GEO4830 – Analytical methods in geochemistry
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The course will introduce the student to various analytical methods used in geochemistry and geology . It will provide a theoretical background, and a practical introduction to methods of relevance to the student’s own MSc research through laboratory excercises.. The course consists of a theoretical module and several laboratory modules, the student must select three laboratory modules that are relevant for the research component of the MSc project. One of these - a 2 credit point module on ICPMS can be used as part of the course KJM-MENA4010.
Learning outcome
During the course you will:
- learn the principles of important methods used to analyse the chemical and mineralogical composition of rocks and minerals.
- be introduced to scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microprobe (EMP), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
- receive an introduction to the statistical treatment of analytical data, including the calculation of detection limits, precision and accuracy.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
The following courses must be taken before the first lecture in GEO4830:
- HMS0503 – Laboratory Safety OR MNHMS0010LS – Innf?ring i laboratoriesikkerhet (discontinued) OR MNHMS0020LS – In-depth Laboratory Safety (discontinued)
For students taking GEO4830 Autumn 2015 or later, to have GEO4830 included in your degree you must first pass the following HSE courses:
- MNHMS0015 – Introduction to Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) (discontinued) OR HMS0501 – Safety and Physical Environment and HMS0502 – Positive Learning Environment and HMS0507 – Fire Safety
- HMS0503 – Laboratory Safety OR MNHMS0010LS – Innf?ring i laboratoriesikkerhet (discontinued) OR MNHMS0020LS – In-depth Laboratory Safety (discontinued)
For further information se website for transitional arrangements between old and new HSE courses.
Recommended previous knowledge
GEL2110 – Mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry (continued), GEO1040 – Introduction to programming with applications in geosciences (discontinued)/ GEO-KJM1040 – Introduction to programming with applications in geosciences and in chemistry (discontinued)/ INF1100 – Introduction to programming with scientific applications (continued) (or a comparable course) is highly recommended.
Teaching
Lectures (2 hours pr week) and practicals (4 hours pr week).
Attendance at the first lecture is compulsory. Students who fail to meet, are considered to have withdrawn from the course unless they have previously given notice to the Studies administration, email address: studieinfo@geo.uio.no
To attend the course it is required that the following courses must be taken before the first lecture:
- HMS0503 – Laboratory Safety OR MNHMS0010LS – Innf?ring i laboratoriesikkerhet (discontinued) OR MNHMS0020LS – In-depth Laboratory Safety (discontinued)
You will need to provide documentation that you have passed HMS0503 when you attend the first lecture.
As the teaching involves laboratory and/or field work, you should consider taking out a separate travel and personal risk insurance. Read about your insurance cover as a student.
Examination
Active participation to the exercises and discussion of the results are a prerequisite for admission to the final exam.
Final exam is oral if 4 or less students, written if 5 or more students.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.
Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass the original examination.
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.