THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2017/2018

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Geosciences

Undergraduate Course: MEarthSci field training (GESC11004)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Year 5 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis is a field trip associated with the MEarthSci Masters degree programme. The field training will be undertaken in Iceland. The theme of the fieldtrip is the geology of a Mid-Ocean Ridge and Hot Spot, encompassing volcano-tectonics, magmatism, volcanism, sedimentology and geomorphology in an active volcanic setting. Field training will be undertaken in Iceland in early September, prior to the start of semester 1.
Course description A breakdown of the schedule of the trip is as follows:
Sun 10 Sep - Long drive day (8 hrs) to Breiddalsvik in Eastern Fjord region with short stops at:
Seljalandsfoss - Waterfall
Laki lavas from 1783-84 eruption
Lunch stop/shop
Skeiðara river - Twisted Bridge
Jökulsárlón - Iceberg Lake
Arrive in Breiddalsvik pm (dinner at hotel)

Mon 11 Sep - Breiddalsvik; Morning: Student presentations at Walker Centre
Afternoon: Walk to Plateau lavas.
Tues 12 Sep Breiddalsvik - Breiddalur Central Volcano /Skessa Ignimbrite

Wed 13 Sep - Breiddalsvik - Individual Project Day 1
Thur 14 Sep Breiddalsvik - Individual Project Day 2
Frid 15 Sep - Breiddalsvik - Morning: Local fieldwork. Afternoon: Project presentations.
Sat 16 Sep - Drive back west stopping at:
Austurhorn complex
Skaftafell National Park/lunch stop glacier
Arrive at Drangshlid Guesthouse (dinner at hotel).

Sun 17 Sep - Day trip by Ferry to the island of Heimaey.

Ferry crossing from Landeyjahöfn to Vestmannaeyjar (Ferry leaves to Vestmannaeyjar at 9:45 am back from to Vestmannaeyjar at 6:30pm). Return to Drangshlid Guesthouse (dinner at hotel).

Mon 18 Sep - drive to and visit sites around the Golden triangle (Gullfoss/Geysir/Thingvellir)
Arrive at Héraðsskólinn Hostel (self-catering dinner - we will have done a food stop at a supermarket during the day).

Tues 19 Sep - Golden triangle (Gullfoss/Geysir/Thingvellir) continue and
Hydrothermal power plant visit Morning - http://www.orkusyn.is/index.php/english.html
Héraðsskólinn Hostel

Wed 20 Sep
Drive to Airport by 04:50 for flight home at 06:50am. The return flight, WOW AIR - WW860 departs Keflavik at 06:50 arriving Edinburgh 10:20.

Course aims
The field trip theme is geology of a volcanic 'hot spot' and includes the following sub-themes: volcano-tectonics, magmatism, volcanism, sedimentology and geomorphology in an active volcanic province. The underpinning aims of this field course are to deploy interactive approaches for training in:
(a) Formulating working hypothesis for a field area under investigation and setting up the approach/methodology by which the hypothesis can be tested in the field within the time frame available. This will be achieved by: (1) systematic study of assigned background reading to be undertaken and completed before the field course and (2) by on site assessment in the field.
(b) Examining classical volcanic successions in the field.
(c) Conducting field logging of classical volcanic successions featuring a range of extrusive, intrusive volcaniclastic and sedimentary rocks / deposits as well as rift tectonics.
(d) Analysing present day geomorphology and the paleo-landscape of extinct and active volcanic terrains as well as the geomorphology induced by the 'Ice Age'; present and past interglacial and glacial periods.


Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs The student cost of this field trip in 2016/17 was £500. Costs for the 2017/18 field trip are still to be confirmed.
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Flexible
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Fieldwork Hours 100, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 96 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Written Exam: 0%, Course Work: 100 %, Practical Exam: 0%.

Field Note Book (50%): due on 27thth September 2017, 12 noon (tbc)
Research Report (50%): due on 27thth September 2017, 12 noon (tbc)

Field Note Book: This book should contain complete and legible notes that form a record of your scientific activities during the field course. Effective use of field notes is an essential part of the training on this course and field observations must be recorded accurately and clearly, remembering to include times, and place names. The notes should cover your research as well as other activities undertaken during the course. If samples are collected, a record of all sample bag numbers, as well as details of the sample locations should be made. Notes on the equipment used should also be made, and there should be records of the initial analysis of data sets, and the development of ideas during evening work at the field centre. Although most of you will wish to make photographic records, it is expected that where ever possible use will be made of annotated field sketches, diagrams and maps. Photographs do not replace field sketches; they are complementary.

Research Report: The research report should be an individual write-up of the research carried out during the field course and should follow the format of a peer-reviewed geoscience paper. The objectives are (i) to give you practice at writing reports, an essential skill for careers both in research and industry, and (ii) to ensure that you have come to grips with the science and theory that underpin our geological understanding. The main text of the report should be 5000 words (including abstract but not references). Each figure, graph and table should be given a number and a caption, so that it can be referenced appropriately in the text. Sources of information should be cited in the text in accordance with standard practice in scientific journals.
Feedback We will be in a field environment working in a small group. There will be continuous discussion of the field sites throughout the week. Feedback both with regard to the notebook keeping and with regard to the individual projects will be available most of the time through personal discussion with the group leaders. Some time will be set aside for the personal research projects, during this time there may not be a staff member at hand.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Understand many features of volcano-tectonics, magmatism, volcanism, sedimentology and geomorphology in an active volcanic setting.
  2. Conduct field work on stratigraphic successions and surface morphologies in a volcanic terrain that features a range of volcanic and sedimentary lithologies, rift-related structures and landscapes.
  3. Formulate working hypotheses based on their current knowledge and understanding, and the means by which these hypotheses can be tested in the field.
  4. Plan and execute an individual research project which will involve the application of a range of standard and specialised skills and literature based research.
  5. Exercise substantial autonomy and initiative at a professional level when setting up a field-based reseach project.
Reading List
There is a recommended reading list of research papers about Iceland posted on LEARN.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Special Arrangements The field trip guide is posted on Learn, and will be printed and handed out to you before you travel.
Additional Class Delivery Information Field trip dates are 10th to 20th September 2017.

¿Field course locations may change for a variety of reasons, including security risks, increased costs or inability to access field locations. Any changes to the main destination of the field course will be announced as soon as possible.¿
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Eliza Calder
Tel: (0131 6)50 4910
Email: Eliza.Calder@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Susie Crocker
Tel: (0131 6)51 7126
Email: Susie.Crocker@ed.ac.uk
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