Model HAV210B

The EU is introducing the concept and practice of experimental studies in Earth sciences, ranging from instrumental field measurements to quantitative analysis, modeling, and interpretation of the acquired data. In practice, the course centers on a physical measurement method—gravimetry—applied to Earth dynamics. Some of the field experiments focus on the global structure of the Earth (measurement of g and its vertical gradient to determine mass) and its dynamics (elastic deformation caused by tidal phenomena). Another part is dedicated to local subsurface imaging related to water resources (imaging and mass balance related to subsurface water storage). A significant portion of the course is devoted to the analysis and modeling of measurements.

Hourly volumes:

• CM: 12:00 p.m.
• TD: 12:00 p.m.
• Practical training: 6 hours
• Land: 6 h

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In the lectures for this course unit, we describe each stage of the life cycle, beginning with embryonic development (including organ formation, cell differentiation, and growth processes), moving on to the acquisition of reproductive capacity (including the stages associated with meiosis and gametogenesis), and concluding with fertilization. This life cycle is discussed in detail in metazoans and angiosperms, and helps you consolidate your knowledge of the transmission of genetic information. This will enable us to solve problems in Mendelian genetics—including those involving sex-linked effects or epistasis—during the tutorials for this course unit.

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1) Thermodynamics and Chemical Equilibrium (27 hours)

1.1 Course (15 hours): Fundamentals of thermodynamics (concepts of energy and entropy), chemical and equilibrium potentials; degree of reaction; equilibrium shift; applications to solution chemistry and phase transitions

 1.2 Tutorials (1:00 p.m.):

Focusing on the concept of energy to clearly establish the relationships between different forms of energy; focusing on the concept of entropy: the connection between microscopic and macroscopic states, and the concepts of reversibility, irreversibility, and equilibrium; focusing on the concept of chemical potential: application of the law of mass action (equilibrium in solution and phase transitions)    

2) Introduction to Chemical Kinetics (6 hours)

 2.1 Lecture (2 hours): The relationship between thermodynamics and kinetics: Transition State Theory/Activated Complex Theory; Definitions: rate, order, and rate constant; half-life; Examples of simple kinetics; Thermal activation: Arrhenius law

2.2 Lab sessions (4 hours): determining the order of a reaction; using parameters

properties (_t1/2, k...); determination of an activation energy

3) Introduction to Radioactivity (3 hours)

3.1 Lecture (1.5 hours): History ; structure of the nucleus; particles and forces involved; nuclear reactions: fusion/decay and radiation; isotopes and stability; natural radioactivity; E_D =^Dmc² 

3.2 Lab Sessions (1.5 hours): Energy: Comparison of Chemical Reactions and Nuclear Reactions; Decay Time;^Carbon-14 Dating

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Origin and Evolution of the Planet;

Geological Time Scale and Geochronology;

Past geographies, topographies, and environments;

Interactions Between the Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, and Geosphere,

Human Evolution and Anthropization;

Natural Resources (Water, Energy, Mineral Resources) and Human Impact 

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Chapter 1: Sequences: Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences. Calculating Sums.

Chapter 2: Hyperbolic Functions: Definition, Curves, Derivatives

Chapter 3: Integral Calculus: Integrals, Antiderivatives, the Riemann Integral, Substitution, and First-Order Differential Equations

Chapter 4: Curves and Surfaces: Straight Lines , Planes, Circles, and Parabolas; Cylindrical and Spherical Coordinates; Lengths, Areas, and Volumes of Common Solids

Hourly volumes:

• CM: 18
• TD: 18

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Throughout this course unit, we will cover several disciplines to provide a review and/or foundational knowledge regarding: the biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere, as well as—and most importantly—their evolution since the planet’s origin. The disciplines (and major themes) covered will be:

-Paleontology: Evolution, Biochronology and Geological Epochs, Biodiversity, and Past Crises.

-Climatology and Oceanography: How do we study the climate? What roles do the ocean and the Earth’s biosphere play? In light of contemporary global challenges, tools are being developed to better characterize the mechanisms of climate change and their impacts on terrestrial and marine environments—from the past to the future—particularly through changes in biogeochemical cycles on a global scale. Environmental geochemistry will be a key method for characterizing both anthropogenic and natural impacts.

The main objectives are to gain a thorough understanding of how these layers interacted with the geosphere in the past (discussed in greater depth in the HAT102T Geology course) and to learn how to analyze a present-day natural landscape in light of its evolution over geological time.

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