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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Geography

Undergraduate Course: Volcanoes, Environment and People (GEGR10103)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) Credits20
Home subject areaGeography Other subject areaEnvironmental Courses
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionThe course is focussed on the origins, dispersal and environmental/cultural impacts of volcanic ash or tephra. An assessment of volcanic activity and the production of tephras provides the underpinning to a discussion of tephrochronology and 3-D environmental reconstruction using tephra layers. Detailed studies of tephra layers in Iceland are used to explore environmental change and human interactions with the environment. The teleconnections between tephra layers, ice cores, tree rings and ocean cores are assessed and compared to ideas about the widespread impacts of volcanic eruptions on culture and society. Change in marginal systems in Scotland is used to illustrate the context in which volcanic impacts are thought to occur.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?No
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1) Learn enabled:  Yes Quota:  22
Web Timetable Web Timetable
Course Start Date 13/01/2014
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 22, Fieldwork Hours 6, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 168 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 60 %, Coursework 40 %, Practical Exam 0 %
No Exam Information
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
1. To develop a detailed understanding of the principles and practice of tephrochronology
2. To critically evaluate the use of tephras to reconstruct environmental change and to asses the role of tephras as agents of environmental change
3. To assess the significance of different types of change and recognise the causes of threshold-crossing events
4. To develop a detailed knowledge of how to use tephrochronology to assess volcano-environment interactions, environmental and cultural change, human-environmental interactions and impacts of volcanism on people
5. To enable you to seek out and comprehend the essential relevant findings from literature in unfamiliar fields which will also mean you gain an understanding of the ways in which the subject is developed
6. To develop analytical skills and undertake independent research to analyse a professional level problem
7. To develop and improve skills in the use of the internet, giving oral and visual presentations to informed audiences, and critical writing
Assessment Information
Class assessment: As outlined in course handbook
Degree assessment: One two-hour examination (2 questions) (60%) AND One project (2000 words) (40%)

Overall mark for the course (ie degree coursework and examinations) of at least 40.
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
KeywordsGEGR10103 Volcanoes, tephrochronology
Contacts
Course organiserProf Andrew Dugmore
Tel: (0131 6)50 8156
Email: Andrew.Dugmore@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Beth Muir
Tel: (0131 6)50 9847
Email: beth.muir@ed.ac.uk
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