Undergraduate Course: Introduction to the Geological Record (EASC08027)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all 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 and MEarthSci
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCE BSc
GEOPHYSICS and GEOLOGY BSc
The course will allow you to develop 3D visualiation skills and 4D-thinking abilities through interpretation and construction of geological maps and cross-sections. These are skills that have been highlighted as vital for geoscientists by both a recent external Teaching Quality Assurance (TQA) review and graduate employers. These will be taught via geological map and cross-section interpretation, integrated with hand specimen descriptions and geological histories. 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 logically follows the Semester 1 Earth Dynamics course, laying the foundations of field-skills required to prepare you for the geological aspects of your future degree.
This course includes a compulsory fieldtrip. 6 days of fieldwork for each individual student over a 2 week period between Friday 28th May to Thursday 10th June 2021.
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| Course description |
TEACHING WEEK COURSE CONTENT + LECTURER:
Each Week is composed of a live online lecture and one 3 hour practical slot
(MA: Mikael Attal; SG: Stuart Gilfillan; MW: Mark Wilkinson; DK: Dick Kroon; GB: Geoff Bromiley)
Week 1
1. Lecture: Introduction to the course and fieldtrip; Introduction to maps (SG)
2. Practical: Field map navigation practical (SG)
Practical
Week 2
1. Lecture: Geological time, unconformities and processes of formation (DK)
2. Practical: Structural contours, map interpretation techniques and introductory maps (SG)
Week 3
1. Lecture: Clastic and carbonate sedimentary rocks (DK)
2. Practical: Drawing cross-sections from geological maps, interpreting geological histories and hand specimen descriptions (SG)
Week 4:
1. Lecture: Stratigraphy and sedimentology (DK)
2. Faults, folds and unconformities on geological maps and hand specimen descriptions (SG)
Week 5:
1. Introduction to structural geology (SG)
2. Assessed Practical: Structural map exercise (SG)
Assessment - Questionnaire and cross-section to be submitted at end of the practical (20% of Total Course Mark)
Week 6:
1. Lecture: Introduction to igneous and metamorphic geology in the field (GB)
2. Practical Igneous and metamorphic field relations on geological maps (GB)
Week 7:
1. Lecture: Overview of remote sensing techniques (MA)
2. Practical: Lake District DEM exercise (MA)
Week 8:
1. Lecture: Geology of the Lake District and how to take notes in a notebook (MW)
ATTENDANCE ESSENTIAL and will be monitored
2. Practical: Case study geological map: Lake District (MW)
Week 9:
1. Lecture: Field excursion logistics and safety (MW)
ATTENDANCE ESSENTIAL and will be monitored
2. Practical: Case study geological map: Edinburgh (SG)
Week 10:
Lecture: Interpreting real-world geological maps and compiling a geological history from hand specimens
Assessed Practical: Assessed Geological Map Case Study (SG)
Assessment - Online Questionnaire to be submitted at the end of practical (20% of Total Course Mark)
FURTHER ASSESSMENT:
Multiple choice quizzes - Three quizzes each worth 3.33%. Two to be held randomly in any of the 8 non-assessed practicals given in the course in weeks 1 to 10. The third to be completed in own time on Learn between weeks 1 and 6 (10% of Total Course Mark)
Fieldtrip Map and Cross Section (50% of Total Course Mark)
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
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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 2020/21, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
196 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Course Work: 100 %
Course work:
- Two practicals will be assessed, representing 20% of the final mark each (40% total); students will submit the material they have completed online at the end of the practical.
- Three multiple choice quizzes. Two to be held randomly in any of the ten lectures given in this course in weeks 1 to 10. These quizzes will only be accessible during the lecture period that the quiz is given in, unless special circumstances are submitted. The third will be completed during the students¿ own time online between weeks 1 and 6. Each quiz is worth 3.33% and together constitute 10% of the total course mark.
- 50% for map and cross section completed during the field trip.
Students are required to attend and participate in all aspects of the programme of study, including teaching sessions, assessments and the fieldtrip. Therefore, may we please take this opportunity to remind you that all course work assignments fall under the same rules as examinations. If you miss an assessed piece of coursework for any reason, you will need to submit special circumstances via your PT and/or Student Support Coordinator.
Hence, please check the timetable carefully and note the dates of the assessments in advance. Assessed practicals will not be rearranged on a bespoke basis for individual students, unless special circumstances are submitted and approved. We expect all student to be autonomous learners and active participants in their own education.
To pass the course, students need to obtain an overall mark of at least 40% for the completed COURSEWORK. If they do not achieve this at the first attempt, the following will apply:
- They will have the opportunity to re-sit coursework over the summer, through completion of an additional exercise.
Assessment deadlines
- Week 5: Questionnaire, map and cross-section to be submitted online after the practical session is delivered.
- Week 10: Questionnaire based on a real geological map submitted online after the practical session is delivered.
- Three multiple-choice quizzes to be completed between weeks 1 and 10. Two will be held randomly in any of the ten lectures given in this course in weeks 1 to 10. These quizzes will only be accessible during the lecture period that the quiz is given in, unless special circumstances are submitted. The third will be completed during the students own time between weeks 1 and 6.
- Last evening of one-week field trip at 9:00 pm for submission of maps and cross-sections.
Assessment and feedback information can be found in the Taught Assessment Regulations
https://www.ed.ac.uk/files/atoms/files/tar198209.pdf
All details related to extensions procedures and late penalties can be found in the School of Geosciences Handbook, which can be found on the Learn UG Student Information Hub.
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| Feedback |
Students will have the opportunity to receive feedback in the following instances:
- Personal 1-to-1 feedback during the practicals, as students complete the exercises (once a week) - feedback will be provided by demonstrators and teaching staff.
- Individual feedback on assessed coursework completed during the course.
- Feedback during the field trip as students progress with producing their notebook and geological map.
Examples of feedback can be found here:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/geosciences/teaching-organisation/staff/feedback-and-marking
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| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Apply knowledge and techniques that are necessary to understand and interpret the Earth's surface as expressed in maps, cross-sections and other 2/3D data.
- Apply knowledge of the fundamentals of the analysis and critical interpretation of geological maps.
- Evaluate geological maps and the history they record and apply field mapping skills in diverse geological settings.
- Understand and be able to use modern remote sensing techniques to complement the geological information recorded at the surface of the Earth.
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Reading List
Essential Reading
Bennison, G.M. (2011) An introduction to geological structures and maps. Hodder Education.
Recommended
Coe, A.L. (2010) Geological field techniques. The Open University; Wiley-Blackwell.
Stow, D.A.V. (2005) Sedimentary rocks in the field: a colour guide. Manson.
The Geological Society of London Handbook Series
McClay, K.R. (1991) The mapping of geological structures. J. Wiley.
Jerram, D. (2011) The field description of igneous rocks. Wiley-Blackwell.
Fry, N. (1984) The field description of metamorphic rocks. Open University Press. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Stuart Gilfillan
Tel: (0131 6)51 3462
Email: stuart.gilfillan@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Katerina Sykioti
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email: Katerina.Sykioti@ed.ac.uk |
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