Unit information: Geochemistry in 2011/12

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Unit name Geochemistry
Unit code EASC20010
Credit points 10
Level of study I/5
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1A (weeks 1 - 6)
Unit director Professor. Tim Elliott
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

Successful completion of year 1 of either the Environmental Geoscience or the Geology degree programme curriculum

Co-requisites

n/a

School/department School of Earth Sciences
Faculty Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

An introductory inorganic geochemistry course applying the fundamentals of chemical bonding, thermodynamics and kinetics to understanding topics such as the formation of the elements, origin and differentiation of the Earth and dating events in the Earth's past.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion you should be able to:

  • use dimensional analysis to solve basic chemical problems
  • use electronic configurations and simple theories of chemical bonding to predict the geochemical behavior of elements
  • use given values of the enthalpy, entropy and equations of state of chemical components to predict simple phase equilibria and equilibrium constants
  • use equilbrium constant expressions to calculate the compositions of aqueous solutions
  • use isotopes to estimate rock ages and differention

Teaching Information

Lectures and practicals

Assessment Information

The unit will be assessed by a closed 2-hour examination, which will cover both concepts in lectures and simple calculations learned in the practicals.

Reading and References

Geochemistry by William White, in particular chapters 7-10 (http://www.geo.cornell.edu/geology/classes/geo455/Chapters.HTML). Additional References that might be helpful include: Walther, J.V., Essentials of Geochemistry, Jones and Bartlett, 2005; Francis Albarede. Geochemistry, Cambridge University Press, 2004; Konrad B. Krauskopf, Dennis K. Bird, Introduction to geochemistry, McGraw-Hill, 1995; Faure, G. Isotope Geology Sharp, Z. Principles of Stable Isotope Geochemistry; Dickin, A. Radiogenic isotope geology; Wood, B.J and Fraser D.G. Elementary Thermodynamics for Geologists.

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