THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2011/2012
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Earth Science

Undergraduate Course: Earth Materials (EASC08014)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) Credits20
Home subject areaEarth Science Other subject areaEnvironmental Courses
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionMaterial of the Earth's crust and mantle: crystallography, optical mineralogy, structure, chemistry and occurrence of minerals; introduction to the petrology and petrography of igneous and metamorphic rocks. The Degree examination will include a written paper and practical work. Additional class tests, assessed practicals, and own-time projects will contribute to the final mark.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed Earth Dynamics (EASC08001) AND Earth Surface Systems (GESC08001)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None.
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2011/12 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1) WebCT enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Location Activity Description Weeks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
King's BuildingsLaboratory1-11 15:00 - 17:00or 11:10 - 13:00
King's BuildingsLecture1-11 12:10 - 13:00
King's BuildingsLecture1-11 14:00 - 14:50
King's BuildingsLaboratory1-11 14:00 - 17:00or 14:00 - 17:00
First Class Week 18, Monday, 14:00 - 14:50, Zone: King's Buildings. LT201, Grant Institute
Additional information Students must attend lab classes on EITHER Monday 3-5pm OR Tuesday 11am-1pm AND EITHER Thursday 2-5pm OR Friday 2-5pm. If you are able to, you must attend Tuesday and Friday practical sessions rather than the Monday and Thursday sessions.
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours:Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)3:00
Resit Exam Diet (August)3:00
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
The main learning outcome is the broad knowledge and understanding of the constituent minerals which make up the Earth, and how the study of minerals can be used to understand Earth processes. In the first part of the course, students will learn how to identify, describe and interpret minerals from an atomic level to a hand specimen scale, and will be introduced to the main methods used to study minerals in modern geoscience research. They will become familiar with the principles under which the polarising microscope operates, its significant role as a tool in the Earth Sciences, and become proficient in its use. Students will learn how diffraction techniques are used to study mineral structures and how electron beam techniques are used to determine mineral chemistry, and will gain an appreciation of how a combination of all of these techniques is used to study Earth materials. Students will then be introduced to the most important groups of minerals and develop an understanding of the relations between different groups of minerals, their occurrence, formation and stability, and how this information can be used to understand processes occurring on the Earth. This knowledge will be used during subsequent introductions to both igneous and metamorphic petrology, designed to compliment material covered in Stratigraphy and Sedimentology. Students are actively encouraged to discuss academic problems with fellow students and to work in collaboration: invaluable transferable skills.
Assessment Information
Lectures, practicals and project work. Continuous assessment through project work, written-up practical assignments and short class tests. Degree exam in summer diet.
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsEarth_Materials
Contacts
Course organiserDr Geoffrey Bromiley
Tel: (0131 6)50 8519
Email: geoffrey.bromiley@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Nicola Muir
Tel: (0131 6)50 4842
Email: Nikki.Muir@ed.ac.uk
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© Copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 16 January 2012 5:53 am