Development of a Joint University (Virtual) Institute for Applied Geosciences

NGL Science Meeting - Oskarshamn, 7-8th of November 2013

2013-11-07 NGL, Oskarshamn, November 2013

Lars O. Ericsson1, Chin-Fu Tsang2, Auli Niemi2, and Gia Destouni3

1Chalmers University of Technology2Uppsala University3Stockholm University

1

2013-11-07 NGL, Oskarshamn, November 2013 2

The School of NGL- A vision of an education centre in applied geosciences The School of Athens

Photo: Lars O. Ericsson

2013-11-07 NGL, Oskarshamn, November 2013 3

Gerolamo da Verrazzano, 1529, Vatican Museum. Photo: Lars O. Ericsson, 2013

Äspö

Äspö

• Globally unique

• Impressive RD&D infrastructure for Applied Geosciences

• Extraordinary possibilities for understanding of Subsurface Natural Sciences

• Geoscientifically outstanding possibilities on development of Civil and Environmental Engineering in ancient Shield Regions

• Data base of advanced experimental techniques and modeling results from multi-disciplinary studies in the field of geosciences.

2013-11-07 NGL, Oskarshamn, November 2013 5

Background

The goal of the proposed Joint University Institute:

to develop up-to-date courses for the training of geoscientists who will be properly equipped to address important geosciences-related problems facing the society

Such emphasis is very much lacking in current geoscience education in all the major universities in the world.

2013-11-07 NGL, Oskarshamn, November 2013 6

Geosciences-related problems facing the society?

• Underground construction issues,• Climatic change • CO2 geosequestration • Geoenergy development • Hydraulic Fracturing Technology• Environmental pollution to nuclear and toxic

chemical waste disposal• Groundwater supply, coastal areas and more..• etc

2013-11-07 NGL, Oskarshamn, November 2013 7

Organizational set-upVirtual institute, •with MS education conducted at major universities in Sweden •with complementary set of courses (elective), and part of these courses will be held at the NGL facility at Oskarshamn•offer deeper study courses of reasonable duration– branch specific or PhD courses–SIDA?

2013-11-07 NGL, Oskarshamn, November 2013 8

Ideas: broaden up cooperation with SBU, Swedish Universities of the Built Environment ?

2013-11-07 NGL, Oskarshamn, November 2013 9

Topics of Applied Science

DesignLayout Construct. Working env.

Risk and Performance Assessments

Biosphere:

Data

Conditions

Models

Decision Analysis Communication of Geoscientific

Results

Geoscientific models

2013-11-07 NGL, Oskarshamn, November 2013 10

Types of courses to be developed

1) Conventional courses,

– geology, geophysics, glaciology, hydrogeology, rock mechanics and surface hydrology,

– emphasis towards new techniques and data from NGL and towards solving a major, site-specific, long-term problem

2013-11-07 NGL, Oskarshamn, November 2013 11

(modified from Ge, et al. 2003)

Biologicalchanges

2013-11-07 NGL, Oskarshamn, November 2013 12

2) Double-disciplinary courses,

– integration of hydrogeology and geochemistry,

– integration of rock mechanics and hydrogeology

– integration of microbiology and hydrogeochemistry,

– Etc, etc

3) System-integrative courses

– on the development of so-called “Site Descriptive Models”, – process models– predictive models – back-modeling in palaeohydrology and

palaeogeochemistry– uncertainty analyses

2013-11-07 NGL, Oskarshamn, November 2013 13

4) Courses on communication of geoscientific results with the public and decision makers, – including how to formulate the geoscience results in

a broader context and proper perspective.

2013-11-07 NGL, Oskarshamn, November 2013 14Photo: SKB

Wishes

• Transparent user friendly data base, • Updated Geological model of Äspö HRL• Accommodation facilities• Lecture rooms

2013-11-07 NGL, Oskarshamn, November 2013 15

Financial conditions?

• Erasmus +• Faculty financing from Government?• VR (the Swedish Research Council)?• FORMAS?• Branch organizations?• ?????

2013-11-07 NGL, Oskarshamn, November 2013 16

2013-11-07 NGL, Oskarshamn, November 2013 17

Sankta Barbara, från Wikipedia

Thank you!