FYS-GEO4300 – Methods in physics of geological processes
Course content
The course includes two main subjects: diffusion and fracturing. An introduction is given to the significance of these processes in nature. Different methods used to understand these processes both theoretically and in nature, are introduced. These include field observation, collection of samples, light microscopy, electron microscopy, interpretation of microstructures, seismic, mathematical modelling of the processes, simulation by solving differential equations and using discrete element methods, design of experiments, infra-red mapping, tension measurements, and image processing.
Learning outcome
The students should get in touch with the research frontier within field, experimental and numerical methods used in physics of geological processes. The course also includes practical training in writing reports from small research projects.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
In addition to fulfilling the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway, you must either have 2MX/2MY/3MZ and 3MX/3FY/3KJ/3BI/(2KJ+3BT)/(2BI+3BT) from Norwegian upper secondary school, or have completed equivalent studies in mathematics as well as physics, or chemistry, or biology at upper secondary school or university level at another educational institution. Read more about fulfilling special requirements.
Recommended previous knowledge
Bachelor degree in physics, geo-sciences or applied mathematics. For master students, it is recommended that the course FYS-GEO4200 - Case study in physics of geological processes is taken together with FYS-GEO4300.
Teaching
The course extends over a full semester with approx. 2 hours of teaching per week. In addition the course includes compulsory laboratory, field, and computer based exercises.
As the teaching involves laboratory and/or field work, you should consider taking out a separate travel and personal risk insurance. Read about your insurance cover as a student.
Examination
The candidate must hand in a number of project reports and the grade obtain on the project reports constitutes 75 % of the final mark. An oral examination constitutes 25 % of the final mark. Letter grades.
This subject does not offer new examination in the beginning of the subsequent term for candidates who withdraw during an ordinary examination or fail an ordinary examination.
Detailed information about examinations at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences can be found here