Goals

Upon completion of the Teaching Unit, students will be able to :

  • List the major stages in the history of the Earth and describe the scientific process by which they were identified
  • Describe the geological processes responsible for the formation, modification and destruction of rocks and how they influence the landscape of a region
  • Identify common rocks and minerals and describe their characteristics, mode of formation and applications
  • Initiate a discussion on the interactions between geology, climate, life, natural resources and risks, land management and protection of the environment

 

Content

The lectures cover the main geological processes and their products: the different families of rocks and minerals, their deformation on a local and regional scale, the influence of geology on our immediate environment and some current issues.

Lab sessions:

  • Macroscopic recognition of rocks and minerals (for all)
  • Crystallography (chemistry students)
  • Geological map reading (biology students)


A half-day field trip is organised on a Saturday (for everyone). The students are divided into 4 groups according to their availability and can choose between two dates, morning or afternoon.

 

Assessment method

Chemistry students :

  • Written theory exam (65% of final grade)
  • Oral lab exam with preparation (35% of final grade*)

*A grade of 8/20 is required for the lab exam. In the event of a grade of less than 8/20, the grade of the lab exam will be equal to the final grade.

 

Both exams (theory and lab) may include material covered during the half-day field trip.

 

Biology students :

  • Written theory exam (65% of final mark)
  • Oral lab exam with preparation (25% of final grade*)
  • Group work on map reading (10% of final grade)

*A grade of 8/20 is required for the lab exam. In the event of a grade of less than 8/20, the grade of the lab exam will be equal to the final grade.
 

 

Sources, references and any support material

The course is accompanied by a syllabus. The slides (power point) are available on web-campus. A remarkable book: Marshak S. (2010). Earth, portrait of a planet. Ed de boeck. ISBN: 978-2-8041-3507-2

Language of instruction

Français
Training Study programme Block Credits Mandatory
Bachelier en sciences chimiques Standard 0 3
Bachelier en sciences chimiques Standard 1 3