Undergraduate Course: Introduction to Geophysics (EASC08008)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | A comprehensive introduction to the physical study of the Earth, concentrating on descriptive and interpretative aspects of both pure and applied geophysics, including discussion of earthquakes and seismology, gravity, geomagnetism, the thermal state of the Earth and plate tectonics. |
| Course description |
L1 Introduction to the course and the methodology of science. (Wyn Williams)
PART 1 (David Stevenson)
L2 Earths gravity, mass and density.
L3 Variation of gravity with latitude.
L4 Variation of gravity with altitude.
L5 Interpreting gravity anomalies.
L6 Isostasy.
L7 Gravity measurements and applications.
L8 Atmospheric geophysics.
PART 2 (Ian Main)
L9 Introduction to Seismology.
L10 Elementary elastic theory and seismic waves.
L11 Seismic refraction and crustal layering.
L13 Whole Earth Structure.
L14 Earthquake size.
L15 Earthquake focal mechanisms.
L16 Seismotectonics and seismic hazard.
PART 3 (Wyn Williams)
L17 Introduction to Geomagnetism and Geoelectricity.
L18 Earth's main magnetic field.
L19 The non-dipole field.
L20 Transient variation of the magnetic field.
L21 Magnetic survey methods.
L22 Electrical resistivity methods.
L23 Introduction to rock and palaeomagnetism.
L24 Geomagnetic polarity reversals.
L25 Continental drift and apparent polar wander paths.
L26 Geothermal Energy.
PART 4 (David Stevenson)
L27 Heat and temperature.
L28 Heat and time: daily, seasonal and glacial cycles.
L29 The Earths Heat.
L30 Heat and time: thermal history of the Earth.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 82 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 30,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 15,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 3,
Summative Assessment Hours 3,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
145 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
50 %,
Coursework
50 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
To pass you need to obtain an average of 40% or greater for the course - you do not need to pass both components. There is no resit component for the practical classes, but the resit exam may ask questions related to the practical classes.
The course work consists of 3 written reports based on the work completed in the practical classes. The first report (Pentland Fault Gravity Interpretation) is worth 6% of the course mark and the remaining two are 12% each.
Assessment deadlines
The practical classes will be split in to 2 or 4 groups depending on the nature of the practical. The assessment deadlines will 12 noon , two weeks following the date of your practical. |
| Feedback |
Feedback will be given via written comments on class on class assessments and through in-class discussions. The course will also be supported by an on-line adaptive learning environment, where students can go through the course material at their own pace supported by formative online testing. |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 3:00 | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | | 3:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
| By the end of the course, you should have a broad knowledge and understanding of how geophysics is used to build up a picture of the interior of the Earth and the processes which generate its structure and surface features. You will also be aware of how the same techniques used on the earth can be employed to remotely sense other planets, as well as the Earth's oceans and atmosphere. You will understand the principles of the geophysical techniques by which this information is derived. You will have gained practical experience and understanding of some geophysical survey techniques in the field and how observations can be interpreted. You should be able to write a scientific report and critically evaluate evidence-based solutions.
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Reading List
Recommended Text to be bought for the Course:
Fundamentals of Geophysics
W. Lowrie; Cambridge University Press, September 2007
Alternative textbook for continuing Geophysics students:
Frank M. Stacey & Paul M. Davies, Physics of the Earth (2008)
(CUP, 4th edition)
Reference Texts for further reading:
An Introduction to Geophysical Exploration
P.K. Keary & M. Brooks; Blackwell, 1991 (Third Edition)
The Solid Earth: An introduction to Global Geophysics
C.M.R. Fowler; Cambridge University Press.
Looking into the Earth
Alan Mussett & Aftab Khan; Cambridge University Press.
Earthquakes
Bruce Bolt; Freeman Press 1999 (Fourth edition)
Introduction to Seismology, Earthquakes & Earth Structure
Seth Stein & Michel Wysession; Blackwell
Introduction to Seismology (suitable for continuing geophysicists)
Peter M. Shearer; Cambridge University Press, 1999
All textbooks are available in the reserve collection of the Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library, Kings Buildings Campus.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
Practicals Tue 14.00 - 17.00 or Thur 14.00-17.00. |
| Keywords | Geophys |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Wyn Williams
Tel: (0131 6)50 4909
Email: Jamie.Morton@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Nicola Muir
Tel: (0131 6)50 4842
Email: |
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