Module manager: Fiona Gill
Email: F.Gill@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 Jul to 31 Aug View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
GPA of 2.5 (US) or equivalent and enrolled at a university
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Earth Science literally underpins human life and endeavours, including the land and materials we use to build our homes, the minerals and other resources that we use to fuel our modern technology-dependent existence, the devastating impact of geological events such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes and the geological record of past environments and ecosystems that allows us to understand global changes happening today. This module explores fundamental Earth Science concepts and processes including plate tectonics, geological materials, Earth history, palaeoecology and evolution.
- To review the theory of plate tectonics and the structure of the Earth.
- To use the present day morphology, processes and hazards at plate boundaries to understand how these processes operated in the geological past and are preserved in the rock record.
-To provide practical training in identifying geological materials such as rocks and minerals, understanding how they formed and how they are used today.
- To understand the concept of geological or “deep” time.
- To introduce the principles of stratigraphy.
- To explore major events in the development of life on Earth.
- To understand the basics of palaeontology and be able to identify and describe major fossil groups.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated achievement of the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Identify how global-scale processes (plate tectonics and the evolution of life) control regional-scale geological history.
2. Relate the physical properties of geological materials to their mode of formation and economic uses.
3. Synthesise tectonic, stratigraphic and palaeontological data to reconstruct the geological and palaeoenvironmental history of a region.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
Effectively communicate Earth science concepts to non-specialist audiences. This aligns to the following domains of the Leeds Skills matrix: work ready skills, sustainability skills, academic skills.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fieldwork | 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Fieldwork | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Lecture | 8 | 1 | 8 |
| Practical | 8 | 2 | 16 |
| Independent online learning hours | 15 | ||
| Private study hours | 43 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 42 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
Online multiple choice and short answer quizzes on key topics: 1) plate tectonics, 2) rocks and minerals, 3) stratigraphy, 4) Earth history, 5) Palaeontology. Each quiz will have 10 questions and pre-written feedback will be provided on answers. Quizzes to be completed during private study time.
Practical test to describe and identify a selection of minerals and rocks and infer their environment of formation based on their physical properties. Test to take place during a practical session with answers discussed as a group immediately afterwards.
Tailored, individual verbal feedback on content and presentation will be provided on a draft of the poster during a practical session, in time to allow the feedback to be incorporated before submission.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Poster on geology of student’s home region – to include tectonic setting, stratigraphy, palaeoenvironment and, if relevant, fossils, Earth resources, e.g. building stones, minerals and any geological hazards, including short (<5 min) oral presentation | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
There is no reading list for this module
Last updated: 1/24/2025
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