The geochemical toolbox

Objectives This course aims to give students a comprehensive set of theoretical and practical skills to design, perform and critically evaluate geochemical research at the MSc to PhD level. A secondary objective is that students become familiar with the analytical techniques and laboratories available at the Department of Earth Science.

Content The course covers theoretical concepts and analytical methods that are required to study the broad range of geochemical processes determining element cycling and shaping Earth¿s climate and environment. It consists of a theoretical and practical part that will run simultaneously throughout the semester. The theoretical part is organized around modules that discuss the application of geochemical tools in a variety of topics (dependent on lecturers), focusing on major and trace elements, stable isotopes and radiogenic isotopes. The practical part involves a student-designed research project and provides training in all aspects of geochemical research, from formulating hypotheses to sampling, method selection, analysis, data reduction and reporting.

On completion of the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can explain the principles behind geochemical tools that involve major/trace elements, radiogenic and stable isotope geochemistry
• can explain the principles of the most important analytical techniques in geochemistry, including mass spectrometry, spectroscopy and chromatography
• can critically assess the quality of geochemical data and uncertainty associated with instrumental methods

Skills

The student

• can formulate and evaluate research questions that can be addressed with major/trace element, stable and radiogenic isotope data
• can use basic laboratory equipment including a pipette and analytical balance
• can critically discuss, review, and synthesize geochemical literature 
• can demonstrate and acquire best analytical practices throughout the analytical pipeline from field work and sampling, sample preparation, analysis, calibration and error assessment, and document this in a lab book

General competence

The student

• can work in the laboratory in compliance with GEO/UiB health and safety regulations
• can work both independently and in cooperation with others in the laboratory
• can use precise scientific language in written presentations
• can formulate a hypothesis, and design/carry out an experiment or analysis to test it