Module manager: Graham McLeod
Email: g.w.mcleod@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Successful completion of Level 1 Geology (or equivalent for ISA)
| SOEE2970 | Advanced Skills for Environmental Geoscientists |
SOEE2931
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Discover how Earth materials deform and interact to shape tectonic environments and landscapes. Explore how deformation changes the physical properties of materials, altering their behaviour over time and their effect on subsurface fluid flow. You'll learn how to record, describe, quantify, and interpret deformation structures at a variety of scales in different materials (rocks, soils, ice), and to synthesize data to develop a geological, structural, and/or tectonic history of an area. You will also use satellite data to analyse changing geomorphology of active tectonic landscapes and learn how we monitor active deformation.
• Plan and prepare to safely undertake a programme of fieldwork (or other scientific data collection) and communicate the results.
• Use field-based data to produce a geological map using GIS
• Analyse and interpret geological maps
• Apply field-based mapping techniques to investigate the subsurface geology of a study area and communicate the result via a professional style field report
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes:
SSLO1: Produce a synthesis of the geology of a study area via analysis of literature sources
SSLO2: Communicate the results of a field campaign via the production of correctly structured and illustrated report and digitised geological map
SSLO3: Demonstrate competencies in the common techniques used to interrogate published geological maps and develop three dimensional interpretations of the Earth’s interior and its temporal evolution
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
SKLO1: Communicate effectively in written form to accurately report the results and interpretation of field data (academic writing, effective communication, academic language)
SKLO2: Use digital technology to create accessible digital items such as geological maps and other data visualisation products (digital creation, creativity and innovation, presentation)
SKLO3: Manage own time effectively and produce multi-component assignments over a sustained period of work (personal management, active learning, working under pressure)
SKLO4: Use reasoning to evaluate and solve problems, particularly applying quantitively approaches to understand complex systems (critical thinking, systems thinking, decision making)
SKLO5: Research, collate, and synthesise information from peer-reviewed scientific literature on a specific geological region or process (academic writing, information searching, referencing)
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminars | 8 | 1 | 8 |
| Practicals | 8 | 2 | 16 |
| Practicals | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Fieldwork | 8 | 6 | 48 |
| Private study hours | 108 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 92 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
As this is a ‘skills’ module, formative feedback is provided extensively throughout the individual strands. For example,
Report writing and dissertation prep: regular formative feedback on written work, dissertation plans etc are a core part of the delivery plans for these strands (the report is written sequentially in sections, each submitted for feedback). This includes tutorials that involve specific discussions and examples of how to revise your work in response to formative feedback
Geological maps: each practical session involves practicing technical skills with questions and model answers provided throughout. Staff and demo also provided worked examples during the sessions.
GIS skills: constant informal feedback from teaching staff as students work through digitizing their field data
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework | 50 |
| Coursework | Coursework- pass for progression required | 0 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Unseen Practical exam (Semester 1) | 2.0 Hrs Mins | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50 | |
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