EASC 454       2 Credit Hours

Geochronology

This information is for second semester 2017/2018 academic year

Teacher responsible

Dr. Marian Selorm Sapah

Availability

This course is available open to all visiting students but only as a second semester course.

Course Content

The primary objective of this course is to provide a practical overview of principles and techniques used in geochronology. The theory, methodology and interpretation of the following dating techniques will be discussed: U-Th-Pb, Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, Pb-Pb, K-Ar, Ar-Ar, and Fission track dating. Cosmogenic and fossil isotopes. The dating of Ghanaian rocks will also be discussed.

Teaching

Thursdays 2:30pm-4:30pm, Lecture Rm 2

Lectures and Exercises/Assignments. Students should be conversant with the use of Sakai. Assignments, quizzes/tests and forum discussions will be posted on here.

Formative Coursework

The course is made up of Interim Assessments and Final Examination.

Indicative reading

•  Dickin, A. P. 1995. Radiogenic Isotope Geology. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-59891-5

•  Faure, G. 1986. Principles of isotope geology. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-471-86412-9

•  Faure, G., and Mensing, D. 2005. "Isotopes - Principles and applications". 3rd Edition. J. Wiley & Sons. ISBN 0-471-38437-2

Assessment and Grading

Grading Scale: