Module manager: Taija Torvela
Email: t.m.torvela@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 International Study Abroad
SOEE2960-Resources from Rocks and Minerals
This module is not approved as a discovery module
As society pursues a low carbon future, the critical minerals, and exploration and mining, sectors are crucial, and represent important employment avenues for our graduates. Students will be introduced the scientific and economic drivers of the global industrial framework and provided with both the scientific background and transferable skills to enhance employability in both this industry and others relevant to the general discipline. The module will place the processes of aggregate and ore formation in the context of wider geological processes and, where appropriate, current research activities, whilst also addressing subject generic to the applied geosciences such as chemical and mineralogical characterization of geological materials.
The module is designed to provide an introduction to the geological science that underpins the industrial minerals, exploration and mining sectors, which are important employers of our graduates. In addition, the module addresses subjects generic to the applied geosciences (chemical and mineralogical characterization of geological materials, exploration) and introduces the importance of economics in the industry and current major shifts in the industry that relate to the low carbon economy. Students will gain an understanding of the career pathways in the sector.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes:
SSLO1: Demonstrate an understanding of the exploration, mining, processing and remediation challenges facing global supply of major commodities and metals necessary for a transition to a low carbon future.
SSLO2: Explain the general principles behind ore-forming processes in the Earth’s crust.
SSLO3: Predict likely settings of specific types of mineralization on the basis of local and regional geology and wider geological processes.
SSLO4: Evaluate what standard identification methods and analytical techniques are used to characterise mineralized material, including identification of ore minerals and their alteration products.
SSLO5: Demonstrate an understanding of the aggregates industry in the UK.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
SKLO1: Identify important ore minerals using hand lens, microscope and geochemical analysis (technical skills)
SKLO2: Develop effective strategies for achieving goals when faced by uncertain, ambiguous and risky situations, such as the physical conditions of earth materials to real-life scenarios (managing uncertainty, ambiguity and risk; enterprise skill)
SKLO3: Contribute positively and build constructive, supportive and co-operative relationships with others, towards the achievement of shared goals and outcomes (work ready skills)
SKLO4: weigh up different arguments and perspectives, using supporting evidence to form opinions, arguments, theories and ideas (critical thinking, academic skills)
SKLO5: Communicate results in a visual and written format (digital skills, sustainability skills)
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminars | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Practicals | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 76 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 24 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
-Feedback during practical sessions and on outputs from non-assessed group work
-Monitoring of progress during class sessions dedicated to formative and assessed posters (= the group work seminars)
-Feedback on a formative poster prior to design of assessed poster
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Groupwork | 20 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 20 | |
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) (S2) | 2.0 Hrs Mins | 80 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 80 | |
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