2019/20 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE1575 Geology 1 for Geophysicists

20 creditsClass Size: 34

Module manager: Dr Graham McLeod
Email: G.W.McLeod@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

Pre-requisite qualifications

Appropriate A Level of equivalent

This module is mutually exclusive with

SOEE1570

Geology 1

Module replaces

SOEE1490 Understanding the Earth 1

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Explain the origin of the Earth as a planetary body and understand its place in the solar system, its age and the concept of geological time.
- Explain the internal structure and composition of the Earth.
- Understand plate tectonic theory and explain the main scientific evidence for it, focusing on: active tectonics, earthquakes, mantle convection, the structure of oceans and continents, the architecture of plate boundaries and the processes that characterise them, faults, mountain belts, volcanic arcs and the evolution of tectonic styles through time.
- Identify and describe a range of common rock-forming minerals using physical and optical properties, and demonstrate how these collectively make up the composition of a variety of rocks.
- Identify and describe common types of the three rock types (igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic) in hand specimen and thin section and understand their modes of formation.

Syllabus

Introduction to Earth Sciences:
- The Earth as a planetary body and its origin and age.

Dynamic Earth:
- An introduction to the internal structure of the Earth and the concept of plate tectonics as a mechanism for plate motion, mountain building, subduction, basin formation and long-term geological evolution on a continental scale.

Geological Materials:
- Processes of formation of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
- The description of hand specimens and thin sections, of rocks and minerals using physical and optical properties and recording observations coherently.
- Related geological materials to environments of formation.
- The communication of scientific knowledge and issues of academic integrity.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Fieldwork	1	8.00	8.00
Lecture	22	1.00	22.00
Practical	10	3.00	30.00
Independent online learning hours			50.00
Private study hours			90.00
Total Contact hours			60.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- VLE MCQs and related exercises, VLE-delivered essential fact sheets, worked exercises, case study examples, video tutorials.
- VLE-accessed blended learning resources (RockBase 24hour access rock and mineral specimen database).
- Background reading and revision.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Assessed in-class practical work.
- VLE MCQs with formative feedback provided in-class.
- Verbal feedback from staff and demonstrators in practical classes and in field.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course Assessment	Practical in-class exercises (Geological Materials)	0.00
In-course MCQ	Weekly online MCQ Quizzes covering all strands of the course	0.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		0.00

Experience has shown that a series of practical-based assessments distributed throughout the module are the most effective way to gauge performance. This is especially true for the hands-on, practical-based topics covered in this module. Students will be encouraged to engage with the formative only assessments and to self or peer assess their work using answer guides and mark scheme provided.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	1 hr 15 mins	50.00
Unseen Practical exam (Semester 1)	1 hr 30 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

Formal examination will take place in the Semester 1 examination period. The Theory Exam will consist of a single paper to include MCQs, graphical problem solving exercises and short answer questions. An unseen Practical Exam is also held in Semester 1 during the exam period, this will consist of assessments similar to those carried out in the practical strands of the module. Students must secure a mark of at least 40 in EACH of the two examinations in order to pass the module.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 31/07/2018

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