Undergraduate Course: Introduction to the Geological Record (EASC08017)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course is ONLY available to students taking:
GEOLOGY BSc AND MEarthSci
GEOLOGY AND PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY BSc & MEarthSci
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCE BSc
GEOPHYSICS & GEOLOGY BSc
The course will teach 3D mapping and cross-section skills, as well as 4D-thinking abilities - areas highlighted by both a recent external Teaching Quality Assurance (TQA) and Industry as being a vital skill. These will be taught via integration of geological map interpretation with hand specimen descriptions. The course will also introduce the application of online digital databases (BGS and USGS maps; Digital Elevation Models; radar interferometry; remote sensing; imagery) in solving global geological problems. The course will logically follow the core course Earth Dynamics (Semester 1), and prepare students for the geological aspects of their future degree.
Compulsory fieldtrip to the Lake District on either Saturday end of week 11 through to the following Friday (inclusive) or Sunday to Saturday of the last week in May (inclusive).
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| Course description |
Syllabus
Teaching Week Content + Lecturer:
Each Week is composed of 2 lecture slots and one 2 hour practical slot
(MA: Mikaël Attal; SG: Stuart Gilfillan; MW: Mark Wilkinson; DK: Dick Kroon) Course Mark Proportion (%)
Week 1
Lectures
1. Introduction to the course and fieldtrip; Introduction to maps (SG)
2. Introduction to geological time and stratigraphy (1) (DK)
Practical
Field map navigation practical, plus compass practice 'orienteering' course (SG)
Week 2
Lectures
3. Introduction to geological time and stratigraphy (2)
4. Introduction to biostratigraphy (DK)
Practical
Introduction to Geological maps (SG)
Week 3
Lectures
5. Introduction to Clastic Sedimentary rocks (DK)
6. Introduction to Carbonates (DK)
Practical
Introduction to structural contours and map interpretation techniques; introductory maps (SG)
Week 4
Lectures
7. Introduction to Structural Geology (SG)
8. Introduction to hand specimen descriptions and intro to fieldtrip (SG)
Practical
Introductory structural map with hand specimen description (SG)
Week 5
Lectures
9. Introduction to structure on geological maps (SG)
10. How to write a Geological History (SG)
Practical
Structural map exercise (SG)
Assessment = cross-section to be handed in at the end of the practical (10%)
Flexible Learning Week - Exam practice using a previous year¿s exam
Week 6
Lectures
11. Introduction to igneous geology in the field (TBC)
12. Introduction to metamorphic geology in the field (TBC)
Practical
Igneous and Metamorphic field relations on geological maps (TBC)
Week 7
Lectures
13. & 14. Remote Sensing (MA)
Practical
Lake District DEM exercise - Computing Rm, Drummond Street (MA)
Week 8
Lectures
15. Introduction to Lake District Geology (MW)
16. Field excursion logistics and how to take notes in a notebook (MW). It is essential that you attend these lectures - attendance will be monitored.
Practical
Case study Geological Map: Lake District (MW)
Week 9
Case Study Geological Map no. 2 (SG)
Assessment = questionnaire to be handed in at the end of the practical. (10%)
Other assessments
Multiple choice quizzes
Three quizzes each worth 3.333%. Two to be held randomly in any of the sixteen lectures given in this course in weeks 1 to 8. The third to be completed in students own time on Learn between weeks 1 and 8. (10%)
Exam Map Interpretation, Cross-section and Geological History of Mapped area (40%)
Lake District Fieldtrip Map and Cross Section (30%)
Further course information
https://path.is.ed.ac.uk/courses/EASC08017_SV1_SEM2
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Earth Dynamics (EASC08001)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Apply knowledge and techniques that are necessary to understand and interpret the Earth's surface as expressed in maps and other 2/3D data
- Apply knowledge of the fundamentals of the analysis and critical interpretation of geological maps
- Evaluate geological maps and the history they record and apply field mapping skills in diverse geological settings
- Understand and be able to use modern remote sensing techniques to complement the geological information recorded at the surface of the Earth
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Reading List
Essential Reading
Bennison, G.M. (2011) An introduction to geological structures and maps. Hodder Education.
Recommended
Coe, A.L. (2010) Geological field techniques. The Open University; Wiley-Blackwell.
Stow, D.A.V. (2005) Sedimentary rocks in the field: a colour guide. Manson.
The Geological Society of London Handbook Series
McClay, K.R. (1991) The mapping of geological structures. J. Wiley.
Jerram, D. (2011) The field description of igneous rocks. Wiley-Blackwell.
Fry, N. (1984) The field description of metamorphic rocks. Open University Press.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
Semester 2
Lectures: Tuesdays 9-10 am
Wednesdays 9-10am
Practical class: Thursdays 9-11am
Computer Workshop: Thursday 9-11am week 7 |
| Keywords | IGR |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Stuart Gilfillan
Tel: (0131 6)51 3462
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Katerina Sykioti
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email: |
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