Learning outcome

After completing the course, the students should have the following qualifications regarding knowledge, skills and general competence:

• be familiar with landforms of Norway and their bedrock geology
• be able to identify subsurface Quaternary geological features by examples from Telemark
• a good knowledge about gravel and rock resources and be able to identify, calculate and handle gravel resources
• having a good knowledge of the reasons for and behaviour of landslides in Norway
• having a good knowledge of groundwater heat and the exploiting of the subsurface heat resource
• be able to do 3D interpretations of geological maps
• be able to make simple watershed models by GIS and hydrological modeling tools
• be able to perform modeling of ground water flow and contaminant transport
• be able to calculate wellhead protections
• be able to convey review of recent international published research
• be able to communicate important academic theories, problems and solutions

Course Description

Key themes:

• landforms and the geology of Norway
• interpretation of geological maps
• subsurface geological features in Telemark
• gravel and rock resources
• watershed modeling
• landslides
• GIS analysis in hydrology and geology
• modeling ground water flow and transport
• wellhead protection
• ground water heat
• field school

The course consists of two parts. The first part is about geological resources and stats with Norwegian landforms and their geology. This a background ecotourism. We then turn to Telemark, which is the county we are living in, and make a closer look at the deposits made by the glacier and glacial melt water when the glacier front retreated at the end of the last ice age 20 000 - 10 000 BP. Subsurface deposits are important geological formations for sand and gravel resources and aquifers suited for ground water supply. The second part of the course is about water and especially ground water. Watershed runoff will in the future increase due to climate changes and modeling of of this runoff is an important toll for planning of the community. More intense rain storms will increase the frequency of landslides and it is important for a planner to know about the reasons for and behavior of landslides. Modeling of ground water flow and contaminant transport is an important tool for management of ground water resources both for drinking water supply well protection included and contamination of ground water. Ground water heat is an important resource for the future.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The teaching will be talks and exersices for the specific topics. The teaching language is English. Mandatory field school last for five days including field work, report writing, and and oral presentation of the results.

Assessment Methods

There is a four hour written exam counting 100%. Report from the field school must have been accepted.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean