CEG1602 : The Geosphere
- Offered for Year: 2022/23
- Module Leader(s): Dr Mark Ireland
- Lecturer: Dr Cees van der Land, Dr Sanem Acikalin Cartigny
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
• Develop an understanding of the key processes that shape the Earth over geological time,
• Develop an understanding the structure of the solid Earth,
• Introduce students to the key paradigm of plate tectonics,
• Introduce mineralogy and the rock forming minerals,
• Develop an understanding of the rock cycle
• Describe the key geological processes that form igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.
• Describe the key rock forming minerals in igneous, metamorphic and igneous rocks.
• Develop an appreciation for how geological processes can be explained through the use of case studies.
Outline Of Syllabus
Through a series of lectures, practical and field trips the students will gain an understanding of the dynamic process that
underpin the formation of different rocks. Specifically;
• Structure and composition of the solid earth
• Global plate tectonics – driving forces, plate motions, plate boundaries, the Wilson cycle,
• The rock cycle
• Igneous rocks and their formation and mineralogy – descriptions, classification, intrusive and extrusive volcanism,
fractional melting and crystallisation, Bowens reaction series
• Metamorphic rocks and their formation and mineralogy – descriptions, classification, contact and regional
metamorphism, facies and grade
• Sedimentary rocks and their formation and mineralogy – descriptions, classification, weathering, transport,
depositional environments, stratigraphic concepts,
• The geological history of selected geological sites in the British Isles as a case studies for the dynamic Earth.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 15:00 | 15:00 | Notebook work S1 |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 38 | 1:00 | 38:00 | May be delivered as a mixture of PiP lectures and synchronous online. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Preparation and completion of the MQC exam |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | Notebook work S2 |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | Reading around the subject to gain a broader understanding |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Virtual online practical – introduction to rock forming minerals (2 groups, double taught) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | PiP practicals - rocks specimens, thin sections (delivered in 2 groups, double taught) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 3 | 6:00 | 18:00 | S1 – Introductory field trip, S2 – Geology of British Isles |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 39:00 | 39:00 | Consolidating learnings from practicals and lectures |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures are used to provide 1) an introduction to processes and the evidence of these and 2) information, details and facts, as well as a guide to the syllabus and reading. This is reinforced using case studies and practical classes. Case studies presented in the lectures are used to explain the link between outcrops and geological processes.
Field trips are used to introduce students to observation and description of the characteristics of rocks. The location of field trips will be linked to both the case studies and the specimens in practical classes where possible.
Practical classes are the primary opportunity for students to link investigate how rocks and minerals relate to the broader dynamic Earth processes. It provides an opportunity to practice skills needed for to make observations in the field, in hand specimens and in thin sections.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 60 | 1 | A | 30 | MCQ |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | 35 | Lab notebook (3 x practical exercises from S1) |
| Practical/lab report | 2 | M | 35 | Lab notebook (3 x practical exercises from S2) |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | Thin sections lab observations (1 - Sem 1) |
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | Thin sections lab observations (2 - Sem 1) |
| Practical/lab report | 2 | M | Thin sections lab observations (3 - Sem 2) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Given the breadth of subject areas covered in the introductory module for both Earth and Environment programs, the assessment method will be based on both an exam and practical/lab assessment. The practical classes provide the primary opportunity for students to link how observations from rocks and minerals relate to the broader dynamic Earth processes.
While the exam provides
PC Exam 1 – In semester 1 exam period a PC Exam (MCQ) will assess the students’ knowledge and understanding of some of the key paradigms which underpin the evolution of the Earth and geological processes present day. The assessment will cover the structure and composition of the solid earth; global plate tectonics; the rock cycle and the formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks
Practical / Lab Assessment 1 - In semester 1 the practical / lab notebook will be assessed at the end of the S1 teaching period. There will be three components assessed, one relating to global tectonics, one related to igneous rocks and one related to metamorphic rocks. The exercises test the ability to recognise geological features, rocks and minerals.
Practical / Lab Assessment 2 - In semester 2 the practical / lab notebook will be assessed at the end of the S1 teaching period. There will be three components assessed, all relating to describing and identifying sedimentary rocks
The formative assessment will provide an opportunity for students to receive on feedback relating to their observational skills.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CEG1602's Timetable