The course will be taught by three instructors. We will introduce the concepts of radiometric dating, radioactive decay and isotope geochemistry for absolute dating. Several absolute dating methods such as 14C, 210Pb, 230Th/U, 10Be/26Al, K-Ar, U-Pb, etc. will be given in detail. The course will also introduce some dating methods based on radioactive dose instead of decay half-life, such as Luminescence and Fission truck dating methods. We will show the advantages and disadvantages of each methods, and describe limitations and problems for dating. From the course, students can understand how to choose and use a dating method for their studies, and how to judge the dating results.
Textbook is just for reference. Each class the instructor will provide PPT for teaching materials.
Students are encouraged to discuss questions in the classes. Quiz and homework are not heavy, just in-light for understanding course contents. Students will select a research paper which uses a dating method to read, and give a 10-min presentation in the class.
We will arrange a lab tour either in AS or NTU to learn dating instruments and lab procedures.