Course Objectives

The course will provide knowledge of bedrock geology, quaternary geology, land and soil types and how the landscape has been shaped by geological processes and human culture. Students will learn about charts and how topographical and thematic maps may be used for experiencing and managing the landscape.

Course Description

The course will provide students with insight into how the landscape has developed over time, and how people have shaped the landscape.

The course is interdisciplinary, and integrates geology, the landscape and culture. The topics include:

• Bedrock geology: mineral and rock types, geological processes on and below the land’s surface and the geological history of Norway.
• Quaternary geology: the shaping of the land during and following the last ice-age, characteristics of various types of deposits, stratigraphy, age-dating and quaternary history.
• Soil and soil formation: Functions and properties of soils, soil forming factors and processes.
• Cultural landscape: Cultural development and landscape changes.
• Maps: Interpretation and use of topographical and thematic maps .

Learning Methods

50 lecture hours.

Obligatory: 16 hours of laboratory work and a 5-day field course. Field and laboratory methodology in natural science counts for 2 ECTS. Supervision on report writing will be provided. Expected field course expenses of ca 1000 NOK.

Assessment Methods

A 4-hour final examination counts for 100% of the course grade. The reports from the obligatoric field course and group work must be approved before the student may sit the final examination.

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