Integrating Fundamental Concepts in Geosciences

The course focuses on how different disciplines (e.g. geophysics, geochemistry, petrology, sedimentology, hydrology, paleontology, fieldwork) can be integrated in order to address specific geoscientific problems, such as the dynamics and evolution of the crust-mantle system, formation and development of sedimentary basins, and exploration and sustainable exploitation of Earth’s natural resources.

Lectures and exercises are used to demonstrate how various geoscientific methods and discipline can be used as well as supplement each other in order to address scientific questions. The course will focus on how combining different geoscientific methods can improve our understanding of geological systems in comparison to using the different disciplines in isolation. Databases containing a wide range of geoscientific data will be introduced.

There is an important fieldwork component in the course, involving multiple disciplines. Data collected during fieldwork will be combined with lectures and exercises. Practical exercises will cover a broad spectrum of geoscientific disciplines – from rock description, petrography, geochemistry, sediment characterization, and fossil identification to quantitative analysis and modeling of geophysical and hydrological data and more.

The goal of the course is to give the student an insight into how different methods and disciplines can be advantageously combined to provide integrated solutions to geoscientific questions. The student will then be able to critically evaluate various methods and assess their potential to interpret geological problems and geoscientific data.