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Basic Geology and historical climate development

Code

SE-GEO1

Version

3.0

Offered by

Supply Engineering

ECTS

5

Prerequisites

Main purpose

The student acquires a basic knowledge of geology and geological processes, the Danish landscape, hydrogeology, and the historical development of the climate in relation to geology

Knowledge

After the course, the student should have knowledge of:

  • The main types and characteristics of the most common rocks and soils found in Denmark.
  • Past climate changes in Denmark and their influence on geological surface processes.
  • How different geological processes have shaped the Danish geology and landscape over time.
  • Hydrogeology, and the water cycle, including the water budget equation, groundwater formation, and aquifers.

Skills

After completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • Identify and describe common soil types found in Denmark based on their physical characteristics in hand samples.
  • Describe key features of the geological and climate history of Denmark and the processes that have shaped the Danish landscape.
  • Explain the components of the water cycle and fundamental hydrogeological concepts (e.g. infiltration, aquifers, hydraulic conductivity, and the water budget equation).
  • Relate common soil types to their typical occurrence in Denmark and explain their formational environment.
  • Construct and interpret a simplified geological profile for a site based on soil descriptions

Competences

After completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • ​Evaluate expected geological and hydrogeological conditions for a site and assess their implications for engineering purposes, including potential geohazards.

Topics

Teaching methods and study activities

​4 lessons per week for 12 weeks. The student's workload corresponds to 137.5 hours in total. Study activities include reading material, class assignments, homework, group work, lectures and a field trip.

Resources

Translation of Ingeniørgeologi i Danmark by Inga Sørensen: Sørensen, I., 2019, Ingeniørgeologi, 1. edition, Praxis, Nyt Teknisk Forlag

Marshak, S., 2015, EARTH – Portrait of a Planet, 5. Edition, W.W. Norton & Company, New York, London (Interlude A, B, and C) 


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Evaluation

Examination

Exam Prerequisites:
None

Exam type:
Ongoing assessment of 2 written assignments and a final exam consisting of a written course assignment. All weighing 1/3 of the final grade.
Internal assessment

Tools allowed:
All

Re-exam:
Individual oral exam, 20 minutes, on the basis of the afore-mentioned assignments. ​
Internal assessment

Grading criteria

​Grading based on the Danish 7-point scale.

Additional information

Responsible

Jane Lund Andersen

Valid from

8/1/2025 12:00 AM

Course type

Keywords

Geology, geological processes, soils, rocks, sediments, erosion, Danish landscape, geological profile, ice ages, climate, historical development of climate, hydrological cycle, groundwater.