Undergraduate Course: Field Skills for Geology and Physical Geography (EASC09051)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course provides key field and online skills required to observe, measure, process and interpret landscapes from both a geological and geographical perspective.
***Field course location and trip duration may change for a variety of reasons, including security risks, increased costs or inability to access field locations. Any changes to the main destination of the field course will be announced as soon as possible.***
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| Course description |
This course encompasses key field training provided for 3rd year GPG students through delivery of field courses including:
- 2-week field course to Inchnadamph in NW Scotland (prior to start of S1)
- 9-day field course based around the geology and geomorphology of southern Spain, which may be replaced by a 7-day virtual field trip should travel restrictions not allow us to travel to Spain for educational purposes. The trip will run during spring vacation, at some point between the 4th and the 16th April.
These courses will teach a wide array of field skills, including geological and geomorphic mapping, identification of relevant geologic evidence, landscape interpretation, quantitative field and GIS based skills, and methods of data collection.
The Inchnadamph trip aims to develop an understanding of the relationship between the surface and the subsurface and increases the ability of students to gather pertinent data from rock outcrops and surface features. The trip is broadly divided into two. A first week dedicated to the bedrock geology in terms of identifying lithologies, structural displacements, sedimentary environments and mapping. The mapping is over three days. The second week is dedicated to the geomorphology of the region, and the controls determined by the underlying geology. There are glacial exercises on mapping landforms, and a fluvial exercise that lasts 2 days.
The Spain trip focuses on the development of Neogene and Quaternary sedimentary basins and associated landscape evolution in the Betic Cordillera in SE Spain. By the end of the Spain trip, students will have a broad and integrated knowledge and understanding of the Neogene and Quaternary evolution of SE Spain which will be gained through analysis of the sedimentology and geomorphology of the area studied. The principal learning outcomes of the Spain component of the course are the further development of key integrated skills based on a region which will assist students when they undertake their dissertation project. Students will learn how to exercise the autonomy and initiative required to conduct the independent mapping project and will practise drawing on a range of sources to assist with making judgements. Should the trip be virtual, it will more heavily rely on the use of GIS-based mapping with online materials, but will aim to achieve similar learning outcomes.
For up to date information regarding field trip costs and dates please go to:
https://www.ed.ac.uk/geosciences/teaching-organisation/ug-students/ug-field-trips
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Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Full Year |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 4,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 8,
Fieldwork Hours 85,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
99 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
100% Coursework
Inch: 50% of course: Geological mapping, Fluvial exercise
Spain: 50% of course: Notebooks and exercises
All assessments are handed in during, or at the end of both field trips. |
| Feedback |
Assessments are carried out in the field, and all work is handed in by the end of the trips. This means that there are lots of opportunities to discuss progress with staff and demonstrators. On both trips, notebooks are looked at and formative feedback is given. Discussions are ongoing throughout evening work sessions, and so feedback is constantly given on all aspects of student learning on these trips. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Develop a broad, integrated knowledge of the geology and evolution of both the Assynt region and its place in the geological evolution of NW Britain, and the Neogene and Quaternary evolution of SE Spain.
- Develop a broad, integrated knowledge of the processes that shape the Earth's surface and how to quantify them including measurements of hydraulic geometry, stream gauging, mapping of quaternary landforms, measurements of sediments, GIS methodologies, and topographic measurements (e.g., channel slope and width).
- Develop and enhance field skills required for the effective documentation and interpretation of data from both rock outcrops, topography, and measurements of Earth Surface processes. These skills will include mapping, cross-section construction, sediment logging, field surveying, analysis of sediments and quantitative methods of data collection.
- Develop skills in visualising map and related field data in three dimensions using appropriate graphical techniques.
- Develop skills in synthesising the evolution of an area in terms of its geology and its surface processes through the integrated use of field measurements, maps, application of theoretical models of landscape evolution, cross-sections, diagrams and accompanying reports.
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Reading List
| Students are expected to read widely on their selected topic area. Additional generic papers in how to conduct research or write proposals etc will be provided throughout the semester. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Geology,Physical Geography,Field Skills,Mapping |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Mikael Attal
Tel: (0131 6)50 8533
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Katerina Sykioti
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email: |
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