Module manager: Graham McLeod
Email: g.w.mcleod@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
SOEE1630
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module is designed to introduce students to some of the core skills required to be a professional geoscientist. You will learn how geoscientists acquire, analyse, synthesise, visualise, and communicate data gathered from a range of sources, including from published literature and your own field work. This will include gaining in-depth knowledge on some key topics in modern geoscience, training in essential field skills, and learning how geoscientists use data to solve environmental problems. You will also learn how to ‘think like a geoscientist’, using quantitative reasoning to understand natural processes and evaluate numerical data. This module will combine lectures and practical classes with small group tutorials and field-based learning.
This module aims to develop students’ abilities to collect and collate a range of different types of field and literature data and to synthesis these into written assignments, including a professional style geoscience field report. This includes practicing some of the key technical skills required for the safe and accurate acquisition of field data. In preparing written assignments students will also gain key skills in academic writing and referencing. In parallel, students will also learn how to apply simple mathematical and statistical concepts and models to constrain natural processes. These skills in quantitative thinking and reasoning are an important part of any professional geoscientist’s toolkit.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
SSL01: Practise skills in researching and writing academic texts.
SSL02: Use simple mathematical and quantitative reasoning to constrain natural processes.
SSL03: Apply methods for visualising geospatial datasets.
SSL04: Write a geoscience field report that integrates field data with literature sources and uses appropriate figures and data visualisation.
SSL05: Practice techniques and industry-standard approaches to collecting and recording geological field data.
Skills Learning Outcomes
SKL01: Access and investigate a variety of academic sources on a particular topic and communicate findings via written work (Communication, referencing, academic writing, academic integrity, academic language).
SKL02: Take an effective approach to solving problems; resolving issues by tackling from different angles, using both analytical and creative skills. understand, interpret, analyse and manipulate numerical data (problem solving and analytical skills).
SKL03: Collect, record and present geological field observations and data (technical geoscience skills).
SKL04: Synthesise different types of information from a range of sources to solve geoscience problems (critical thinking, time management, and information, data and media literacy).
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fieldwork | 2 | 6 | 12 |
| Lecture | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| Lecture | 12 | 1 | 12 |
| Practical | 19 | 2 | 38 |
| Tutorial | 7 | 1 | 7 |
| Private study hours | 123 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 77 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will write and receive feedback on 2 essays in S1 prior to submitting one for summative assessment.
The drafting of the S2 field report will be done alongside small group tutorials. Students will also be able to receive feedback on their complete draft prior to final submission.
For the in-person exam students will receive feedback on the weekly practical exercises done in preparation for this in S2. They will also have mock questions and answers provided via Minerva.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework | 30 |
| Coursework | Coursework | 40 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 70 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 1.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 30 | |
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