Module manager: Jason Williams
Email: J.R.Williams1@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Successful completion of L1 of the registered programme.
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The Applied Geoscience module introduces the theory and practice of using surface and subsurface geological and geophysical knowledge to inform on a wide variety of topics and career paths for geoscientists. The taught component of the module will contain a mix of Engineering Geology, Hydrogeology, Environmental Science and Shallow Surface Geophysics. Throughout the module, topical case studies will link the different aspects of the syllabus and inform on how a geologist can become involved in Energy, Hydrogeology, Environmental Geology and Civil Engineering.
This module will highlight the importance of the applied geosciences in society. Whether it is building a bridge/tunnel or securing clean drinking water these tasks cannot be completed without an understanding of the behaviour and properties of the ground. The module will be application- rather than theory-steered and will introduce the range of tools available to the professional geoscientist to investigate and address problems, as well as how to report on the process and outcome and correctly word engineering descriptions.
1. Assess the principal engineering properties of rocks and soils and how these are applied to civil engineering.
2. Contextualise geology and geomorphology in terms of the structure, properties and history of the ground.
3. Investigate how geophysical techniques can aid our understanding of the shallow sub-surface, and which techniques are most appropriate for engineering applications.
4. Appraise and suggest potential methods for assessing and remediating contaminated land and groundwater, and propose methods for the sustainable use and protection of groundwater sources.
5. Describe the fundamental legal and ethical responsibilities related to the applied geosciences.
This module will be split into five, cross-cutting topics, each involving either 2 or 3 weeks of lectures/practical’s to include 3 – 4 lectures and 1 – 2 practicals in each block. The topics and indicative subjects covered within them will be as follows:
Engineering Geology:
What is a soil and why are soils important, What is a rock and why rocks are important
Engineering Descriptions and properties of soils and rocks
Quantitative Analysis of soils and rocks for design, present engineering examples
Reading the past landscape and active processes from the present
Engineering Geophysics:
Shallow geophysical survey techniques
Application/ of techniques to industry practice and different subsurface environments
Ethics and Environment:
UK/EU legislation Ensuring standards are met
Obligations around environmental protection
Hydrogeology:
The Hydrogeological Cycle – Precipitation, Evaporation, Groundwater flow and Storage, and Runoff
Aquifers and Ground water use
Threats to water resources and mitigation of these threats
Contaminated Land:
Ground/surface water contamination – (Active and Legacy)
Effects of contamination
Remediation
Two field trips run during the middle of the module and tie-in with the taught content:
2-day geomorphology field trip training observation and reporting of engineering geology features in the field and construction and interpretation of geomorphological maps
2-day geophysics field trip training design of surveys, data collection and analysis
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fieldwork | 4 | 7.5 | 30 |
| Lecture | 15 | 2 | 30 |
| Practical | 7 | 2 | 14 |
| Independent online learning hours | 20 | ||
| Private study hours | 106 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 74 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
There will be around 20 hours of independent online study required to obtain background information related to the largest component of the module assessment. The students will need to spend the rest of the specified private study time reading the recommended course and recent scientific literature as well as becoming well versed in the relevant professional standards.
Throughout the running of the module there will be fortnightly practicals, during which there will be formative feedback provided on the work undertaken. This will either involve feedback on work directly completed in the practical, or a discussion of work conducted prior to the practical in a flipped classroom approach.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 1500 word, suitably illustrated, road development suitability report (including maps) | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50 | |
Resits for the Report assessment will consist of a single piece of course work using a similar format to the development suitability report, supported by a virtual field trip resource
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 2.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50 | |
Resits for the Exam will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, a 2 hr online time-limited exam with a set of questions that addresses the module learning outcomes.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 12/08/2025
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