3 ECTS credits
87.5 u studietijd
Aanbieding 1 met studiegidsnummer 4021322FNR voor alle studenten in het 2e semester met een gespecialiseerd master niveau.
Lectures:
- Introductory concepts: natural stable isotope systems (D/H, C, N, O, S), abundancies, ratios, delta-notation, fractionation mechanisms (physical and chemical, in equilibrium and kinetic), fractionation factors (alpha) and their temperature dependence, analytical methods, standards, delta-differences DELTA, and relations between delta, alpha, T and DELTA.
- Hydrogen- and oxygen isotopes in the hydrosphere: processes and applications. Introduction to the use of stable isotope ratios as tracers.
- Carbon- and oxygen isotopes in the sedimentary environment: processes and applications in palaeoclimatology and palaeo-environment reconstruction. Introduction to the use of stable isotope ratios as palaeothermometers.
- Isotopic aspects of the biogeochemistry of carbon: fractionations in equilibrium, fractionations in biological processes, interactions between organic and inorganic reservoirs, applications in biogeochemistry, stratigraphy and geology of hydrocarbons.
- Isotope geochemistry of nitrogen and sulphur: fractionation mechanisms, biogeochemical cycles, reservoirs, applications.
- Isotope geochemistry of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen and sulphur in processes of weathering, sedimentation, diagenesis, hydrothermalism, metamorphism, magmatism. Applications in petrology, ore geology, stratigraphy, geotectonics, 'global change' research, etc.
- Illustrations of applications in material sciences, in biomedical and clinical research, in archaeology, in environmental sciences, etc.
Practical classes:
- Exercises, fundamental and application-oriented, on the relations between delta, alpha, T, and DELTA.
- Demonstrations and simple laboratory work on analytical techniques.
- Tutorials and/or seminars on case studies.
Students take notes during lectures and practical classes. These notes are supplemented with provided texts, figures and maps, presentations, but also short texts, syllabi and articles on certain subjects. Complementary study material: during lectures, information and advice is given on textbooks, reference books and other scientific publications.
General aims of the course: Understanding basic knowledge on natural stable isotope chemical processes and applications of stable isotope chemistry in earth sciences, biogeochemistry and environmental sciences.
Objectives: Ability to describe and explain, in a synthetic and comprehensive manner, the treated subjects and to apply them to a certain extend.
Specific Intended Learing Outcomes (ILO), as defined by the Oceans & Lakes program:
- ILO 1 Knowledge in the field of marine and lacustrine studies, advanced knowledge in one of the subdisciplines and in the interaction of the various subdisciplines within the broader field of application.
- ILO 2 The ability to delineate, recognise and situate biological or geological elements in the context of the scientific domain, in particular in relation to aquatic ecosystems.
- ILO 3 The ability to formulate a relevant research question concerning a complex problem in the field of marine and lacustrine studies, to develop a scientific research approach in conformity to accepted scientific methods and to bring this approach into practice.
- ILO 4 The ability to formulate hypotheses concerning complex problems in the scientific domain and to evaluate them after a thorough literature study and data collection, to apply advanced knowledge of concepts, models, theories in order to solve concrete problems.
- ILO 5 The ability to assume a responsible role in a pluridisciplinary team and, with overarching knowledge and insight, to develop collaboration with various sectors of society including the corporate sector (e.g. the harbour industry, tourism, fisheries, aquaculture).
- ILO 6 Advanced and thorough practical skills in field research, experimental research, research in a laboratory context and in processing data, in order to solve scientific questions.
- ILO 7 Advanced organisational skills in relation to research (teamwork, task division, development and logistics of a research approach).
- ILO 8 Communicative skills regarding (personal) research results to specialists as well as nonspecialists, using various adapted media and formats.
- ILO 9 A critical attitude with respect to the value, reliability and usefulness of non-selfgenerated data, with advanced skills in data-mining, analysis of data files, analysis of sources and literature study.
- ILO 10 The ability to situate scientific problems, results of scientific research and technical views in an ethical and social perspective.
De beoordeling bestaat uit volgende opdrachtcategorieën:
Examen Mondeling bepaalt 100% van het eindcijfer
Binnen de categorie Examen Mondeling dient men volgende opdrachten af te werken:
The final grade is composed based on the following categories: Oral Exam determines 100% of the final mark. Oral examination, with written preparation of the answers.
Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed: Oral examination with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.
Deze aanbieding maakt deel uit van de volgende studieplannen:
Master of Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management: Standaard traject (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)