2013/14 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE2010 Chemistry of the Earth

10 creditsClass Size: 110

Module manager: Caroline Peacock
Email: c.l.peacock@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2013/14

Pre-requisite qualifications

Either A-level Chemistry or a suitable level 1 Chemistry module
(eg. SOEE1131)

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

An introduction to chemical processes in the Earth in terms of both the short-term cycles affecting surface waters, sediments and the atmosphere, its overall composition and its origin and chemical evolution. Topics covered include: Geochemical cycles in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere (including the carbon cycle); Box modelling of geochemical cycles; Chemical processes occurring during the major geochemical cycles and how these effect the composition of surface waters, deep earth fluids, sediments and the atmosphere; Principles of radiogenic and stable isotopes as geochemical tracers, geochronology; Earth and solar system chemical evolution.This module is taught in semester 1 through lectures with some paper based practicals, and is assessed by a class test and a one and a half hour examination.This module is taught in Semester 1 through lectures with some paper-based practicals, and is assessed via an online VLE MCQ test and a one and a half hour examination.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students will have developed an understanding for the chemical processes which influence our environment and have influenced the evolution of the Earth over time, and an appreciation of the methods by which this knowledge has been obtained.

This module will consider the chemical behaviour in and between gases, aqueous solutions, solids and melts, and how chemical processes involving these components have operated on timescales from a human lifetime to the age of the solar system. Students will also learn how the 'earth-air-water factory' operates at present and to set this in the context of long-term geochemical evolution over the 4.5 Ga of Earth history.

Syllabus

Geochemical cycles overall
Oxygen, water and carbon dioxide cycles
Chemical processes in geochemical cycles
Energy and solutions
Chemical reactions in solutions
Chemistry of surface waters
Deep Earth fluids - Radiogenic isotopes
Isotope tracers
Stable isotopes of O and H
Earth and planetary evolution
Chemical evolution of the Earth

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Drop-in Session	2	1.00	2.00
Lecture	18	1.00	18.00
Practical	2	2.00	4.00
Private study hours			76.00
Total Contact hours			24.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Students will be expected to undertake reading after each lecture, based on handouts and reading lists that will be given out. Students will also be expected to engage with material available on the CBL module, and weekly worksheets that will be available on the VLE. General reading and revision is also expected.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Via in-class assessment

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course Assessment	1 VLE-based MCQ assessment	16.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		16.00

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

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	1 hr 30 mins	84.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		84.00

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: 03/02/2014

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD