Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2011-2012 (archived)
Module GEOL1121: Physics for Geoscientists
Department: Earth Sciences
GEOL1121: Physics for Geoscientists
| Type | Tied | Level | 1 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2011/12 | Module Cap | None. | Location | Durham |
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| Tied to | F600, F630, F641, F642, F662, CFG0, FGC0 |
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Prerequisites
- Mathematics AS level at grade B or above, or a comparable qualification in Mathematics.
Corequisites
- GEOL1051 Field Studies and GEOL____ Principles of Earth Sciences
Excluded Combination of Modules
- Any module taught by the Physics Department
Aims
- To teach the physical principles underlying geological processes and geophysical methods of investigation.
Content
- Principles of mechanics.
- Earth’s gravity field; isostasy.
- Heat and heat flow.
- Fluids and fluid flow.
- Stress and strain.
- Waves: the wave equation; waves in the oceans and solid Earth.
- Principles of electricity and magnetism: resistivity and electromagnetic methods.
- Treatment of errors.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- Knowledge of topics listed in Content above.
Subject-specific Skills:
- Ability to apply physical principles to explain geological processes.
- Understanding geophysical phenomena and surveying techniques.
Key Skills:
- Receive and respond to a variety of information sources.
- Solve numerical problems using computer or non-computer techniques.
- Recognise and respect the views of other team members.
- Evaluate performance.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- The module is delivered through a mix of one-hour lectures and two-hour problems classes and practicals, supported by handouts and web-based background reading and other materials held on DUO.
- The problems classes, staffed by lecturer plus demonstrators, teach students to how to apply the theory to problems in earth sciences. Support and feedback is given in class with model answers subsequently made available on Duo. The practicals teach students concepts of wave theory and the principles of operation of seismometers.
- Summative assessment comprises in-class tests covering the full range of content.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 | 1 per week | 1 hour | 20 | |
| Problem classes and practicals | 20 | 1 per week | 2 hours | 40 | |
| Preparation and Reading | 140 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Examination | Component Weighting: 60% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| two-hour unseen written examination | 100% | ||
| Component: Continual Assessment | Component Weighting: 40% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| In-class tests | 100% | ||
Formative Assessment:
Problems classes and formative assessment of practical reports.
■ 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