Undergraduate Course: Cyprus Excursion and Synoptic Practical for Geology and Physical Geographers (EASC10069)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course consists of three elements, namely:
1. A 2 week field course in Cyprus (running from April 8th - 23rd) that focuses on the geology and geomorphology of the Island. This component integrates all the bedrock geology including the outstanding Ophiolite sequence that records the igneous and sedimentary record of oceanic crust. The timing of deformational, sedimentary and geomorphic processes is placed in the regional tectonic context of the eastern Mediterranean. Prior to the field course, the students attend 8 lectures that document the geological history of the island.
2. An half day of lectures and practical work based around understanding eustatic versus local relative sea-level change, glacio-eustacy, and the formation of terraces. This is followed by a GIS exercise and topographic analysis of Cyprus in relation to its geology. This component runs prior to the field course and enables students to consider how topographic characteristics such as elevation, relief and long river profiles relate to bedrock geology and relative uplift of the island. This component links closely to the final two days fieldwork of the trip where the river and marine terraces are analysed. It is essential that students attend all of these lectures or they will not get the most out of the field excursion.
3. A Synoptic Practical exam that covers a broad range of topics analysed in the context of a particular region (not Cyprus). The Examination will involve defining, interpreting and synthesising the geological and/or geomorphological history and evolution of an area given in a geological or other map. The area, and map, may be either real or imaginary. Cross-sections, stratigraphic logs, structural information and sub-area maps may form additional material to aid in the interpretation. Rock samples, thin and polished sections, polished slabs and photographs may also provided to form the basis of sub-sections of the paper in which you are asked to give more specific and detailed answers (e.g. on, for example, sedimentary environments, geomorphological history). Note that (unless otherwise informed) you will be expected to have retained an elementary working knowledge of mineralogy and igneous and metamorphic geology and petrography to the level of a successful Geology 2 student, as the practical is intended to test your overall geological skills. A full 'dry run' Synoptic Practical exercise, based on an actual exam given in a previous year, is run after the Easter vacation, but before the exam. |
| Course description |
Not entered
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Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2016/17, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 3,
Fieldwork Hours 100,
Summative Assessment Hours 1,
Revision Session Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
80 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
100 %,
Coursework
0 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Written Exam: 15%, Course Work: 60 %, Practical Exam: 25%.
The assessment falls into three sections, each of which are distinctive, but related. Percentages are the proportions for each of the assessed components.
1) The Geological Evolution of Cyprus fieldtrip (from 8th - 22nd April) run by Alastair Robertson. This comprises 4 parts:
a) 7% - A 1 page abstract on a topic of your choice relating to the field trip and handed into the TO by 12 noon, one working day before departure to Cyprus.
b) 10.5% - a short (2 sides of A4) illustrated report which presents the field observations and interpretations bearing directly upon the subject of your choice determined by an abstract selected by you.
C) 17.5% - Your notebook.
D) 15% - a 1 hour exam.
2) 25% - Cyprus Topography report - This is a 4 page report that describes the evidence for the variable alluvial record of sediment aggradation and relates this to the topography and geology of the region. This is handed in after the field trip.
3) 25% - Synoptic Practical run by Prof Alastair Robertson 3 hour practical exam
Assessment deadlines
Linked to assessment details above, the deadlines are:
1) A 1 page extended abstract based on study of a chosen paper to be handed into the TO by 12 noon, one working day before dept. to Cyprus.
2) A 1 page illustrated report to be handed in at the end of the field trip which details field outcrops and interpretation (relevant to above chosen extended abstract topic). Submitted to the TO after the end of the fieldtrip.
3) Cyprus Topography report - also to be Submitted to the TO after the end of the fieldtrip.
4) Your notebook ¿ to TO by 12.00pm NOON on the first working day after the degree exam.
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| Feedback |
The terrace practical will be run by an academic staff member and a PhD student demonstrator and feedback and discussion will mainly take place in the field. In addition, a larger group of lecturers and demonstrators will be on hand to discuss all aspects mainly during the fieldtrip.
During the fieldtrip, individual students will present components of their work, and feedback will be given immediately following this. There will also be group discussion in the field. |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 1:00 | | | Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 3:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- An understanding of how numerous sub-disciplines within the geosciences such as igneous geology, sedimentology, structural geology and geomorphology integrate to determine the present form of a region.
- An understanding of the nature of geological debate in the interpretation of a region.
- A confidence in geological and geomorphological observation and interpretation of a region.
- An understanding of oceanic processes and their preservation during continental collision.
- An understanding of the sedimentary characteristics of terraces and their use in interpreting recent tectonic motions. Finally you will also gain an ability to appraise and integrate large and seemingly disparate datasets.
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Reading List
| It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed Structural Geology (EASC09002) AND Geology and Landscapes (EASC10079) AND Spain Fieldcourse: Mountain Building and Destruction (EASC09042) |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Cyprus_gpg |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Alastair Robertson
Tel: (0131 6)50 8546
Email: Alastair.Robertson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Sarah Thomas
Tel: (0131 6)50 8510
Email: Sarah.Thomas@ed.ac.uk |
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