Course overview
This course focuses on the chemistry of the natural world and the chemical evolution of the Earth over geological time. We will discuss practical and theoretical geochemistry, with an emphasis on how chemical principles are used to study Earth Sciences. The course is composed of three modules: (a) geochemical fundamentals; (b) natural and anthropogenically perturbed aspects of the Earth's hydrosphere and atmosphere and their interactions with rocks, sediments, soils and the biosphere; and (c) the origin and evolution of Earth (crust-mantle-core) through nuclear and high temperature chemical processes.
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate proficiency in common practical data handling skills in geochemistry
- plan and carry out appropriate mathematical strategies for solving geochemical problems;
- synthesize the results of their problem-solving with other work in the form of short, well-organized articles
- have insight into the origins of earth's atmosphere, oceans and rocks
- critique possible oversimplifications in geochemical models.