Geodynamics

School  Natural Sciences
Academic Unit
 Geology Department
Level of Studies
 Undergraduate
Course Code
 GEO_504
Εξάμηνο σπουδών  7ο
Course Title
 Geodynamics
Independent Teaching Activities
 Lectures, laboratory and tutorial
Weekly Teaching Hours
 2 (lect.) + 1 (lab.) + 1(T) 
Credits  5
Course Type
 Field of Science 
Prerequisite Courses
 No
Language of Instruction & Examinations
Greek. Teaching may be however performed in English in case foreign students attend the course.
Is the Course offered to Erasmus Students
 Yes
Course Web-Page (URL)  https://eclass.upatras.gr/courses/GEO315/
Learning Outcomes

The course is addressed to undergraduate students who know and understand the basic principles of Geology and Structural Geology. The aim of the course is for students to acquire advanced knowledges and skills on themes related with the motions of the lithospheric plates, the mechanism that control the motions as well as the processes (e.g., deformation, magmatism, metamorphism) that are associated with that motions.

  • By the end of this course the student will be able to:
  • Know and understand the earth structure
  • Know and understand the structure and variation in the earth crust
  • Know and understand the types of plate motions
  • Know and understand the forces and the mechanisms that control the plate motions
  • Know and understand the processes such as deformation, magmatism and metamorphism, which are related with the divergent, convergent and collision of lithospheric plates
  • Distinguish regions of the earth crust, which have been formed due to plate motions, from regions which are characterized by limited plate motion
  • Understand the importance of plate motions in the development of orogenic belts
General Competences
  • Searching, analysis and synthesis of facts and information, as well as using the necessary technologies
  • Autonomous (Independent) work
  • Group work
  • Promotion of free, creative and inductive thinking 
Syllabus

The course content includes the following chapters:

Historical development of theories about the orogenesis; Structure of the earth; The architecture of lithospheric plates; The motions of lithospheric plates; Divergent lithospheric plates; Convergent lithospheric plates; Collision of lithospheric plates and orogeny; Structure of orogenic belts.
Delivery  Lectures, laboratory and filed work face to face.
Use of Information & Communication Technology
 
Teaching Methods
 
Activity Semester workload
Lectures   2 X 13 = 26
Laboratory work  1 X 13 = 13
Tutorial  1 X 13 = 13
Report preparation 19
Literature study 54
 Total number of hours for the Course 125 
 Student Performance Evaluation
 Student assessment is based on: (a) written examination after the end of the semester, which mainly includes essay questions (80% of the final grade) and (b) written report (20% of the final grade).
Attached Bibliography
  1. Kokkalas, S. 2012. Geodynamics. Univ. Patras Publ.
  2. Frisch W, Meschede M., Blakey R., 2011. Plate Tectonics: Continental Drift and Mountain Building. Springer.