and interpret geological structures and relate them to tectonic processes.
  • Analyze and visualize folded and faulted rock layers in geological maps and cross-sections.
  • Apply stereographic projection and other structural geology methods to solve real-world geological problems.
  • Collect, process, and interpret field data using digital and traditional tools, including compass, stereonet, GPS, and FieldMove Clino.
  • Communicate structural geological observations and interpretations clearly in written and oral formats.

Learning methods and activities

  • Lectures
  • Mandatory exercises with group report
  • Multi-day field course focusing on mapping and structural data collection

The exercises will include analysis and interpretation of geological maps and structural data. In the field course, the students will learn fundamental techniques in geological mapping and the recording of different types of structural data.

The course is evaluated through anonymous feedback during and after the teaching period

Compulsory assignments

  • Field course
  • Exercises

Further on evaluation

All exercises, the field report, and the group report must be approved.

If there is a re-sit examination, the assessment form may be changed from written to oral.

Required previous knowledge

TGB4100 Geology, Introduction, or equivalent.

Course materials

Course notes provided by lecturers and published on Canvas.

McClay: Mapping of geological structures.

Bunkholt Sæter: Kompendium.

Some online material, e.g. maps from the Geological Survey of Norway (NGU)

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
SIG0520 7.5 sp
MNGGEOL105 7.5 sp Autumn 2008
This course has academic overlap with the courses in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Geology
  • Technological subjects

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Geoscience

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: School exam
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Spring 2027

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

Re-sit examination - Summer 2027

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