Soran University
Module Specification Template
1. Module Title: Introduction to geochemistry
2. Module Code: PGE201
3. Module Level: --4. Module Leader: Mohammad Gh. Askandar
5. Teaching Semester: First semester
6. Credit Rating for the module: 3
7. Prerequisites and co-requisites
Prerequisites: Chemistry, General geology
Co-requisites: Mineralogy
8. Module Summary
The main goal of this course is to help you develop an understanding of basic principles of
geochemistry as it applies to fundamental geological and environmental processes,
including distribution of elements, chemical reactions, and geochemical cycles, develop the
requisite skills to apply chemistry skills to solve environmental problems, and learn how to
do geochemical sampling, analyses samples, using data and interpretation of data to
determine the anomalies in a region. In addition to these goals you will also learn about
isotopes and how you can use them in geology processes.
9. Module Aims
The aim of this course is to introduce the fundamental of geochemistry, including an
introduction to The structure and composition of the earth and its relation with universe,
isotopes and dating by isotopes, geochmical sampling techniques in diferent environment,
preparing of samples for analyses and interpretation of data. students learn to how
determine geochemical anomalis and interpret them.
10. Learning Outcomes
after completing this course, students will be able to:
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Knows about distribution of element in different layers of earth
Interpret magmatism and sedimentation as a geochemical processes.
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Interpretation of geological processes and dating.
Sampling in different environment.
Preparing of samples.
Digestion of samples and preparing of them for analysis.
Data analysis
Find geochemical anomalies and interpret them.
Produce geochemical maps for anomalies.
11. Syllabus
Chapter 1 (introduction)
• Atoms, elements, periodic table, bonding, acids & bases , salts & ions and
classification of elements.
Chapter 2 (The structure and composition of the earth and solar system)
• The earth in relation to the universe
•
The structure, composition and distribution of elements in different parts of the
earth
•
•
Chapter 3 (sampling)
•
Sampling Technique in different environments including :
Type Of Survey
Straem sediment sampling and water sampling
Rock Sampling, soil and heavy mineral sampling
•
Geobotani and biogeochemical sampling
Chapter 4 (Isotopes)
•
Stable Isotope
•
Radiogenic Isotope
•
Application of isotopes in Geology
Chapter 5 (Instrumental analysis)
• Instrumental Analysis: ICP-ES, And ICP-MS
•
Instrumental Analysis: AA, INAA, SEM, XRF, And XRD
Chapter 6 (Data analysis)
• Data analysis: Data Quality Controlling
•
Data analysis: Interpretation Of Data.
Chapter 7 (sedimentation and magmatism as geochemical processes)
• Magmatism and igneous rocks
•
Sedimentation and sedimentary rocks
•
Dating of geological samples
Chapter 8 (thermodynamic and crystal chemistry)
• Thermodynamic and crystal chemistry
Chapter 9 (Geochemical cycle)
• Geochemical cycle
12. Assessment Strategy
Method of Assessment:
1 x 2 h lectures and 1 x 3 h laboratory sessions per week.
Examination and grading
Theory (70% of total course marks)
•
The average of 4 written examinations will stand for 20% of the total course marks.
•
A Final examination will stand for the remaining 45% of total course marks.
Practical (30% of total course marks)
•
The average of 4 written examinations will stand for 10% of the total course marks.
•
Practical reports and homework will be 5%
•
A final examination will stand for 15% of the total course marks.
The average grade of several practical reports will account for 5% of the total course
marks. Each group of 2 students has to submit a report about the laboratory work. The
reports have to be approved by the lecturers in order for the group to be granted
admission for the final examination.
13. Summary description of assessment items
Assessment
Type
Class
attendance
Homework
Description
of Item
All
students
are
required to
be
presence
during
class
sessions
Homework
is due one
week from
the time of
assignment
at the
beginning
of
the lecture
unless
otherwise
specified.
No late
homework
%
Weighting
5%
Grading
Tariff
100
-
5%
100
Week due
Practical
works
Midterms
exams
Will be
accepted.
Prepare
report and
activity in
lab works
At least 2
midterms
exam
Final exam
(theory)
Final exam
(practical)
10%
100
20%
100
40%
100
4 exams, 2
hours per
exam
3 hours
15%
100
1 hour
14. Learning Session Structure
University
Academic
Week
1
Week
beginning
2013/09/30
2
2013/10/07
3
2013/10/14
4
2013/10/21
5
2013/10/28
Lecture Title & Content
Introduction:
atoms, elements, periodic table,
bonding,
acids & bases , salts & ions and
classification of elements.
The earth in relation to the
universe, structure, composition
and distribution of elements in
different parts of the earth
Sampling Technique in different
environments: Type Of Survey,
Straem sediment sampling and
water sampling
Assessment I
Eid Al Adha Holiday
Sampling Technique in different
Assessments
6
2013/11/04
7
2013/11/11
8
2013/11/18
9
2013/11/25
10
11
2013/12/02
2013/12/09
environments: Rock Sampling, soil
and heavy mineral sampling,
geobotani and biogeochemical
sampling
Isotope geochemistry: stable
Isotope
Isotope geochemistry: Radiogenic
Isotope
Application of isotopes in Geology
Instrumental Analysis: ICP-ES, And
ICP-MS
Instrumental Analysis: AA, INAA,
SEM, XRF, And XRD
Assessment II
Data analysis: Data Quality
Controlling
Data analysis: Interpretation of
Data.
Determination of geological
anomalies and interpretation of
them.
Magmatism and igneous rocks
An introduction to magma and
igneous rocks
Distribution of element in igneous
rock
Partition (Distribution) coefficient
and Bulk distribution coefficient for
elements
Compatible and incompatible
elements
Residual solution and pegmatites
12
2013/12/16
Sedimentation and Sedimentary
rocks
An introduction to Sedimentation
and Sedimentary rocks
Oxidation and Reduction
Complexes and metal mobility
Red-Ox (Reduction- Oxidation)
Reactions
Red-Ox (Reduction- Oxidation)
Reactions
13
2013/12/23
14
2013/12/25
To
2013/01/01
15
2013/01/06
Assessment III
Winter Holiday
thermodynamic and crystal chemistry
An introduction to thermodynamic
Type of energy
States of matter
Electronegativity and coordination number
Isomorphism and polymorphism
Atomic substitution
Solid solution and type of solid solution
Geochemical cycle
16
2013/01/13
Introduction
Geochemical cycling of elements
Geochemical cycle of oxygen
Geochemical cycle of CO2
Effect of humans
17
2013/01/20
18
2013/01/27
19
2013/02/03
20
2013/02/10
21
2013/02/17
University
Academic Week
1
2
3
4
5-6-7
Assessment
IV
Revision Week
Revision Week
Revision Week
Final Examination
Experiment
Introduction to Laboratory activity
Sampling: Drainage Sampling, and water sampling
Sampling: Rock Sampling, soil and heavy mineral sampling
Isotopes: some problems about Stable and Radiogenic Isotopes
Analytical Methods: Wet Digestion: Acid digestion
Analytical Methods: Wet Digestion: Alkali Fusion
Analytical Methods: Dry methods:
XRD
XRF
8-9
Data analysis and interpretation: Data Quality Controlling
Data analysis and interpretation: interpretation of data,
10
Data analysis and interpretation: Using Data, determination of
anomalies and interpretation of anomalies.
15. Learning and Teaching Methods
Teaching involves conventional lectures combined with coursework, tutorials, case studies,
projects, practical and discussion classes. Methods of teaching and assessment in the early stages
of the programs aim to ensure the acquisition of techniques and relevant knowledge, including
practice in finding information and deciding whether it is relevant. Also, it is comprise review,
evaluate, and recommend student textbooks and learning materials.
Therefore, in order to competence and more interest in the course class and also high quality of
education, Lectures maybe delivered through the use of
•
white board
•
Powerpoint presentations
Student Responsibilities
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Attendance is important for you to sit in a exam. 75% at least.
To be Punctual to class (You may be marked absent or not allowed to enter).
To be attentive and engaged in class.
Do ask questions.
To spend adequate time understanding and learning in your own time.
Seek help when appropriate
Preparing report after each lab.
The report should contain the following elements:
1: Introduction: Provides background on the problem, including any relevant previous
work or references, and outlines the objectives of the lab.
2: Methods: Includes detailed description of what was done in the lab. Pictures or
diagrams are often helpful in this section.
3: Results: Data collected during the lab.
4: Discussion: An interpretation of what the data mean, including how they relate to the
objectives of the lab. If I provide thought questions for a particular lab, it is appropriate to
incorporate the answers into the discussion. Note, this should fit with the prose of the
paper and not be a list of questions with answers.
5: Conclusion: Brief wrap-up of the report. This section is often a summary of the most
significant findings of the lab.
16. Bibliography
•
Principle of geochemistry, B. Mason, C.B. Moore, 1982.
•
•
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Using geochemical data: Evaluation, Presentation, Interpretation, Hugh R. Rollinson.
Introduction to exploration geochemistry, A.A. Levinson.
Krauskopf, K.B., and Bird, D.K. Introduction to geochemistry, 3/e (1995), McGraw-Hill,
647
pp.
ISBN:
0070358206
/
softback
ISBN:
007113929X.
17. Authored by
Mohammad Piroui
18. Validated and Verified by
Prof. Dr. Kamal Yusef Odisho