Keele Badge

ESC-10103 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

ESC-10103 - Earth and Life Through Time
Coordinator: Steven Rogers Tel: +44 1782 7 33752
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

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. The field course 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. The module also includes a residential field course where you will develop and apply a range of geological skills knowledge.

Intended Learning Outcomes

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

Study hours

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

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Practice Based Assessment weighted 50%
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.

2: Portfolio weighted 50%
A 2000 word compendium
A compendium (or collection) outlining at least 5 major fossil groups and their stratigraphic significance - these can be based on groups introduced during the modules practical sessions, or you can chose to include groups you are interested in.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. 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/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025