GEO3070 – Biogeochemistry
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The global environment is tightly linked to the global cycles of carbon and other key elements like nitrogen, phosphorus and iron. These elements are also closely related to the hydrological cycle as well as biological production, diversity and ecosystem services, and chemical properties of the environment. The course will focus on couplings between biological, geological and chemical processes, on the interactions between climate and the environment, and human impacts on these processes.
The lectures, datalab and colloquia/workshop are common for the courses GEO3070, KJM3070, KJM4070 and BIOS4070.
Learning outcome
After completing the course, you will
- have knowledge on the Earth's development and the most important biogeochemical reactions in air and on land
- have knowledge about the biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus,? sulfur and mercury
- be able to explain which biogeochemical processes govern these global cycles
- be able to explain how these cycles are interconnected
- be able to explain why and how the biogeochemical system is changing, as well as understand the uncertainties associated with such changes
- be able to explain how the climate affects and is affected by key biogeochemical processes
- have insights into the analysis of air samples, be able to use air sample data
- have basic skills in the use of computer programs for biogeochemical modeling of soil and water systems
- be able to perform simple mass balance calculations
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
Applicants are ranked in accordance with the following criteria:
- Bachelor's programme students at the Department of Geosciences and master's programme students at the MN Faculty who have the course approved in their study plan
- Other programme students
- Single course students and exchange students
Special admission requirements
In addition to fulfilling the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:
- Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2) + R2
In addition, you must have one of these:
- Physics (1+2)
- Chemistry (1+2)
- Biology (1+2)
- Information technology (1+2)
- Geosciences (1+2)
- Technology and theories of research (1+2)
The special admission requirements may also be covered by equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies?(in Norwegian).
Formal prerequisite knowledge
The following course must be passed before the first laboratory exercise:
The following course must be passed before the first field work:
Recommended previous knowledge
Basic knowledge in kjemi and ecology
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with BIOS3070 – Biogeochemistry.
- 10 credits overlap with BIOS4070 – Biogeochemistry.
- 10 credits overlap with KJM4070 – Biogeochemistry (continued).
- 10 credits overlap with KJM3070 – Biogeochemistry (continued).
Teaching
The teaching consists of
- lectures
- colloquia
- mandatory environmental data workshop
- mandatory lab/fieldwork/excursion
- mandatory assignments
All mandatory exercises must be approved before you can sit the final exam. Approved mandatory activities are valid for 3 years.
It is mandatory to attend the first lecture. This also applies to applicants on waiting list. If you are unable to attend the first lecture, you must notify the Department of
Attendance at the first lecture is compulsory. Students who fail to meet are considered to have withdrawn from the course unless they have previously given notice to the Student administration (studieinfo@geo.uio.no).
If mandatory activities have already been completed and approved, you are not entitled to repeat these activities. If you have been admitted to the course but have not completed or received approval for the mandatory activities, you are entitled to participate in these activities if there is enough capacity.
As the teaching involves laboratory and/or field work, you should consider taking out a separate travel and personal risk insurance. Read about your insurance cover as a student.
Examination
- Mandatory activities must be approved before you can sit the final exam.
- A final written exam counts 100% towards the final grade.
When writing your exercises make sure to familiarize yourself with the rules for use of sources and citations. Breach of these rules may lead to suspicion of attempted cheating.
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following course:
- KJM3070 – Biogeochemistry (continued)
- KJM4070 – Biogeochemistry (continued)
- BIOS3070 – Biogeochemistry
- BIOS4070 – Biogeochemistry
Language of examination
You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F?is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.