2022 Faculty Courses School of Science Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Graduate major in Earth and Planetary Sciences
Advanced Earth and Space Sciences L
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Earth and Planetary Sciences
- Instructor(s)
- Romain Alexis Gilbert
- Class Format
- Lecture (HyFlex)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Mon (理学院 地球惑星科学系, 石川台2号館, 307室) / 5-6 Thu (理学院 地球惑星科学系, 石川台2号館, 307室)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- EPS.A429
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2022
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
In this course, we will introduce and review some fundamentals of organic geochemistry. Organic molecules are important components of the Earth-life system as well as extraterrestrial settings such as meteorites or the interstellar medium. Understanding the origin and history of organic molecules is thus crucial to Earth and Planetary Sciences studies, biogeochemistry, astrobiology and astrochemistry. The goal of this course will be to give fundamental knowledge about the formation of organic molecules on Earth and elsewhere, analytical methodologies for organic molecules, as well as current challenges in organic geochemistry.
Course description and aims
Students interested in organic molecules, organic chemistry, geochemistry, astrobiology, metabolism, biochemistry, analytical tools for organics
Keywords
Organic geochemistry
Organic molecules
Analytical chemistry
Metabolism
Biogeochemistry
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
In addition to the lectures, students will be asked to work on exercises related to the lectures, and to present one scientific paper chosen from a list of papers of interest.
The course will be conducted exclusively in English and as much as possible face-to-face.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Organic geochemistry: history, goals and challenges | Organic geochemistry: history, goals and challenges |
| Class 2 | Organic molecules: reactivity, structure and nomenclature | |
| Class 3 | Molecules of life: metabolism, functions | |
| Class 4 | Organic geomolecules: petroleum, kerogen, coal, oil, natural gas | |
| Class 5 | Analytical chemistry for organic molecules (1): sample preparation | |
| Class 6 | Analytical chemistry for organic molecules (2): Chromatography, IR, NMR | |
| Class 7 | Analytical chemistry for organic molecules (3): Mass Spectrometry | |
| Class 8 | Organic Astrochemistry | |
| Class 9 | Exercises: identifying organic molecules (1) | |
| Class 10 | Exercises: identifying organic molecules (2) | |
| Class 11 | Paper reading and presentation (1) | |
| Class 12 | Paper reading and presentation (2) | |
| Class 13 | Paper reading and presentation (3) |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 30 minutes preparing for class and another 30 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Introduction to Organic Geochemistry (Killops & Killops)
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Will be given
Evaluation methods and criteria
Attendance + presentation of one scientific article
Related courses
- Biogeochemistry
- Astrobiology
- Biochemistry
- Organic chemistry
Prerequisites
Chemistry
Metabolism
Geology