| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
|---|---|
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
None, but a chemical or geochemical background
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The aim of this module is to give an overview of the basic analytical organic geochemical techniques employed in petroleum and organic geochemistry.
As a result of the chemical diversity and complexity of sedimentary organic matter, Petroleum Geochemistry makes use of innovative and sophisticated instrumentation and analytical methods. These will both be described in this module as together, these are capable of separating the complex mixtures of components observed in the geosphere as well as detecting, quantifying and most importantly, identifying minute amounts of information-rich molecules in both source rock extracts and crude oils.
Sampling design and sample preparation (clean and crush)
Extraction of rocks
Introduction to fractionation of bitumen -Liquid column chromatography -Thin layer chromatography
Principles, nomenclature and types of Chromatography
Frontal analysis, displacement method, elution development
Theory and practise of liquid chromatography
-Classical
-HPLC
Theory and practice of thin layer chromatography
Theory and practice of gas chromatography
Mass Spectrometry
-Principles
-Instrumentation
-Applications
Theory and practice of pyrolysis - gas chromatography and pyrolysis - GC-MS
On completion of this module, students will be familiar with the fundamental theory of the chromatographic separation of complex mixtures. They will also have a strong grasp of the principles of mass spectrometry, an awareness of the main types of instruments used in petroleum geochemistry, their modes of application and the types of data that they produce. Lastly, they will be aware of some of the techniques involving pyrolysis which are used in petroleum geochemistry.
Students will be able to extract and fractionate complex mixtures of organic molecules from crude oils and other geological materials.
| Graduate Skills Framework Applicable: | Yes |
|---|---|
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 5:00 | 5:00 | Project report |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | Exam |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 0:45 | 0:45 | Class test. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | Revision for exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 6 | 6:00 | 36:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 1 | 12:00 | 12:00 | Practical write-up. |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 1 | 2:15 | 2:15 | Revision for class test. |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | Lecture write-up. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 15:30 | 15:30 | Includes background reading and reading lecture notes for a full understanding of material. |
| Total | 100:00 |
Specialist knowledge and understanding are primarily imparted via lecture classes, supported by computer-hosted reference materials. Subject specific skills are taught through hands-on laboratory practical classes.
Students are encouraged and expected to learn through reflection and independent reading. They are supported in this by the provision of an extensive, but prioritised, reading list. Observations and discussions during laboratory classes aid development of understanding whilst a short test at the end of the module (ten-minute-test) enables students to monitor the progress of their learning.
Subject specific skills are learnt through participation in, and reflection on, a lengthy series of laboratory practical classes.
Key skills are practised through participation in laboratory practical classes.
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 60 | Unseen written examination. |
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 40 | Project report in form of scientific paper (approx. 2000 words). |
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Short (10 minute) test |
The specialist skills knowledge and understanding imparted during this module are assessed by means of unseen written examination and a written laboratory report. The written examination employs a range of approaches in order to accurately assess student abilities. These may include essay, calculation, data interpretation, and multi-part questions.
N/A
Note: The Module Catalogue now reflects module information relating to academic year 13/14. Please contact your School Office if you require module information for a previous academic year.
Disclaimer: The University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver modules in accordance with the descriptions set out in this catalogue. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, however, the University reserves the right to introduce changes to the information given including the addition, withdrawal or restructuring of modules if it considers such action to be necessary.