Earth & Space Sciences

This course aims to explore the theme of Earth processes and in particular to address the chemistry and physics based actors in System Earth. This course explores the principal components of System Earth: plate tectonic theory; rocks, water, and weathering; and time scales of System Earth. By going through a selection of calculated examples a deeper understanding of the processes involved is obtained. The course focuses first on the dynamics of planet Earth, the principal building blocks of the solid Earth, and introduces plate tectonic theory as the underlying paradigm; time scales and rates of processes are introduced. The second part of the course first studies carbonate dissolution and the role of atmospheric CO2 on the pH of natural waters. In the next step the course introduces the anthropogenic factor: the chemical reactions that contribute to the formation of acid rain, and the course proceeds to quantify the effect of acid rain on natural waters. Thermodynamics gives us the tools to quantify chemical reactions. Weathering reactions of basement rock in the acidic environments forms clay minerals. The process of clay mineral formation in turn can be linked to the formation of mineral resources such as bauxite. The final leg of the course introduces isotope geochemistry and its role in quantifying Earth processes: radioactive decay as a tool to measure time and isotope fractionation as a tool to document temperature fluctuations, and thus climate change in the past.

This course introduces the basic concepts of brittle and ductile deformation processes and how they control the strength, mechanical behavior, and development of structures in the Earth's continental crust and lithosphere. Students develop a basic understanding of the forces driving deformation, and the displacements and strains associated with simple crustal deformations. The course then further develops a more advanced understanding of deformation processes and structures produced by displacement and deformation in the Earth's lithosphere at scales ranging from the tectonic plate scale, down to the crystal lattice scale.

The course provides a comprehensive introduction to all branches of oceanography, namely physical, biological, chemical, and geological oceanography, for science students. It also provides a solid foundation for marine aspects of advanced courses in environmental sciences, geography, sedimentology, marine geology, ecology, and meteorology. The course is formally divided into physical, biological, chemical, and geological oceanography but the multi-disciplinary nature of ocean sciences is emphasized through out the course by highlighting the links between disciplines.

To survey our present understanding of our universe and of our solar system with the sun as the source of energy for life on Earth, together with the possibility of life elsewhere.

This course examines many aspects of environmental threat today, most especially climate change. It begins with basic principles and introductory concepts and distinctions. This course explores the impacts of global change on the atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces with focus given to each sphere in turn.