91̽»¨

The course includes 30 credits at undergraduate level and is a compulsory course in the N1GVS Bachelor's programme in Earth 91̽»¨s. The course is offered as an elective course subject to availability.

The course can be part of the following programmes:

1. Bachelor's Programme in Earth 91̽»¨s (N1GVS)
2. Bachelor of 91̽»¨ in Environmental 91̽»¨ (N1MVN)

The course consists of two modules:

1. Geosphere, 15 credits

Grading scale: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). The module is divided in two parts:

1. The deep Earth, 7,5 credits
   Covers plate tectonics, minerals and rocks resources, volcanoes, earthquakes, geophysics, structural geology, natural resources, early history of the Earth, "deep time" and geological principles.
2. The shallow Earth, 7,5 credits
   Covers geomorphology, Quartenary geology, Phanerozic evolution, landslides and sea level changes.

2. Hydrosphere, biosphere, weather and climate, 15 credits

Grading scale: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). The module is divided in two parts:

1. Hydrosphere and biosphere, 7,5 credits
   Covers the hydrological cycle, surface, ground and groundwater, watercourses dynamics and basic oceanography. Human impact on soil and vegetation and how these interact with the atmosphere and hydrosphere will also be covered.
2. Weather and climate, 7,5 credits
   Covers the physics of the atmosphere, meteorology - weather, clouds, preciptation, wind, atmospheric circulation, radiation balance and wind systems, regional climatology, climate of Scandinavia, local climatology.

On succesful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

Subcourse 1 Geosphere

The deep Earth

• large-scale processes; plate tectonics and mantle convection
• Earth's composition - mineralogy and geochemistry
• volcanoes formation, earthquake and geophysics
• formations, transformations and deformation of rocks
• geological natural resources (ores and industrial raw materials)

The shallow Earth

• primary processes that transform the landscape
• landforms and their evolution
• sedimentological and stratigraphic principles

History of the Earth

• evolution of continents and oceans
• geological periods
• evolution of life
• Earth's climate history

Subcourse 2 Hydrosphere, biosphere, weather and climate

• the hydrological cycle, surface water, soil and groundwater and the dynamics of watercourses, chemical and physical properties of the oceans, ocean currents and water circulation.
• basic knowledge of soil properties, how plants affect soil properties and the role of humans in changing the biosphere and its impact on air and water.
• atmospheric physics, meteorology - weather, clouds, preciptation, wind, atmospheric circulatio - radiation balance and wind systems, regional climatology, Scandinavian climate, local climatology

Competence and skills

Subcourse 1 Geosphere

• identify minerals, rocks, soils and fossils
• calculate the strike and dip/direction of different geological structures and geological profiles
• using remote sensing to identify landforms and other geological structures

Subcourse 2 Hydrosphere, biosphere, weather and climate

• use simple programming methods for calculation and simulation
• perform basic climatological analyses
• ability to analyse and interpret soil properties and understand the role of plants and their interaction with the atmosphere and hydrology.

Judgement and approach

• develop a scientific approach
• evaluate and analyse literature and data

The teaching consists of lectures, compulsory field trips/excursions, compulsory practical sessions and self-study.

Language of instruction: Swedish.

Some teaching may be given in English.

The Deep Earth, Theory, 5 credits: U/G/VG

The Deep Earth, Exercises and excursions, 2,5 credits: U/G

The Shallow Earth, Theory, 5 credits: U/G/VG

The Shallow Earth, Exercises and reports, 2,5 credits: U/G

Hydrosphere and biosphere, Theory, 5 credits: U/G/VG

Hydrosphere and biosphere, Exercises and reports, 2,5 credits: U/G

Weather and climate, Theory, 5 credits: U/G/VG

Weather and climate, Exercises and reports, 2,5 credits: U/G

Written digital examination is given for each module. Other forms of examination may also occur.


If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University 91̽»¨ with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course's intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaption of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local Rules Regarding RIU Students at the University 91̽»¨.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

For the grade Pass (G) on the entire course, all parts within within all modules must be passed. For the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) on the entire course, at least 12 credits graded Pass with Distinction (VG) in the modules graded U/G/VG.

The students are given the opportunity to make an anonymous written evaluation of the course.

The result of and possible changes to the course will be shared with the students who participated in the evaluation and stundets who are starting the course.