Keele Badge

ESC-10076 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

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

ESC-10076 - Stratigraphy and Palaeontology
Coordinator: Michael Montenari Room: WSF10A Tel: +44 1782 7 33162
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
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

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

In this module you will learn the principles of stratigraphy and gain an understanding of the palaeobiological and evolutionary development on Planet Earth. You will also learn the terminology, nomenclature and classification of the main fossil groups and how fossils can be used to date rocks and indicate their environment of formation. Field courses will introduce you to the collection and documentation of geological information in the field, including how to make a geological map, which is an important skill that you will develop throughout the course of your degree.

Aims
This module provides an introduction to the principles of stratigraphy as well as the palaeobiological and evolutionary developments on Planet Earth, including the evolution of the atmosphere. It also introduces students to the identification of the principal fossil groups and how fossils can be used to date rocks and indicate their environment of formation.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/esc-10076/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

explain the principles of stratigraphy, and apply and evaluate the major stratigraphical methods: 1,2,3
describe the palaeobiological evolution of the Earth and the development of the atmosphere through time: 1,2,3
describe the history of life on Earth, and identify, classify and describe the main fossils groups that are preserved within the geological record: 1,2,3
measure and record field geological information, and make basic interpretations in the field of past geological environments based on the relationships between different rock types and the fossils they contain: 3

Study hours

Active Learning:
22 hrs Lecture / Lecture equivalent
33 hrs Practical
24 hrs Fieldwork
Independent Study:
71 hrs private study/assignment completion

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Class Test weighted 33%
Class tests based on material covered in lectures and practical classes
Two class tests, each of two-hours duration, on the stratigraphy and palaeontology components of the module consisting of short answer questions.

2: Laboratory Practicals weighted 34%
Laboratory notebooks
Submission of laboratory practical notebooks containing descriptions/observations, including diagrams and sketches, of material covered during practical classes.

3: Practice Based Assessment weighted 33%
Field course portfolio
A portfolio of material (equivalent to a 1500-word report) associated with the field courses, including field observations, structural and stratigraphic exercises, geological mapping and field hazard/risk assessment.

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