Keele Badge

ESC-30033 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2024/25 Last Updated: 19 April 2024

ESC-30033 - Volcanic and Magmatic Processes
Coordinator: Ralf Gertisser Room: WSF32 Tel: +44 1782 7 33181
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
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

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

This module provides students with the opportunity to study volcanic and magmatic processes primarily through a field course to an area where such processes can be observed. Past field course venues included Italy and Greece. The main emphasis of the course is on on the field investigation of igneous rocks, but it also introduces aspects of physical volcanology, volcanic hazards, geochemistry, structural geology, geodynamics, global environmental change and economic geology, as applicable.
The module involves 4 practical classes (workshops) preparing students for the field course, followed by a residential fieldtrip in the UK or overseas.
The module is designed for both Single and Combined Honours Geology students as well as Geology with Integrated Master's students who have progressed to year 3 of their course. It will be assessed through an oral presentation, and a set of individual and group exercises on the field course, including a post-field course report.

Aims
The aim of this module is to provide students with a systematic and comprehensive understanding of volcanic and magmatic processes through a residential field course to a classic area in volcanology. The module focuses on the field investigation of igneous and volcaniclastic rocks, physical volcanology, igneous petrology, igneous geochemistry, volcanic hazards and volcanic risk. Depending on the field course venue, the module also introduces aspects of volcano tectonics, archaeology, global environmental change and economic geology.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/esc-30033/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

systematically describe, evaluate and interpret key volcanic and magmatic processes through study of academic journal literature and field investigations in a classic area in volcanology: 1,3
deploy subject-specific skills and established techniques to interpret volcanological, petrological and geochemical data, and apply and critically evaluate these to the formulation and solution of a problem: 3
demonstrate skills to a high level in all aspects of field observation, in collection, recording, analysis and interpretation of field data, and in communication of information, ideas and arguments in a clear and coherent form: 3
demonstrate skills in computing, numeracy, information handling, problem-solving, team-working as well as oral, visual and written communication: 1,3
apply proficiently modern field methods in volcanology and petrology, and demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of these methods, based on knowledge that is at or informed by the forefront of the discipline: 3

Study hours

10 hours practical classes (workshops)
80 hours participation in residential field course and field-course related assignments
60 hours directed and private study, including preparation periods for oral presentation
and post-field course report


School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Oral Presentation weighted 20%
15-minute individual oral presentation (incl. questions) on a subject relevant to the field course
The assessment is based on an individual 15-minute oral presentation (incl. questions) using Powerpoint, synthesizing the research literature on a topic relevant to the field course. Student and module teaching staff audience.

2: Portfolio weighted 60%
Portfolio of field course assessments
Portfolio of field course assessments, consisting of typically three problem-based exercises on the field course. One of these exercises may be group-based (2-3 students). Each of these exercises will take up half a day to one day in the field, followed by data analysis and results presentation in written, graphical or oral format. Exercises may vary depending on the field course venue but may include several of the following: a mapping exercise, logging and interpretation of a volcanic succession, production of a volcanic hazard map, description and interpretation of a "mystery" outcrop, a group-based research project and a presentation. All exercises on the field course are equally weighted. The workload for group-based exercises will be split equally between group members and, therefore, equal marks will be allocated to individual students. Total word count or equivalent indication of workload: 3,000 words (or equivalent).

3: Report weighted 20%
Post-field course report; 1000 words
The assessment is based on an individual illustrated report of no more than 1,000 words based on the integration of observations and data collected during the field course.

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: 19 April 2024