ESC-10062 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

In this module you will learn about the origin, structure and composition of the universe, the Earth, other planets in our solar system and their major moons. You will study the major geological paradigms of plate tectonics, deep time and uniformitarianism that lie at the heart of the subject. You will also study the terminology and classification of geological structures, the geological history of the Earth and how the distribution of continents and oceans vary over time, and how all these relate to plate tectonics. The module includes two field courses, including one week-long residential to an area that shows many phases of geological deformation resulting from a complex plate tectonic history. This provides an immersive learning experience that reinforces the lecture and practical material you have covered in class.

This module introduces the origin, structure and composition of the Earth and the geological paradigms of plate tectonics, deep time and uniformitarianism. It covers the geological history of the Earth and the terminology and classification of geological structures, and how they both relate to plate tectonics. It includes two field courses to reinforce the lecture and practical content.

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe the structure and composition of the solid Earth: 1,2
explain the major geoscience paradigms of plate tectonics, deep geological time and uniformitarianism: 2
describe and classify geological structures and relate their formation to plate tectonics: 1,2,3
explain the principles of stratigraphy and describe the geological evolution of the Earth: 2,3
document geological information in the field: 3

Study hours

Lectures 44 hours
Practicals 66 hours
Field work 56 hours
Independent study 134 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment