Undergraduate Course: Introduction to Geophysics (EASC08008)
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 | A comprehensive introduction to the physical study of the Earth, concentrating on descriptive and interpretative aspects of both pure and applied geophysics, including discussion of earthquakes and seismology, gravity, geomagnetism, the thermal state of the Earth and plate tectonics.
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| Course description |
Syllabus
L1 Introduction to the course and the methodology of science. (Wyn Williams)
PART 1 (David Stevenson)
L2 Earth's gravity, mass and density.
L3 Variation of gravity with latitude.
L4 Variation of gravity with altitude.
L5 Interpreting gravity anomalies.
L6 Isostasy.
L7 Gravity measurements and applications.
L8 Atmospheric geophysics.
PART 2 (Mark Naylor)
L9 Introduction to Seismology.
L10 Elementary elastic theory and seismic waves.
L11 Seismic refraction and crustal layering.
L12 Seismic reflection.
L13 Whole Earth Structure.
L14 Earthquake size.
L15 Earthquake focal mechanisms.
L16 Seismotectonics and seismic hazard.
PART 3 (Wyn Williams)
L17 Introduction to Geomagnetism and Geoelectricity.
L18 Earth's main magnetic field.
L19 The solar wind.
L20 Time variations of the magnetic field.
L21 The origin of the geomagnetic field.
L22 Magnetic properties of rocks.
L23 Crustal magnetic anomalies.
L24 Introduction to palaeomagnetism.
L25 What palaeomagnetism tells us about the Earth.
PART 4 (David Stevenson)
L26 Geothermal Energy.
L27 Heat and temperature.
L28 Heat and time: daily, seasonal and glacial cycles.
L29 The Earth's Heat.
L30 Heat and time: thermal history of the Earth.
Further Course Information
https://path.is.ed.ac.uk/courses/EASC08008_SV1_SEM2
http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/24-25/dpt/cxeasc08008.htm
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 90 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 30,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 15,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 3,
Summative Assessment Hours 3,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
145 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
70 %,
Coursework
30 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment Details
Written Exam: 70%, Course Work: 30%, Practical Exam: 0%.
Students are required to pass the exam and course work independently at 40% (or avobe) to pass the course.
There is no resit component for the practical classes, but the resit exam may ask questions related to the practical classes.
The course work consists of 3 written reports based on the work completed in the practical classes. The first report (Pentland Fault Gravity Interpretation) is worth 6% of the course mark and the remaining two are worth 12% each.
Assessment deadlines
The practical classes will be split into 2 or 4 groups depending on the nature of the practical. The assessment deadlines will be 12noon, two weeks following the date of your practical.
Assessments Due
Pentland Fault Gravity Interpretation (groups A & B) - Wednesday/Friday Week 4, 12noon submit via Turnitin
Pentland Fault Gravity Interpretation (groups C & D) - Wednesday/Friday Week 5, 12noon submit via Turnitin
Seismic Data Interpretation (Groups A & B) - Wednesday/Friday Week 6, 12noon submit via Turnitin
Seismic Data Interpretation (Groups C & D) - Thursday/Friday Week 8, 12noon submit via Turnitin
Resistivity Data Interpretation (Groups A & B) - Wednesday/Friday Week 10, 12noon submit via Turnitin
Resistivity Data Interpretation (Groups C & D) - Wednesday/Friday, Week 11, 12noon submit via Turnitin |
| Feedback |
Feedback will be given via written comments in class on class assessments and through in-class discussions. The course will also be supported by an on-line adaptive learning environment, where students can go through the course material at their own pace supported by formative online testing.
Assessment and Feedback information
https://www.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/policies-regulations/regulations/assessment
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| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 3:00 | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | | 3:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Have a broad knowledge and understanding of how geophysics is used to build up a picture of the interior of the Earth and the processes which generate its structure and surface features.
- Be aware of how the same techniques used on the Earth can be employed to remotely sense other planets, as well as the Earth's oceans and atmosphere.
- Understand the principles of the geophysical techniques by which this information is derived.
- Gain practical experience and understanding of some geophysical survey techniques in the field and how observations can be interpreted.
- Write a scientific report and critically evaluate evidence-based solutions.
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Reading List
Recommended reading
Recommended Text to be bought for the Course:
Fundamentals of Geophysics W. Lowrie; Cambridge University Press, January 2020 (3d Edition)
(Accessible online at https://www.cambridge.org/highereducation/books/fundamentals-of-geophysics/B6345BD682B6586F75EC40CB84A18EB1 - overview)
Alternative textbook for continuing Geophysics students:
Frank M. Stacey & Paul M. Davies, Physics of the Earth (2008) (CUP, 4th edition)
Reference Texts for further reading:
An Introduction to Geophysical Exploration
P.K. Keary & M. Brooks; Blackwell, 1991 (Third Edition) The Solid Earth: An introduction to Global Geophysics C.M.R. Fowler; Cambridge University Press.
Looking into the Earth Alan Mussett & Aftab Khan; Cambridge University Press.
Earthquakes Bruce Bolt; Freeman Press 1999 (Fourth edition)
Introduction to Seismology, Earthquakes & Earth Structure Seth Stein & Michel Wysession; Blackwell
Introduction to Seismology (suitable for continuing geophysicists) Peter M. Shearer; Cambridge University Press, 1999
All textbooks are available in the reserve collection of the Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library, Kings Buildings Campus. |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Wyn Williams
Tel: (0131 6)50 4909
Email: wyn.williams@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Johan De Klerk
Tel: (0131 6)50 7010
Email: johan.deklerk@ed.ac.uk |
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