Undergraduate Course: Field Skills for Geology and Physical Geography (EASC09051)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course provides key field skills required to observe, measure, process and interpret landscapes from both a geological and geographical perspective. |
| Course description |
This course encompasses key field training provided for 3rd year GPG students through delivery of field courses including:
- 2 week field course to Inchnadamph in NW Scotland (prior to start of S1)
- 2 week field course in Spain (during spring vacation)
Courses teach a wide array of field skills, including mapping identification of relevant geologic evidence, landscape interpretation, quantitative field skills, and methods of data collection.
The Inch. 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. Geological mapping work is undertaken on two areas, one approximately 1.5 km2 in size, in week 1; and the other about 4km2 in size, in week 2. Students spend 3 days on work directly related to these mapping exercises. Following the geological mapping, students are introduced to the geomorphological development of the region with 2.5 days on Glacial processes including landform mapping, and 3.5 days on fluvial exercises.
The Spain trip focuses on the development of Neogene and Quaternary sedimentary basins and associated landscape evolution 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 studied. The principal learning outcomes of the Spain trip are the further development of key field skills which will assist students when they undertake their dissertation 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.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2016/17, Available to all students (SV1)
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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 85,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
99 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
100% Coursework:«br /»
Inch: 50% of course: Student notebook, Cam Loch Geological mapping, Fluvial exercise«br /»
Spain: 50% of course: Geomorphic diagram, Field notebook, Geologic map, Rock-relations diagram |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- 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.
- Develop a broad, integrated knowledge of the processes that shape the Earth¿s surface and how to quantify them including measurements of hydraulic geometry, stream gauging, mapping of quaternary landforms, measurements of soils and sediments, and topographic measurements (e.g., channel slope and width).
- Develop and enhance field skills required for the effective documentation and interpretation of data from both rock outcrops, topography, and measurements of Earth Surface processes. These skills will include mapping, cross-section construction, sediment logging, field surveying, analysis of sediments and quantitative methods of data collection.
- Develop skills in visualising map and related field data in three dimensions using appropriate graphical techniques.
- Develop skills in synthesising the evolution of an area in terms of its geology and its surface processes through the integrated use of field measurements, maps, application of theoretical models of landscape evolution, cross-sections, diagrams and accompanying reports.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Geology,Physical Geography,Field Skills,Mapping |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Hugh Sinclair
Tel: (0131 6)50 5931
Email: Hugh.Sinclair@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Sarah Thomas
Tel: (0131 6)51 1473
Email: Sarah.Thomas@ed.ac.uk |
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