2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE1060 Physics of the Earth and Atmosphere

40 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Andy Nowacki
Email: A.Nowacki@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Pre-requisite qualifications

As for entry onto the BSc Geophysics programme

Module replaces

SOEE1150 Fundamentals of Geophysics SOEE1156 Critical Thinking and Communication PHYS1231 Introductory Physics (Geophysics) PHYS1250 Vibrations and Waves (Geophysics)

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Learn how physics is used to study the structure and dynamics of the solid Earth and its atmosphere. The module will cover both the basic principles of physics and the way that they are applied in different techniques to study the planet. There will be a focus on quantitative problem solving, data analysis and interpretation, and integrating methods to obtain a broad understanding of our planet from an atomic to a global scale.

Objectives

To learn about fundamental physical concepts and their application in geophysical analysis and to develop quantitative problem-solving skills. To understand how the principles of physics are used to study physical properties and processes of the solid Earth and its atmosphere. The goal is to have an overview of geophysics as the basis for further work, to be able to make basic analyses of data from commonly used geophysical surveys, and to be accustomed to approaching and solving problems by integrating different geophysical disciplines.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Recall the definition of terms associated with physics theory and observations;

2. Describe the physical principles underlying a range of geophysical techniques;

3. Use fundamental geophysical principles to perform simple analysis and interpretation of illustrative data;

4. Solve quantitative problems relating to geophysical investigation of the solid Earth and atmosphere;

5. Integrate multiple approaches across various geophysical disciplines to investigate real-world case studies.

Skills outcomes
Understanding and integration of different geophysical disciplines to address real-world data and topics, covering both global challenges and applied case studies

Syllabus

Physics
⁃ Kinematics, conservation laws
⁃ Dynamics
⁃ Solid bodies
⁃ Fluids
⁃ Oscillators
⁃ Travelling and standing waves; wave equation
⁃ Heat, heat transfer
⁃ Basic electrostatics
⁃ Magnetostatics
⁃ Electromagnetism

Geophysical processes
⁃ Earthquakes
⁃ Stress and strain
⁃ Plate tectonics
⁃ Volcanoes
⁃ Convection (mantle/core/atmosphere)
⁃ Material properties
⁃ Seismic structure of the earth

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	60	1.00	60.00
Seminar	1	3.00	3.00
Tutorial	20	3.00	60.00
Private study hours			277.00
Total Contact hours			123.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			400.00

Private study

Required reading in advance of classes to enable inverted classroom element of tutorial sessions (20x6hrs = 120)

Preparation for and working through individual formative quizzes (20x2hr = 40)

Preparation for and working through summative quizzes (3x3hr = 9)

Groupwork to undertake integrated case-study project and prepare presentation (1x20hr = 20)

Reflection on group feedback and preparation of individual written report (1x10hr = 10)

Remaining time left for additional reading and practice of problem solving.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Weekly tutorial sessions provide a mixture of peer-learning and staff-led opportunities to build familiarity with material. Weekly formative quizzes available to test understanding with immediate feedback. These lead directly to the assessment of quantitative problem solving in the 3 summative online tests.

One tutorial session will be dedicated to discussion of the capstone project providing a checkpoint on progress and feedback in advance of the final assessments (presentation & report). Feedback from the group presentation will be provided in advance of the written report, allowing individuals to fill gaps, explore concepts more deeply, and respond to the feedback.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	Integrated capstone project	20.00
Group Project	Integrated capstone project	20.00
In-course MCQ	Online Quizzes assessing the quantitative skills covered in lectures and tutorial sessions	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Re-sit will be a 48-hour OTL consisting of a mixture of quantitative problem-solving questions and a discursive integrated case-study question. The integrated capstone project to be assessed by a group oral presentation followed by an individual written report.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/08/2023

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