Undergraduate Course: Earth Materials (EASC08014)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Earth Science |
Other subject area | Environmental Courses |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | Material 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)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
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 |
| Keywords | Earth_Materials |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Geoffrey Bromiley
Tel: (0131 6)50 8519
Email: geoffrey.bromiley@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Nicola Muir
Tel: (0131 6)50 4842
Email: Nikki.Muir@ed.ac.uk |
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