GEO2130 – Structural Geology
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The subject of structural geology will provide knowledge of structures that are formed as a result of deformation in rocks. The course provides a good understanding of structural geology and tectonics. In tectonics, you learn about the plate tectonic theory and different tectonic regimes that are responsible for the deformation of the lithosphere with examples from around the world. Within structural geology, which is the main focus of the course, you will learn in-depth about geological structures that form in different tectonic regimes, the process of their formation, their geometry, and their physical properties. The course also consists of a practical module where you will learn to measure and analyze these structures both in the field and in the laboratory.
Learning outcome
After taking this course, you should be able to
- differentiate between tectonic and structural geology topics
- know the structural setup of different tectonic regimes
- know the brittle, ductile and plastic deformation
- understand deformation mechanisms at micro- and macro-scales
- describe the geometry and properties of different deformation structures
- run structural fieldwork and use structural field data in geometrical and kinematic analyses
- visualize and interpret structural observations and measurements with the help of stereonets
Admission to the course
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.
Special admission requirements
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).
Formal prerequisite knowledge
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:
Recommended previous knowledge
- GEO1100 – Evolution of the Earth
- GEO1110 – Earth Processes
- GEO2120 – Sedimentology
- or equal previous knowledge
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with GEL2130 – Structural geology (continued).
Teaching
Lectures and compulsory lab exercises throughout the semester. At least 90% of the lab exercises must be approved before sitting the final written examination.
There are up to 5 compulsory one-day field excursions. A combined field report from these has to be approved in order to sit the final examination.
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 Student administration (studieinfo@geo.uio.no).
We reserve the right to change the teaching form and examination of the course in semesters where 5 or fewer students have been admitted.
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.
General information about excursions at the Department of Geosciences
Examination
At least 90% of the lab exercises must be approved before you can sit the final examination.
The field report counts 30% towards the final grade and must be passed before you can sit the final examination.
The final oral examination counts 70% towards the final grade.
Both the field report and the final examination must be passed separately before the student can be awarded a final grade in the course.
Mandatory assignments are valid for 5 semesters starting from the semester they were approved the first time.
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.
It will also be counted as 1 of the 3 attempts to sit the exam for this course if you sit the exam for one of the following courses:
Examination support material
Approved calculator, compass (drawing tool), protractor, colour pencils, drawing pin, stereonet on paper (not digital) and tracing paper.
Language of examination
Courses taught in English will offer the exam paper in English in addition to Norwegian.
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.
Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass, the original examination.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.