GEO2140 – Solid Earth Geophysics
Course description
Changes in the course due to coronavirus
Autumn 2020 we plan for teaching and examinations to be conducted as described in the course description and on semester pages. However, changes may occur due to the corona situation. You will receive notifications about any changes at the semester page and/or in Canvas.
Spring 2020: Teaching and examinations was digitilized. See changes and common guidelines for exams at the MN faculty spring 2020.
Course content
The subject presents the fundamental geophysical methods that are used to investigate the Earth’s inner structure, and an introduction to understanding global tectonic processes. Methods applied in environmental geology, mining and petroleum, and seismolgy, are covered.
Learning outcome
When you have taken this subject, you will:
- understand how earthquakes are generated and their distribution on the Earth, and how they are related to global tectonic processes
- be able to explain local and regional methods for collecting seismic data from active seismic sources
- know how gravity and magnetic data are collected, and a little about how they are used
- know about methods employed in borehole logging and measurements from the surface, covering electrical, electromagnetic and radiometric techniques
- be familiar with the most commonly used map projections and their properties
- be able to explain basic analogue and digital data processing techniques
Admission to the course
Students at UiO register for courses and exams 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) + R2
And in addition one of these:
- Physics (1+2)
- Chemistry (1+2)
- Biology (1+2)
- Information technology (1+2)
- Geosciences (1+2)
- Technology and theories of research (1+2)
The special admission requirements may also be covered by equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies (in Norwegian).
Recommended previous knowledge
- MAT1100 – Calculus
- MAT-IN1105 – Programming, Modelling and Computations
- GEO1100 – Evolution of the Earth
- FYS-MEK1110 – Mechanics
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with GEL2140 – Geophysics and global tectonics (continued).
- 3 credits overlap with G180.
Teaching
4 hours lectures and 2 hours excercises per week during the semester. There are 2 compulsory assignments which must be approved before sitting the written examination at the end.
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).
Examination
- Approval of 2 compulsory assignments is required before the student can take the final exam.
- Final written examination (3 hours) counts for 100%.
Withdrawal from an examination
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 one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course if you sit the exam for one of the following courses:
Examination support material
Approved calculator (in Norwegian)
Language of examination
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.