Earth & Space Sciences

This course examines how and why volcanoes erupt and how to communicate this to diverse audiences. It explores local volcanoes on field trips, and  volcanoes in North Island NZ/Aotearoa and Iceland via virtual field trips. During the labs you will use microscopes, cooking, and explosions to describe volcanic deposits, understand lava viscosity, and explain volcanic hazards. 

This course examines nature and origin of structures produced by deformation in the Earth’s crust, and material properties of rocks that affect the way in which they respond, as well as practical geometric methods associated with deriving and representing the three dimensional form of structures commonly encountered in geological practice, and synthesis of tectonic settings. It also covers large-scale geometry and processes of plate tectonics, and topics in global geophysics linked to current observation and plate tectonic theory.

The course introduces the students to the concept of sustainable energy and the main renewable energy resources. Those covered in the course are geothermal, hydro, wind, solar, and marine energy, the emphasis being on geothermal energy. The current and potential use of these energy resources for producing electricity and space heating are discussed, with application to the UK where appropriate. The focus is on current and future use of these resources, as well as on quantitative aspects and understanding some of the relevant physics. The module covers the basic concepts of energy science, including conservation of energy, basic thermodynamic concepts, energy efficiency, and related topics presented at an elementary (easily understood) level. An emphasis is on the ideal combination between geothermal energy (which is a steady source – always there) and other but non-steady renewable sources (e.g., solar and wind energy).

This course examines field techniques applied to metamorphic, igneous and sedimentary rocks, and rock deformation structures. 

This course examines topics such as the nature of science and matauranga Maori; the origin and age of the Universe and our solar system; the origin and evolution of life on Earth; extremophiles and the environmental limits of life; the search for habitable environments in the Solar System; exploration of Mars and Icy Worlds for extra-terrestrial life; extrasolar planets; planetary protection; and the ethics and future of space exploration. 

This introduction to Natural Resource Economics examines the scarcity and optimal allocation of freshwater resources in the Western Cape, South Africa. The theoretical framework is neo-classical microeconomics, market failure, and climate change are being addressed. Assessment: tests and essays (40%), final examination (60%).

This course examines mineralogy, igneous and metamorphic petrology, and related ore deposits, and their use in interpretation of geological environments. It covers geologic processes sensitive to pressure, temperature and volatile availability, including magma crystallization and gold mineralization.

This course offers students the possibility to grow the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize, describe, and interpret structural and tectonic features at all scales of observation, and how to use structural geology to constrain tectonic and geodynamic scenarios recorded in the rock record. After completing the course, students are able to: recognize, measure, and plot the geometric features of a significant variety of geological structures, from the outcrop to the regional scale; understand the mechanics of deformation and assess the dynamic and kinematic framework within which deformation and strain localization have taken place; reconstruct modes and timing of deformation; and decipher the geodynamic environments that govern the first-order evolution of our Planet. Teaching includes a combination of theory lessons, practical sessions and one excursion to deformed areas of the Northern Apennines.

A working knowledge of regional geology represents the basis for any practical application of geology, including land planning, engineering geology, and the sustainable development of mineral, hydrocarbon, and water resources. This course provides the student with a modern synthesis of the geology of Italy in view of its many practical applications. The course discusses topics including the main geophysical features of the Italian peninsula and the adjacent marine basins; and the main Italian geological domains: the Alpine orogen, the Corsica-Sardinia block, the Calabria-Peloritani terrane, the Apennines, the Apulia and Hyblean platforms, the geology of Sicily, and the Quaternary.