2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE2630 Fundamentals of Geophysics

10 creditsClass Size: 89

Module manager: Dr Jessica Hawthorne
Email: j.c.hawthorne@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Pre-requisite qualifications

A-level Maths or an equivalent Level 1 Maths module (eg SOEE1301)

This module is mutually exclusive with

SOEE1150	Fundamentals of Geophysics
SOEE2631	Introduction to Geophysics

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Learn how physics is used to study Earth structure: Techniques of seismology, origin and form of waves, locating earthquakes, earth structure, gravity and isostasy, satellites and geodesy, geomagnetism and palaeomagnetism, geoelectrics, volcano geophyscis and heat flow. This module is taught in semester 1 through lectures and practicals and is assessed by mixture of problem sets (50%) that continue throughout the Semester and a final examination (50%). You must have A-level Maths or an equivalent Level 1 Maths module.

Objectives

On completion of this module, the students will:

1. have a quantitative understanding of how Physics is used to study earth structure;
2. be able to make basic analyses of data from commonly used geophysical surveys.

Syllabus

- Techniques of seismology, origin and form of seismic waves, locating earthquakes, earth structure, seismic refraction/reflection; surveys for resources; data acquisition and processing
- Gravity, principles, practice and interpretation, satellites, geodesy, isostasy, magnetics, principles and practice, measurement and processing of geomagnetism and palaeomagnetism
- Geoelectrics and electromagnetic/GPR methods; heat flow; thermal history of the Earth and its energy budget: volcano geophysics.

This module follows the same syllabus as for SOEE2631 Introduction to Geophysics but with a different problem set with more emphasis on quantitative modelling of geophysical processes. The module is more suited to students with A Level Maths or SOEE1301 or equivalent and will be of particular interest for students who want a more quantitative development of geophysical concepts. Students who do not have the required level of Maths, or who prefer to focus on a conceptual understanding, should enrol for SOEE2631 Introduction to Geophysics.

The module will be of particular benefit to students who are intending to take SOEE3740 Seismic Interpretation in Level 3.

Students are encouraged to speak with the Module Leader or to a member of the module teaching team if they are uncertain about their suitability for the module.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	20	1.00	20.00
Tutorial	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			70.00
Total Contact hours			30.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

- 3 hours per week follow-up and completion of problem sets: 30 hours
- 2 hours per week follow-up reading: 20 hours
- Revision: 20 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Feedback on assessed coursework given throughout the semester through the VLE/Blackboard system and in discussion with teaching team during Surgery/Q&A sessions.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course Assessment	Coursework: problem sets	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

The resit for this module is normally by examination only.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Unseen exam	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 07/04/2016

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