Course content

The course addresses the origin, composition, and properties of soils and unconsolidated sediments, emphasizing their relevance to engineering and environmental geology. Focus is placed on the distribution and characteristics of soils in Norway, both onshore and offshore. Students evaluate stability, weathering, suitability as construction materials, and resource utilization, and how these factors influence land-use planning and societal decision-making.The course also considers the role of soils in environmental and energy contexts, including as recipients for waste, sites for deposition, and sources for ground-source heating and other technical applications.

Learning outcome

After completing the course, the student will have the following learning outcomes, defined as knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

The student has an understanding of the formation, distribution, and properties of soils and sediments as construction ground and raw materials. The student has insight into the processes controlling weathering, deposition, and stability, and how these influence land-use planning and resource management. The student understands causes of sediment slides and principles of stability assessment. The student recognizes the environmental and resource significance of sediments.

Skills:

The student can interpret the origin and properties of sediments using geological data, field observations, and laboratory analyses. The student can evaluate grain size, thickness, and stability, and draw professional conclusions about suitability as foundation material and resource. The student can use relevant databases, compile scientific information, and present results in written and oral form. The student has knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and standards in the field.

General competence:

The student can reflect on the role of sediments in technical, environmental, and societal contexts, and communicate professional assessments to various audiences. The student demonstrates understanding of how geological evaluations contribute to interdisciplinary projects and can collaborate with other disciplines in planning and engineering processes.

Learning methods and activities

Teaching includes lectures, colloquia, group work, and excursions. Students take part in two short field courses (a total of three days) where sediments and landforms are observed and discussed in the field. Fieldwork may take place during a weekend. A compulsory literature assignment is carried out and consists of a written report and an oral presentation (Pecha Kucha format). Fieldwork may take place during a weekend. The course emphasizes active learning through collaboration, reflection, and examples from Norwegian geology. The course is evaluated by a reference group.

Compulsory assignments

• Literature report with presentation
• Field course

Required previous knowledge

TGB4185 Engineering Geology, Basic Course or equivalent.

Course materials

NGI (2014) Skred. Skredfare og sikringstiltak. Universitetsforlaget. ISBN 978-82-15-02391-5. In addition, selected topics from textbooks and journals.

Credit reductions