42421 - Natural Resource Investigation Modulübersicht

Module Number: 42421
Module Title:Natural Resource Investigation
  Rohstofferkundung
Department: Faculty 2 - Environment and Natural Sciences
Responsible Staff Member:
  • Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Herd, Rainer
Language of Teaching / Examination:English
Duration:2 semesters
Frequency of Offer: Every winter semester
Credits: 6
Learning Outcome:
  • Get to know geological processes and to understand the role of these processes for the formation of natural resources
  • Become acquainted to the processes leading to the genesis of different raw materials
  • Study methods and techniques for investigation of natural resources
  • Use these investigation methods in the field and in the lab
  • Be able to present working results in an oral presentation and to defend them in an open discussion
  • Get an insight in the work of a professional exploration company during an excursion
Contents:Lecture Prospection and Exploration of Natural Resources
The lectures provides an overview about the geological processes which are responsible for the formation of different natural resources including energy resources, metals, industrial minerals and ground water. Methods for the prospection and exploration of these resources are presented using geological, geophysical, geochemical and remote sensing techniques. Advantages and disadvantages of the methods are discussed.

Practical training Prospection and Exploration of Natural Resources
The focus of this course is the practical training of the prospection and exploration methods in the field and in the lab. Geological, geophysical and remote sensing techniques are used in order to detect e.g. raw material deposits.

Lecture/exercise Introduction to Coal Petrology 
Lecture and practical training at the microscope. 
The lecture provides an overview about the genesis of coal seams and about the microscopic constituents of coal. The maceral concept is introduced. It is shown that coal is also a source of environmental information. The student will do a reconstruction of the paleoenvironment by using microscopic maceral analyses.

Excursion Prospex
Field trip to an active exploration site. Topics: Geological setting, exploration technology, efficiency and costs.
Recommended Prerequisites:
  • General high school knowledge in physics
  • Basics in geology
Mandatory Prerequisites:None
Forms of Teaching and Proportion:
  • Lecture / 3 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Exercise / 1 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Excursion / 8 Hours
  • Practical training / 3 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Self organised studies / 67 Hours
Teaching Materials and Literature:Material provided by the Chair
Module Examination:Continuous Assessment (MCA)
Assessment Mode for Module Examination:
  • Written examination, 80 min. (50%)
  • Written essay, 8-10 pages (30%)
  • Short report about results of the microscopic analyses (20%)
Excursion participation is mandatory.
Evaluation of Module Examination:Performance Verification – graded
Limited Number of Participants:None
Part of the Study Programme:
  • Abschluss im Ausland / Environmental and Resource Management / keine PO
  • Master (research-oriented) / Environmental and Resource Management / PO 2011
  • Master (research-oriented) / Environmental and Resource Management / PO 2021
  • Master (research-oriented) - Double Degree / Environmental and Resource Management / PO 2021
Remarks:None
Module Components:Winter semester:
  • 240809 Lecture Prospection and Exploration of Natural Resources 
  • 240808 Excursion Raw Material Exploration
  • 240804 Lecture/Exercise Introduction to coal petrology
  • 240869 Examination Prospection and Exploration of Natural Resources 
Summer semester:
  • 420830 PR Prospection and Exploration of Natural Resources
  • 842090 Examination Prospection and Exploration of Natural Resources
Components to be offered in the Current Semester: