GEO4360 – Field Methods in Hydrogeology
Course content
The course emphasizes exploration and testing methods for the purpose of finding and utilizing groundwater resources and also gives an introduction to pollution studies and control. Several methods and approaches are involved, such as (but not restricted to)
- field reconnaissance and water sampling
- land surveillance to determine geographic coordinates
- groundwater sampling to delineate waste leachate pathways and contribution
- piezometers and groundwater limnographs
- geophysical exploration by seismic refraction, geoelectric and magnetic sounding and profiling, and ground-penetrating radar
- sounding and test drilling
- infiltration tests, slug tests and pumping tests
- data analysis and reporting
Learning outcome
The purpose of the course is to give students practical experience in and knowledge of the most common methods used in groundwater exploration and pollution control. What kinds of aquifer characteristics can be obtained in the field?
After finishing the course, you should be able to evaluate which methods are suitable for the study in question and decide what kind of hydrogeological surveys are necessary for
- groundwater extraction
- management and protection of groundwater resources
- studies of contaminant spreading in groundwater
Admission to the course
Students admitted at UiO must?apply for courses?in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other master's degree programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may?apply to take this course as a single course student.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
Formal prerequisite knowledge
The course includes a compulsory field course.
The health-and-safety course for field work (HMS0504 – Field Safety) must be passed before attending the field course.
Recommended previous knowledge
Teaching
Mandatory class instruction and field course over two weeks in June. This course is a national field class in hydrogeology with participation from NMBU, UiB, UiO and USN. The students are divided into groups to ensure a mix of students from different backgrounds. There are morning and afternoon sessions in the field and evening sessions with data analysis and report writing.
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 course responsible.
We reserve the right to change the teaching?form and examination of the course in semesters where 5 or fewer students have been admitted.
General information about excursions at the Department of Geosciences
As?the?teaching involves laboratory and/or fieldwork, you should consider taking out a separate travel and personal risk insurance.?Read about your insurance cover as a student.
Cost of taking the course
Participation in the excursion is mandatory. The excursion has a fee of NOK 150 per night (if food is included in the chosen accommodation).
Examination
A written final group report and an oral presentation of initial results after completing the field work count 100% towards the final grade
Attendance at the mandatory class instruction and field course must be approved in order for you to receive your final grade.
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you?withdraw from the exam?after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
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.
Language of examination
In this course, any written exam questions or assignment questions may be available in English only.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about?the grading system.
Resit an examination
Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are?offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.
Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass, the original examination.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- 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.