Geochemistry unlocked: the science behind Earth's materials

About the course:
Geochemistry Unlocked introduces the chemical principles that govern the Earth system. You will explore how elements are formed, how they are distributed in rocks, water and atmosphere, and how chemical reactions control geological and environmental processes. The course provides a practical geochemical toolbox that helps explain natural cycles, climate change, resource formation and environmental challenges.

Trailer:

Target audience:
This course is designed for:

• Students in Earth sciences, geology, environmental science or natural resources.
• Professionals working with environmental monitoring, mining or water systems.
• Curious learners who want to understand how chemistry shapes our planet.

Prerequisite-knowledge:

• Basic high-school level chemistry.
• Basic understanding of mathematics (algebra and simple equations).
• General interest in Earth processes.

Course content:

The course explores how elements are formed and distributed in the solar system and within the Earth. It introduces chemical bonding, periodic trends, thermodynamics and key chemical reactions that control geological processes. You will study acid–base systems, redox reactions and natural buffering in water and rocks, as well as the carbon cycle and other global geochemical cycles. The course also covers radiogenic and stable isotopes and demonstrates how geochemistry is applied in climate research, environmental science and sustainable natural resource management.

How the course will be conducted:

The course is delivered fully online and includes:
Short video lectures Reading material Interactive quizzes Problem-solving exercises Optional discussion activities

To pass the course you need to:

Complete all modules and tasks. Complete all required quizzes Achieve a passing score on the final assessment.

Presentation of the teachers:

The course is taught by university lecturers and researchers in geochemistry and Earth sciences. The teaching team combines expertise in isotope geochemistry, environmental geochemistry, mineral resources and global biogeochemical cycles.