Undergraduate Course: Field Skills for Earth Sciences and Physical Geography (EASC08035)
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 | This course runs as a field course based in the NW Highlands for two weeks. The aim of the course is to combine an understanding of the subsurface geology with the surface geomorphology. The first week will be based on identification and mapping of the geological succession of the Assynt region which is an area of classical geology and that records the building of the Caledonian mountain chain. The latter part of the first week will focus on learning how to build a geological map. The second week will then consider how, since approximately 2.7 Ma, the region has been impacted by the repeated growth of an ice sheet and the consequence this has had on the landscape. Having considered the longer term development of the region, we will then look at how the modern rivers and hillslopes are responding to both the bedrock geology and the remnant landforms from the last glaciation.
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| Course description |
The trip comprises 12 field days with a rest-day in the middle where the teaching team swap between the geological and the geomorphological staff. In the first week, the days comprise:
1. An overview of the geology of the Assynt area.
2. A focus on the older rocks of the Lewisian and Torridonian successions and learning the basics of sedimentary logging required to build a record of changing processes and environments through geological time.
3. An introduction to the basica of geological mapping in the field. This is done on section by the shores of Loch Assynt.
4,5 and 6. These days are devoted to mapping the region around the Loch Glencoul for 2.5 days followed by a half day completing the map for submission.
7. rest Day
8. Introduction to evidence for glacial impacts on the landscape in terms of both erosional and depositional landforms.
9. A consideration of the impacts of sea-level change and its record in the post-glacial terrace deposits near the coast at Ullapool.
10. Glacio-lacustrine terraces at Achnasheen, and the analysis of stunning hummocky moraine deposits in Torridon.
11. Training into measuring hydraulic geometry, discharge, sedimentology and geomorphic characteristics of river systems Follow-up from previous day. Analysing downstream fluvial responses to sea-level change.
12. Carry on measuring river systems in groups and comparing the differences between different rivers and interpret the controls on their form.
13. Study knickpoint development in a river in response to both berick hardness changes and sea-level change post-glacially.
This course is compulsory for 2nd year Earth Science and Physical Geography Degree programme only. Please contact geoset.ug.kb@ed.ac.uk to check availability.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | Students MUST also take:
Rock Forming Processes (EASC08032)
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| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | This course is compulsory for 2nd year Earth Science and Physical Geography Degree programme only. Please contact geoset.ug.kb@ed.ac.uk to check availability. |
| Additional Costs | Living costs whilst on site in NW Scotland. All accommodation, transport and supervision/demonstration costs are borne by the School. |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 45 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 3,
Fieldwork Hours 120,
Other Study Hours 64,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
9 )
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| Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) |
64 hours independent study time.
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Formative assessment:
To be provided by staff during the course of the field trip, based on week 1 work, including geological maps and sedimentary logging and feedback on the quality of their notebooks.
Summative Assessment:
Week 1 production of a geological map and cross section (50%)
Week 2 production and analysis of data from the hydrological exercises from the rivers (30%) plus short answer questions on the results (20%).
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| Feedback |
Feedback is provided by the following routes during the course:
1. Formative assessment and comment on the first mapping exercise (Microcosm Map) at the end of the 2nd field day.
2. Feedback is provided continuously by field demonstrators / staff on the field notebooks, on observations in the field, on procedures for location, plotting and documenting features, units and structures. Evening sessions are devoted to answering student questions on methods and results, and to providing follow-up summaries of the daily work. These sessions involve 4-6 staff / demonstrators and last for approximately 1 hour each evening.
3. Formal feedback on the summative assessment is given at a meeting in the welcome week of the following semester at the beginning of year 3.
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| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe the geology and evolution of the region examined and its place in the geological evolution of NW Britain
- Produce field maps, cross-sections and related field data using appropriate graphical techniques that enable the interpretation of geology in three dimensions.
- Interpret the impact of glaciers on the landscape of Scotland
- Measure the hydrology of rivers and analyse them to determine controls on the morphology.
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Reading List
Goodenough, K.M. & Krabbendam, M. (2011). A Geological Excursion Guide to the North-West Highlands of Scotland. Edinburgh. Edinburgh Geological Society (in association with National Museums Scotland). 215 pp.
Gordon, J. E., and Ballantyne, C. K., (2021) Landscapes and Landforms of Scotland: A Geomorphological Odyssey .https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-71246-4_1
Trewin, N.H. (ed.) (2002). The Geology of Scotland. London. The Geological Society of London.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
- Develop a broad, integrated knowledge of the geology and evolution of the Assynt region and its place in the geological evolution of NW Britain.
- 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.
- You will develop your skills in visualising map and related field data in three dimensions using appropriate graphical techniques.
- You will develop an appreciation of the degree of uncertainty of the data collection methods and the relationship between surface and subsurface data.
- You will develop your 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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| Keywords | Field work,geological mapping,rock types,glaciers,moraines,terraces,sea-level,rivers |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Hugh Sinclair
Tel: (0131 6)50 5931
Email: Hugh.Sinclair@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Johan De Klerk
Tel: (0131 6)50 7010
Email: johan.deklerk@ed.ac.uk |
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