ESC-10074 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

In this module you will learn about geological structures, materials and processes ranging in scale from smaller than individual atoms to larger than planets. Lectures introduce the Earth as a planet, the geology of the Earth's Moon, the terrestrial planets and the moons of the gas giant planets in our solar system. They also introduce geological processes such as plate tectonics and how these processes relate to geological structures. Practical workshops and a field course place emphasis on the development of essential geological skills, including the writing of geological technical reports and the accurate description and classification of geological structures, as well as their recognition and recording on geological maps.

Students will gain knowledge and understanding of the formation and internal structure of the Earth and other planets/moons in our solar system as determined using geophysics and remote sensing, how to write geological technical reports, and in the terminology, mapping and classification of geological structures and how they relate to plate tectonic processes.

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe the internal structure and composition of the Earth, Moon, terrestrial planets and moons of the gas giant planets of our solar system, and the geophysical and remote sensing evidence: 2
describe the paradigm of plate tectonics and its role in the geological evolution of the Earth: 2
describe and classify geological structures, recognise their expression on geological maps and explain their relationship to plate tectonics: 1,2
measure and record field geological information, synthesise with existing geological literature and write a report in a geological industry format: 1

Study hours

62 hours scheduled synchronous class activity
(22 lecture; 33 workshop; 7 field)
88 hours independent study
(22 research and completion of report; 22 revision for class test; 20 writing up lecture notes; 22 background reading, 2 flexible class test)

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment