Undergraduate Course: Introduction to the Geological Record (EASC08017)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course is ONLY available to students taking:
GEOLOGY BSc AND MEarthSci
GEOLOGY AND PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY BSc & MEarthSci
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCE BSc
GEOPHYSICS & GEOLOGY BSc
PRIMARY EDUCATION WITH EARTH SCIENCES MA (Hons)
The course will teach 3D mapping and cross-section skills, as well as 4D-thinking abilities - areas highlighted by both a recent external Teaching Quality Assurance (TQA) and Industry as being a vital skill. These will be taught via integration of maps with rock identification in a way not previously achieved. The course will also introduce the application of online digital databases (BGS and USGS maps; Digital Elevation Models; radar interferometry; remote sensing; imagery) in solving global geological problems. The course will logically follow the core course Earth Dynamics (Semester 1), and prepare students for mapping fieldwork at the beginning of year 2.
Compulsory fieldtrip to the Lake District on EITHER 6-12 April OR 25 - 31 May '15 |
| Course description |
The course will teach 3D mapping and cross-section skills, as well as 4D-thinking abilities - areas highlighted by both a recent external Teaching Quality Assurance (TQA) and Industry as being a vital skill. These will be taught via integration of maps with rock identification in a way not previously achieved. The course will also introduce the application of online digital databases (BGS and USGS maps; Digital Elevation Models; radar interferometry; remote sensing; imagery) in solving global geological problems. The course will logically follow the core course Earth Dynamics (Semester 1), and prepare students for mapping fieldwork at the beginning of year 2.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | £150 for residential fieldtrip. |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2014/15, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 84 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 16,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 20,
Fieldwork Hours 50,
Summative Assessment Hours 3,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
107 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
40 %,
Coursework
60 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Exam: students will annotate a geological map and produce a cross-section and a geological history in three hours (50% map + cross-section, 50% geological history).
Course work: two practicals will be assessed, representing 10 % of the final mark each; students will hand in the material they produced at the end of the practical. The material produced during the Lake District trip will represent 40 % of the final mark (10 % notebook and 30 % map). |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | Introduction to the Geological Record | 3:00 | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | Introduction to the Geological Record | 3:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the semester, student should have gained:
- knowledge of applied techniques that are necessary to understand and interpret the Earth's surface as expressed in maps and other 2/3D data.
- knowledge of the fundamentals of the analysis and critical interpretation of geological maps.
- ability to evaluate geological maps and the history they record.
- ability to apply field mapping skills in diverse geological settings.
- knowledge of the modern remote sensing techniques that can be used to complement the geological information recorded at the surface of the Earth.
- basic understanding of how the combination of geological surface data and remotely sensed data can be used to reconstruct the subsurface and assess hazard (earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides).
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Reading List
All the books suggested in the "Earth Dynamics" booklet would be useful here. Please find below a few additional books which specifically cover the material presented in IGR. Each of these books costs around £20 but they will be available at the library.
Bennison, G.M. An Introduction to Geological Structures and Maps. Hodder Education. ISBN: 978-1444112122. Packed with useful basic information and exercises.
Coe, A.L. Geological Field Techniques. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN: 978-1444330625.
Nicely illustrated book containing all you need to know to undertake fieldwork:
- step-by-step guides to essential practical skills such as using a compass-clinometer, making a geological map and drawing a field sketch;
- tricks of the trade, checklists, flow charts and short worked examples;
- over 200 illustrations of a wide range of field notes, maps and geological features;
- appendices with the commonly used rock description and classification diagrams.
The "Geological Society of London Handbook Series":
- McClay, K.R. The Mapping of Geological Structures. ISBN: 978-0471932437.
- Thorpe, R. and Brown, G. The Field Description of Igneous Rocks. ISBN: 978-0471932758.
- Fry, N. The Field Description of Metamorphic Rocks. ISBN: 978-0471932215.
To complement the series with Sedimentary Rocks:
Stow, D.A.V. Sedimentary Rocks in the Field: A Colour Guide. ISBN: 978-1874545699.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
One hour lecture and 1 two hour practical per week. |
| Keywords | Maps, geological record, structure, stratigraphy, fieldwork, remote sensing |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Mikael Attal
Tel: (0131 6)50 8533
Email: mikael.attal@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Nicola Muir
Tel: (0131 6)50 4842
Email: Nikki.Muir@ed.ac.uk |
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