Module manager: David Ferguson
Email: d.j.ferguson@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Primarily replaces SOEE1620
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module gives students an overview of the composition and structure of the Earth and the materials that form it. We will explore the origins of our planet, the key tectonic processes that give it its unique geological character, and the environments in which common rock types are formed. A key aspect of this module will be developing observational skills in the identification and characterisation of rocks and minerals using a hand lens and petrographic microscope. We will also explore the interpretation of these observations and start to put the rocks we encounter into their geological context, with a focus on the rock forming processes that occur in different tectonic environments. By the end of the module, students will have seen many of the primary rock types that form the solid Earth, had an opportunity to examine and classify them, and to record, synthesise, and interpret their own geological observations.
The overall aim of this module is to give students a broad introduction to planet Earth, including our planet’s formation and structure, the materials it is made from, and the tectonic processes that shape it. The focus will be to introduce the main rock-forming minerals (silicates and non-silicates), their structures, chemistry, physical properties, and the igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks they form. The module addresses the science of geological materials at an introductory level and then applies this to mineral and rock-forming processes in the context of plate tectonics. The ability to describe and identify major rock-forming minerals and common rock types is a fundamental skill for any geoscientist and this will be a key practical focus of the module.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
SSL01: Describe the origin and composition of the Earth and its large-scale structure.
SSL02: Describe the theory of plate tectonics and how it changes the Earth’s surface over time.
SSL03: Explain the link between tectonic environments and the composition of the common rocks they form.
SSL04: Identify common rock types and rock-forming minerals in hand specimen and thin section by observing their physical properties.
SSLO5: Explain how the chemical structure of minerals is linked to the physical and chemical conditions under which they form.
Skills Learning Outcomes
SKL01: Clearly and accurately communicate knowledge on the geological characteristics of the Earth using appropriate terminology (academic language, effective communication)
SKL02: Understand the range of processes that occur in active tectonic environments and how they interact to drive geological processes (critical thinking, systems thinking)
SKL03: Use industry standard methods in optical microscopy to analyse geological materials (technical skills, active learning, reflection)
SKL04: Synthesise observations to produce interpretations of the origin of geological materials (communication, problem solving, active learning)
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 26 | 1 | 26 |
| Practical | 9 | 3 | 27 |
| Private study hours | 147 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 53 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
The assessment entails separate exams to assess the theoretical and practical aspects of the module. Students will be given access to MCQs to test their knowledge of key theoretical concepts. There will also be weekly opportunities for formative feedback on their practical work and a dedicated revision session held at the end of the module. Student will also be given mock exam questions.
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Unseen Practical exam (S1) | 2.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 50 |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team