GEO1100 – Evolution of the Earth

This course provides an introduction to the Earth’s evolution from the formation of the Solar System to the Anthropocene.

Central themes include the structure of the Earth, plate tectonics, the formation of the ocean floor and continents, the rock cycle, paleoclimate. You will also learn about the key processes controlling the Earth's climate and the composition of the atmosphere. In addition, we focus on interactions between inner and outer forces and the exchange of mass and energy between the Earth's spheres.

Finally, you will be introduced to field methods and get experience with academic writing.

After completing this course, you will be able to

• describe the main features of Earth’s development, explain the principles of plate tectonics, and describe Earth’s layered structure
• describe the rock cycle and identify the main processes that create, transform, and recycle rocks
• provide an overview of major geological and climatic events in Earth’s history, and explain the basis for the geological time scale and the age of the Earth
• recognise connections between Earth’s spheres, internal and external forces, the geological evolution of the planet, climate zones, and the conditions for life
• evaluate the basis for reconstructions of Earth’s environmental and climatic history.

In addition to fulfilling the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:

• Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2)

And in addition one of these:

• Mathematics R2
• Physics (1+2)
• Chemistry (1+2)
• Biology (1+2)
• Information technology (1+2)
• Geosciences (1+2)
• Technology and theories of research (1+2)

Mathematics R2 was a requirement up until and including the study year 2021/2022, as part of a trial arrangement. From and including the study year 2022/2023, Mathematics R2 is no longer a requirement.

The special admission requirements may also be covered by equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies (in Norwegian).

The course includes a compulsory field course and excursions. A health and safety course for safety in the field must be passed before you can go on these:

• HMS0504 – Field Safety

Up to 7 hours of lectures and exercises per week. An oral group presentation counts towards the final grade.

Two compulsory reports must be submitted and approved in order for the student to be allowed to sit the final exam.

Up to 5 days of mandatory fieldwork, followed by a compulsory field report that must be approved in order for the student to sit the final exam. The field course includes a mandatory information meeting early in the semester.

Attendance at the first lecture is compulsory. Students who fail to meet are considered to have withdrawn from the course unless they have previously given notice to the course responsible.

We reserve the right to change the teaching form and examination of the course in semesters where 5 or fewer students have been admitted.

General information about excursions at the Department of Geosciences

As the teaching involves laboratory and/or fieldwork, you should consider taking out a separate travel and personal risk insurance. Read about your insurance cover as a student.

• Two mandatory reports and a mandatory field report must be approved in order to be eligible to take the final exam.
• An oral presentation counts 20% towards the final grade.
• The final written exam counts 80% towards the final grade.
• All the component parts have to be passed separately in order to pass the course.

It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:

• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Withdrawal during an examination / Resitting an examination