Undergraduate Course: Earth Materials: From atoms to planets (EASC08031)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | In this course we explore the fundamental nature of the main groups of materials which constitute planets such as the Earth, and develop an understanding of how atomic structure of materials ultimately defines planetary processes. |
| Course description |
In "part A: from atoms to minerals" we briefly review of atomic theory, consider how atoms are arranged in crystalline materials and how this, ultimately, controls material properties. Interaction of crystalline materials with light, X-rays and electrons are used to introduce the theoretical and practical basis behind analytical techniques used to study Earth and planetary materials. In "part B: planetary building blocks" we review the main groups of solid materials which constitute planets such as the Earth, considering how structure, chemistry, physical properties, and occurrence are interrelated. Throughout, we will develop an understanding of how the study of materials can provide insight into planetary processes. In "part C: modelling chemical processes" we consider how the stability and occurrence of materials can be predicted and determined numerically, and consider factors governing the rates at which natural processes occur.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 120 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 20,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 30,
Online Activities 20,
Summative Assessment Hours 20,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
106 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
100% classwork (no exam):
- Week 10: submission of a practical portfolio, including material from practicals in weeks 1-10 (50%). «br /»
- Week 11: take home assessment (short answer questions) (50%).
Students are required to pass all summative assessments independently (40% or above) to pass the course. |
| Feedback |
personal 1-to-1 feedback during practical sessions given by teaching staff and demonstrators.
formative feedback on individual practical work (thin section description exercise).
feedback on portfolio work, and on the take-home exercise. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe how the structure and arrangement of atoms governs the properties of Earth materials, and how interaction of these materials with light, electrons and radiation are used in a range of modern, analytical techniques.
- Briefly describe and identify the major groups of materials which constitute planets such as the Earth, from an atomic to hand specimen scale, and explain how the relationships between composition, atomic structure, properties, stability, and occurrence are used to constrain planetary processes.
- Use information from optical examination of minerals, and data on atomic structure and chemical composition, to gain insight into common planetary processes.
- Use thermodynamic data to determine material stability and perform simple calculations of mineral stability in model systems, and use kinetic data to assess rates at which chemical processes proceed.
- Interpret and explain the results of numerical modelling in terms of predicted changes in systems, and predicted rates of change, and use this to gain insight into planetary processes.
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Reading List
- "Earth Materials" Klein and Philpotts, Cambridge University Press (2012) ISBN-13: 978-0521145213
-Free online resource: opengeology.org/mineralogy/
-Free online resource: libretexts.org |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
The ability to collect, combine, process, and interpret data from diverse datasets.
The ability to use numerical data to model complex, real-world processes and make predictions.
Familiarity with the theoretical background behind, and application of techniques used to investigate structurally and compositionally complex materials.
The ability to succinctly summarise key outputs from data collection, analysis, and interpretation. |
| Keywords | Earth Materials,planetary science,mineralogy,geochemistry,thermodynamics,kinetics |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Geoffrey Bromiley
Tel: (0131 6)50 8519
Email: geoffrey.bromiley@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Johan De Klerk
Tel: (0131 6)50 7010
Email: johan.deklerk@ed.ac.uk |
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