Nanoparticles and colloidal minerals constitute abundant and highly reactive phases in the Earth system. They are naturally present since the beginning of time, and engineered nanomaterials are being increasingly released to the environment via anthropogenic activities.
The course will focus on size-dependent properties of particles extending to the nanoscale, their relevance to biogeochemical cycling, and methods to characterize particle size distribution, surface charge and aggregation in suspension. Techniques to be covered include dynamic light scattering (Zetasizer), laser diffraction (Mastersizer) and single particle ICP-MS.

Taught by: Muammar Mansor

Introduction to and application of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electronprobe microanalysis (EPMA) on individual rock samples, including textural documentation, data evaluation, mineral formula calculation and presentation of the results. Students acquire theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience on two analytical techniques that are routinely used in geosciences.

Taught by: Michael Marks, Sebastian Staude

The course provides the theoretical and practical basics to a variety of geo- and thermochronological methods that have a broad range of applications in Geoscience, such as quantifying Geodynamic and Earth’s surface processes. Participants will date their own rock/mineral and learn the how to interpret their ages. Specific topics addressed in this course include:

• General principles of absolute and relative dating techniques
• Radiometric/Quaternary dating methods
• Application of the (U-Th)/He method
• Cosmogenic isotope dating method

Lectures provide the basic concepts of the applied methods and interpretational tools, which will be accompanied by computer exercises and likely some field work. Laboratory work is used to generate own state-of-the-art analytical data. Data specific software and modelling software (Matlab) will be used for data interpretation.

Taught by: Christoph Glotzbach

This course provides an introduction to the basic principles of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the major sample preparation methods and the equipment used for different sample materials. The theoretical knowledge will be put into practice in the preparation and examination of a variety of sample types, with the intention that individual steps will be carried out by the students themselves (as far as possible). Students will learn to use electron microscopy by comparing and understanding the results of different preparation methods. The course is rounded off by an introduction to image processing and analysis of the electron micrographs taken.

Taught by: Stefan Fischer, Hartmut Schulz

The course "Material Characterization Methods" offers both theoretical insights and practical demonstrations of common grain size characterization techniques in sedimentary petrology, including sedimentation methods and laser diffraction, alongside their associated sampling strategies.
Additionally, it delves into grain size-dependent mineralogical analysis of clayey materials using X-ray diffraction, emphasizing the specific sample preparation protocols involved.
Given the hands-on nature of the exercises combined with lectures, group sizes are restricted and contingent upon staff availability and laboratory capacity.

Taught by: Christoph Berthold

The course "Methods of Structural Analysis: X-ray Diffraction and Infrared/Raman Spectroscopy" offers a comprehensive introduction to these important techniques in geosciences for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of rock, mineral, and ceramic samples. Through a combination of laboratory exercises and lectures, the module is designed to equip students with the necessary skills to effectively utilize these analytical methods and become acquainted with pertinent laboratory protocols. Group size is restricted and contingent upon the maximum available staff and laboratory capacity.

Taught by: Marcus Nowak, Christoph Berthold

This course introduces the basic principles of cryo-electron microscopy with an emphasis on cryo-(FIB)-SEM. It covers conventional cryo sample preparation/ stabilisation methods (i.e. plunge freezing, high pressure freezing, freeze fracture) using the appropriate equipment depending on the sample. Theoretical knowledge will be applied in practical sessions to prepare and examine a variety of samples. Students will learn to use cryo-electron microscopy and gain an understanding of the advantages and limitations of the method. It is recommended that students attend the Introduction to Electron Microscopy course prior to this course.

Taught by: Stefan Fischer, Jeremiah Shuster

The course provides the theoretical and practical basics to two geo- and thermochronological methods that have a broad range of applications in Geoscience, such as quantifying Geodynamic and Earth’s surface processes. Participants will date their own rock/mineral and learn the how to interpret their ages. Specific topics addressed in this course include:

• Theoretical and practical background of fission track dating
• Principles of U-Pb dating
• Interpretation of thermo- and geochronological data

Lectures provide the basic concepts of the applied methods and interpretational tools, which will be accompanied by computer exercises and likely some field work. Laboratory work is used to generate own state-of-the-art analytical data. Data specific software and modelling software (Matlab) will be used for data interpretation.

Taught by: Christoph Glotzbach

This course is designed to give a basic understanding of spectroscopic techniques used to study biogeochemical processes in natural and engineered environments. In this course, we will then focus on Mössbauer spectroscopy, an advanced analytical technique used to study processes in the iron biogeochemical cycle, which affect global nutrient cycling and pollutant fate. This course involves a combination of lectures, laboratory work, and computer-based data analysis. Grades for the course are based on a mini-project.

Taught by: Prachi Joshi

The course provides an introduction to applications of computed tomographic (CT) methods to different areas of geology and paleontology. It covers the basic theoretical framework of how X-ray interacts with matter and how this, combined with computer algorithms, can be used to image the internal morphology of objects. We will also cover post-processing and applications of micro-CT datasets.
Most of this course is practical, including imaging and post-processing related activities.

Taught by: Gabriel Ferreira

The course provides an introduction to geology from the perspective of stone and building materials.
We will examine in detail the concepts of alteration and decay, and, more generally, the different weathering phenomena and the resulting effects on stones. We will also address the main methods and tools for studying and analysing the degradation of stones, and problems related to these methods. Depending on the number of students and their availability, we will carry out some practical lab work, and excursions in and around the city to study local building stones and their uses.

Taught by: Andrea Aquino

The course is centered on the study of how terrestrial deposits, with a particular emphasis on loess as a principal terrestrial archive, record historical environmental and climatic changes through their magnetic properties. Participants will learn about the formation, composition, and role of magnetic minerals like magnetite and hematite, and how depositional and pedogenic processes influence these properties. The course covers key measurement techniques, such as cryogenic magnetometers, frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility, anhysteretic and isothermal remanent magnetizations, and temperature-dependent magnetic analysis.
Activities include lectures, hands-on lab work, case studies, and group discussions, helping participants apply these methods to reconstruct historical climate conditions and soil formation processes. Assessments include quizzes, practical reports, and a research project.

Taught by: Amin Ghafarpour