Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2008-2009 (archived)
Module ARCH51615: Geophysical Survey
Department: Archaeology
ARCH51615:
Geophysical Survey
| Type |
Open |
Level |
4 |
Credits |
15 |
Availability |
Available in 2008/09 |
Prerequisites
Corequisites
Excluded Combination of Modules
Aims
- To equip students with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical experience to conduct archaeological geophysical surveys ad produce interpretations of the resulting data.
Content
- The students will undertake two surveys of archaeological sites, structures or landscapes, in each case using more than one of the survey techniques taught in the course; a report on each site will be produced to professional standards. At least one report must include a discussion of the site in the broader context of its place in the archeology of its region and period
Learning Outcomes
- the students will have learned the physical properties of rocks and soils which are relevant to the creation of archaeological geophysical anomalies
- the mechanisms by which such anomalies come into existence
- the use of instruments which are capable o detecting these anomalies, and their application in the field
- the discriminating use of software packages to process geophysical data and produce graphical displays of the result
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to
the learning outcomes of the module
- Lectures - Soil properties; the earth's magnetic field; Magnetic prospection; Electrical prospection; Three-dimensional geophysics
- Practicals - Processing geophysical data; Combining geophysical data with other digital map data
- Fieldwork - Magnetic survey; Electrical survey
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity |
Number |
Frequency |
Duration |
Total/Hours |
|
| Lectures |
5 |
1 or 2 per week |
1:00 |
10 |
■ |
| Tutorials |
2 |
fortnightly |
1:00 |
2 |
|
| Seminars |
|
|
|
|
|
| Practicals |
2 |
Twice |
2:00 |
4 |
■ |
| Fieldwork |
2 |
Twice |
2:00 |
4 |
|
| Preparation & Reading |
|
|
|
|
|
| Other: |
|
|
|
132 |
|
| Total |
|
|
|
150 |
|
Summative Assessment
| Component: Portfolio |
Component Weighting: 100% |
| Element |
Length / duration |
Element Weighting |
Resit Opportunity |
| Report of a magnetic and an electrical survey, combined with Ordnance Survey or other digital map data, plus an archaeological interpretation; |
10 pages max |
50% |
|
| Essay |
2,000 words |
50% |
|
Two project designs (one per site) of not more than 1500 words each.
■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University
