Undergraduate Course: Field Skills for Earth Sciences (EASC08034)
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 11-day field course (including travel) aims to develop an understanding of the relationship between the surface and subsurface, and increases the ability of students to gather pertinent data from rock outcrops and surface features. Mapping work is undertaken on two areas, one approximately 1.5 km2 in size; and the other about 3 km2 in size. The course teaches and instils a wide range of field skills, including mapping, structural analysis and reconstruction, quantitative field techniques, and methods of data collection and integration. Students will learn how to exercise the autonomy and initiative required to conduct independent field work and will gain practise in drawing on a range of sources to assist with making informed judgements in the field. Students are trained in personal presentation skills of their field observations and interpretations, as well as group and team-working along with professional practice. |
| Course description |
This course consists of an 11-day field excursion, and 5 pre-excursion practical classes. Practical classes focus on further developing core Earth Science skills with regards to rock identification, cross section construction, the use of stereonets and stratum contours, and compass clinometer skills. The field days are devoted to the following exercises, centred on field localities in NW Scotland but applicable to the geological study of any region.
1. Overview field excursion setting the scene and providing underpinning information on the geology.
2. Microcosm map exercise on a small and easily-accessed area. This develops basic skills in map-making, field documentation and observation. The follow-up map, inked-in in the evening, is inspected and formative is feedback provided.
3. A ~2 day mapping exercise integrated with geometric analysis and prediction using stratum contours, utilising a 1-1.5 km2 field area with topography. This includes logging of representative sections of sedimentary units as a natural part of field documentation. This in total will enable the production of a completed map of the area, true-scale cross section, and correct unit thicknesses. Formative feedback is provided.
4. Approximately 2 days concentrating on detailed field observations, documentation and interpretation of areas with more complex geology. This may include: structural analysis of thrusted units, documentation and analysis of fold geometries using field data and stereonets, and observation and documentation of the variety of cross-cutting relationships and structures developed in medium- to high-grade metamorphic basement lithologies.
5. A 3-day assessed mapping exercise in a second field area that bears some similarity with those already mapped but which has additional complications and units, enabling the prior learning to be used and built upon. Students will produce a two-sided written report on the geological evolution of the area, a final map, cross sections and notebook for assessment. This is approximately 3 km2 in size. Students will project boundaries using structural contours.
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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 Degree programmes only. Please contact geoset.ug.kb@ed.ac.uk to check availability.
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 2026/27, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 120 |
| Course Start |
Blocks 4-5 (Sem 2) |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 15,
Fieldwork Hours 77,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
104 )
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| Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) |
Field-based lectures.
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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 a cross-section of the specific mapped area (LO2, LO3, LO4), a brief report on the rock units of that area (LO1, LO2, LO5), and a structural stereonet exercise (LO4).
Summative Assessment:
Week 2 mapping project (70%): geological Map (30%), cross-sections (20%) and accompanying report (2 sides A4) on the geology and structural evolution of the area (20%). [LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5]
Field Notebook (30%): covering the work undertaken throughout the whole field course. [LO2, LO3, LO4]
Students must attain an overall mark of 40% (or above) to pass the course. |
| Feedback |
Feedback is provided by the following routes during the course:
Formative assessment and comment on the first mapping exercise (Microcosm Map) at the end of the 2nd field day.
The material produced from mapping and related work carried out in week 1 (report, sections, logs, maps) are handed in for initial assessment on day eight of the field trip. Written formative feedback is provided along with an indicative grade (on the honours scale) on this suite of work. This feedback is given by day 10 of the course.
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 1-2 hours each evening. |
| 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.
- Apply a varied suite of field skills to the effective documentation, measurement and illustration of rock outcrops and other forms of surface geological data.
- Produce field maps, cross-sections and related field data using appropriate graphical techniques that enable the interpretation of geology in three dimensions.
- Construct a model for the geology of an area taking into account uncertainties in observational data and their extrapolation into the subsurface.
- Synthesise and report on the geological evolution of an area through the integrated use of maps, cross-sections, diagrams and accompanying supporting data.
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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.
Trewin, N.H. (ed.) (2002). The Geology of Scotland. London. The Geological Society of London.
Woodcock, N. & Strachan, R.A. (eds.) (2000). Geological History of Britain and Ireland. Oxford. Blackwell Science. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Demonstrate a critical understanding of a range of the principles, principal theories, concepts and terminology of geological field mapping and geological evolution of a region.
PRACTICE: APPLIED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND UNDERSTANDING: Apply knowledge, skills and understanding in using a range of the principal professional skills, techniques, practices and/or materials associated with the interpretation of the geology of an area or region, taking into account observational and model uncertainties.
GENERIC COGNITIVE SKILLS: Undertake critical analysis, evaluation and/or synthesis of ideas, concepts, information and issues in geological observation and interpretation. Define and analyse problems in the field, drawing on a range of sources in making judgements.
COMMUNICATION, ICT AND NUMERACY SKILLS: Presentation and expression of information on topics relating to geological interpretation to the student and staff audience. Interpretation, use and evaluation of numerical and graphical data to achieve field-generated goals.
AUTONOMY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND WORKING WITH OTHERS: Exercise autonomy and initiative in developing a strategic approach to real-time field investigation, based on recognising and defining problems and then selecting routes to solving those problems. Practise with an awareness of the student's own and others' roles and responsibilities in the field team or group. Work under the guidance of field leaders and demonstrators, seeking and utilising that guidance thoughtfully and operating in accordance with current professional and ethical codes and practices. |
| Keywords | Field work,geological mapping,cross-section,structural analysis,3D subsurface deep time |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Steven Hollis
Tel:
Email: Steven.Hollis@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Rebecca Steele
Tel:
Email: Rebecca.Steele@ed.ac.uk |
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