Course content

The course presents the fundamental geophysical methods that are used to investigate the Earth’s inner structure, from a global to local scale. Core methods that are covered include seismology, seismic, analysis of the Earth’s gravity field, magnetic field and heat flow, which together enable us to map the Earth’s physical properties like density, compressibility, and electrical and thermal conductivity.

At a global scale, this enables us for example to localize earthquakes and to reconstruct plate tectonics through geological time. On a smaller scale, this can be used to explore the subsurface for metalliferous minerals, oil and gas occurrence, potential for CO2 storage and geothermal energy, as well as to monitor underground pollution or localities prone to landslides.

In this course, emphasis is put on understanding the principles behind the methods and their applications, more than on detailed mathematical demonstrations.

Learning outcome

When you have completed this course, you will

  • understand how waves generated by earthquakes can be used to map the Earth’s deep interior
  • know how earthquakes are localized and how they are related to global tectonic processes.
  • be able to explain the basics of seismic methods which use active seismic sources to map the Earth’s upper sedimentary layers and crust.
  • know how gravity data are collected and analysed, and what are the basic principles of isostasy.
  • know about prospection methods employing electrical, magnetic and radiometric measurements and their applications.
  • be able to explain basic analogue and digital data processing techniques.

Admission to the course

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.

Special admission requirements

In addition to fulfilling the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:

  • Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2)

And in addition one of these:

  • Mathematics R2
  • Physics (1+2)
  • Chemistry (1+2)
  • Biology (1+2)
  • Information technology (1+2)
  • Geosciences (1+2)
  • Technology and theories of research (1+2)

Mathematics R2 was a requirement up until and including the study year 2021/2022, as part of a trial arrangement. From and including the study year 2022/2023, Mathematics R2 is no longer a requirement.

The special admission requirements may also be covered by equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies (in Norwegian).

Overlapping courses

Teaching

4 hours of lectures and 2 hours of exercises per week during the semester.

There are 2 mandatory assignments which must be approved before sitting the final written examination.

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 Student administration (studieinfo@geo.uio.no).

We reserve the right to change the teaching?form and examination of the course in semesters where 5 or fewer students have been admitted.

Examination

  • Approval of 2 mandatory assignments is required before the student can sit the final exam.

  • A final written examination counts 100% towards the final grade.

Mandatory assignments are valid for 5 semesters starting from the semester they were approved the first time.

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.

It will also be counted as 1 of the 3 attempts to sit the exam for this course if you sit the exam for the following course:

Examination support material

Language of examination

The examination text is given in Norwegian. You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.

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.

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.

More about examinations at UiO

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Common Student System) May 24, 2024 8:43:04 PM

Facts about this course

Level
Bachelor
Credits
10
Teaching
Spring
Examination
Spring
Teaching language
Norwegian

Contact

Department of Geosciences