Course info

The objective of this course is to provide students with practical skills and theoretical background in analytical methods that are commonly used in geochemistry. Examples of topics are XRF and electron microprobe analysis for elemental abundance in rocks and minerals, gas-source and plasma mass spectrometry for light, radiogenic and "non-traditional" isotopes, as well as measurements of inorganic carbon in environmental water samples. Broad learning outcomes and core competencies include a familiarisation with the capabilities and limitations of major analytical techniques in Earth & Environmental Sciences, to learn about the theory behind the techniques, and importantly to become adept at processing, calibration, and presentation of the data associated with these techniques. The training will be delivered in the form of a one hour lecture on the background and a two hour practical on handling the data. The assessment will be through two projects, for each of which a dataset will be produced in a group effort and then prepared, interpreted, and presented in an independent report.