Module manager: Nigel Mountney
Email: n.p.mountney@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Successful completion of Level 1 of registered programme (or equivalent for ISA). Study Abroad students who wish to take SOEE2950 must have taken one or more module(s) in Geology or Earth Sciences that covers general topics of relevance including fundamentals of plate tectonics and fundamentals of the origins, composition and character of common igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Sedimentary basins are regions of the Earth’s surface that have undergone prolonged subsidence in diverse geological settings, driven by both local and global tectonic and geodynamic processes, and accumulate thick successions of sediment. Investigating sedimentary basin development is crucial to provide insights into plate movements, for understanding Earth's history, and are being explored for new energy applications like geothermal energy and carbon storage. The module will teach techniques in seismic stratigraphy, sequence stratigraphy, sedimentary basin analysis and subsurface characterization. You will acquire generic skills relating to the integration of disparate data sets, 3D thinking, problem solving and the practical application of geological concepts to real-world applied geology problems..
This module provides students studying Geoscience programmes: skills and training in...
(i) the main methods and techniques used to investigate sedimentary basin-fills
(ii) developing an understanding of the tectonic and structural evolution of such basins
(iii) acquiring knowledge of the mechanisms of infilling of basins by sedimentary successions
(iv) gaining an awareness of how the geological accumulations within such basins serve to provide important geo-energy resources, notably in relation to the on-going global transition to clean and sustainable energy solutions.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes:
SSLO1: Describe, interpret and explain the mode of origin of a range of sedimentary basins, characterize the structural style of these basins, including from seismic reflection data, and recognize and evaluate lateral variations of sedimentary facies in a variety of basin settings.
SSLO2: Derive tectonic subsidence/uplift and relative sea-level change histories from the history of base-level change and burial represented in the stratigraphic record.
SSLO3: Describe, interpret and explain the main geological factors that govern the migration of fluids through porous media, and explain the origin of a variety of diagenetic features in siliciclastic and carbonate sedimentary rocks.
SSLO4: Explain how geological accumulations within sedimentary basins serve as important geological and geo-energy resources, notably in relation to the on-going global transition to clean and sustainable energy solutions.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
SKLO1: Gather information and perspectives from a range of sources; analyse, and interpret to aid understanding, inform decisions/opinions, and anticipate problems. Use reasoning and judgement to identify needs, make decisions, solve problems, and respond with actions (critical thinking; work-ready skills).
SKLO2: Find, evaluate, organise and share information across a variety of formats and media, ensuring the reliability and integrity both of the sources that you use and of the ideas that they help you to generate (information, data and media literacies; digital skills).
SKLO3: Apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainable development problems; explores innovative and creative solutions; develops viable, inclusive and equitable solutions (integrated problem solving; sustainability skills).
SKLO4: Develop effective strategies for achieving goals when faced by uncertain, ambiguous and risky situations (managing uncertainty, ambiguity and risk; enterprise skills).
SKLO5: Weigh up different arguments and perspectives, using supporting evidence to form opinions, arguments, theories and ideas (critical thinking, academic skills).
Employability.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 12 | 1 | 12 |
| Practical | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Independent online learning hours | 34 | ||
| Private study hours | 34 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 32 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
Work on a series of problem-solving exercises that form part of the coursework assessments. Students will be expected to undertake independent literature searches and apply knowledge gained to develop comprehensive answers to set exercises.
Both assessed assignments (the Sedimentary Basins workbook and the Subsurface Resources workbook) are split into a series of weekly exercises. The students commence each of these weekly exercises in the practical classes. For each week, formative guidance is provided by the course tutor and the PGR demonstrators to ensure that the students commence the required tasks in an appropriate way. The students then work on each task in their own time.
Weekly in-class provision of verbal and illustrated summaries of expected progress that should have been completed for the weekly tasks at the outset of the following week’s lecture and practical class.
Several dedicated question and answer sessions whereby students can seek formative feedback on their workbooks. The course tutor provides recommendations for modifications and guidance on how best to apply particular analytical methods.
Final wrap-up practical class in Week 11 of the module where students can seek verbal formative feedback on assignment 2 (Subsurface Resources workbook) prior to finalization and submission. Course tutor provides general advice and methods and techniques for data analysis and interpretation but without providing direct answers.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework | 40 |
| Coursework | Coursework | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Resits will be assessed by completion of a single illustrated technical report. The resit must differ from the originally set assignments since feedback for these assignments will have been given to all students prior to commencement of the resit period.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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