Keele Badge

ESC-10070 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2024/25 Last Updated: 18 April 2024

ESC-10070 - Minerals and Rocks
Coordinator: Ralf Gertisser Room: WSF32 Tel: +44 1782 7 33181
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733615

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

-


Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25


Aims
The module provides an introduction to common rock forming minerals and igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks in hand specimen and using a petrological microscope. Students develop the ability to describe these geological materials and their properties at a range of scales and reach informed conclusions about their possible identity and origins.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/esc-10070/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

identify minerals and igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks using hand specimens and a petrological microscope: 1,2
describe geological materials and their physical and optical properties at a range of scales and reach informed conclusions about their possible identity and origins: 1,2
evaluate and interpret the underlying concepts of the terminology, nomenclature and classification of minerals and rocks: 1,2

Study hours

Active Learning Hours: 60
- Teaching sessions: 18 x 2.5 hours - 45 hours
- Guided independent study: 5 x 2.5 hours - 12.5 hours
- Practical test: 1 x 2.5 hours - 2.5 hours
Independent study and completion of assessment: 90


School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Laboratory Practicals weighted 50%
Practical test
Two hour practical test of material covered in the practicals. This includes mineral and igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock identification in hand specimen and under the microscope, and any other aspects taught in the practicals.

2: Report weighted 50%
1,500 word illustrated written report
Students are provided with a mineral or rock specimen from a classic locality in the UK or abroad as well as supporting information. Students are asked to describe and classify their sample, and describe and discuss its geological context and geological history in an illustrated written report of no more than 1,500 words. There is no minimum word limit; the word count of 1,500 words lets students know how much detail is expected in the report.

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: 18 April 2024