Earth & Space Sciences

This course is an introduction to hydrology, the study of water and its occurrence and circulation on land. The course discusses components of the hydrological cycle such as precipitation, evaporation, soil- and groundwater, runoff in streams, and rivers. The water balance is studied both globally and with special reference to Norway, but the main focus of the course is on drainage basins and the processes that determine the flow of water from the moment it touches the ground until it runs out into the sea. The course emphasizes understanding physical processes, including the transport of water and energy in the Earth system. Students utilize observation techniques and analysis of hydrological data. Floods and droughts are described separately.

This course covers mathematical modelling of large-scale ocean circulation and oceanic wave motion, fluid dynamics, and differential equations. Students use these techniques to explain phenomena in the ocean that are relevant to the real world. Students examine the effects of rotation on fluid flows. This leads to the concept of geostrophy, which enables ocean currents to be inferred from measurements of sea surface height or from vertical profiles of seawater density. The role of wind in driving the ocean is examined. This enables students to model the large-scale circulation of the ocean including the development of oceanic gyres and strong western boundary currents. The course concludes by examining the role of waves, and the differences between wave motion at mid-latitudes and the Equator.

This course explores the dynamic processes that shape planet Earth. A broad overview of plate tectonics, Earth structure and natural hazards is followed by lectures on rocks and minerals, resources and the geological history of Zealandia. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on examples from New Zealand. Complementary lab classes allow students to develop a range of essential practical skills. Field trips are used to explore local geology and reinforce concepts from lectures and labs.

In this course students get to know the basics of geomorphology and soil geography. This includes an overview of the most important endogenous processes as well as the exogenous subsystems of the main geomorphological system and the resulting wealth of forms. The sub-area of soil geography focuses on the factors of soil formation and soil development, the most important soil types and their classification. The contents are processed and deepened independently or in groups by means of exercises. Among other things, it refers to the excerpt of basic literature and thereby trains the forms of scientific work and the handling of literature. In addition, presentation techniques are practiced. In the field morphological forms, processes and soil types, as well as aspects of hydro, climate and vegetation geography are addressed and basic techniques of field bookkeeping and the preparation of field data are conveyed to a report.

The course gives a general introduction to the field of Physical Geography and Ecosystems Sciences. The course covers the processes in the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and the atmosphere. The course consists of four partially integrated sub-sections. The first part covers basic mineralogy, geology and soil science. Geomorphology (landscape features) is introduced, covering endogenous, exogenous, and ecological processes, abiotic and biotic developments and transformations of the landscape, and changes to the landscape at different spatial and temporal scales. The second part deals with meteorological, climatological, hydrological, and oceanographic processes and relationships at different scales. The third part covers ecosystem processes including vegetation dynamics, and the relationship between climate and the development of soil types in different biomes. Finally, in the fourth part students are introduced to remote sensing and GIS-technology. During the course, the students gain practical skills in performing presentations, in communication, computing, and library resources. Students are introduced to different methods used to gather data and information about the environment, using different field data collection techniques, remote sensing (aerial photographs and satellite images) to make maps and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to analyze different environmental issues. Students gain analytical tools and methods for describing processes and phenomena in the world around them. The course consists of lectures, practical exercises, field visits and exercises, seminars, groups and individual project work. The exam is a traditional written exam.

This course discusses the analysis and evaluation of hydrological data. Topics include an introduction to common hydrogeological evaluation software for profiling, pumping test evaluation, hydrogeochemical diagrams, thematic maps, modeling of tracer passage curves, and analytical flow models.

This core course teaches students how to describe, study, and interpret sediments, sedimentary rocks, and stratigraphic frameworks. Students study concepts and methodologies of process sedimentology, stratigraphy, and sedimentary petrography, and undertake fieldwork and practicals. Students explore aspects of the physical, chemical, and biological processes that shape Earth’s surface environments. The course serves as preparation for subsequent courses on related topics and for field-based courses.

This course uses mathematics to discuss the global environment. Basic fluid dynamics and simple physics for the atmosphere and oceans are used to discuss some of the mechanisms involved in the dispersion of pollutants along coasts and the four-yearly (on average) El Nino oscillation in the equatorial Pacific, with its attendant Australia drought and blight of the Peruvian anchovy industry. Typical analysis involves the solution of linear partial differential equations for the velocity and density of the flows.