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ESC-40027 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2023/24 Last Updated: 13 February 2024

ESC-40027 - MGeoscience: Advanced Topics in Sedimentology
Coordinator: Stuart Clarke Room: WSF16 Tel: +44 1782 7 33171
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 7
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733615

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Students must have passed the Year 2 module ESC-20002 (Reconstructing Past Environments).

Barred Combinations

Not available to those students who have taken module ESC-30034 (Advanced Topics in Sedimentology)

Description for 2023/24

The stratigraphical principles introduced in Year 2 are studied in greater depth, concentrating on the analytical methods of seismic and sequence stratigraphy, which allow the geometry of sedimentary rock bodies to be related to basin wide tectonic and eustatic controls.

Aims
To provide a broad overview of the relationship between sedimentology and stratigraphy on a basin-wide scale, and to appreciate the environmental and economic implications.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe to an advanced level the importance of sediment supply, in addition to subsidence and sea level, upon deposition &sedimentary facies. will be achieved by assessments: 1
explain in detail, critically assess, and apply, the techniques that relate spatial geometries and relationships between sedimentary deposits to their temporal evolution, through the study of seismic and chronostratigraphy. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 3
critically assess techniques that relate sedimentological evidence to regional and global stratigraphical cyclicity through the study of sequence stratigraphy. will be achieved by assessments: 1 and 2,3
describe in detail the ways in which sedimentological and stratigraphical principles relate to structural aspects of sedimentary basins to control the gross-scale sedimentary geometry of basins. will be achieved by assessments: 1
interpret in detail the links between the spatial and temporal evolution of sedimentary basins and the distribution of the sediments they contain, the broad-scale controls on such, and the economic implications. will be achieved by assessments: 1 and 2, 3
apply advanced fieldwork skills and modelling techniques to interpret sedimentary secessions in a sequence stratigraphical context. will be achieved by assessments: 2 and 3
present scientific findings and interpretations in a standard scientific report format. will be achieved by assessments: 2

Study hours

- Lecture 20 hours
- Practical classes 30 hours
- Fieldwork 18 hours
- Private study and completion of assignments 80 hours
- Unseen exam 2 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Exam weighted 50%
Two-hour unseen examination
Candidates to answer three essay-style questions from a choice of six.

2: Report weighted 30%
Scientific report based upon fieldwork
Students produce a scientific report into sequence stratigraphy based upon outcrops examined on a field course. The report should set the examined outcrops in the wider context of the sequence stratigraphical evolution of the area studied. Report length ~1200-1500 words.

3: Practical Assessment weighted 20%
Practical Examination
2 hour practical assessment on Sequence Stratigraphy.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 13 February 2024