2020 Faculty Courses School of Science Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Graduate major in Earth and Planetary Sciences
Advanced Earth and Space Sciences D
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Earth and Planetary Sciences
- Instructor(s)
- Tetsuya Yokoyama
- Class Format
- Lecture (Zoom)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Mon (Zoom) / 5-6 Thu (Zoom)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- EPS.A422
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2020
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course focuses on geochemical application of radiogenic isotopes by following the textbook "Geochemistry" by W. White. The basic knowledge about radiogenic isotopes will be given in the first seven classes. In the second half of the course, students will make presentations regarding the topics below;
1) Classical but essential tracers (Sr, Nd, Pb)
2) K-Ar and Ar-Ar dating
3) Rare gas geochemistry
4) Non traditional isotopes
Course description and aims
At the end of this course, students will be able to understand:
1) principles for radioactive decay and the origin of isotopes
2) geochemical applications of radiogenic isotopes
3) dating of earth's materials
4) geochemical evolution of mantle and crust
Keywords
Radiogenic isotopes, Mantle, Crust, Chemical evolution, Chronology
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Before coming to class, students should read the course schedule and prepare for the topics with handouts and references.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Structure of nuclei | Understanding of elemental particles |
| Class 2 | Origin of elements | Understanding of stellar nucleosynthesis |
| Class 3 | Stability of nuclei | Understanding of binding energy and Weizsäcker's formula |
| Class 4 | Radioactive decay | Understanding of the styles and equation of radioacitive decay |
| Class 5 | Basic geochronology | Understanding of principle for radiometric dating method using long-lived and short-lived nuclids |
| Class 6 | Presentation 1 (Rb-Sr system) | Understanding of Rb-Sr radiometric dating and its application |
| Class 7 | Presentation 2 (Rb-Sr system) | Understanding of Sm-Nd radiometric dating and its application |
| Class 8 | Presentation 3 (U-Th-Pb system) | Understanding of U-Th-Pb radiometric dating and its application |
| Class 9 | Presentation 4 (rare gas isotopes) | Understanding of rare gas geochemistry |
| Class 10 | Presentation 5 (Re-Os system) | Understanding of Re-Os radiometric dating and its application |
| Class 11 | Presentation 6 (14C dating) | Understanding of 14C radiometric dating and its application |
| Class 12 | Presentation 7 (geochemical evolution of continental crust) | Understnding of the chemical and isotopic evolution of continental crust |
| Class 13 | Presentation 8 (geochemical evolution of mantle) | Understnding of the chemical and isotopic evolution of mantle |
| Class 14 | Presentation 9 (geochemical evolution of subduction zone) | Understnding of the chemical and isotopic evolution of subduction zone |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
W.M. White "Geochemistry" Wiley-Blackwell
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Handouts will be provided during the class
Evaluation methods and criteria
Students will be assessed on their understanding of the geochemical application of radiogenic isotopes.
Students' course scores are based on discussion during the class (30%) and group presentation (70%).
Related courses
- EPS.A330 ： Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry
- EPS.A201 ： Introduction to Material Sciences of Earth and Planet
- LAS.A101 ： Earth and Space Sciences A
- LAS.A102 ： Earth and Space Sciences B
Prerequisites
No prerequisites