Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2021

Earth Sciences Master Information
Major in Geology
Restricted Choice Modules Geology
A minimum of two restricted choice modules must be completed for the major Geology.
Sedimentology
Sedimentology: Courses of Choice
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
651-4901-00LQuaternary Dating Methods Information W3 credits2GI. Hajdas, M. Christl, S. Ivy Ochs
AbstractReconstruction of time scales is critical for all Quaternary studies in both Geology and Archeology. Various methods are applied depending on the time range of interest and the archive studied. In this lecture, we focus on the last 50 ka and the methods that are most frequently used for dating Quaternary sediments and landforms in this time range.
Learning objectiveStudents will be made familiar with the details of the six dating methods through lectures on basic principles, analysis of case studies, solving of problem sets for age calculation and visits to dating laboratories.

At the end of the course students will:
1. understand the fundamental principles of the most frequently used dating methods for Quaternary studies.
2. be able to calculate an age based on data of the six methods studied.
3. choose which dating method (or combination of methods) is suitable for a certain field problem.
4. critically read and evaluate the application of dating methods in scientific publications.
Content1. Introduction: Time scales for the Quaternary, Isotopes and decay
2. Radiocarbon dating: principles and applications
3. Cosmogenic nuclides: 3He,10Be, 14C, 21Ne, 26Cl, 36Cl
4. U-series disequilibrium dating
5. Luminescence dating
6. Introduction to incremental: varve counting, dendrochronology and ice cores chronologies
7. Cs-137 and Pb-210 (soil, sediments, ice core)
8. Summary and comparison of results from several dating methods at specific sites
Prerequisites / NoticeVisit to radiocarbon lab, cosmogenic nuclide lab, accelerator (AMS) facility.

Visit to Limno Lab and sampling a sediment core
Optional (individual): 1-5 days hands-on radiocarbon dating at the C14 lab at ETH Hoenggerebrg

Required: attending the lecture, visiting laboratories, handing back solutions for problem sets (Exercises)
651-4063-00LX-Ray Powder Diffraction Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 18.
W3 credits2GM. Plötze
AbstractIn the course the students learn to measure X-ray diffraction patterns of minerals and to evaluate these using different software for qualitative and quantitative mineral composition as well as crystallographic parameters.
Learning objectiveUpon successful completion of this course students are able to:
- describe the principle of X-ray diffraction analysis
- carry out a qualitative and quantitative mineralogical analysis independently,
- critically assess the data,
- communicate the results in a scientific report.
ContentFundamental principles of X-ray diffraction
Setup and operation of X-ray diffractometers
Interpretation of powder diffraction data
Qualitative and quantitative phase analysis of crystalline powders (e.g. with Rietveld analysis)
Lecture notesSelected handouts will be made available in the lecture
LiteratureBRINDLEY G.W. and BROWN G. (ed) Crystal structures of clay minerals and their X-ray identification. London : Mineralogical Society monograph no. 5 (1984)
(Link)
DINNEBIER, R.E. et al.: Powder Diffraction. Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, 2008.
(http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/eBook/978-0-85404-231-9)
PECHARSKY, V.K. and ZAVALIJ, P.Y: Fundamentals of Powder Diffraction and Structural Characterization of Materials. Springer, 2009.
(https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-0-387-09579-0?page=2#toc)
Prerequisites / NoticeThe course includes a high portion of practical exercises in sample preparation as well as measurement and evaluation of X-ray powder diffraction data.
Own sample will be analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. Knowledge in mineralogy of this system is essential.
Software will be provided for future use on own Laptop.
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