Module manager: Laura Gregory
Email: l.c.gregory@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
| SOEE1700 | Dynamic Planet |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
he Earth’s crust is a complex mosaic of different rock types and geological structures. Rocks formed in different environments have varying physical properties that reflect both their origin and the materials they are made from. Tectonic processes modify rock units through a combination of brittle and ductile deformation, changing their spatial arrangement over time. A key skill for any geoscientist is to use the observed 2D distribution of rocks at the Earth’s surface to predict the structure of the subsurface and how it has changed over time. This module will cover the fundamental principles of structural geology, examining how features such a folds, faults, and unconformities develop during tectonic processes. It will also cover skills in the interpretation of geological maps, for example the construction of cross sections to predict the subsurface distribution of different rock units based on structural data collected at the surface. Students will apply this knowledge during a residential field course in Pembrokeshire, Wales. During the field work, students will learn skills in the collection and interpretation of field data and will use their own data to develop models of the geological history of the region.
The overall aim of this module is to give students a broad introduction to the principles of structural geology and geological maps, and how to use these to explore the evolution of the Earth’s shallow subsurface through time. The module addresses how Earth history can be interpreted in two- and three-dimensions using geological maps and cross sections, through the application of stratigraphic relationships and geological structures, and field observations. You will ultimately be able to integrate structural geology with the occurrence and nature of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks and within the framework of the theory of plate tectonics. Theoretical concepts learned in lectures will be explored and developed in practical classes and during the fieldtrip, where all strands of the module will be put into practice. Specifically, you will learn how to describe, quantify, and interpret geological structures, producing models for the structural evolution of Earth's crust.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes:
SSL01: Apply knowledge of the processes leading to stratigraphic deposition and subsequent deformation of rocks to interpret geological structures in a temporal-spatial context.
SSL02: Apply the principles of geometry, stress, and strain to quantitatively describe geological structures and processes.
SSL03: Construct three-dimensional geological models using a variety of sources of data and present these models in the form of geological maps and cross-sections.
SSL04: Evaluate the geological history for an area or region by integrating field and/or laboratory observations with interrogation of geological maps and cross-sections, in addition to other forms of common geological data.
SSL05: Collect and integrate different types of field data to produce an interpretation of the subsurface structure of a region and evaluate its paleoenvironmental and tectonic history, including the history of stress and strain.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
SKL01: Clearly and accurately communicate knowledge and understanding of stratigraphy, deformation processes, and geological structures using appropriate terminology (academic language, effective communication).
SKL02: Interrogate, use, interpret, and create geological maps at a range of scales, using industry standard practices (digital learning and development, active learning, critical thinking, systems thinking).
SKL03: Integrate stratigraphic principles with structural geology to elucidate, understand, and explain complex temporal-spatial relationships and geological histories (integrated problem solving, spatial and systems thinking, research).
SKL04: Work independently to plan and execute a campaign of field-based data collection to achieve goals within a set time period (active learning, decision making, adaptability, working under pressure).
SKL05: Effectively communicate the results of the modelling and synthesis of quantitative field data using professional style diagrams and presentation (effective communication, presentation, academic language, creativity).
The overall aim of this module is to give students a broad introduction to the principles of structural geology and geological maps, and how to use these to explore the evolution of the Earth’s shallow subsurface through time. The module addresses how Earth history can be interpreted in two- and three-dimensions using geological maps and cross sections, through the application of stratigraphic relationships and geological structures, and field observations. You will ultimately be able to integrate structural geology with the occurrence and nature of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks and within the framework of the theory of plate tectonics. Theoretical concepts learned in lectures will be explored and developed in practical classes and during the fieldtrip, where all strands of the module will be put into practice. Specifically, you will learn how to describe, quantify, and interpret geological structures, producing models for the structural evolution of Earth's crust.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 21 | 1 | 21 |
| Practicals | 18 | 2 | 36 |
| Fieldwork | 6 | 6 | 36 |
| Private study hours | 107 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 93 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will be given access to MCQs to test their knowledge of key theoretical concepts and mock questions to provide examples of the scope and length of the exam questions. Opportunities for formative feedback on the practical aspects of the module will be available at the weekly practical session (via provision of worked answers to be used for self-assessment), during a mock practical assessment, and in an optional revision session held at the end of the module. In-person feedback will be given for the coursework component during the field class (during the collection of the data and drafting of the interpretation/analysis). Written feedback will be given on the final submission
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework-Pass for Progression | 0 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 0 | |
The 0% weighted coursework (Field Materials) will be compulsory to pass, with students who deem not to satisfy the LOs asked to resubmit; students who cannot attend the field will be offered a tried and tested alternative (Virtual Landscapes Three River Hills), and produce similar outputs. Students cannot pass the module unless they submit a satisfactory attempt (this is essentially P/F for the component).
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) (S2) | 2.0 Hrs Mins | 50 |
| Unseen Practical exam (Semester 2) | 2.0 Hrs 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
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