Biogeochemistry
Biogeochemistry is probably the broadest of the geological subjects and deals with the interactions of the biosphere with the geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere today and in the geological past.
In this course we will approach the subject by highlighting how life on Earth is constrained by Earth’s energy resources and how transport and exchange between Earth’s major reservoirs is affected by biological processes. We will deal with the redox chemistry of biologically active substances, mass transport phenomena and their quantitative treatment and the flows of carbon and energy within and between cells and in the Earth's system.
The course will make use of the application of isotopes for quantifying and tracing biogeochemical processes and introduces the quantitative treatment of geochemical data using equilibrium and reaction-transport modelling. After completing the course, you should be able to explain how the development of life may have affected the solid Earth, the atmospheric chemical composition, and the chemistry of the oceans. You should be familiar with the use of stable isotopes in biogeochemistry, and apply mathematical models to quantify biogeochemical processes in the Earth's system.
Further, you should have basic understanding of fundamental biochemical processes controlling element cycles such as photosynthetic carbon fixation, organic decomposition, chemolithotrophic processes, and account for energetic and kinetic regulation of biogeochemical processes. The course is constructed around lectures, exercises, literature studies, home assignments, and independent projects that are presented in writing and in a seminar.
Information for admitted students spring 2025
Congratulations! You have been admitted at Stockholm University and we hope that you will enjoy your studies with us.
In order to ensure that your studies begin as smoothly as possible we have compiled a short checklist for the beginning of the semester.
Follow the instructions on whether you have to reply to your offer or not.
universityadmissions.se
Checklist for admitted students
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Activate your university account
The first step in being able to register and gain access to all the university's IT services.
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Register at your department
Registration can be done in different ways. Read the instructions from your department below.
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Read all the information on this page
Here you will find what you need to know before your course or programme starts.
IMPORTANT
Your seat may be withdrawn if you do not register according to the instructions provided by your department.
Information from the department - courses
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are registered on the correct course. If you do not register, you will otherwise lose your place. Read more here ...
Registration/Reply
A welcome letter will be sent to the e-mail address you have specified in your application and there you will find all the information you need for your studies during the coming semester. If you have not received the welcome letter, first check the spam folder, if you are sure that you have not received it, then contact us at studies@geo.su.se.
Yes or No, you need to answer at Antagning.se
NOTE! You log into Ladok to register online with the options "eduID" or "Antagning.se". Please note that you cannot log in with the option "Log in via your university".
Are you a new student? Welcome to IGV. You can find usefull information at New student.
Registration before each semester is mandatory and is done via student.ladok.se.
In order to register, your student account must be activated. You can register yourself using your university account. Registration generally opens two weeks before the start of the course and you must have registered no later than one week after the start of the course. If you have problems with registration, contact our student office.
Can't register? Contact elisabeth.dacker@geo.su.se
To register you have to activate your student account.
Reserve admission
If you have been placed on a waiting list, you will be contacted by e-mail one to two weeks before the course begins. It is sent to the address you entered on Antagning.se. For Research traineeship courses, traineeship courses and degree project, see more information above.
Conditionally admitted
If you are conditionally admitted, you must be able to show that you are eligible for admission no later than course start to claim your place in the course. Please contact studies@geo.su.se.
Research traineeship courses, traineeship courses and degree project
To be accepted for a research traineeship courses, traineeshipp course and degree projects you need to contact the department. See contact information on each course page. You and a supervisor together write a project plan that is sent to Elisabeth Däcker, elisabeth.dacker@geo.su.se.
Disability
Stockholm University provides special pedagogical support to students with documented long-term disabilities. You should apply as soon as possible after you have been accepted in order to receive the best possible support. Once you have your Nais certificate, contact Elisabeth Däcker, elisabeth.dacker@geo.su.se.
Learning platform
After registration, you'll get access to the learning platform Athena, where each course has its own page where you will find important information and course material. It is important that you have access to Ladok and Athena at the latest at the start of the course.
Not all courses use Athena, read the information you receive from the course teacher.
Decline your admission
It's important that you decline your place as soon as you know you will not be taking that course or programme as this makes the place available to applicants on the waiting list. In that case, you should decline your offer on your pages on Universityadmissions.se.
Declining you admission later than three weeks after the course it will be account as an interruption. If you have an interruption in the course, you will not be able to apply for it again.
Decline you admission on antagning.se
Can I apply for deferral? I have been admitted but want to postpone my studies
If there are extenuating circumstances you may apply for a deferral of the commencement of your studies.
Find more information about your studies at IGV
Welcome activities
Stockholm University organises a series of welcome activities that stretch over a few weeks at the beginning of each semester. The programme is voluntary (attendance is optional) and includes Arrival Service at the airport and an Orientation Day, see more details about these events below.
Your department may also organise activities for welcoming international students. More information will be provided by your specific department.
Find your way on campus
Stockholm University's main campus is in the Frescati area, north of the city centre. While most of our departments and offices are located here, there are also campus areas in other parts of the city.
Read more
For new international students
In this course we will approach the subject by highlighting how life on Earth is constrained by Earth’s energy resources and how transport and exchange between Earth’s major reservoirs is affected by biological processes. We will deal with the redox chemistry of biologically active substances, mass transport phenomena and their quantitative treatment and the flows of carbon and energy within and between cells and in the Earth's system.
The course will make use of the application of isotopes for quantifying and tracing biogeochemical processes and introduces the quantitative treatment of geochemical data using equilibrium and reaction-transport modelling. After completing the course, you should be able to explain how the development of life may have affected the solid Earth, the atmospheric chemical composition, and the chemistry of the oceans. You should be familiar with the use of stable isotopes in biogeochemistry, and apply mathematical models to quantify biogeochemical processes in the Earth's system.
Further, you should have basic understanding of fundamental biochemical processes controlling element cycles such as photosynthetic carbon fixation, organic decomposition, chemolithotrophic processes, and account for energetic and kinetic regulation of biogeochemical processes. The course is constructed around lectures, exercises, literature studies, home assignments, and independent projects that are presented in writing and in a seminar.
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Course structure
Teaching format
At the end of the course, the student is expected to be able to:
a) Use physical and chemical parameters to calculate and explain how organisms utilize different sources of energy for their proliferation, how they gain access to this, and where this energy comes from.
b) Describe different types of metabolic and biosynthetic pathways that are used by various types of organisms, and put this in an environmental perspective.
c) Predict and explain which biogeochemical processes would dominate in a given environment.
d) Construct, use and comment on basic mathematical models that describe biogeochemical processes and that can be used to quantify these.
e) Formulate and predict how isotopic fractionation affects the isotopic composition of sources and products, and how isotope analysis is used in biogeochemical research.
f) Discuss the advantages, disadvantages and limitations of various ways and methods to investigate (past) life, environments and related biogeochemical processes.
g) Present in-depth knowledge, based on course content and the scientific literaure, about a selected topic via a presentation, by answering questions, and in writing
h) Comment constructively on the reports of fellow studentsAssessment
is based on four parts:
1. First week's quiz (25%)
2. Second weeks' quiz (25%)
3. Four theme summaries including comments of four peer reports
4. Final examination (25%)The course is examined through a written exam placed at the end of the course. Grading takes place according to a seven-point grading scale:
A = Excellent
B = Very good
C = Good
D = Satisfactory
E = Sufficient
Eg = Insufficient
F = Totally insufficientFor passing, a minimum grade of E is required.
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Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
Literature material will be handed out during the course.
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Course reports
Course evaluations allow the possibility to affect and take responsibility for your own learning and gives important information for our work with pedagogical development.
It's important that all students complete the course evaluations after each course, it gives the Department the opportunity to improve the courses' quality.
The course evaluation is composed of a number of questions and specific questions for each course. If you, as a student, want to contribute with more course specific questions you may send them to studies@geo.su.se.
If you haven't received the course evaluation for your finished course, or if you have other questions regarding course evaluations at IGV please contact studies@geo.su.se.
Course evaluation = student's review of the course
Course report = course leader's reflections about the review -
Contact
Elisabeth DäckerAdministrativ studierektor
- Visiting address
- S 316
- Svante Arrheniusväg 8 C, Geohuset
Volker BrüchertAssociate professor of Biogeochemistry
- Visiting address
- R 307
- Svante Arrheniusväg 8 C, Geohuset
Christophe DuprazAssociate professor of Geomicrobiology
- Visiting address
- R 323
- Svante Arrheniusväg 8 C, Geohuset
