By the end of this course the student will be able to:                    

1. Elaborate X-ray Diffraction analysis data and perform qualitative mineralogical analysis using X-ray Diffraction patterns.
2. Treat mineralogical and petrological raw data and classify them by using relevant built in diagrams (classification diagrams) or by constructing new ones (binary, ternary, spider, etc.).
3. Use digital images of mineralogical and petrological samples (mainly from thin or thic sections) for evaluating their mineral modes and textural characterization.

By the end of this course the student will, furthermore, have developed the following general comptence):

• Develop skills needed for the elaboration of X-ray analysis data and their evaluation through the dedicated databases (PDF databases of the ICDD)
• Ability to manipulate mineralogical and petrological raw data for classification and characterization purposes.
• Ability to treat images of mineralogical and petrological samples in digital form in order to deduce significant characterization parameters.

• Searching, analysis and synthesis of facts and information, as well as using the necessary technologies
• Autonomous (Independent) work
• Group work

Lectures and Laboratory exercises (hands-on)

• Evaluation of XRD analysis data through the implementation of dedicated software package and its complemented diffraction databases
• Use of Software package dedicated to the treatment and elaboration of mineralogical and petrological raw data.
• Use of a public domain Java image processing program for the modal and textural analysis of mineralogical and petrological materials.

• Written examination (50% of the final mark)
• Oral examination (50% of the final mark)

Percentages are valid t only when the student secures the minimum mark of 5 in the final written examination

Greek grading scale: 1 to 10. Minimum passing grade: 5.

Grades <3 correspond to ECTS grade F.

Grade 4 corresponds to ECTS grade FX.

For the passing grades the following correspondence normally holds:

1. Notes of lecturers in Greek.
2. Various relevant scientific papers
3. Sections of the user manuals of the various analytical instruments and their dedicated software packages

- Related academic journals:

1. Computers & Geosciences (Elsevier)

This course is introductory to the concepts and applications of geophysics, after its successful completion the student should be able to:

• Have knowledge of the principles of Geophysics/ applied geophysics
• Solve problems concerning geophysics applying acquired knowledge

Knowledge

Understanding of principles of Solid Earth geophysics and subjects concerning geoelectrics, geomagnetism, gravitational field of the Earth, heat flow in earth’s interior etc In addition, understanding of the theoretical basis/ principles of the main geophysical methods (seismic, geoelectric, geomagnetic, gravity, electromagnetic, GPR)

Skills

• Application of acquired knowledge in understanding/ solving geophysical problems
• Application of acquired knowledge for selecting appropriate geophysical method or combing geophysical methods for solution of problems
• Basic skills in geophysical data processing

Abilities

• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to geophysical theory and problems
• Ability to solve geophysical problems, using acquired knowledge and understanding of geophysics
• Ability of basic processing and interpretation of geophysical data.
• Ability to interact with other students in order to solve geophysical problems
• Ability to work in a team

By the end of this course the student will, furthermore, have developed the following skills (general abilities):

• Ability to apply acquired knowledge and understanding to the solution of problems related to geophysical data processing
• Ability to solve problems.
• Ability to prepare and execute searching, analysis and synthesis of data and related information
• Ability to interact with others in problem solving

1. Introduction to Geophysics Principles, Branches of geophysics. Geophysical survey design.
2. Seismic Methods : Principles, introduction, elastic constants, seismic waves and their propagation. Seismic refraction, seismic reflection.
3. Gravity method : Principles, Earth’s gravity field, Shape of the earth. Isostasy. Gravity filed measurements. Gravity meters. Gravity measurements corrections. Gravity anomalies of simple bodies
4. Magnetic methods : Earth’s magnetic field, Geomagnetic measurements and corrections. Paleomagnetism Magnetometers. Magnetic anomalies of simple bodies
5. Geoelectrical methods : Electric current propagating in earth, Resistance-Resistivity- Apparent resistivity. Geoelectrical arrays and measurements Geoelectrical data processing and analysis. Self Potential method IP method.
6. Electromagnetic methods : Principles, Natural source EM methods, controlled source EM methods. GPR
7. Well Logging : Principles, methods and applications
8. Radiometry – Heat flow in the Earth’s interior, Age of the Earth, radiochronology

• Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in teaching.
• The lectures content of the course, for each chapter, are uploaded in the eclass platform. The same is done for laboratory exercises together with the appropriate presentation. Interaction with students is done through email and the eclass platform as well.

The assessment is done in the following way:

• Written examination after the end of the semester which includes
• Short answer theory based questions
• Essay answer questions
• Assessment questions
• Problem solving questions

1. Lecture notes (eclass)
2. «Applied Geophysics», Tselentis G-A., Paraskevopoulos P., Pub. Liberal Books, Athens, 2013. (In Greek)
3. «Introduction to Geophysics», Papazachos B., Pub. Ziti, 2008. (In Greek)

This module is a basic introduction in the field of Palaeontology. Students become acquainted with fossils, which consist the evidence of evolution, and their use in geological research. Also, during this module information concerning the main groups of organisms that are commonly found as fossils are provided.

Since the first moment that life appeared on earth 4 billion years ago, life on earth is under constant evolution. New species appear, while others disappear. Fossils are the unquestionable testimony of this evolution through the geological ages, thus due to their continuous change they allow us to record and understand the age of the rocks that they were found in, as well as the prevailing palaeoenvironmental conditions when they were still alive, or when they died and were deposited in the sediments.

 Upon successful completion of this course the students will be able to:

1. Identify fossils.
2. Understand, implement and discuss the basics of Palaeontology, what fossil and fossilisation is, how the fossilisation and preservation processes work and finally what taphonomy is.
3. Understand, implement and discuss information on the origin, development and evolution of life, what mass extinctions are, when they occur and what their impact is on the evolution of life.
4. Learn about the main groups of organisms that first appeared and prevailed during the Phanerozoic eon.
5. Understand that the earth is a changing world and these changes have a direct impact on the evolution and making of life on earth.
6. Become competent in identifying some of the most important and common groups of organisms that can be found as fossils.
7. Correlate organisms with certain environments which could be used to define the respective depositional environments.
8. Use these methods in order to contribute in the stratigraphic research and the understanding of the palaeoenvironment when stratigraphic methods such as biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy are used.  

Generally, by the end of this course the student will, furthermore, have developed the following general abilities:

1. Search, analyse and synthesize data and information, using the necessary technologies.
2. Working in a multidisciplinary environment
3. Working in an international environment.
4. Independent work.
5. Group work.
6. Generating new research ideas.
7. Respecting the environment.
8. Criticism and self-criticism.
9. Promoting free and creative thinking.
10. Respecting diversity and multiculturalism.

1. Fossils – Fossilisation – Categories of fossils – Ways of fossilisation
2. Species – Systematics – Phylogenesis – Determination of of species – Nomenclature.
3. Palaeoecology – Taphonomy.
4. What life is – Origin and evolution of life on earth – Mass extinctions.
5. Protists – Metazoans - Invertebrates - Chordates.
6. Bivalves, gastropods, cephalopods, brachiopods, echinoderms, trilobites, corals
7. Vertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, hominids.
8. Palaeobotany

Ι) Oral final examination. The mark consists 50% of the final grade.

 The examination will include:

• Short answered questions.
• Short essays of combined approach.

ΙΙ. Written reports following the completion of each laboratory practical. The mean mark of the reports consists the other 50% of the final grade.

Minimum passing grade:  5.

Final Course Grade (FCG)

FCG = ( Oral exam + practical reports ) / 2

1. Prothero, R.D., 1998, Bringing fossils to life: An introduction to palaeobiology, WCB/McGraw-Hill
2. Clarkson, E., 1998, Invertebrate Palaeontology and evolution, Wiley-Blackwell
3. Armstrong, H.A., Brasier, M.D., 2005, Microfossils, Blackwell.
4. Benton M.J., 2005, Vertebrate Paleontology, Blackwell Science Ltd
5. Benton M. J., Harper D., A.T., 2009, Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Record , Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester.
6. Levin, H.,2013, The Earth through time, Wiley
7. Notes of lecturers in English.

The training of the students in the geochemical processes,  which are taking place in the hydrosphere ,lithosphere  and biosphere,. In the laws  which control the translocation and movement of the elements from one part  of land to another, and their  significant effects on   the  climate and humans. Also, the students will be prepared to understand the genesis  of rocks  ,soils and sediments

The students posses the intellectual  capacity and practical skills and has the ability:

• To apply the knowledge and   constructive thinking in the solution of the geochemical problems, in   decision   making in relation to critical technical  selection on crucial  subjects,   and in  management of specific environmental areas
•      Also the student in the  working environment  has the  ability to respond:
• With sufficiency in the  interscientific   knowledge required for the solution of the geochemical problems
• With responsibility  and trustworthiness in the  case of autonomous working in the  professional sector

• Reach, analysis and synthesis of data with the use of  the  required  modern technologies
• Decision making
• Adjustment to new situations
• Working in  interscientific  environment

• Basic geochemical principles and processes, lithosphere, hydrosphere,biosphere,atmosphere.
• Physical characteristics of sediments and their importance in the  geochemical processes
• Chemical characteristics of sediments. Elements  and  geochemical phases as indices    of  sediment  genesis environment.
• Chemical characteristics of rocks
• Geochemical processes
• Processes of chemical weathering
• Processes of chemical diagenesis
• Soils and sediments
• The geochemistry of heavy metals
• Sources of heavy metals ( natural and anthropogenic)
• Behavior of heavy metals in soils and water( release, adsorption/desorption, fixation, immobilization, ion exchange, volatilization).
• Factors affecting adsorption and desorption of heavy metals
• The bioavailability of heavy metals
• Relation of heavy metals to the biotic systems  of the environment  (plants, humans, animals)
• Sea geochemistry: Chemical composition of the sea water, equilibrium of the  soluble components of sea water. Sources of entrance of  water  components in the sea environment. Water  Characteristic layers of the water  column. Geographical and perpendicular changes  of trace element in the water  column. Suspended matter, Geographic and perpendicular distributions. Composition of the  suspended matter Benthic layer. Resuspension of the sediments Sea sediments,  Composition, categories, sources, origin of the components. Hydrothermic  activity,Hydrothermic  metalliferous sediments.
• Biogeochemistry: Biogeochemical processes in the water systems.. Importance of the dissolved oxygen. Organic matter.  Carbon  Formation and decomposition of the organic matter.. Biogenic elements and their significance  in the evaluation of  the environmental conditions.. Trace elements  cycles., , mineral carbon, characteristic elements.
• Special extreme environments: The importance of knowledge of the  geochemical processes in  the management of extreme environments. Black  Sea, Lagoons ,Persian golf, Red sea, Undersea hydrothermic areas
• Environmental pollution

• e-teaching of the lab exercises on weakly basis  two (2) days before the  teaching process, personally to each student after his registration in the web page of  the Laboratory
• Support of learning process and diffusion  of the  trainer via the electronic platform  e  class

I)Assessment of the  lab  exercise

• Each exercise is reported completely solved, is corrected and graded
• The mean vakue of all the exercises  is calculated

II) Final written exam of the Coarse

• Eight out of 10 questions must   are synoptically responded, and among them  two lab  questions are included.

1. Σ. Π. Βαρνάβας, Γεωχημεία, Εκδόσεις Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών 2015
2. Σ. Π. Βαρνάβας, Εφαρμοσμένη Γεωχημεία, Εκδόσεις Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών 2014
3. I.K.Kαλαβρουζιώτης, Διαχείριση εδαφικών πόρων και αποβλήτων, Εκδόσεις Τζιόλα, 2015, Θεσσαλονίκη.
4. Πρ. Κουκουλάκης, Ι. Κ. Καλαβρουζιώτης, Π. Κόκκινος, Γεωχημική συμπεριφορά βαρέων μετάλλων
5.  στο περιβάλλον, Εκδόσεις Τζιόλα, 2017, Θεσσαλονίκη.
6. Σ. Θεοδωρίκας , Γεωχημεία, Αρμός , 2015
7. R. Chester, Marine Chemistry, Chapman and Hall,1990
8. W. Salomons and U. Forstner. Metals in the hydrocycle , Springer- Verlag 1984
9. D.S. Cronan , Underwater minerals, Academic Press, 1980
10. S. Gerlach, Marine Pollution, Springer- Verlag 1981
11. U. Forstner, G. Wittmann, Metal pollution in the aquatic environment Springer- Verlag 1981