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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2016/2017

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Earth Science

Undergraduate Course: Field Skills for Geology (EASC10105)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course encompasses key field training provided for 3rd year Geology students through delivery of field courses, including:
1. 2 week field course to Inchnadamph in NW Scotland (prior to the start of S1) 10 credits
2. 1 week field course in Spain (midway through S2) 5 credits
3. 1 week field course in either Mull or Kinlochleven (during spring vacation) 5 credits

Courses teach a wide array of field skills, including mapping, structural analysis and reconstruction, quantitative field skills, and methods of data collection.

The Inchnadamph field trip aims to develop an understanding of the relationship between surface and subsurface and increases the ability of students to gather pertinent data from rock outcrops and surface features. Mapping work is undertaken on two areas, one approximately 1.5km2 in size, in week 1; and the other about 3 km2 in size, in week 2. Students spend 8 days on work directly related to these mapping exercises, complemented by 3 days of supporting field investigation. Two days are devoted to data analysis and report production.

The second section of this course involves Spain and EITHER Mull OR Kinlochleven field trips.

The Spain field trip focuses on the development of Neogene and Quaternary sedimentary basins and associated magmatic activity in the Betic Cordillera in SE Spain. By the end of the Spain fieldtrip, students will have a broad and integrated knowledge and understanding of the Neogene and Quaternary evolution of SE Spain which will be gained through analysis of the sedimentology and geomorphology of the area studies.
The Mull trip will improve understanding of ductile deformation and a range of igneous phenomena with an emphasis on interpreting rocks at the outcrop scale. The Kinlochleven field trip is designed as a structural geological mapping exercise that integrates observations from multiple scales and will train various field techniques including digital mapping and model building as well as microstructural exercises on samples from the field area. The principal learning outcomes of the Spain/Mull/Kinlochleven field skills are the further development of key field skills which will assist students when they undertake their independent mapping project. Students will learn how to exercise the autonomy and initiative required to conduct the independent mapping project and will practise drawing on a range of sources to assist with making judgements.
Course description This course encompasses key field training provided for 3rd year Geology students through delivery of field courses, including:
1. 2 week field course to Inchnadamph in NW Scotland (prior to the start of S1) 10 credits
2. 1 week field course in Spain (midway through S2) 5 credits
3. 1 week field course in either Mull or Kinlochleven (during spring vacation) 5 credits
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed Palaeontology and Sedimentology (EASC10106) AND Igneous, Metamorphic and Ore Processes (EASC10107) AND Structural Analysis of Rocks and Regions (SARR) (EASC09052)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs Filed trips are heavily subsided by the school, but students pay the following contributions towards field courses:

Inchnadamph: approx. £150
Spain: approx.. £220-270
Mull: approx. £100
Kinlochleven: approx. £150

Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2016/17, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Full Year
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 4, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 8, Fieldwork Hours 182, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 0 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Coursework ¿ 100%

Assessment will consist of:
Inchnadamph: 50% of course ¿ 10 credits
Spain: 25% of course ¿ 5 credits
Mull/Kinloch: 25% of course ¿ 5 credits

Inchnadamph:
Student Notebook (25%)
Skiaig Bridge mapping report (25%)
Structural exercises (10%)
Ullapool mapping project (40%)

Spain:
Sedimentary log (40%)
Rock-relations diagram (60%)

Mull:
Rock-relations diagram (100%)

Kinlochleven:
Map (50%)
Report incl. structural model and rock description (50%)
Feedback During field trips, and with the group on marking of course material.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Develop a broad, integrated knowledge of the geology and evolution of both the Assynt region and its place in the geological evolution of NW Britain, and the Neogene and Quaternary evolution of SE Spain.
  2. Develop and enhance field skills required for the effective documentation and interpretation of rock outcrops and other forms of surface geological data.
  3. Develop skills in visualising map and related field data in three dimensions using appropriate graphical techniques.
  4. Develop an appreciation of the degree of uncertainty of the data collection methods and the relationship between surface and subsurface data.
  5. Develop your skills in synthesising the geology of an area through the integrated use of maps, cross-sections, diagrams and accompanying reports.
Reading List
n/a
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Additional Class Delivery Information Inchnadamph (NW Scotland) field trip 25 May - 8 June.
Spain 19 - 26 February.
The Mull trip will run twice: Mull 1, 1 - 7 April; Mull 2, 7 - 13 April.
Kinlochleven 1 - 7 April.
KeywordsGeology,Field Skills,mapping
Contacts
Course organiserDr Rachel Wood
Tel: (0131 6)50 6014
Email: Rachel.Wood@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Sarah Thomas
Tel: (0131 6)50 8510
Email: Sarah.Thomas@ed.ac.uk
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