Module manager: Dr Fiona Gill
Email: f.gill@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
As per entry to IFY
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module is intended to give an introduction to the Earth Sciences, placing importance on fundamental geological concepts and processes (dynamic Earth; plate tectonic theory; basic mineralogy and petrology; Earth history and palaeontology), and the fostering of basic geological skills (rock and mineral identification; O.S. and geological map reading).
On completion of this module a student will be able to:
- Understand fundamental geological concepts and processes, including the formation and structure of the Earth, plate tectonic theory, the rock cycle and the geological timescale
- Analyse mineral properties in hand specimen in order to identify common rock-forming minerals
- Identify igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks and interpret their textures and mineralogy to determine their environment of formation;
- Apply stratigraphic principles to geological data, including geological maps, to reconstruct the structural history of an area
- Integrate information from rocks, minerals and fossils to understand the geological record of past Earth system events
- Appreciate the historical, social and economic aspects of geology and how these influence scientific knowledge and understanding
- Identification of rocks, minerals and fossils in hand specimen.
- Map reading (O.S. and geological maps).
The lecture course will cover the following topics:
- brief history of geology/earth science
- evolution of Earth as a planet
- plate tectonics and dynamic Earth theory
- Earth materials - introduction to petrology and mineralogy
- common rock forming silicates, oxides, sulphides, carbonates and evaporites
- rock cycle and petrology as linked to environments of formation
- igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic petrology
- structural geology
- earth system history
- stratigraphic principles
- basic palaeontology
- geological time
- O.S. and geological maps.
The practical course will cover the following topics:
- hand specimen identification of common rocks and main rock-forming minerals; O.S. and geological map reading and interpretation; basic palaeontology
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Practical | 7 | 2 | 14 |
| Independent online learning hours | 16 | ||
| Private study hours | 60 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 24 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
Independent online learning:
Students will have regular online MCQ quizzes (hosted on Minerva) to complete, these will be based on that week's lecture material.
Private study:
Students will be expected to read relevant chapters from course texts that will be recommended to them, and to independently consolidate and review material covered in lectures and practicals.
Online quizzes: will help to consolidate learning from week to week.
Practical work: will be marked during the practicals, allowing students to check their progress from week to week and seek out help in subsequent sessions when needed.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Practical | Practical lab work will be assessed with a summative test in the final practical | 25 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 25 | |
The module re-sit will take the form of the Theory exam.
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 48.0 Hrs Mins | 75 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 75 | |
The module re-sit will take the form of the Theory exam.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 29/04/2024
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team