THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2022/2023

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Earth Science

Undergraduate Course: Geology Dissertation (EASC10011)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate)
Course typeDissertation AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits40 ECTS Credits20
SummaryAn independent investigation in to a geological problem, collecting and analysing primary observations, and developing professional levels insights and interpretations, and presenting them in a comprehensive report.
Course description In 2021/22, the Geology Dissertation has been adapted to account for disruption due to COVID19. Two weeks of independent fieldwork will be undertaken at field camps in four different locations in Scotland during Weeks 0 and 1 of semester. Work on data analysis, interpretation, and presentation will continue in Semesters 1 and 2 back in Edinburgh.

The very comprehensive and detailed syllabus for the Geology Dissertation in previous years is available in Parts One and Two of the Handbook for the Geology Honours Dissertation Mapping Project (Blue Book), available from the course's LEARN site. Although the format of the fieldwork will necessarily change for 2021/22 the guiding principles in the Blue Book will still apply.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed Structural Analysis of Rocks and Regions (SARR) (EASC09052) AND Field Skills for Geology (EASC10105)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2022/23, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Full Year
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 400 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 11, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 8, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 381 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %

The course is assessed entirely on the basis of the dissertation and associated documents. Primary observations (e.g. field notebook and field maps) and geological interpretation (e.g. cross sections) count for approximately 60% of the final mark. The written dissertation and final presentation of data (e.g. final map), including data presentation and display to support the arguments and interpretations, will provide the remaining 40%. The final map and dissertation should be prepared to a professional standard. Marks will be deducted for poor presentation and writing.

Assessment deadlines
The dissertation is to be submitted by 12 noon on Tuesday, week 4, Semester 2
Feedback Students will be advised by academic staff throughout the entire dissertation, including pre-fieldwork guidance and preparation from the CO, and introduction to their field area be an experienced member of staff. On return to Edinburgh, students will subsequently be assigned an advisor, who will provide feedback to student through the data processing and report writing phases. Additional feedback can be obtained from the course organiser where necessary.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Develop a detailed knowledge and understanding of a geological problem.
  2. Produce professional level insights, interpretations and solutions to problems and issues.
  3. Process information and data to make robust conclusions.
  4. Develop autonomy and problem solving skills.
  5. Write a comprehensive report that addresses a scientific problem.
Reading List
Relevant literature on the chosen field area.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills The dissertation develops a suite of attributes and skills of great relevance to a wide range of graduate careers. Students will develop and undertake independent geological research, utilizing the skillset they have developed in their degree.
Study Abroad The options to conduct the field work as part of study abroad are laid out in the blue book.
KeywordsGeology_dissertations,Independent field work
Contacts
Course organiserDr Andrew Bell
Tel: (0131 6)50 4777
Email:
Course secretaryMs Katerina Sykioti
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email:
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