Maria Schönbächler: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2024 |
| Name | Prof. Dr. Maria Schönbächler |
| Field | Isotope Geochemistry |
| Address | Inst. für Geochemie und Petrologie ETH Zürich, NW D 81.2 Clausiusstrasse 25 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 632 37 92 |
| Fax | +41 44 632 11 79 |
| maria.schoenbaechler@eaps.ethz.ch | |
| Department | Earth and Planetary Sciences |
| Relationship | Full Professor |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||||||||||||
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| 651-0254-00L | Seminar Geochemistry and Petrology  | 0 credits | 2S | O. Bachmann, M. Schönbächler, C. Chelle-Michou, M. W. Schmidt, D. Vance | |||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Seminar series with external and occasional internal speakers addressing current research topics. Changing programs announced via D-EAPS homepage (Veranstaltungskalender) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Presentations on isotope geochemistry, cosmochemistry, fluid processes, economic geology, petrology, mineralogy and experimental studies. Mostly international speakers provide students, department members and interested guests with insight into current research topics in these fields. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Wöchentliches Seminar mit Fachvorträgen eingeladener oder interner Wissenschafter, vornehmlich zu Themen der Geochemie, Isotogengeologie, Hydrothermalgeochemie, Lagerstättenbildung, Petrologie, Mineralogie und experimentelle Studien. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 651-3001-00L | Dynamic Earth I | 6 credits | 4V + 2U | O. Bachmann, A. Galli, A. Fichtner, M. Schönbächler, S. Willett | |||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Provides a basic introduction into Earth Sciences, emphasizing different rock-types and the geological rock-cycle, as well as introduction into geophysics, plate tectonics and planetology. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Understanding basic geological and geophysical processes | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Overview of the Earth as a system, with emphasis on plate tectonic theory and the geological rock-cycle. Provides a basic introduction to crystals and minerals and different rock-types. Lectures include processes in the Earth's interior, physics of the earth, planetology, introduction to magmatic, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Excercises are conducted in small groups to provide more in depth understanding of concepts and content of the lectures. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Grotzinger, J., Jordan, T.H., 2020, Understanding Earth, Macmillan Learning, 8th Ed. Grotzinger, J., Jordan, T., 2017, Press/Siever Allgemeine Geologie. 7. Auflage, Springer Spektrum, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-48342-8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Exercises and short excursions in small groups (10-15 students) will be lead by student assistants. Specific topics in earth sciences will be discussed using examples and case studies. Hand samples of the major rock types will be described and interpreted. Short excursions in the region of Zurich will permit direct experience with earth science processes (e.g. earth surface processes) and recognition of earth science problems and solutions relevant for modern society (e.g. building materials, water resources). Working in small groups will allow for discussion and examination of actual earth science themes. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 651-3400-00L | Geochemistry I | 4 credits | 3G | M. Schönbächler, D. Vance | |||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Introduction to geochemistry and its application to the study of the origin and evolution of the Earth and planets. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Gain an overview of geochemical methods used in various fields of Earth Sciences and how they can be applied to study geological processes in the Earth’s mantle, crust, oceans and atmosphere. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | This course is an introduction into geochemistry with a special focus on the basic concepts used in this rapidly evolving field. The course deals with the geochemist's toolbox: the basic chemical and nuclear properties of elements from the periodic table and how these elements can be used to ask fundamental questions in Earth Sciences. The important concepts used in solid-solution-gas equilibria are introduced. The concepts of chemical reservoirs and geochemical cycles are discussed with examples from the carbon cycle in the Earth. The course also addresses geological applications in low- and high-temperature geochemistry, including the formation of continents, the differentiation of the Earth, the geochemistry of ocean and continental waters. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | The slides are available online. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | H. Y. McSween et al.: Geochemistry - Pathways and Processes, 2nd ed. Columbia Univ. Press (2003) William White: Geochemistry, Wiley-Blackwell Chichester (2013) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Prerequisite: chemical thermodynamics, basic inorganic chemistry and physics, basics of Python programming | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| 651-3501-00L | Geochemistry II | 3 credits | 2G | S. Bernasconi, M. Schönbächler | |||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The course focuses on the most important systems of radioactive and stable isotopes used in geochemistry and geology. Applications of isotope geochemistry for solving fundamental geological problems are discussed on the basis of case studies. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Development of a basic knowledge and understanding of the applications of the most important systems of stable and radiogenic isotopes. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The following methods will be discussed in detail: the radioactive-radiogenic systems Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, U-Th-Pb and K-Ar, as well as the stable isotope systems of oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and hydrogen. We will discuss how these methods are used in the following research fields: geochemistry of the earth, age dating, paleotemperature reconstructions, evolution of the crust and mantle reservoirs, sediment diagenesis, fluid rock interactions, hydrothermal activity, paleoceanography, biogeochemical cycles. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Slides are provided online. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | - Gunter Faure and Teresa M. Mensing. (2005): Isotopes : principles and applications. 3nd Ed. John Wiley & Sons. 897.pp - Dickin A. P., Radiogenic Isotope Geology, (2005), Cambridge University Press - Sharp Z.D. (2006) Principles of stable isotope geochemistry. Prentice Hall 360 pp. can be downloaded for free from http://csi.unm.edu | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Prerequisites: Geochemie I: (Bachelor course) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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| 651-4227-00L | Planetary Sciences: a Chemical Perspective | 3 credits | 2G | M. Schönbächler, H. Busemann, M. Ek | |||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Formation and evolution of the solar system and its planets from a geochemical perspective | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | To understand the formation and evolution of the solar system and its planets from a geochemical perspective | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The Sun and solid objects in the solar system (planets, comets, asteroids, meteorites, interplanetary dust) are discussed from a geochemical perspective. What does their present-day composition tell us about the origin, formation and evolution of the solar system? The lectures introduce the basics of the terrestrial and giant planets, comets and asteroids, gained from modern space missions and the study of extraterrestrial materials. The chemical and isotopic composition of meteorites, being the most primitive material available for study, is a further major topic. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Sildes and additional materials are available electronically | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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| 651-7011-00L | Introduction to Planetary Science  | 4 credits | 2G | M. Schönbächler, H. Busemann, M. Ek, C. Gillmann, A. Mittelholz | |||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course aims to provide an understanding of the formation, evolution, composition, structure and dynamics of planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, including new developments in the field and links to past, current and future space missions. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The goal of this course is to enable students to understand current knowledge and uncertainties regarding the formation, evolution, composition, structure and dynamics of planets, moons, asteroids and comets in our solar system, as well as ongoing discoveries from space missions and planets around other stars. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The main topics covered are: Orbital Dynamics and Tides, Solar Heating and Energy Transport, Chronology and Compositions (bulk and isotopic), Geochemical Concepts, Planetary Atmospheres, Planetary Surfaces, Planetary Interiors, Asteroids and Meteorites, Comets, Planetary Rings, Magnetic Fields and Magnetospheres, the Sun and Stars, Planet Formation, Exoplanets and Exobiology. The lectures introduce the basics of the terrestrial and giant planets, comets, and asteroids, gained from modern space missions and the study of extraterrestrial material from both the physical and geochemical perspectives. Students will practice making quantitative calculations relevant to various aspects of these topics through homework. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Students who completed either: 651-4010-00L Planetary Sciences: a Physical Perspective or 651-4227-00L Planetary Sciences: a Chemical Perspective are not entitled to register for this course. | ||||||||||||||||||||