Organic geochemistry

General data

Course ID:	1300-WGOGW-GES
Erasmus code / ISCED:	07.305 Kod klasyfikacyjny przedmiotu składa się z trzech do pięciu cyfr, przy czym trzy pierwsze oznaczają klasyfikację dziedziny wg. Listy kodów dziedzin obowiązującej w programie Socrates/Erasmus, czwarta (dotąd na ogół 0) – ewentualne uszczegółowienie informacji o dyscyplinie, piąta – stopień zaawansowania przedmiotu ustalony na podstawie roku studiów, dla którego przedmiot jest przeznaczony. / (0532) Earth science The ISCED (International Standard Classification of Education) code has been designed by UNESCO.
Course title:	Organic geochemistry
Name in Polish:	Geochemia organiczna
Organizational unit:	Faculty of Geology
Course groups:	(in Polish) Przedmiot sugerowany do wyboru na III sem. stud. II st. GES na spec. Gospodarka surowcami miner.
ECTS credit allocation (and other scores):	(not available) Basic information on ECTS credits allocation principles: the annual hourly workload of the student’s work required to achieve the expected learning outcomes for a given stage is 1500-1800h, corresponding to 60 ECTS; the student’s weekly hourly workload is 45 h; 1 ECTS point corresponds to 25-30 hours of student work needed to achieve the assumed learning outcomes; weekly student workload necessary to achieve the assumed learning outcomes allows to obtain 1.5 ECTS; work required to pass the course, which has been assigned 3 ECTS, constitutes 10% of the semester student load. view allocation of credits
Language:	Polish
Type of course:	elective courses
Prerequisites (description):	It is assumed that student already has knowledge of the life sciences and is familiar with geochemical terminology on the undergraduate level. Knowledge of organic chemistry on the high school level is also useful.
Short description:	The course covers range of topics from the scope of organic geochemistry – a relatively young and dynamically developing branch of geochemistry, whose findings are of significant practical importance for geology of hydrocarbon and coal deposits and environmental studies. Discussed topics include role of biosphere in geological processes, behaviour of selected groups of the organic compounds in nature and geochemical aspects of genesis of coal, oil and gas deposits.
Full description:	Range of topics: 1. Biosphere, its structure and productivity. Biogeochemical cycles. 2. Role of microorganisms in cycling of selected elements. Sulfur bacteria, nitrobacteria, archebacteria, ferrobacteria and its role in mineral deposit creation. Functioning of microbiological ecosystems of soils and natural waters. 3. The most important groups of organic compounds and their occurrence in nature: a) hydrocarbons (alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, naphtenes, arenes) b) alcohols, phenols, aldehydes and ketones c) carboxylic acids, their salts and esters d) carbohydrates, amines, heterocyclic compounds e) lipids, amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids 4. Accumulation of organic remnants in sediments, their fossilization and transformation during diagenesis. 5. Geochemical characteristics of the more important fossil organic substances. Humic compounds, peats, sapropels. 6. Lignite, bituminous coal, anthracite. Coalification processes. Macerals and coal petrigraphy. 7. Natural gas and oil formation. Types of kerogen. Biomarkers. 8. Bitumens and fossil resins. 9. Pollution of environment by toxic groups of organic compounds.
Bibliography:	(in Polish) Killops S., Killops V., 2005 – Introduction to organic geochemistry. Blackwell Publishing. Waleńczak Z., 1987 – Geochemia organiczna. Wydawnictwo Geologiczne, Warszawa.
Learning outcomes:	After finishing the course student knows about the geochemical role of biosphere and the properties and role of the most important groups of organic compounds. He/ she knows the mechanisms of formation of the organic fuel deposits. Student recognizes review of modern geochemical methods and is familiar with modern scientific terminology.
Assessment methods and assessment criteria:	Written test with multiple-choice and open questions; exam requirements cover the material discussed during lectures.
Practical placement:	none

This course is not currently offered.

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