Module GELG1027: Understanding Earth Sciences 1

Department: Global Wuhan

GELG1027: Understanding Earth Sciences 1

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Tied	1	10	Available in 2026/2027	None.	Other

Tied To

Pre-requisites

None

Corequisites

None

Excluded Combinations

None

Aims

Understanding Earth Sciences 1 gives an overview of how the Earth works via a number of global-scale processes, systems and cycles. It focuses on the present Earth, and works from the assumption that physical and chemical laws are unchanging over time, even if the conditions are very different. Several examples are used where there are no obvious modern analogues, so an understanding of physical principles is needed.
Aims:
Introduce the following fundamental subject areas within Earth Sciences: Petrology, Structural Geology and Tectonics
Introduce a systems approach to thinking about Earth features
Show how Earth Sciences understanding for individuals, and a community, is derived from research processes

Content

Plate tectonic principles, processes and the evidence base
Plate tectonic cycles and global and regional climate
Structural features of the continents and oceans and techniques for their analysis
Principles of melt generation/magmatism
Metamorphic reactions and assemblages
Chemical cycling and crustal growth

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

Petrology: understand the principles of melt generation/magmatism and of metamorphic reactions and assemblages. Relationships to chemical cycling and crustal growth
Structural geology and tectonics: main structural features of the continents and oceans and techniques for their analysis. Relationships to plate tectonic cycles and global and regional climate

Subject-specific Skills

Understanding of research methodologies in Earth Sciences, and an appreciation of the specific research foci in Durham Earth Sciences

Key Skills

• Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data sets
Inter-relation of different branches of science
Writing skills
Identifying and avoiding plagiarism
Use and misuse of generative AI
Finding, accessing and citing scientific literature

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

This module will be delivered through lectures with integrated practical components. Practical components will expand on concepts introduced in lectures and provide hands-on experience with geological materials and analytical techniques.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours	Attendance Monitored
Lectures	40	8 per week	1 hour	40	Yes
Self-Directed Study				60
Total				100

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Examination	100%	On Campus Written Examination	2.5 hours	100%

Formative Assessment

Opportunities for discussion and feedback are provided during the practical components of the lectures.

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.