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Overview

Principles of geochemistry applied to Earth and environmental processes; origin and distribution of the elements, water-rock reactions, isotope dating and tracers; problem solving tutorials and a laboratory project.

Students will gain knowledge of geochemistry both from a theoretical and practical standpoint.  Field trips and laboratory work will allow them to gain familiarity with analytical geochemical methods.  At the same time they will learn aspects of the theoretical basis for the interpretation and critical assessment of geochemical data.

About this paper

Paper title Geochemistry
Subject Geology
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,318.20
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
90 points including GEOL 112 and/or EAOS 111 and/or GEOG and/or CHEM papers
Restriction
GEOL 362
Schedule C
Science
Eligibility

Background requirements: Basic knowledge of elementary mathematics and chemistry. GEOL262 is for students in their second year of a geology or equivalent degree. GEOL362 is for students in their third year of a geology or equivalent degree.

Contact
geology@otago.ac.nz
Teaching staff

Coordinator: Professor Claudine Stirling

Paper Structure

The course is divided into four modules, covering the theory and both high and low temperature applications of:

  • water-mineral reactions
  • trace element distributions
  • stable isotopes
  • radioactive and radiogenic isotopes

A unifying theme of the course is the topic of global biogeochemical cycles. Implications for economic mineralisation will also be considered.

 

Teaching Arrangements

Two lectures and one 3-hour laboratory per week.

Fieldwork: Several trips for sample collection will take place during lab time

Textbooks
Highly recommended: Gill, Robin. Chemical Fundamentals of Geology and Environmental Geoscience, 3rd Edition. Wiley Blackwell.
Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students will gain knowledge of geochemistry both from a theoretical and practical standpoint.  Field trips and laboratory work will allow them to gain familiarity with analytical geochemical methods.  At the same time they will learn aspects of the theoretical basis for the interpretation and critical assessment of geochemical data.

Assessment details

Assessment is approximately an even split between internal (ongoing during the semester) and external (final exam).

Assessments for GEOL362 are set and graded differently to GEOL262 to reflect greater background knowledge and higher expectations of students taking the paper at 300-level.

Overview

Principles of geochemistry applied to Earth and environmental processes; origin and distribution of the elements, water-rock reactions, isotope dating and tracers; problem solving tutorials and a laboratory project.

About this paper

Paper title Geochemistry
Subject Geology
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
90 points including GEOL 112 and/or EAOS 111 and/or GEOG and/or CHEM papers
Restriction
GEOL 362
Schedule C
Science
Eligibility

Basic knowledge of elementary mathematics and chemistry. GEOL 262 is for students in their second year of a geology or equivalent degree. GEOL 362 is for students in their third year of a geology or equivalent degree.

Contact
geology@otago.ac.nz
Teaching staff

Co-ordinator: Professor Claudine Stirling

Paper Structure

The course is divided into four modules, covering the theory and both high and low temperature applications of:

  • water-mineral reactions
  • trace element distributions
  • stable isotopes
  • radioactive and radiogenic isotopes

A unifying theme of the course is the topic of global biogeochemical cycles. Implications for economic mineralisation will also be considered.

Teaching Arrangements

Two lectures and one 3-hour laboratory per week.

Fieldwork: Several trips for sample collection will take place during lab time.

Textbooks

Highly recommended:

  • Gill, Robin. Chemical Fundamentals of Geology and Environmental Geoscience, 3rd Edition. Wiley Blackwell.
  • Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    Students will gain knowledge of geochemistry both from a theoretical and a practical standpoint. Field trips and laboratory work will allow them to gain familiarity with analytical geochemical methods. At the same time, they will learn aspects of the theoretical basis for the interpretation and critical assessment of geochemical data.

    Assessment details

    Assessment is approximately an even split between internal (ongoing during the semester) and external (final exam).

    Assessments for GEOL 362 are set and graded differently from GEOL 262 to reflect greater background knowledge and higher expectations of students taking the paper at the 300-level.

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